Halle-freakin’-lujah.

“And Lord, please bless Kate.”

Kate’s gaze snapped up to stare over the rim of her glasses.

“May she find the compassion in her kind and loving heart to open her arms to those less fortunate. May she find the goodness within not to judge—”

“—I told you it’s not because he’s homeless—”

“—those she does not know.” She paused, the silence extended. “In God’s name I pray. Amen.”

It was hard to focus on Tilly’s jab when she was pulling back the covers on her side of the bed, the long, creamy expanse of her legs so exposed in those cotton shorts as she slipped in beside Kate. Tilly sighed exhaustedly, her eyes closing as her head found the pillow. The sound twisted Kate’s stomach into knots. Drawing her gaze away from the hollow of Tilly’s throat, she threw the covers back.

“Where are you going?” Tilly asked.

Kate stopped at the door. On her tiptoes, she felt across the head jamb for the ancient key.

“Do it quietly,” Tilly whispered as Kate slipped it into the keyhole.

Out of her control, the lock clinked heavily. As Tilly clicked her tongue in annoyance, Kate rolled her eyes. “He’s already snoring.”

“No, he’s not.”

“Listen.”

Tilly propped herself up on her elbows, her brow furrowing. Even through the plaster walls, the irregular rumble was unmissable.

Kate shook her head as she padded back to the bed. “If he gets any louder, I’ll sleep in the goddamn convent.”

“Can you please not put those two words together?” Tilly huffed.

Kate folded her glasses on the bedside table and switched off the lamp. “You’ve already prayed for my soul for the night, I’ll be fine.”

“That’s what you think.”

I’m not so sure I can think right now, she thought as she settled in beside Tilly. Her bed was only a double. Tilly was so, so close. The warmth of her body, the scent of her…

“This bed smells like you,” Tilly whispered.

“Like fairy-floss and popcorn?” Kate joked.

Tilly pushed herself up onto an elbow. Even in the darkness, Kate could feel the intensity of her stare as Tilly slid her other hand into the empty space between them.

Kate turned her head on the pillow. “What?”

“Do you remember when your mum took us to the fairgrounds?” Tilly whispered. “That Queen’s Birthday long weekend?”

Kate smiled. “Yeah.” Of course she did. The only reason Tilly had been allowed to sleepover at Kate’s for the first and only time was because Kate’s mum was running the Rotary barbecue. Disgruntled by the idea that Tilly would have to head back for the ferry and miss the nighttime events, Kate had gone alone to Sister Hattie’s office and insisted they needed extra help at the food stall. What are they raising money for? Sister Hattie had asked. The homeless, Kate had told her. In truth, the proceeds had funded a local boy’s trip to Canada to compete in an international chess championship.