Maddie walked to the door and reached for the knob as Hayley blurted, "Maddie?"
She turned to face her.
"When you want to talk, I am here to listen just as you were willing to be here for me."
Maddie smiled faintly and left the room.
_ _
The same afternoon, Hayley's father found her in the library.
"I've been looking for you. This should have been the first place I looked." He chuckled.
Hayley's "hello" was close to a whisper.
"You do not seem to be very pleased to see me." He placed an arm around her and gave her a hug.
"Of course, I am nothing but delighted to see you."
She smiled faintly.
"That is comforting." He cleared his throat and sat in a chair beside her. Hayley remained standing, holding a book. "I have rather good news for you today."
"I have some lengthy business to attend to in Kingston, and I have decided to take you with me."
"You have never allowed me to go with you." Hayley placed the book on the nearby shelf. "Why are you allowing it now?"
"You will be a woman soon, and you need to be prepared for the outside world."
"How long will we be gone?
"A few weeks, perhaps."
"Could it be longer than a few weeks? Hayley smiled.
"Yes, it is a possibility. That is why I want you with me. You are a young lady now, and I do not wish to miss any more time with you." He was glad to see Hayley smile and touched her chin. "What is this, I see on your face?"
"I never dreamed I would have an opportunity to spend so much time with you."
"You can thank Maddie. She has been concerned about you."
"What about my schooling?"
"We will only be away for a short time. Perhaps your tutor can provide a schedule of studies, in the event my work is extended beyond what I plan."
"What will Maddie do while we are gone?"
"I'm sure she will have plenty to keep her occupied.
"Why would you ask her and Mr. Christman to stay if we will be absent?"
"Perhaps you are right."
"The cook and butler both have families but Maddie has no one. If she were to go on vacation, where would she go?"
"To Kingston with us, of course."