The night ended on a hopeful, almost jovial note. Penny forgot for the night that she was angry with their benefactor, and telling and rehearing all they had been through reminded her of how much she treasured Zoe and Katie. Indeed, all three girls seemed to have gotten past their sleep-deprived grumpiness. The mood in the hollow was friendlier than it had been in weeks. And as their story came to a close with Penny telling about the making of the circle, even Ellen’s initial anxiety seemed to have gone.
She relaxed and smiled encouragement as they passed off the story from one to the next, and when the story was finished, Penny thought Ellen had to restrain herself from clapping. She didn’t seem to have any doubts left. She’d seen too much that day, felt the possibilities when she’
