Her evening bag vibrated, the alarm signaling it was time for her to leave for the airport. She slid out from under Royce’s arm. “I have a flight to catch. I’d better go.”

“Thanks for making an appearance.” He followed her to the door of the box. “Call me when you get to London.”

“Of course,” Hannah said.

He scuffed a foot on the floor. He looked like he wanted to say something else, but didn’t.

“Is something wrong, Royce?”

“No. It’s just been a long couple of weeks.” He nodded. “Have a nice visit with your family. Safe trip home.”

“Thanks. Talk to you next week.” Just thinking she had to be in London in ten days sent another wave of fatigue through Hannah. She would have rather taken a nap than gone to this party. The door closed with a firm click. Hannah sighed. The corridor was blissfully quiet. She could still feel the beat thumping through the soles of her shoes. But she was free.

Her luggage was in the trunk of her rental car out in the lot. In a couple of hours, she’d be in the sky on her way home. Her heels were silent on the carpet as she made her way down the corridor toward the elevator bank. She pressed the down button. While she waited, she fished her phone from her purse and checked her e-mail and the status of her flight. On time.

She opened a message from her brother Grant. Why was he up? It was three a.m. on the East Coast. An extreme close-up of her niece, Faith, popped onto the screen. The accompanying message read: you’re coming to my party, right? Faith’s first birthday was Saturday.

Hannah smiled at the photo and typed: wouldn’t miss it. leaving for the airport now. is Faith having a tough night?

Grant messaged: she’s cutting molars. text me when you’re close.

K, she typed.

Luv u.

With a hollow ache in her chest, she typed u2 and pressed send. Part of her wanted to see them with a frightening intensity. The other was terrified of the hold she felt on her heart every time she went home. If Hannah closed her eyes, she could smell baby shampoo. She’d only have a long weekend with them this trip. Four days seemed simultaneously like too much and not nearly enough time. Grant, who’d left the military to raise Lee’s kids, was taking them to Disney World, and Hannah had promised to dog- and house-sit. It was the least she could do. Grant let her use his house as her permanent address.