Knowing he wouldn’t get it, knowing he’d never understand what she was saying, she said it, anyway. “Ted, this isn’t about you.”

“Did you suggest this? Be honest, Peyton. You’ve been yammering about counseling for a long time. Did you tell the counselor to force me?”

She just looked at him for a long moment. She shook her head sadly. “I think I should be on my way,” she said. “I made some chili for you and the kids—it appeared nothing was planned for dinner. I’ll make sure Krissy is feeling better, and I’ll just take off, drive down to the farm and stay with my mom and dad. I’ll head home after that.” Her phone chimed with an incoming text, and she ignored it. “I think you can take it from here.”

“If you can manage, I’d appreciate it if you’d stay one more day,” he said. “To make sure Krissy makes it through her next counseling session.”

“All right,” she said. “Then that’s all the time I have.”

He took a sip of his drink. “Can we have a discussion about us?”

“That ship has sailed, Ted. I’m ready to get home.”

He took another sip. “Home?” he asked. “That place is home now?”

“It’s working out. Would you like some chili with the kids?”

“I believe I’ll make do with this drink for now,” he said. And he left the kitchen and went to his office.

Peyton looked down at the text. It was from Scott. Is Ted behaving himself?

* * *

Surprisingly, Ted didn’t bother Peyton any more that evening. He isolated himself in his office or the master bedroom. To his credit, he did check on Krissy once, asking her how she was feeling. But Peyton had expected a full-court press regarding their relationship, and that didn’t happen.

She, likewise, hid. She checked on each of the kids, then closed the guest room door where she talked on the phone a little, texted a little, read a little. At one point there was a knock at the door. “Come in,” she said.

Pam peeked into the room, looking a little uncertain. Then she pushed the door open and came in. She was carrying a pair of leather-and-suede boots that Peyton had left behind because they’d gone missing.

“These are yours,” she said.

“Yes, I see that,” Peyton said, smiling. “I remember them fondly. I gave the credit to Krissy. It was you who took them?”

Pam nodded. “Sorry.”

“They must be much too big for you.”

“They were gonna fit pretty soon.”

“By that time they would have been out of style.”

“Don’t be mad, okay?”

“Pam, I grew up with three younger sisters. You can’t hold a candle to their thievery. They were in my stuff all the time, and it made me furious. Besides, I think I’m past being shocked by what you kids do. I was pretty ticked at losing these boots, but I’m done being mad now. I do think it’s very mature of you to return them and apologize. Thank you.”

“Will you come back now?” she asked.

“Why would you want me to?” Peyton asked.

Pam shrugged. “It’s easier,” she said.

“Ah. Well, little darling, I think you should prepare yourself to try a little harder, then. I found a new job, a new little house all my own and some new friends. Your dad and I decided our relationship wasn’t working, and we both moved on, no hard feelings.” She gave her returned boots a pat and smiled. “I think you know how to do the right thing. Why don’t you prove to your dad that he can depend on you. That’s a good place to start.”

“I knew you wouldn’t stay.”

Peyton shook her head. “Did you also know you were trying to force me to leave?”

“It wasn’t that bad,” Pam said.

“For who?” Peyton asked, very pleased to see Pam blush slightly. “You can call or text me if you like. We can keep in touch if you want to, but I’m afraid it’s time for me to leave. I’m starting over, too.”

* * *

Peyton thought it was perhaps self-indulgent or even self-flagellating on her part, but she chose to stay at Ted’s house until Krissy and Ted came home from their counseling session. There was a bit of generosity of spirit left in her because she did want to comfort Krissy if necessary, encourage her a little bit before leaving. She was quite sure she wouldn’t be back. Miss Kazerus was right—it was time for Peyton to leave this family on their own. She was an outsider.

She waited and waited and waited. She fully expected Ted to drop Krissy at the house and go straight back to his office. She wasn’t sure he’d even come inside, and if he did, it would only be for one of two reasons—to say goodbye or ask her to stay and manage his home and family for him.

As the hours ticked by, Peyton hoped he’d at least taken Krissy out to lunch or something. Peyton’s suitcase sat by the back door, ready for her departure. It was almost two, and they had been gone four hours when she finally heard the garage door rise. Krissy walked in first, Ted very close behind her. His hand was resting on his daughter’s shoulder, and he looked wretched.

“Do you want to go lay down for a while?” Ted asked Krissy.

She nodded, but then in noticing Peyton’s suitcase, she turned concerned eyes toward her. “If I take a nap, will you be here when I wake up?”

“I won’t leave without saying goodbye,” Peyton promised.

“Thanks,” she said.

Ted came over to the kitchen table where Peyton waited and sat down. “You’ve been gone awhile,” was all she dared to say.

He sat heavily. He rubbed his temples with a finger and thumb. “Jesus.”

“Are you all right?” she asked.

He shook his head, pinching his eyes closed hard. She’d seen Ted in his worst moments, overpowered by enormous stress, and this expression he was wearing was completely new to her. Without looking at her, he spoke. “Krissy is going to spend a little time in a residential hospital. Hopefully, just a month.”

“Residential?”

“My daughter is in serious trouble,” he said.

Was Ted finally getting it? Of course she was in trouble. That’s why Peyton was here.

“Maybe a different school after that. Maybe a boarding school next, but nearby so she can come home as often as she likes. I’m okay with her being here, but she might need more....” His words tapered off, and then his finger and thumb were on his eyes. His shoulders began to heave. And then he cried!