How did she talk me into this?” I punched the decorative pillow in my lap and brooded. “That’s what I ask myself on a daily basis.” Stella chuckled. Jackie swept back into the living room and dropped a suitcase by the door. Finally. She and Stella had spent at least two hours going over Jackie’s itinerary for the next several days and briefing me on anyone I could possibly encounter. Then she’d spent over an hour gathering her stuff. The sooner she left, the sooner she could get on with her sabbatical and the sooner I’d be done with the charade. I rose from the sofa to see her off. “Thank you so much for doing this, Maddie. I owe you big time.” She sighed. “I don’t know what I’d do without you.” I scrunched up my nose. “Just don’t alienate my friends back home.” “You worry too much.” Jackie gave me a big hug.
