“Now that I live on campus,” Maddox said, “I sometimes stay a little later. Without the drive, I can get home pretty quickly.”

“I’ve been dealing with that crash. You heard what happened?”

“Yeah. Haven’t had a chance to go look, though. Was it bad?”

“Car came right into the lobby.”

“Good thing no one was sitting there at the time. Was Betty behind her reception desk?”

“Yeah, but it didn’t come quite that far. Thank goodness. Scared the hell out of her, though.”

“What’d the owner of the car have to say?”

“What could she say? She was embarrassed and apologized profusely.”

Maddox started to straighten his desk in preparation for leaving. “Would you like to come over for dinner tonight?”

“No, I’d rather not put any more pressure on Jada, not with her brother in the hospital.” He also didn’t want to be too visible right now. It would be easy for his sister-in-law to blame him for the difficulties between her mother and her husband. “How is Atticus, by the way? Have you heard anything?”

“Jada called after lunch to say he’s doing better. If they don’t release him today, they’ll do it tomorrow.”

“Did they ever figure out if there was anything to worry about besides the bruise on his brain?”

“No, that’s it. Did you get to see him last night?”

“For a few minutes.”

“How’d that go?”

Tobias crossed his ankles. “He was drugged up, so I’m not sure he’ll remember, but it was…good.” He couldn’t help wondering if Jada’s brother would bring up the hiking thing again. If he didn’t, Tobias doubted he’d broach the subject again. Given the fact that Tobias was the reason Atticus couldn’t hike, maybe it would be too awkward. Or just too physically demanding. Tobias was a strong hiker, but he’d never attempted to carry another human being up such steep inclines.

“You didn’t run into Susan, did you?” Maddox asked with some chagrin.

“No. Saw her leave, though. Fortunately, she didn’t notice me as she walked out.”

“I try not to complain about her, but…”

“She’s still giving you a hard time?”

Maddox threw up his hands. “It’s not me I care about. She can treat me any way she wants. I hate what this is doing to Jada. Why is she forcing her daughter to choose between us? And why is she putting her granddaughter in such a difficult spot? Maya feels defensive and wary when she shouldn’t have to. Even Atticus has gotten over the past.”

“You wouldn’t be in this situation if it wasn’t for me. None of you. I’m sorry. I think about it all the time.”