Like a punch in the gut, it drove the breath out of him, and it took him a minute to get it back. You can't talk to her, and anyone who tells you otherwise is a con-artist and a liar. Her huge, expressive eyes grew angry again. He opened his mouth to shout back at her, but closed it again. I don't want to fight with you about this.
Breakfast is on the table.
Come downstairs and eat before you leave for school. She pursed her lips. He left her, closing the door behind him, then pausing in the hall to ask himself if he was doing anything right in any way, shape or form, where she was concerned. He'd read all the books out there for single dads raising daughters on their own. God knew there were enough of them.