ssly pushing a toy car back and forth. Britt

e said, his voice softer than usual. "We're m

r eyes wide. "For real? Ca

f course. She'll

m. "Yay!" Then, a shadow of concern crossed her features. "What

" He leaned in, lowering his voice conspiratorially. "And let's not tell

part of a secret with her fat

was protecting his daughter's happin

Lily, crying for her, but she couldn't reach her. The feeling of drea

deleted the alarm, but the maternal instinct, the invisibl

of weakness, she told herself, and she'd be stronger for it tomorrow. After a momen

ans

i said, her voice gentle. "How

suddenly wary and distant. "I'm fine

here was a sharp click, followed by t

ap. A cold, sharp ache spread throug

Mrs. Peters

le to keep the tremor out of her

h of least resistance. She didn't mention the tantrum over Britta

er voice soothing. "Just in a rush this morning, yo

own on the nightstand, staring at it. That was it. No more. Calling had been a mistake, a moment of fragility she couldn't afford to repeat. H

ing, its destination the very city wher

at the flight itinerary, he thought of the resignation email he had processed days earlier. He had a strang

main hall, which had since been cleared of it

hing the thought away.

eling that they were all fly