Page 37 of Faultlines

“You don’t get it. Ellie’s head snapped toward the door every single time it opened. Her whole face would light up, thinking it was you.”

“I texted her afterward.”

“That’s not the same thing.”

“I know it isn’t.”

“Do you? Luckily, Brooke noticed she was upset and distracted her.”

“It’s Brooke now?”

“Ms. Whitmore.”

“What more can I do? I already apologized to Ellie. I can’t turn back time, Ethan.”

“No, you can’t.”

I sink onto the end of the bed. “I can’t juggle it all,” I whisper.

His anger wavers, but he doesn’t relent. “So, our daughter just gets whatever’s left? The scraps of your time?”

“No, that’s not what I mean.”

“Tell me I’m mistaken.”

I rub my forehead. “I thought I had time to fit it all in today.”

“You always think you have time.”

“You think I’m failing her.” The hurt in my voice is unmistakable.

“I think she needed you at that luncheon today, and you weren’t there. It’s another promise you made to her that you couldn’t keep.”

“I’m trying.”

“I wish I could believe you.”

I’m not sure what else to say so I leave the bedroom. My footsteps are heavy as I make my way back downstairs.

The next morning, I find Ellie in her room. “Get your shoes.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m kidnapping you.” I force the playfulness, hoping it will patch the crack that has opened between us. If I pretend everything is fine, maybe eventually it will be.

“Aren’t kidnappers usually strangers?”

“I’m improvising.”

“What if I don’t want to go?”

“Then this becomes a very short kidnapping.”

She laughs and I consider that a minor victory. “Is Dad coming too?”

“I’m not sure. He left me a note saying he had to go into the office today to finish something.”

Ten minutes later, after a quick stop to pick up Mona, we pull onto the ranch. As soon as we get out of the car both girls head straight for the barn, their footsteps light and quick.