“As much as we have to do this for each other, we have to do it for her. Gramps’s camera gave us a chance to do something now, by giving us a glimpse of the future if we don’t.”

“But you hurled it from the deck. And you threw any benefit to us away with it.”

There was no way Daniel could explain his next statement. “The camera is back. I don’t know how, but it’s back. And it’s intact.” He studied her expression—he would have to bring out the camera to prove it.

Instead, a light laugh escaped from Kelly. “I’m not really surprised. Simon said the photos were magical.”

Daniel’s cogs whirred at this unexpected response. “So I can’t get rid of the camera, but I need to get rid of the secrets. And that means we could lose the house.”

Kelly brushed away the first of what he knew would be many tears yet to come. Then she gave him a slow nod, the gradual acceptance of the inevitable.

“You were right, Kelly, and the solution needs to start with all three of us seeing someone. That way Milly isn’t wondering if we’re working through our problems. She’ll be a part of the conversation.”

“But what if the story about Howard’s book gets out?”

Daniel bowed his head. “I’ll deal with it then.”

Wind billowed their curtains, and Kelly moved to shut the doors to the deck. Her eyes widened as her hand covered her mouth. A single screamed word forced its way out between her fingers.

“Milly!” She threw open the doors.

Through the window, Daniel could see Milly, arms out, her jazz shoes wobbling on the railing.

And she was crying.

Forty-Two

Daniel rushed through the open doors, his princess half an inch from losing her footing, wobbling in the buffeting wind, about to head toward the path Gramps’s camera followed as it plummeted to the rocks two hundred feet below.

Kelly’s already thin voice strained into the wind. “Milly, please get down.”

“I don’t want to be that kid with two homes who has to work out which parent I’m with each Saturday.”

Daniel took a cautious step forward, his hands outstretched. “Step down, and then we’ll talk.”

Milly’s arms waved as another gust tipped her balance. “I don’t want to talk like you want to talk, when you try to fix me instead of listening.” Her words sliced deep into Daniel’s heart.

“Okay. Then let’s trade questions, but first you have to get down from there.” He took another step toward her.

Milly’s arms windmilled, a mixture of fear and determination washing across her face. But she righted herself. “If I can ask the first question.”