Although she’d threatened not to, of course Peyton took Krissy to her appointment. She then sat in the waiting room. When Krissy finally came out, looking as if she’d been through the wringer all over again, the counselor asked Peyton to come into the office.

“You’re a friend of the family, do I have that right?” the therapist, Margaret Kazerus, asked.

“Yes. I lived with Dr. Ramsdale for a couple of years and got to know the kids very well. Krissy called me, and I was surprised. I didn’t think she liked or trusted me. We didn’t get along that well.”

“She tells me you said you could stay a couple of days, is that correct?”

“Right, again,” she said.

“All right, then. I’m going to call Dr. Ramsdale. Unless you’re planning to be responsible for Krissy in the long term, it’s time to turn it over to the girl’s parents. Do you know where the mother is?”

Peyton shook her head. “It’s a joint custody situation. Ted and I had the kids three to four days a week. I left a couple of months ago. I work in a small town down the coast now, and I really can’t stay any longer.”

“That’s fine... Is it Peyton?”

“Yes, Peyton Lacoumette. Is she going to be all right?”

“With the right support system and tools,” she said, scribbling on a notepad. “I think it was very good of you to step in, Peyton. I understand you came a long way?”

“I was visiting my sister in San Francisco. It was a very long drive.”

“Well, that was over and above. Whenever you feel comfortable leaving this in my hands, you can get back to your sister or your job. It’s up to Krissy and her family now. I explained that to her.”

“Thank you for seeing her. She scared me.”

“I don’t doubt it,” the counselor said. “She’s pretty unsteady right now.” She stood behind her desk and extended her hand. “Thanks for finding her counseling, Peyton. It was a very good first step.”

“Sure. Thank you.”

Peyton took Krissy for a hamburger and listened to the story of her counseling experience. Then the poor exhausted thing went to her room for a nap. “Will you be here when I get up?” Krissy asked.

“I think I’ll leave tomorrow. Are you going to school tomorrow?”

She shook her head. “Miss Kazerus wants another appointment tomorrow.”

“Well, if your dad can’t take you, I will, and then I have to leave. Once you’re feeling a little better. I have to get back to work, honey.”

“I know.”

“You’re going to be all right, you know.”

Peyton rummaged around in the cupboards and refrigerator, looking for something for dinner. Typical of Ted, he hadn’t mentioned dinner and was likely expecting her to round up something. She grabbed a pound of frozen ground turkey, fried it up and prepared to add beans, tomatoes and chili seasoning. She found biscuits in the refrigerator and got them out. While she was cooking, Pam and Nicholas came in from school.

“You’re here,” Pam said. “You came.”

“Krissy asked me to come. I’m glad I did. How are you guys?”

“Okay,” Nicholas said. “Is she real sick?”

“No, she’s not sick, kiddo. Just upset. Hasn’t anyone talked to you about what’s making her upset?”

He shook his head, but Pam said, “She’s pregnant.”

“She can’t be,” her brother said.

“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.”