She took a moment to take some calming breaths and rested her head against the closed door before she stepped over to Abby’s bed. She was fast asleep, her little rosebud mouth open and her long lashes kissing the apples of her cheeks. She looked like a cherub from those Renaissance paintings and it felt like a crime to wake her. She sat on the edge of the bed and smoothed some hair back off Abby’s forehead.

“Abby,” she whispered, “Abby, honey, it’s time to wake ...