He bowed his head in understanding, a hand over his heart. "It will be mine as well, I am afraid. I left behind my son and two daughters-by-marriage. Grandchildren. But before I came here, I was an old man and felt my heart slowing to a stop."

But the thought of her, so young, being without someone to miss. Before he realised, there was a feeling growing inside of him to make certain she would be all right. After two years here, he didn't doubt that she would be capable, and Maria had taught him the folly of assuming a woman could not take care of herself - but the sadness in her smile pulled at him.