A gasp from the doorway caught her attention before she could process anything Harrison had just said. She turned, prepared to scold Dawn for what had to be the worst timing known to womankind, only to find that two of the ladies from the knitting circle had joined her. Her sister appeared to be doing her best to usher them out of the room, but it would take someone much more determined than Dawn to get rid of a busybody like Paulette.

“Well, I never,” Paulette said, a hand clutched to her throat. She wasn’t wearing a pearl necklace—she was more of a New Age, healing-crystal sort—but the idea was the same. “Sophie, honey, we came to ask if you needed any help with that puppy. I can see we’re not a moment too soon.”

Sophie bit back a groan. “I’m fine, Paulette. Hey, Hilda. As you can see, we found Bubbles safe and sound. Is the kitchen fire all cleared?”

She’d hoped the change of subject would encourage the women to move on, but Paulette pushed past Dawn and planted herself in the center of the room. She wasn’t a large woman, but she was a formidable one. It was the result of forty years working as the charge nurse on the pediatric cancer ward. She mothered and bullied in equal proportions.

Sophie had known her for just about forever. In fact, Paulette was the one who taught her how to knit in the first place. You can either knit or sit around this hospital room feeling sorry for yourself, Ducky. And I, for one, am getting sick of all the moping.

“I don’t think I care for the way this young man was talking to you,” Paulette said. “Why don’t you come with me, and I’ll see both you and your sister safely home?”

“There’s really no need—” Sophie began, but Paulette cut her short.

“I’m sure it’s what your mother would want me to do. We won’t take no for an answer, will we, Hilda?”

Sophie cast a silent plea in Dawn’s direction, but all her sister could do was mouth an apology and shrug. Sophie was just as powerless in this situation. If there was a way to oust a well-meaning family friend who had held and rocked her during her worst moments, then it was a way Sophie had yet to discover.

She was hemmed in on all sides and had been for as long as she could remember. Had there been a villain in her story, a malicious being she could stand up to once and for all, she would have banished him years ago.