In the morning, Sarah woke up from the sound of a car in the yard, followed by Emma's exciting voice, "Dad, Mom, I'm back!"

Mr. and Mrs. Thomas greeted her back. Looking through the window, Sarah saw Charles getting out of the car, holding several shopping bags in his hand. Emma was still talking with Mr. Thomas, who had been trimming flowers in the yard, and Christina was doing her morning exercises routine.

Sarah felt it strange that Charles and Emma were together this early in ...