“Oh, it’s nothing. Fluffster, settle down. Down, boy.” Keeping one hand on the steering wheel, Caleb reached to the side, found the dog’s collar, and tugged him to the floor.

Fluffster sat at Maggie’s feet for about ten seconds, then slunk up to her lap again.

“Sorry about that,” Caleb said. “I usually make him stay in the back.”

Linnie laughed. “You can’t ‘make’ him do anything. That’s the problem. Train your dog, man.” She scooted to the edge of the backseat. “But Margaret’s right. This is really nice.” In a stage whisper by Maggie’s ear, she added, “That’s Caleb’s thing: being really nice.”

When Maggie turned to smile, the dog washed her neck. She grimaced.

Caleb glanced in the rearview mirror. “Why is it when you say that, it doesn’t sound flattering?”

Linnie snickered, and they started exchanging verbal jabs. The banter was friendly. Earlier in the morning, Maggie had learned that the two had known each other for a few years. They’d met even before they had lived in the same neighborhood, when Sam’s father had taught Caleb (“Thomas’s favorite geek of all time,” according to Linnie) four years ago. He’d been mentoring him ever since. “Sam’s dad is why I’m a history major,” Caleb had admitted. “He’s awesome.” The major had surprised Maggie. She’d pegged him as a future social worker.

Ostensibly petting the dog’s face while really shifting him away from her, Maggie gazed out the window. They were close to I-90. It was Monday, just past eight o’clock. The worst of the morning rush hour traffic was behind them. And Aunt Wren’s cabin was far behind them.

Maggie felt like she was abandoning a safe place, leaving her second home. The previous day, after she’d returned to the cabin, Maggie told the aunt about her travel plans, without mentioning the Jane Cannon part of her agenda. Wren nodded decisively and said, “I’m glad. Min needs you. I hope … well, I don’t want to dump on you, honey, but maybe you can smooth things over for your mom and me.” With a heavy sigh, she started slicing the loaf of bread on the counter, then looked up with a startled, “Oh! I almost forgot. Your book club friends were here looking for you.” A bemused smile lifted the frown off her face. “Interesting bunch.”

Maggie, when she’d recovered from this news, had said, “I’ll get in touch with them.” Later, she’d added silently. Then: So much for Marge.

Now Maggie frowned at the traffic whizzing by. Caleb drove much slower than she did. Still, if delays and stops could be avoided, they would make it to Carlton by midafternoon.

Then it would be a matter of finding Jane.

“Pretty town,” Linnie said.

Maggie hummed her agreement around the lump in her throat.