Given how often she wiped her nose or brow with her sleeve, she wasn't about to judge anyone for a little bit of snot. It would be almost comical, if he wasn't so upset. The pain in his voice was enough to keep any smile from her face. Instead, there was only tenderness and sympathy in her eyes.

She plopped beside him, unconcerned with the dirt or dust that might gather on her skirts. Instead, she placed a hand on his shoulder, giving it a comforting squeeze. "I know this is a bit of a shock." It was more than an understatement, but it was the only way she knew how to begin approaching this.

The sob startled her, uncertain what could cause this extreme of a reaction.

"You weren't hurt arriving here?"