MARISA SAT ON A CHAIR on the back porch, Ana asleep in her arms. They were both wrapped in a blanket off their bed. She'd sat beside her daughter for less than an hour before Ana awoke, crying, from yet another bad dream. She'd had them all night. Not surprising, all things considered.

Marisa had pulled her daughter into her arms and tried to get her back to sleep, but Ana had wanted nothing to do with it. Instead, they'd come outside.

Ana had fallen back to sleep within just a few minutes.

The back door opened, and Sam stepped out. She surveyed the scene, smiled, and sat in the other chair. "How's she doing?"

"Considering the week she's had, great."

Sam sipped her coffee. "How about you?"

"I kept waking up to make sure she was really with me. All in all, not a great night's sleep. But the best I've had in a long time."

"I bet." Sam set her coffee on the little table between them. "Nate's sound asleep."

"Yeah. I don't know why he didn't stay in the hospital."

"Really? You don't know?" Sam's smile said the answer was obvious to her.

Marisa shrugged and looked at the calm lake water.

A car's tires sounded on the gravel road in front of the cabin. It had been such a quiet morning, the noise surprised her, as did the slamming of a car door a moment later.

Sam stood. "Bet that's Brady. I'll just get him before..."

Her words trailed off as the sound of knocking came through the house.

"Too late." Marisa stood and followed Sam inside, careful to keep Ana cradled in her arms.

Her daughter stirred. "Mama?"

"I'm right here, pajarita." She kissed her head. "You're safe. I promise."

The girl settled and fell back to sleep.

Marisa smiled at Brady and Rae, then at Nate as he sat up slowly. She ducked into the bedroom and laid her daughter on the bed. She kissed her head and waited to be sure Ana was asleep.

She returned to the living room and looked around. Like every other morning she'd been here, Nate, Brady, Rae, and Sam were congregating in the kitchen. This time, Nate wore scrubs he must've gotten from the hospital. He yawned and turned toward her. "Hey."

"You should sit. You don't look good."

"You look..." He seemed suddenly aware of the others in the room and cleared his throat. "How's Ana?"

"Perfect. Please sit."

Nate hobbled to the sofa, and Marisa got him a cup of coffee and a muffin. Rae must've brought a fresh box of pastries from McNeal's. They'd had enough from the diner in Nutfield in the last few days that Marisa looked forward to going to the place for a meal soon.

As if she were staying right here in Nutfield.

Was she staying? There was nothing for her in Mexico. Nothing for her in New York, either.