Lauren rinsed the lunch dishes and placed them in the dishwasher. She glanced out the side window toward the drive numerous times, expecting Chase to be back with her parents. Her cell phone rang, and she yanked it out of her back pocket.

"Hello," Lauren said, without checking caller ID.

"Lauren, it's Janelle."

"Jan, it's so wonderful to hear your voice. How are you?"

"I'm freezing my ass off here," Janelle said.

"It's winter, girl. It's cold here ...