Chapter 5

I answered Ethan’s call while my father took the paper angel from Sophie.

“They’re checked in,” Ethan said. “Noah’s warm. They’ve got a room. But Vanessa’s crying.”

“Your code still works.”

“She doesn’t want to go in knowing you don’t want her there.”

My father steadied the step stool. Sophie climbed up, holding the angel by its silver thread.

“Call her,” Ethan said. “Tell her you’re sorry and turn her code back on.”

“What would I be apologizing for?”

“The way you handled this. You embarrassed her in front of Noah.”

Sophie stepped down and went to the table. She’d…