“When you’ve been through a nightmare, it’s hard to imagine ever feeling normal again, isn’t it?”

“Impossible,” Lauren murmured.

“Let’s go inside,” Anne suggested. “You look like you could use a cup of coffee. Have you slept in the last . . . year or two?”

“God. Do I look that bad?”

“I’m not one to pull punches,” Anne said as they started back toward the main building. “I’m sure you know the answer to your own question. I know I was well aware I looked like I’d been run over by a truck for the first few months after my ordeal. I didn’t care.

“Some women do, though,” she said. “I’ve seen people go to great lengths to pretend they’re just fine when they’re anything but. That’s a heavy lie to bear. They always crash eventually and have to start over from square one.”

“So are you saying I’m ahead of the game?” Lauren asked drily.

“I’m saying you might as well be honest. A perfect, controlled façade can be worse than a prison,” she said, thinking again of Leah, wondering what exactly the girl was trying so hard to keep locked within.

They went inside the building and down the cool, dark hall to Anne’s office.

“I just wanted to stop by to thank you again for letting Leah stay last night,” Lauren said. “Was everything all right? Leah hasn’t stayed over with a friend for a long time.”

“She did fine,” Anne said. “I checked on the girls a couple of times during the night. Once the gabfest was over, it looked like everyone slept soundly.”

“Good,” she said quietly. “She hasn’t gotten to have much of a childhood the last few years.”

Anne opened her office door and was greeted by the intoxicating aroma of coffee and fresh-baked blueberry muffins.

“Oh my God, smell that,” she said on a groan. “The kitchen staff is spoiling me into obesity.

“Leah is delightful,” she said, going to the coffee bar and pouring two cups without asking. Lauren was going to welcome the coffee, and she was going to eat a muffin if Anne had to sit on her and force-feed it to her.

“Any time Leah wants to come stay is all right by me,” she said. “Antony and Haley loved having her. If she ever wants to make a little money, she can help Wendy with the babysitting duties.”

Lauren frowned a little. Anne read her concern.

“Remember, my house is like Fort Knox. There’s always somebody watching if Vince is out. Even if it’s just date night. Nothing is left to chance.”

“That’s an interesting arrangement you have with the sheriff’s office.”

Anne pushed the cup of coffee into her hand and motioned for her to take a seat.