The movement slammed her into consciousness. She found herself staring at the cell phone ringing on the nightstand. She fumbled for it in her half-waking state and pressed the button as soon as she could find it. “Hello?” she mumbled into the receiver.
“Ellie! Thank God! I was about to borrow Dad’s car and come running up there!”
Through her grogginess, Ellie heard Paul’s voice, full of worry and relief. She rubbed her eyes and leaned against the pillows. “What do you mean? I spoke to you only a few hours ago.”
“No, you didn’t. The last time we spoke was yesterday morning, just when you’d gotten into Maine. I waited all night to hear back from you, but you never called.”
Ellie sat up and raked her hand through her hair. “I’m so sorry, Paulie. I only meant to nap for an hour or two. I s
