“Morning.” Crystal slides behind her for a cup of coffee.

Pam turns, cheeks flushed. “Morning. Did you get good sleep?”

“I did. I’m sorry to have kept you overnight.”

“Don’t apologize.” She waves the spatula in the air. “I was happy to help. Right, Savi? We braided each other’s hair and watched a movie. It was awesome. So quiet.”

Crystal bites her tongue. Pam is the oldest of four children and loves to feel needed. It’s why Crystal hired her, but she doesn’t want to blur the lines of Pam being Savi’s buddy versus being paid to watch her. Especially with their recent string of issues. She clears her throat and takes a sip of coffee.

“Busy day today?” Pam asks cheerily.

Crystal checks her calendar and realizes she’s supposed to start Bec’s kitchen renovation tomorrow. Today is prep day. “Yes.” She scrolls through her texts again and finds one from Bec that says she’s okay and will call later. But she hasn’t called. She wonders if she’s forgotten about tomorrow.

“Savi and I already have our day planned, don’t we?”

Crystal peers at them and waits for either of them to elaborate, but they don’t. “Are you going to tell me what you’re up to?”

“It’s a secret.” Savi giggles. “But it does involve magic!”

“Okay, Houdini. I’m going to finish getting ready,” Crystal jokes.

Fifteen minutes later, she’s laden with bags and materials for her meeting at Bec’s. The contractor is set to meet at the house later today, but on the way, Crystal calls him to explain there might be a delay.

Bec’s house is dark. She peers in one of the windows and then checks her watch. Bec should be here. She shoots her a text and decides to check Wilder.

At the park, she makes sure her supplies are locked in the trunk and does a quick loop. Once again, Crystal marvels at the fact that Bec does this so many days per week by herself. As an experiment, she closes her eyes and walks a few steps on the sidewalk. Just like on the stairs, her world tilts and she almost steps on the back of someone’s shoe.