Yes, he was.Although she’d sensed he wasn’t that kind of man.Yes, he’d obviously been hurt by her deception, but she didn’t think him the vindictive sort.She could be, so could her mother, and she suspected Kyle’s mom could be the same.But Kyle?He had a softer, kinder side to him that made her think that he would look for a solution, rather than create a problem.Then there was the fact he’d called himself a Christian.That had to mean he’d be nicer than the ordinary person, right?It had to count for something.Besides, Christians were supposed to forgive, weren’t they?
But whether he had it in him to forgive her colossal mistake she didn’t know.
She’d just have to hope to God that he wouldn’t take his pain out on Bella.
She could take it; her heart had been toughened by the years, and her mom’s might as well be leather.
But Bella?
A fierceness rose inside.She would die before she’d let that man hurt her daughter.
Even if her daughter was his daughter too.
CHAPTER17
All day Kyle had wavered to and fro, wondering what to do.He’d spent his confusion cleaning his apartment, trying to still his racing thoughts with prayers.But even with all of his prayers, with telling his parents, nothing seemed clear.
Old Nature Kyle craved to go back to the dump and find Gen and give her a piece of his mind.But New Nature Kyle, the one trying to live like Jesus, knew that he’d given plenty of his mind to Gen yesterday, and there wasn’t much left.So instead of just showing up with angry, mindless words he needed wisdom.Needed a plan.Needed something more than an apology, but a real actionable plan.
But his emotions were still so skewed that he didn’t think he’d ever find sense again.So he needed to fight his way through his feelings to see truth.“God, help.”
The skies were dark outside, and he was partway through scrubbing the kitchen sink when his phone buzzed a message.He braced, then glanced at it.Ryan.Again.Dude sure was persistent.
Hey Kyle, been praying for you and your situation.
His skin prickled.What did Ryan know?Who had said something?
Then he realized Ryan was still referring to the status of Gen’s salvation.Yeah.Great.He typed back:
Thanks.I need it.
A second later, his phone rang, like Ryan had been waiting beside the phone.He eyed it for a second, wondering if he should answer, then figured this might be a God answer after all.“Ryan.”
“Hey, for a moment there I thought you were gonna ignore me.”
The man had good instincts.“Sorry, it’s been a big few days.”
“What’s been happening?”
He shifted to the leather lounge, closed his eyes.Tell the truth and shock him?Or keep his mouth shut?But what was the point of lying, especially when Ryan obviously cared enough to ask?
“Kyle?”
Oh, yeah.The man was still waiting for an answer.“You really want to know?”
“Whoa.This sounds like a doozy.Let me get comfy.I’m on baby duty tonight to give Sylvie a break, and little Frankie isn’t making things easy for me.”
Kyle pressed his lips together, hearing the pride of a new father.Something he’d missed out on, thanks to Gen.Indignation flared.How could she—?
“Okay, I’m ready,” Ryan said.“Hit me.”
He poked at a stupid tear, shaking his head.He was so flippin’ glad this wasn’t a video call.
“Hey, want to make this a video call?”Ryan asked.
Could the dude read minds?“Nope.I’m good.”
“Okay then.What’s been happening?”
