Still needing a distraction from her thoughts, she’d jumped at the chance when Gracie had come to keep her company. Now several hours later and once again on her own, she sat in Mitch’s library, which looked like the set for Masterpiece Theatre, and dialed Penelope’s number. She narrowed her gaze on the row of books lining the bottom shelf of the floor-to-ceiling shelves. Law books. Why wasn’t she surprised? “It’s me,” Maddie said as soon as Penelope picked up. “It’s about time. I was getting worried.” Maddie glanced at the clock on the large, executive desk. “It’s only eight.” Penelope huffed, sounding disgruntled. “Eight’s an eternity when the phone rings every half-hour with demands to know if you’ve called today.” Guilt, the ever-present thorn in her side, jabbed her in the ribs. “I’m sorry, I didn’t think.” A memory rose, of her mom standing in the kitchen as Maddie sat at the table. Her father had been visiting Sister Margaret again because Maddie had set off the school fire alarm on a dare.
