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Marian’s place. She was sure she’d go crazy without Jenny. And if Ronnie were an invalid, she’d break down for sure. She wouldn’t even have the strength to pretend. She’d curl up in a ball and hide from reality.
    Maybe that’s what’s happening to Marian. Sally gasped as it hit her. Marian could be having a nervous breakdown, and no one would know. There were people who went quietly crazy, and no one knew about it for years, until they did something horrible.
    “Did Marian have a good time?”
    Sally whirled to see Ronnie standing in the doorway. Without a word she ran across the kitchen and flung herself into his arms.
    “Hey!” Ronnie hugged her and stepped back to look at her face. “What got into you?”
    “I . . . I’m just glad I’m me.” Sally’s lower lip trembled. “And I’m glad I have you and Jenny to love.”
    “Well, good.” Ronnie placed a kiss on her lips. “Hey, Sal . . . are you going to let me go back to work?”
    “No.” Sally hung on fiercely “I think you’re all through for the night. Let’s go to bed.”
    “I think I like this.” Ronnie grinned at her and flicked off the kitchen light. “Maybe you ought to bake fruitcakes more often.”

CHAPTER 4
    Both of them were glad to get home. Marian took care of Dan first. When he was comfortable and settled in bed, she took her shower and got into her robe and slippers. They could have French toast for breakfast. That was easy. Marian opened the refrigerator door to make sure they had eggs and milk.
    The sight of a ham bone, carefully wrapped in plastic, made tears roll down Marian’s cheeks. Muffy was gone.
    She didn’t want Dan to know she’d been crying. Marian turned off the light before she got into bed. She tried to sound cheerful as she said good night.
    There was a quaver in Marian’s voice, and Dan pulled her close. He knew what was wrong. He missed Muffy, too.
    “Don’t feel bad, honey. Muffy’s better off at the farm.”
    “I know.” Marian drew a deep breath. “But, Dan . . . it’s almost like losing Laura all over again.”
    “Don’t look at it that way, honey. Muffy’s happy now. And that’s the way we have to feel about Laura. We miss her, but we’ve got to believe she’s happier and better off in another place.”
    “Yes . . . I suppose so.” Marian’s voice was sad. “I think I’ll go out to the living room and read for a while. I’m too wound up to sleep.”
    Dan knew she shouldn’t be alone. He pulled himself up in bed and switched on the light.
    “Stay here, Marian. I’ll read too. Find me a good book, and we’ll keep each other company.”
    “How about that mystery I read last month?” Marian got out of bed and pulled a book off the bookshelf. “I’m through with it.”
    “That’s fine. Do we have any snacks, honey? I’m a little hungry.”
    “Just the fruitcake Sally sent, but that has to age until Christmas.” Marian frowned. “I’m sorry, Dan. I meant to go to the store this morning, and I forgot.”
    “It doesn’t matter, honey. I’m really not that hungry.” Dan could have kicked himself for saying anything. He could tell that Marian was feeling guilty for not doing the shopping.
    He took the book Marian handed him and flipped through it. A piece of ruled notepaper fluttered to the bed.
    “Hey . . . what’s this?” Dan picked up the paper and glanced at it. “How about this, Marian? It’s a note from Laura.”
    Without thinking, he handed it to Marian. Another mistake. Laura’s note might make Marian feel even worse.
    “It says, ‘Mommy, I love you.’” Marian smiled down at Dan. “She must have put it in my book to surprise me. Isn’t that sweet?”
    There was nothing but pleasure on Marian’s face, and Dan sighed in relief.
    “It’s funny, but I feel so much better now.” She leaned down and gave him a quick kiss. “It’s almost as if Laura’s alive again. I’m so glad you found it!”
    Marian looked positively radiant. Now Dan was glad