“Never mind, Nicholas,” Pam said. “Don’t worry about it.”

This family, Peyton thought. How have they made it this long with no communication, no team effort?

“How long will you stay?” Pam asked.

“I think I’ll leave tomorrow. The longest I can stay is one more day, then I really have to get back to work. I think Krissy will feel a little better before I leave.”

“I can’t believe you came,” Pam said again.

Peyton gave her hair a pat, a little stroke. “I’m throwing together some chili for your dinner. Does that sound okay?”

They both looked a little thunderstruck. But they both nodded. “Why don’t you get started on homework?” she asked. And for the first time in Petyon’s memory, they headed off with book bags toward their rooms. “I think Krissy is napping, so, please, don’t wake her. She’s had a hard day.”

Chili done, biscuits ready for the oven, Peyton checked the time. Almost five and no Ted. Well, no surprise there. She poured herself a glass of wine and sat at the table. She texted Scott. She didn’t call him, hadn’t called him since that conversation the night before. But she didn’t want to ignore him, knowing he’d wonder what was going on up here. Took Krissy to the counselor. I’m staying another day, I think, then maybe stopping off at the farm. Are you okay?

Before she received any response, Ted came in from the garage. He looked very unhappy. He was apparently no longer grateful. He glared at her, putting his bag on the counter.

Rather than talking, he fixed himself a drink. He leaned against the breakfast bar and glared at her. “I’m required to be at counseling tomorrow,” he said. “Is that your doing?”

“My doing? I have nothing to do with that, but it’s a good idea.”

“It’s what you wanted all along, and now, it seems, I don’t have a choice.”

She raised her brows and looked at him. “Is that right?” she asked. “Well, I suppose you could refuse.”

“No,” he said. “I can’t. She threatened me.”

Peyton was frankly startled. “Who?”

“The counselor! Miss Kazerus!”

“How could she threaten you?” Peyton asked, confused.

“She said if one of Krissy’s parents didn’t show up with her tomorrow, she’d call the department of children’s services. Olivia is out of town until tomorrow night. I offered you, but she said that wouldn’t work. I explained my schedule, the critical demands of my patients, and she said I’d have to make a choice. Her mother should do this.”

Wow, Peyton thought. Right now Ted is slapping himself for not being out of town! “I suppose you could skip it and let her make the call....”

“No, I can’t do that. It would be too humiliating, as if my current situation isn’t embarrassing enough.”

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.