Chapter 7

At the hospital entrance, Tim caught my hesitation. Without warning, he yelled toward the offices inside.

"Professor! She's here!"

On instinct, I clapped a hand over his mouth to hush him. My palm landed on his lips—warm, unexpectedly soft.

We both froze.

I pulled back fast. Tim's ears went pink, and he looked pointedly at the floor.

From inside, Pemberton's voice, dry. "You going to stand out there all day?"

Pemberton had aged in the five years I'd been gone. His temples had gone silver.

He looked me over. All he said was, "This time, you're not leaving again."

I nodded, hard.