“No,” he replied, firmly, smoothing her hair back from the side of her face. “I'll never leave youalone again. You've spent too many years always having to be the strong one, never having anyone torely upon. It stops now, Taylor. What I heard changes nothing when it comes to how I feel about you. Irespect you in a way I've never respected anyone before. Share this burden with me. You've been stronglong enough. Let me shoulder it from here on out. I promise you, I won't fail you.”