---

 

A jolt startled Declan awake. His eyes flew open. In front of him dangled a soldier. Declan must be delirious. “Captain Marino, can you lift your arms?”

“You’re real.”

“Yes, sir. We’re airlifting you out.”

“There were other men with me. Did you get them?”

“No sir. We didn’t find anyone else. Can you raise your arms?”

“I can’t get them out of the mud.”

“I’ll help. Try again.”

With a herculean effort, Declan managed to lift his arms. The soldier slid a harness over him. Snapped it. Then waved to the hovering plane which had come into Dec’s consciousness.

Slowly he was pulled out. Every inch was excruciating: his arms ached, his back hurt. But when they got him up enough for his leg to be freed, he cried out in pain. He heard his companion say, “He has a leg or foot injury, sir.”

Those were the last words he heard before he passed out again.

After the twins had gotten on the bus, Lila had thought about going to work, but couldn’t imagine trying to concentrate.

Yet being alone here was killing her, even if two little brown fur balls were cuddling in her lap on the couch. She was thinking she should go to Nick’s when the doorbell rang. Setting aside the pups, Lila got up, crossed to the foyer and opened the door. Her jaw dropped.

Because her mother stood on the porch. “You should be shocked. I had a hell of a time finding this place.”

“D-do you know?”

“Yes, I heard at work. I went to your office and when you weren’t here, I decided to come here.”

“But you’re missing work.”

Her mother’s face fell. “I suppose I deserve that. I know I haven’t been here for you.”

“But you are now?”

“If you’ll let me.”

Talk about a stark change. “Of course. Come in.”

When they settled on the couch, Ruth asked, “Any news? All I know is he’s missing.”

She reported what the Marinos had told her.

Just then the puppies crawled back onto Lila’s lap.

Her mother’s brows rose. “Oh, my Lord, they’re so small.”

“Just ten weeks old.”

“Can I hold one?”

“Of course.”

A little wet tongue licked her mom, who laughed out loud. After a while, Ruth said, “Let’s occupy ourselves for a few hours.”

“All right.”

“Housework?”

“No, Dec has a cleaning service.”

“I’d offer to bake cookies, but I’m afraid I don’t know how.”

“Could we just watch the news?”

“That won’t take your mind off it.”

“I know. But I don’t think anything will.”

“All right. I’ll sit with you and these guys until I have to leave for my meeting.”

They tuned into the TV. At one point Ruth made coffee. Another hour passed and her mother announced, “This is useless. We’ll crate these pups and I’ll drive you to the Marinos. Where are they?”

“At Nick’s.”

“Then let’s go.”

“Mom, I really appreciate all this.”

“It’s about time, wouldn’t you say?”

The ride over was made in companionable silence. When they reached Nick’s street, and then the house, she talked her mom into coming in with her.

“Lila, hi,” Nick said when she rang the bell and he answered. His face was lined with worry, though he was probably trying to erect his Secret Service mask.

“Any news?” she asked right away.

“No.” He looked behind her. “Oh, Major General Carrier. This is, um, a surprise.”

“Call me Ruth. I came out to be with Lila this morning, but can’t distract her. I suggested we come here.”

“I invited her earlier. Welcome, both of you.”

They went back to the family room and found the Marinos assembled—Connor and Calla, Whitney and Max, Gabe and Macy, Isabelle.

“Can I get you something to eat?” Macy asked her and her mother. “Gabe and I brought lunch.”

“What? Oh, no thanks. I’m not very hungry.”

Ruth said to Macy, “We’ll both have something.” She touched Lila’s arm. “You’ll need your strength for the girls and for Declan.”

Two hours later, Lila walked her mother to the door. She felt sick to her stomach with worry, but Ruth had gone out of her way for her. “Thanks, Mom.”

And then Ruth Carrier reached out and hugged her daughter. Affection had been and still was sparse in their relationship but Lila welcomed it.

Hours passed as they waited. At one point, she said, “If you’ll excuse me, I’m going outside for some air.”

She headed for the deck. It was a beautiful fall day, but she wondered if she’d ever be able to enjoy the weather again. Or anything for that matter. How had this happened?

Not long after, Whitney joined her at the railing. “Can I keep you company?”

“Sure.”

“You’re a wreck, honey.”

“I’m so worried, Whit. What if something happens to Declan? I can’t imagine it.”

Her ex-sister-in-law cocked her head.

“What?”

“You’re acting like a wife waiting to hear about her husband.”

“You know I still care about him. I told you I always would.”

“This is more.” Gently, Whitney clasped her hand. “There’s no crime in falling back in love with your husband.”

“After the damage we did to each other? And to the girls?”

“Maybe you can rectify all that.”

“If he comes back.”

Whitney’s face drained of color.

“Oh, I’m sorry, sweetie. I know how this kind of thing affects you.”

“It’s been better since I’ve been seeing the counselor.”

Lila hugged her just as Nick came out. They drew apart and held hands.

“He’s been rescued. He’s alive—dehydrated, banged up and he has a sprained ankle. They’re not sure how bad it is. But the medics say he’ll be fine.”

Lila sagged against the railing and had to prop herself up with her hands.

“Where are they?” Whitney managed to ask.

“On their way to a medical center in Lima.”

Whitney clicked into agent mode. “Someone should go.”

“I know. Any of us can. We’ll decide now. Come inside, Lila.” This from Nick. “You should be part of this.”

Once they were seated in the family room, Connor began. “I want to go. I’m a doctor. I can get him back here myself.”

Gabe frowned. “You have a pregnant wife...”

Lila’s phone buzzed. “I’m sorry, I have to take this. It might be the girls. They’re going over to a friend’s house to play after school.”

On her way out of the room, she heard, “Ms. Carrier. This is Kiera, Maggie’s roommate.”

“Hi, Kiera...is everything okay?”

“No, it’s not. Maggie’s on her way to the hospital. I found her in the bathroom, bleeding.”

“Bleeding? From what?”

“Um, she’s...”

“Kiera, tell me.”

“I thought for a while Maggie was hurting herself. Apparently she’s been cutting. This time, she went too deep.”

Lila dropped the phone. The Marino siblings raced to her. She hadn’t realized she’d stopped within hearing distance of them.

“Lila, what is it?”

Lila stared at them, then clutched Whitney’s arm. “Maggie. She’s in the hospital.”

“What happened?” This from Gabe.

“S-she’s been cutting herself.” She put her hands to her face. “My baby!”

“Come on,” Gabe said. “I’m taking you to the hospital.”

“Okay.” She needed him to help her move. She was immobilized because, as a psychologist, she knew what cutting meant.

As she lay in the emergency room cubicle, Maggie wept. She’d hurt herself this time and she had no one to blame for making her life more miserable but herself. Alone, she sank further into her dark place.

The curtain pulled back. She squinted, and finally the image came into focus. “Mommy...”

Her mother hurried across the room, sat down and cradled her face. Just the way her mother smelled comforted Maggie.

“I’m here, sweetheart.” Her voice sounded funny.

“I-I’m sorry.”

“None of that.” She took Maggie’s hand. “You’re in pain. You tried to stop it. I understand.”

“I decided to go to counseling but...I saw the stuff on the Internet about mudslides. I...did it again.”

“Listen to me. Your father was caught in one, but has been rescued. He’s in Lima in the hospital. Uncle Connor’s going down on a private plane sent by the president. Believe me, baby. Dad’s going to recover.”

“I-is he hurt?”

“Some dehydration, exposure and a sprained ankle. We don’t know how bad that is. But he’s going to be fine!”

Maggie closed her eyes. “Thank God.”

“Do you want to talk to me now, or should we wait?”

Swallowing hard, Maggie couldn’t stand keeping this in any more. “I’ve been doing it for six months. I want to stop.”

“How often?”

“I don’t know. Whenever things got bad.”

Her mom sighed. She was keeping it together for Maggie. “We have to take steps so your life doesn’t get that bad again.”

“I’ll go see that therapist. I promise. I’ll work at it and won’t lie.” That’s what her mother had told her she’d have to do.

“That’s great, honey.”

“How long will I be here?” She tried to gesture to the room, but her arm was too heavy.

“I can answer that.” They turned to find a doctor in the doorway. “I’m Dr. Fern, the resident on call.”

Her mom stood as the doctor came closer.

“How are you feeling now?” he asked Maggie.

“Sore. Dizzy a little.”

“From blood loss. You’re going to be fine.” He glanced at Lila. “This time. But—”

“I know,” Maggie interrupted him. “I’ll get help.”

Her mother extended her hand. “I’m Lila Carrier, Maggie’s mother. We’d been trying to get her to counseling for a while.”

“I’ll go now, I promise.”

“Do you need a recommendation?” the doctor asked.

“No, I’m a psychologist. I’ve got someone lined up already.”

“Very well. But after this kind of event, a social worker has to talk to her, okay her release.”

“Yes, Doctor, I know the procedure. Did Maggie have a blood transfusion?”

“She turned a corner before we had to do that.” He faced Maggie. “You’ll need to rest here for a few hours.”

“I’m staying with her.”

The doctor smiled. “Of course you are. I’ll send up the social worker as soon as she’s free.”

When he left, Maggie’s eyes filled. “I’m causing so many problems. You should be worrying about Dad.”

“There’s enough worry to go around, kiddo. We can do this all together. But he’s fine, Mags. Truly.”

“I know. You said you wouldn’t lie to me, and I believe you.” Then she grasped her mother’s hand. “I love you, Mom.”

Her mother bit her lip. “I love you, too, and I’m here for you.”

Maggie’s eyes started to close. “I know.”

At six that night, Lila tucked her daughter into her bed in her room at home and sat on the side of the mattress, like she always used to when Maggie was a child. Lila’s hands had stopped shaking, but her heart still ached for her oldest child.

Maggie asked, “Are you sure this is okay? For when Dad gets home?”

“I want all of us together. Besides, the doctor said you needed to take time off from school. And Trish is coming over here to see you tomorrow.”

Lila recalled her conversation with the young therapist...

“She’s hurting, Trish. I hate to ask you this, but I will for my daughter. Could you possibly come over to our house tomorrow? She shouldn’t be going out yet.”

“Lila, I haven’t forgotten how you helped get me set up in town, were my biggest cheerleader, and sent me patients. I’ll come to your home however many times you need me to. Tomorrow, in the morning? I don’t have to be to work until ten. Otherwise, I don’t schedule patients after four, so I’m free to see Maggie at the end of any day.”

“Of course. You’ll have to drive to Maryland.”

“I live on the outskirts of Washington. You’re only ten minutes farther for me.”

“Thank you...”

“Mom, I asked if I’m a big imposition on her.”

Lila recounted her conversation with Trish.

“Did you do all that?”

“Uh-huh. I told you, she was a sister soldier with me in Advance Training and wanted to practice in D.C.”

“There’s so much I don’t know about you.”

“We’ll have to fix that.”

“You’re a nice person.” She waited. “What will you tell the twins?”

“I asked Trish that. She said kids cut at twelve years old and the girls might benefit from seeing how destructive that can be. But it’s up to you. I can give them the same information as what I emailed your teachers: you’re ill and you need to be at home for a week.”

“I want to do what’s best for them.”

“And for you.”

“If your friend said it will help, I want to tell them. And warn them never to do anything like this.”

After Maggie fell asleep, Lila went to Declan’s room. The girls had stayed for dinner at their friend’s house and her mother said she would drive them home. Before they got here, Lila had to plan her strategy for giving them the news. She stretched out on the mattress, grabbed Dec’s pillow and closed her eyes. She started to doze just as the phone rang. She grabbed it up, praying it was news on Declan.

“Hi, sweetheart.”

Sweetheart . “Declan.” Her head filled in that just-before-crying way. “You’re well enough to call?”

“I am. I want you to know a lot of things, but mostly that I’m fine. I’m suffering from exposure and an ankle sprain.”

“Oh. Is it bad?”

“Actually, I got lucky. This type of sprain is second grade. Two ligaments were stretched radically. I’m resting, and keeping it raised and iced.”

“Being buried in a mudslide, exposure to the elements and a severe sprain are hardly lucky. Was it awful?” They’d always been honest about their injuries in the past.

“Yes. I thought I was going to die.” He cleared his throat. “The other men I was with didn’t make it.”

“Oh, Dec, I know how bad that can be for soldiers.” She’d treated some for survivor guilt.

“I don’t know why I was spared.”

“I’ll be grateful for that the rest of my life.”

“And that brings me to the rest of what I want to tell you.”

Banging downstairs. Then, “Mo-om!”

“Oh, the girls are home. They don’t know what happened to you, Dec.”

“Let me tell them how I am. They’ll know from my voice I’m okay.”

Morgan appeared at the doorway. “Is that Dad?”

Lila nodded.

“Can I talk to him?”

“Of course.” Meli came in behind her. “I’ll put it on speaker so you both can listen.”

Please God, let this be okay, given what else I have to explain to them.

Lila herself was having trouble digesting what had happened in the last hours. What would be the effect on twelve-year-olds?

When Maggie woke up the next morning, a feeling of dread came over her and she buried her face in the pillow. How could this have happened? Her poor father. And sisters. Who she told last night about the cutting...

They entered her room holding hands. Hesitant. “Come sit with me on the bed. One on each side like we usually do.”

“Okay.” Crossing the room, they climbed on. Meli nuzzled into her.

“Are you scared?” she asked them.

Both nodded.

“I am, too.”

Morgan raised her head. “Mommy told us what happened. Why’d you do it?”

“I guess because I hurt a lot.”

“From the cuts?” Meli asked.

“No, honey, from things that have happened to me.”

“Bad things?”

“Confusing things.”

Morgan kissed her shoulder. “You’re sad a lot, Mags.”

“I guess sometimes that sadness makes us do stupid things.”

Quiet.

“But you guys should never do what I did. Never. It helps stop the pain temporarily, but in the long run only hurts others.”

“Like Mommy?”

“Yeah, like Mommy. And you guys, too, I think.”

“A little bit,” Morgan confessed.

“Does your side hurt?” Meli asked.

“It’s a lot better today.”

“Can we see it?”

“No, Mel. That’s not a good idea.”

Meli’s eyes widened. “I know. Let’s make a pact.”

“Like we used to.” This from Morgan.

“Yeah, like we used to.” Maggie hugged them closer. “I remember how we agreed to not tell Mom or Dad when we did something bad. But this is more serious.”

“We know,” they said in unison.

“But we’ll make the pact. Pinky swear.” They linked little fingers and promised never to hurt themselves intentionally...

Now, in the glaring light of day, Maggie wished she’d never cut herself. Confused her sisters. Caused more pain to her mom and dad.

The door opened. Her mother came inside. “Hi, Mags. Feel better after your night’s sleep?”

“Yeah. I slept a long time.”

“You’ve been through a lot.”

“Have you heard from Daddy again?” She knew he called last night.

“No. But remember, he only has a badly sprained ankle. He’s relieved to be rescued and get back to us.”

“When’s he coming home?”

“I don’t know yet.”

Her mom sat down next to her and took her hand. “Honey, my guess is your stomach is flip-flopping. You’re scared. Everybody is at one time or another.”

“Even you.”

“Uh-huh. Even me.”

“Okay.”

“Trish’s coming this morning. After you meet with her, you’ll feel differently...maybe even safer. But if you don’t, we can talk about another strategy. Nothing’s written in stone.”

Maggie nodded.

They ate breakfast then Maggie went back to bed. She didn’t sleep though. Soon, her mother came back in. With the counselor. The woman was tall and slim, with long brown hair and dark eyes. “Hi, Maggie. I’m Trish Martin.”

“Hi.”

She wasn’t what Maggie expected. She looked more like a model than a soldier. “May I sit?”

“Yes.”

“Do you want me to stay, Mags?” her mom asked.

She turned to the doctor. “What do you think?”

“I’d like to get acquainted just you and me, if that’s okay.”

Maggie said, “Okay.”

Her mother kissed the top of her head. “I’ll be right down the hall.”

When she left, Trish sat on the chair pulled up to the bed. She carried only a purse.

“Aren’t you going to take notes?”

“I’ll jot some things down after our meeting.”

“What should I call you?”

“Either Dr. Martin or Trish.”

Maggie nodded. A lump was forming in her throat.

“First, anything you say is private. I won’t share our talks with your family unless I think you’re going to hurt yourself again.”

“All right.”

“Second, I know you’ve been cutting and you’re sad a lot. But let’s not talk about that right away. I want to get to know you. I’ll tell you the basics about me then you do the same. I’m thirty-five years old. Married. Two little girls. I was a soldier, like your mom, but I’ve been in counseling for eight years and have treated patients your age for a variety of things, including cutting.”

“How old are your girls?”

“Four and six.” Her smile was pretty. “Now, tell me about yourself.”

“I’m eighteen. I go to American University for elementary education. I like school.”

“What else do you like?”

“To read. I’m taking ballet for phys ed. I like to learn things.”

“That’s a good quality. Anything else not related to your sadness?”

“I love my sisters. I’m worried what they think of all this. Mom told them some of it, but I talked to them myself.” She hesitated. “You think that was all right?”

“Since kids their age cut, I definitely do.” The woman cocked her head. “What else is important to you?”

“My mom and dad.”

“I can see why. Your mom is a good person. But know, Maggie, you can say negative things about them that might work into your sadness. That’s acceptable. I want you to eventually get everything out, deal with your issues so they aren’t hidden anymore.”

“That’s what Mom said.”

“Therapy is hard. Sometimes, you’ll feel worse after we talk. Sometimes better. But I know I can help you.”

“I hope so, Dr. Martin.”

Another family meeting, this time at Declan’s house the day after Maggie came home. Lila wouldn’t leave Mags, yet wanted to be part of the discussion.

Connor took the reins. “Thanks for having us here, Lila. We know it’s a bad time for you, but we need you in this discussion. But first, how’s Mags doing today?”

“She’s safe, and out of danger for now. I’ve made some arrangements for her already.”

“Arrangements?” Tony asked. Con knew how much he loved his grandkids and was worried about them.

“My friend, a psychologist who works with teens, came this morning to see her. They’re going to meet every day for a while.”

“That’s great,” Whitney put in. She was still in her own therapy.

Connor said, “We have to make plans to take care of Declan. We started this conversation yesterday, but we have to finish it today.”

Lines etched Lila’s pretty face. “I have some thoughts on that.”

“So do I.” This from Deirdre. “Tony and I can move in here as soon as he gets back.”

Lila sat up straight. “That won’t be necessary. I’m staying in this house until I’m sure Maggie’s in a better frame of mind. I’ve taken her out of school for a week.”

Connor knew he had to tread lightly. “What about your work, your life, Lila?”

“I’m going to take vacation time from work. My place is with my daughter now. If I have an emergency with a client, I can ask you guys to take over. I can also be present on the interactive website I run from here, but I won’t be doing any of that for a week.”

“What about Dec?” This from Gabe. “He’s going to require a lot of help, especially at first.”

“Which I can do while I’m here.”

Mama seemed surprised. Pa didn’t.

“What about bathing, dressing?” Nick asked. “Those kind of things.”

Lila frowned and Connor bet she’d thought she’d take care of that too. Which, in Connor’s mind, was a positive sign. “If you think he needs a family member for that kind of help, any of you can come over and do it.”

Tony spoke up. “Honey, are you sure you want to take all this on?”

“I am. I’m going to be here for all my children and my husband.”

Con and Whitney exchanged glances. She didn’t say ex.

“I’m sorry to be bullish about this, but I have to be here.” Her voice trembled. The woman had had a hellish couple of days.

“I think Lila’s plan is the best,” Whitney put in.

“I do, too.” This from Macy.

“Me, also,” Calla commented.

“The girls are ganging up on us.” This from Pa. “But I agree with you. We’ll take care of some of Dec’s needs, and Lila can be free for Maggie.”

“Well, then, that’s settled.” Deirdre focused on Lila. “Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. And we’ll support you in any way.”

Connor spoke. “I’m going to go down to transport him back here. They want to keep him for three days because of dehydration and exposure. Meanwhile he’ll rest, and they’ll do ankle movement exercises with him, but he’ll start PT here.”

Isabelle spoke up. “Jim will take care of sending a plane with you on it, Con.”

“Thank you.” Lila seemed relieved. “That will be the best for Declan.”

“How can we help with Mags?” Whitney asked.

“I’ll let you know if or when she wants to see you.”

“We’re all worried,” Macy put in. “We’ll take our cues from you.”

“And I’m taking my cues from Trish.”

“One more thing.” Connor had to know it right away. “Did you tell Dec about Mags when you talked to him today?”

“No, and I wish you wouldn’t. When he gets home will be soon enough.”

“Whatever you think,” Mama said.

Connor sighed. He hadn’t known how this would all shake out. Lila had surprised them, and Con couldn’t help but wonder what Dec would think of her staying in such close quarters with him. Hell, knowing his feelings for Lila he’d probably be glad.

Early the next day, Lila opened the front door. A handsome young man stood on the porch. “Hi. I’m Nate Johnson. Maggie’s friend.”

“I’m her mom, Lila Carrier.”

“Thanks for letting me see her. When Kiera told me what she did, I was shocked.”

“I can understand why. This happens though, Nate, for a variety of reasons. But come on in.”

Nate entered the house. He was taller than Lila and very muscular. “I’ll bring you up, then, if it’s all right with you, I’d like to go into work and make arrangements for my schedule. I offered to get a family member to come and be with her, but she said to go while you’re here.”

“Sure. I told her I can stay as long as she needs me.”

“Thanks, Nate.” She started up the stairs with him behind her.

“Ms. Carrier?”

Lila turned back. “Yes?”

“I know I haven’t been in Maggie’s life very long, but we spend time together and I like her a lot.”

“I think she feels the same about you. She’s glad you’re coming today.”

Lila went into the room to make sure Maggie was comfortable with Nate. When her daughter saw her friend, her face lightened. “Hey.”

“Hey.” He took a seat in the chair next to the bed, where she sat, dressed, hair combed. Lila felt more than comfortable leaving her.

As she drove to work, she tried to blank her mind, so she wouldn’t think about her upcoming meeting with Robert, which was the main reason she was going in. She’d left a message that she’d be there at nine, and needed to talk to him. As she suspected, he was in her office when she came through the door.

His smile was tentative, breaking her heart a little.

Just wait.

“Good morning.” He got up from the chair, tossed aside the memo he’d been reading and crossed the room to her. Once again eschewing their no-contact policy, he hugged her. She hugged him back. He said, “I miss you.”

“I know.”

He drew away and when they both sat, he asked, “Did you make arrangements for spending some time at home?”

She blanked for a few seconds. Did he know about Declan? Then she realized he was talking about their home. And that she said she’d stay with him for a couple of days. “Um, no. A lot’s happened in the last forty-eight hours.”

“Which I wouldn’t know, because you never returned my calls or texts.” Exasperation laced his voice. “What’s going on, Lila?”

“Maggie was rushed to the hospital. She’s been cutting herself and went too far. She passed out and was taken to the hospital.”

“I’m so sorry, honey. Is she all right?” His concern was genuine.

“For now. But I can’t leave her alone for very long.”

“At the dorm?”

“No, she’s staying home.”

“Home? Whose home?”

Here we go . “Declan’s. There’s more. Dec got hurt in Peru during a mudslide. He’s suffered exposure, dehydration and a badly sprained ankle. He’s coming back to the U.S. this week.”

Robert sat forward in his chair. “Where will he be staying?”

“At his house.”

“Where will you be?”

“With Maggie.”

“And Declan.”

Her temper spiked. She’d had a tough few days and was frustrated by Robert’s grilling. “For God’s sake, Robert, this is a crisis.”

“For Maggie. Declan’s been hurt before. And a sprained ankle is nothing. He has siblings who can take care of him.”

“He has badly stretched ligaments, so it’s worse than a minor sprain. To answer your other point, his family will be in and out, but you need to know I’m going to help him, too.”

“How, by playing nurse? I’ll bet he’ll love that.”

Shocked by his sarcasm, she took a breath. “Robert, we’ve been through this before. I know it’s a sore spot with you. I’m sorry, but I have responsibilities.”

“To the girls, Lila. Not to him.”

“I know you’re jealous.”

He slapped his hand on the edge of the chair. “There’s more to be jealous about these days.”

“Quite frankly, I don’t appreciate you giving me grief. I’ve had a horrendous few days, and I’m running on empty.”

“You think I haven’t had a horrendous few weeks? You staying with the husband I suspect you still love more than you’re admitting.”

Take the opening. Show some integrity.

She held his gaze when she said calmly, “You might be right about that, Robert.”

Bolting up, he began to pace. “Shit! I knew this was going to happen.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t.”

He stopped suddenly. “Of course you did. And you consistently put yourself in a position to be with that man.”

“To be fair, I was staying for the girls.”

“Don’t dissemble.” His tone was admonishing. Though she didn’t like it, she held her tongue.

“I’m sorry to hurt you, Robert. But I have to take care of them.”

“You have to take care of Maggie. You could bring her to our house and get away from that man.”

“She needs to be in familiar surroundings with her family. Besides, the twins need me, too.”

“I see.” He came to stand in front of her. His silver eyes flamed. “Well, you’ve got a decision to make. Take care of Maggie all you need to, but not in a house where your ex-husband is going to prey on you.”

“He’s hurt, too. Robert.”

“Well,” Robert said, “so am I.”