Chapter 1 — The Muddy Trail on the Hardwood
Rachel stared down at the dark, muddy prints cutting straight across the immaculate hardwood living room floor.
Her temper flared instantly as she pointed an accusing finger at her daughter.
I told you a hundred times not to go out in the rain, Rachel scolded angrily.
Chloe sat on the rug, sobbing uncontrollably.
She clutched her worn teddy bear tightly against her pink pajamas.
I didn’t go outside, Mommy, Chloe cried, her voice trembling with hurt.
Benjamin walked into the living room, attracted by the rising volume of the argument.
He looked from the ruined floor to his weeping child, then back to his wife.
What happened here, Benjamin asked softly.
She tracked mud all over the new floors, Rachel insisted, crossing her arms tightly over her chest.
Benjamin knelt beside the little girl, gently putting his hands on her shoulders to comfort her.
Chloe sniffled and held up her feet toward her father.
Look, I wore my slippers the whole time, Chloe wept, holding up the soft pink footwear.
Benjamin examined the small slippers closely under the warm light of the living room lamp.
The fabric was completely spotless.
Not a single speck of dirt touched the soles.
Benjamin stood up slowly and frowned at the heavy trail of prints crossing the room.
He followed the muddy path with his eyes, tracing the dark smudges away from the rug and toward the glass patio door at the far end of the hall.
Benjamin crouched down near the sliding glass to inspect the base of the frame more closely.