Jude gazed at Leah, his throat tight with emotion. “I’m sorry about all of this, sweetheart. I had no idea the girls were treating you so badly.”

Leah’s shrug was lopsided. “I should’ve spoken up sooner. I just didn’t know how.”

Jude nodded. “I know the feeling. I don’t know how any of this blew up in our faces—and I don’t know how we’re going to patch our family back together now that Adeline and Alice have ripped such a hole in it.”

Leah smiled. She already looked weary, and she still had to get through a tough day with the kids. “We’ll have to trust that God knows the answers, and have the patience to recognize them—to grab on to them—when He brings us the help we need.”

How could she speak with such simple confidence, after the way his girls had scorned her? Jude grasped her hand and kissed it. “You’re right, Leah. Let’s hope God provides some gut ideas sooner rather than later,” he murmured. “Denki for your faith, and for sticking with me. I love you.”