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“A big girl.”

What did he mean by that? It was obvious that she was. She was a grown adult with all the bills and responsibilities to show for it.

“Um, yep. I guess I am. Kind of have to be.”

He let out a strange noise that sounded almost like he disagreed with that. She grew even more confused. And then he used his finger to smooth away her frown.

“Everything is going to be okay.”

“Is it? I don’t know if it is.” She tried to laugh, but it sounded more like a sob.

“It will be because I’m going to make it so. I’m going to take care of everything, all right?”

She wanted to say yes. She wanted to sink into his protection and let him look after her, but she had to start taking care of herself.

It was time to stop hiding from the hard things.

So she forced herself to take a step away from him. “I’ve got to learn to handle this myself. I know you made a promise to Charlie, and it’s amazing that you want to help me, but you need to go back to work soon. You can’t stay here forever, and frankly, I don’t think I can either.”

“You want to move?” he asked.

She nodded.

“Where to?”

“I don’t know yet.”

“What are you going to do?”

“I’m not sure about that either.”

“When you can tell me where you want to go and what you’re going to do, I’ll help you, then head off. But in the meantime, I’ll help you fix up this place a bit.”

“I really can’t ask you⁠—”

“Not asking, I’m offering.”

Well, she guessed that was true. He was offering.

“All right, I’ll figure out my life.”

It couldn’t be that hard, could it?

A car door slamming shut caught her attention, and she glanced over at the new model BMW sitting at the curb. Ed started walking toward her, looking nervous. Ed reached the porch, then drew something out of his pocket, holding it toward her. It was a sealed envelope.

“What’s this?” she asked.

“It’s your final bill, due by the end of next week.”

“The end of next week?” she exclaimed. “I thought I had until the end of the month.”

“Terms are end of next week.” He moved around nervously. “Well, goodnight.”

“Wait,” Ammo said. He took the envelope out of her hand and opened it. “Why do you look so nervous? And why deliver this tonight?”

“I’m not nervous,” Ed spluttered. “That was a shambles of a funeral. None of that ever should have happened, and it wouldn’t have if you just followed my direction.”

Ammo glanced down at the bill with a frown.