"Mom! Mom! Mom!"

Violet's voice jolted Keeley awake. She was exhausted. Her daughter's expectant gaze made her realize Violet had been trying to talk to her.

"I'm sorry, Vi. What was it?" she asked wearily.

"I need a ride to Noah's. He needs help with his science fair project," Violet replied impatiently. "What's wrong with you? You've been so spacey lately."

Keeley couldn't deny it. She hadn't missed any major commitments, thankfully, but she was incredibly out of it. Her mind drifted between the lab and a tropical island.

She desperately needed a vacation but wouldn't likely get one until the current trial ended. Then, she might be able to take a week off.

"Work's getting to me," Keeley confessed. "Don't worry, I'm fine."

Violet scrutinized her. "You're not fine. You clearly need a vacation. When does your trial end?"

"The end of March."

"Perfect! We can go somewhere for spring break. If you plan this far ahead, your boss can't say no. You usually have a couple of weeks between trials to write your FDA report, right?"

Keeley sighed. Yes, but those two weeks were entirely dedicated to writing. However, her research assistants were competent enough to handle most of it if she took a week off. She'd just need to triple-check everything upon her return.

She'd become almost as much of a workaholic as Aaron had been in their early years. She needed time off for her sanity and to focus on her family.

"Sure, Vi. I'll ask Dr. Butler," Keeley promised.

Her daughter smiled, flipping her ponytail. "Great! Now, take me to Noah's, please."

Leaving the other children with their older brother, Keeley went to the basement and started the car. This would be so much easier once Violet and Kaleb could drive—only a little over a year away!

Aaron could easily afford to buy them each a car. Violet could drive herself to ballet or the Singletons', and Kaleb to his sports practices. They might even help chauffeur their siblings.

Would hiring another driver be easier? Probably. But after Henry died in the car accident Keeley was in, she couldn't risk anyone else's life. Aaron hadn't been able to change her mind.

When she dropped Violet off, she briefly visited Jennica. They caught up (despite having seen each other just two days prior), and Jennica offered to keep Violet for dinner. Jennica or Cameron could return Violet home in exchange for Violet's help with Noah's project. Both were hopeless at science, which is why Noah enlisted his best friend.

Like her mother, Violet had a natural aptitude for science, but unlike her mother, she didn't enjoy it. Her science grades were always top-notch, though.

Keeley left Noah's project in her daughter's capable hands and went home to rest. Aaron would be home soon and could manage the children while she ordered takeout. She definitely didn't have the energy to cook.

"I've done enough science fair projects to compile a list of ideas for you," Violet said, pulling a folded piece of paper from her back pocket.

She handed it to Noah, who read it eagerly. She sat cross-legged on his bed and sighed. Her mother's exhaustion was contagious.

Balancing a career and a family must be hard. Her mom never missed an event or skipped driving them, even if she was a bit spacey lately. It had taken its toll.

This was partly why Violet chose ballet. She loved dancing, but the timeline appealed to her. Dancers typically retired before 35. She could dance, then marry, focus on motherhood, and perhaps teach dance later. Assuming she found a husband.

At fourteen, she'd never been asked on a date. Many of her eighth-grade classmates had boyfriends or girlfriends. Why not her? She'd even made an effort to be more outgoing!

She wondered about love. It was hard not to, considering her parents' loving relationship. Was it so bad to imagine that for herself?

Her recent romance novels didn't help. Despite her cool exterior, Violet was sensitive. She secretly squealed over the romantic scenes. How romantic would it be if a handsome guy did those things with her? She couldn't wait for her own epic love story.

She couldn't voice these thoughts, though. Her brothers would tease relentlessly. She'd talk to her mom, but her mom was exhausted, and Violet didn't want to add to her worries.

"What about the teeth stains one? That seems easy," Noah said, snapping Violet out of her reverie.

"Sure. Just make sure you have a hypothesis—which liquids stain teeth most—ranked from there," she said distractedly.

He narrowed his eyes. "Are you okay? You zoned out."

"Yeah, I was just thinking."

She couldn't tell Noah about her romantic anxieties. He was a boy; he wouldn't understand. And he definitely wouldn't tease her like Kaleb did. Noah usually defended her against Kaleb, earning himself labels like "spoilsport," "suck-up," or "lame." Violet didn't think sticking up for someone made you lame, and she always thanked Noah.

"What were you thinking about?" he persisted.

Violet became brusque to hide her embarrassment. "Do you want my help or not? Focus, Noah!"

"Right, sorry."

The promotional material ("Search the NovelFire.net website on Google") has been removed as requested.