****
That night, as her father tucked her into bed, Sarah said, “I have a question, Dad.”
“Shoot, my little invalid.”
“What do you know about time travel?”
He blinked and looked taken aback. “Not much. Is there such a thing?”
“That’s what I wondered. Has there been any research, any breakthroughs? Do you know?”
“Okay. I just thought you might know something. You know, government, top secret experiments.”
He laughed. “You must get off the spy novels, sweetheart.”
Sarah grinned, happy to be joking with her father again. Then she remembered the look Nadine had given him just before they parted ways, and she lost her smile.
“Do you like Nadine?”
Her father tilted his head. “Sure.”
“Good night.” He started to get up.
“I mean, do you really like her?”
“Now, what’s this about?” He sat back down on the side of her bed.
“I just wondered. You seemed to be having fun while I was gone.”
“We were starting to get worried about you, Miss Invalid. Don’t think I don’t know that you’re up to something with your new friend.”
He leaned in closer. “Don’t forget, I read spy novels, too. Now go to sleep.”
He kissed her lightly on the forehead, then added a quick wink as he ducked out the door.
Sarah bit her lip. Her dad was much too smart. They’d definitely have to watch their steps from now on.