“But if you ever do, you, like, totally can.” Ran stood suddenly and crossed to the window that overlooked the woods. “With us, I mean.”

“We’re here for you,” Colleen added.

Julia nodded. “You’re not alone.”

Hope planted her hands on her knees. Fiercely, she said, “You are never alone.”

“Thanks.” Maggie tried to smile.

Ran folded her arms. She toed the floor in a little sweep and said briskly, “There’s this book coming out next month that’s supposed to be really good. It’s called The Bear and the Nightingale. I think we should read it.”

“What’s it about?” Maggie asked, grateful for the change of subject.

“Magic and fairy tales. It takes place on the edge of the Russian wilderness. This winter demon lurks…”

Ran told them about the book, and the conversation stayed on the safe subject of fantasy novels. They didn’t talk for long. After a few minutes, Ran checked her phone and said, “We’d better get going.”

“Julia has to babysit her brothers,” Colleen explained.

The departure (a flurry of see-you-soons and tentative pats and little waves) was awkward—but not as awkward as the visit’s beginning had been.

“Your friends are nice,” Linnie observed afterward.

“They are. They’re really sweet.” Maggie felt a fluttery lightness in her chest. She’d made it through the post-Marge reunion. More than that, she didn’t have to be Marge anymore. She didn’t have to hide and pretend. “You should go with me the next time.”

“To your book club?”

Maggie nodded.

“Okay.” Linnie smiled. “I like books.” She drew out her phone, absently glanced at it, then yelped, “Shit! I’ve got to pick up Kate.” She scrambled out of bed. “Hurry up. You’re coming, too.”

“I am?” She grimaced. Kate wasn’t going to be happy to see her. The kid never was. On the other hand, going with Linnie gave Maggie something to do, and doing something with someone suddenly seemed smarter—and healthier—than not doing anything all by herself.

Maybe Linnie suspected the same, because she said, “Yes, you are.”

24

THE SAAB WAS sitting outside the cabin.

“Still driving Kyle’s car?” Maggie asked, surprised.

“Where he is right now, well … let’s just say he won’t have any use for a car.”

“Ooooh.” Yikes.

She smiled. “Buckle up, Margaret.”

At the elementary school, Linnie swiftly parked and jogged up to the building. She reappeared a minute later, smiling down at her daughter and holding her hand.

Kate looked annoyed when she spied Maggie in the front seat, but she didn’t make any cutting remarks, just delivered a kick to the back of Maggie’s seat as they drove away from the school.

Instead of driving north, in the direction of Wren’s cabin, Linnie headed south.

“Where are we going?” Maggie asked, then turned around to scowl at Kate when the girl kicked her seat again.