“I’ll stay at your house.”

She cocked her head as she studied him, unable to read his expressionless face and even tone. “Okay.” Now that the sleepover was confirmed, panicked thoughts started working their way in. Jane’s room was still a disaster area, her mattress sliced to ribbons, so that wouldn’t work for a guest room. He couldn’t stay in the twins’ room or with her and Fifi or in Norah’s tiny cave, so he’d have to go on the couch. Her shoulders relaxed a little after she came up with a solution that didn’t involve John bunking with her.

The thought of her sisters reminded her that she hadn’t checked on them in a while, and she pulled out her phone to see a couple of text messages had come through during the excitement in the warehouse.

“Everything okay?” John asked as she read them and typed a response.

“Charlie and Fifi want to keep following a lead on Mom, so they’ll be gone for a few days.” Although she kept her voice casual, her heart did the funny little squeeze and hop it always did when any of her sisters were out chasing a skip without her.

Somehow, John must’ve caught on to something in her tone, because he looked at her sharply. “What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” When he narrowed his eyes at her, like he thought she was prevaricating, she waved a hand. “I’m just being an overly concerned big sister, that’s all.” She dropped her phone back in one of her pants pockets. “I do this every time they head out on their own. It’s like I forget that they’re adults—capable adults.”

“Understandable, since it sounds like you pretty much raised them.” Even though John’s voice was relaxed, Molly noticed that he was still keeping a close eye on their surroundings, from the shadows between the buildings to the occasional vehicle that rolled past. She was grateful that he was alert, since she knew she was too tired and fuzzy-headed to notice anyone unless they ran up and screamed in her face. Shifting closer to John, she took reassurance in the brush of his sleeve against hers, a reminder that there was another capable adult present who would allow her to be off her game for once.

He glanced at her curiously, reminding her that they were having a conversation. “Hmm? Oh, right. Yeah, I guess I did act like the mom…even to Jane.” When the mention of her mother didn’t dredge up the usual vivid anger, Molly knew she really was exhausted. She yawned widely.

“Tired?” he asked.

“Adrenaline crash.” The conversation faded, and Molly fought to keep her eyes from closing. When they finally turned onto her street, she’d never been so grateful to see her neighbors’ ultra-neat lawns. Even as exhausted as she was, she still checked to see if there were any mysterious vehicles parked beside the curb, but the road was empty. A knot in her stomach unwound at this small mercy. She didn’t think she had it in her to chase after another strange, lurking vehicle, not until she’d had a good night’s sleep.