“Yes, you did. Kayla played one of the mice, and she didn’t care particularly whether you were there or not. I believe Ali will continue the dance lessons, and should be en pointe in another year. Kayla’s losing interest, but her drawing is improving every day. They’re also taking riding lessons now from Michael Fury. He’s very impressed with both of them. Kayla had the sniffles a few weeks ago, but they didn’t slow her down for long. Oh, and I’ve gotten them a puppy and two kittens.”

He waited a beat. “Are you done?”

“There’s quite a bit more, actually. They’re active, growing children. But that should cover the high points for now.”

“I came here hoping to have a calm and civilized discussion, not to be treated to one of your diatribes, Laura.”

“That wasn’t even close to a diatribe, Peter, but I can oblige you.”

He shifted, irritated when someone bumped his shoulder. “Candy and I are to be married in just over eight weeks in Palm Springs. Allison and Kayla should attend.”

“Is this a demand or an invitation?”

“People will expect the children to be there. Candy is making arrangements for her children to attend. Her au pair will bring them down the day before the ceremony. Allison and Kayla can travel with them.”

How civilized, she thought. And how cold. “You want them delivered by Candy’s au pair, and returned the same way, I suppose.”

“It’s sensible, and it’s convenient.”

“And it won’t infringe on your time at all.” She held up a hand before he could speak. “I’m sorry. I’m tired and apparently short-tempered. I’m sure the girls would appreciate being included. If you’d call tonight—”

“I have plans. I hardly see the necessity of running through the details again.”

She turned away, looked once more out to sea. She could and would bury her own resentments and try, once again, to give her daughter what she needed. “Peter, Ali is very hurt, very confused, and very afraid. You so rarely come to see them or call. She feels abandoned.”

“We’ve been over this before, Laura.” And he considered himself infinitely patient for listening to it all again. “You wanted the divorce. Now it’s done, settled, there’s been adequate time for her to adjust. I have my own life to think about.”

“And do you ever think of the children?”

He sighed, checked his Rolex. He could spare ten minutes more, and no longer. “You always expected more than I found manageable in that area.”

“They’re not an area, they’re children.”

She whirled around, stopped herself from spewing out all the resentment, the bitterness. And simply looked at his face. So handsome, she thought. So cool, so composed. So perfect.

“You don’t love them, do you, Peter? You never did.”