“You might not be when you hear what I have to say. I’m headed to Portland from San Francisco. I’m driving. I’m coming because Krissy called me. She was close to hysterical and asked for my help.”

“And you’re coming. Thank God,” he said.

“Ted, whatever it is you think you’re going to do to that girl, just don’t. She’s unstable. She needs help. At least let me get there and talk with her, maybe find her a counselor or some professional therapy.”

“Everything will be all right if you’re coming,” he said, sounding greatly relieved. “You can talk some sense into her.”

“That’s not why I’m coming, Ted. I’m not coming to convince her she has to take any action she can’t live with. What she ultimately decides to do should be up to her. But she begged me to come, to help her, and I’m going to try. I have a long drive ahead, and I’ll reach out to a couple of people while I’m en route, see if I can get some leads on resources for her, for all of you.”

“You’ll stay at the house, of course.”

“Ted, I’m not coming back to you. I’ll stay with Krissy for a night or two. She’s very needy right now.”

“She’ll be fine once you’re here. And you and I can work on a few of our issues.”

“Here’s what I need from you, Ted. Are you paying attention?”

“Anything, Peyton. I told you, I’ll do anything.”

“Okay, that’s a great start. I won’t get there until tomorrow. When you go home tonight I want you to tell Krissy that everything is going to be all right, that I’m on my way and you’re not angry. Do not confront any of your problems—leave it alone until I get there. Can you do that for me?”

“And then you’ll take care of it?”

Jesus, she thought. He is so dense. “I’m going to try to find her some professional help, but, no, I won’t be taking care of it.”

“But you’re coming back to me. You’ll stay. Once you’re here, I know you’ll stay.”

“I’m afraid that’s not in the cards. Now, will you promise to reassure your daughter? Will you?”

“If that’s what you want. Peyton, I’m very grateful, you must know that. And I think once we talk, we’ll be able to straighten some things out. I know I have a long way to go to get your trust back, but I’m willing to do anything.”

“Will you please just make sure Krissy doesn’t feel any more threatened? That’s all I want from you right now.”

“I will, if that’s what you want.”

“It’s what I want. Think of Krissy as a patient. A nervous, frightened, confused patient who needs the best, most charming bedside care and support you can give. It’s what you’re known for. Don’t argue with her, don’t try to convince her of anything, just be kind to her.”

“When will you be here?” he asked.

“I’m not completely sure. I think I’ll have to stop and get some rest. There’s no point in me arriving at midnight when everyone’s asleep. I’d rather have Krissy rest. And maybe it will be best if you’re not there when I arrive. I can talk to her alone.”

“But you’ll call me when you’re here?”

“Sure. I have to go now. I have driving to do.”

After they signed off, she thought, for the hundredth time, we have got to get that man a good hearing aid. He was a bad dream, that’s what he was. Just when she thought the nightmare was over, he was looming there, ready to invade her peace once more.

She got back on the road. She wanted to spend the night in Thunder Point. Ideally, she’d go to Scott, but if that wasn’t practical because of children or if he was working, she did have her duplex. At least she could see him before heading the rest of the way.

Since she knew there was no risk of a panic attack or argument during her next couple of conversations, she drove and made hands-free calls. Her first call was to Amy, her friend from Ted’s practice. She told her what she was struggling with.

“I know who it is, Peyton. Even though Lindsey isn’t working here anymore, she hasn’t been at all discreet. She couldn’t wait to spread the word that Ted’s home life is a disaster and that his daughter is pregnant. My sister works for a really great OB in the area, but don’t you have a sister-in-law who has volunteered on a crisis hotline or something like that?”

“Yes! How did I not think of that?” Peyton said. “George’s wife, Lori. She’s perfect. She knows everyone. She can get me a referral of some kind. She’d know exactly who to call.”

Peyton waited until she’d reached the halfway mark and was still six hours from Portland before stopping for gas and a bite to eat in the car. She bought herself a pretty sad-looking half sandwich, some jerky, some chocolate and some hot coffee and sat in her car behind the gas station’s mini-mart. It was six in the evening. She had no idea where Scott might be. He could be home, getting the kids dinner. Or he could be at the hospital. This was the call she’d been looking forward to, the one she thought would soothe and comfort her.

“Scott,” she said. “Where are you?”

“Just wrapping it up at the clinic,” he said. “I stayed to finish my charting and clean up a little, but I’m done now. Devon picked up the kids, and I’m headed to her house to scoop up mine. If I drag my feet a little, she might feed them.”

Peyton laughed, missing him. Missing the whole group. “Don’t be mean.”

“I’m on call tonight, so she might get stuck, anyway. And then there’s always payback. How’s it going?”

“Ah, yes, how’s it going. Well, there’s good news and bad news.”

“Lay it on me,” he said.

“Well, the good news is, I’ve left San Francisco a little early. The bad news is, I’m headed for Portland.”

“Portland? That wasn’t in your plans, was it?”

“Nope, I had a very abrupt change of plans. There’s a crisis—one of Ted’s kids called me—she’s in some trouble and I’m needed. I don’t know how much I can help, but I’m going to try. It’s serious or I wouldn’t bother. But I was wondering—”

“You’re going to Ted’s house?” he asked, sounding a little brittle.

“Well, that’s where his kids are.”

“I thought you had decided you’d done all you could for that family,” Scott said.

“And as it turns out, there might be one or two more things I can do. You have to believe me—I’m not doing this for Ted. It’s his daughter—she needs me right now.”

There was a long moment of silence. “Of course,” he said. “How long do you suppose she’ll need you?”

“Hey, you’re upset!” she said.

“I’m surprised,” he said. “You were very convincing when you said you were all done there. The kids hated you, you said. How much can you do for kids who hate you?”

“Don’t do this, Scott. I wouldn’t be going if I thought I was just being exploited by Ted or his kids. It turns out to be quite important. His pregnant daughter reached out to me.”