Emmeline's first urge was to just collapse against her friend's shoulder. It would have felt so good to relax and let someone else worry about this for once.

But that, of course, just wouldn't do. Not even now.

Instead, she ducked her head away from Grady's eyes evasively, reaching up to wipe her eyes with the back of her hand. As she felt her other hand being held, however, she shrunk downward, collapsing into a vulnerable, shaking little creature cowering on the couch.

As her cheeks flushed, Emmeline was sure her friend could feel her hands going cold and clammy. "Is it real, Grady...?" her voice sounded as soft and as shaky as she felt. "Are they really dead? Am I..." Her free hand flew to her mouth, covering it just in time to hide the vulnerable noise that rose unbidden from her throat. "Am I an orphan?"