Casey listened patiently as Evelyn explained the issue.  His face darkened like a thunderhead rolling in at the news, and anger threatened to twist his gut.  Manipulation.  It made him sick.  But that wasn't the tact to take.  He tried to picture how Evelyn must feel.  His heart went out to her, and gently -when she finished speaking- he wrapped his arms around her, leaning half-out of his stool to do so.  "I'm sorry, Evie."<br/><br/>"There's no breaking this off.  Not for as long as you want this.  You've had my oath, and I plan to keep it."  He frowned.  It was too early perhaps, to go spitting venom in her defense.  But she was a grown, and capable woman.  He had to trust her to ask if she wanted help with her family.  Anything else would only make the situation worse.  He squeezed the hug for a moment, before releasing her again.<br/><br/>"You could...  You could tell her you asked, and that I demanded it."  He suggested.  "It wouldn't be hard to paint me the villain in her eyes, I suspect."  Gently, he rubbed at the woman's shoulder in an effort to bestow some measure of comfort to her.