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His mother hadn’t jumped to conclusions as he had. His father was willing to pray for him to find some way to make peace with Josie, and he couldn’t remember the last time Bob Weatherly prayed and meant it.
He kissed Addie good-night and hurried to his car.
Would she be at the carriage house apartment? Or with family? Should he message her or just show up?
He didn’t want to give her the chance to reject his visit before he got there, so surprise won. He drove into the village, parked on the street and walked up the Gallagher driveway. Evening sun brightened the twin dormered windows facing the drive over the three-car garage. He stared up at them, then strode forward, determined, but then ground to a complete stop when a voice—her voice—came from behind.
“What are you doing here, Jacob?”
He turned.
She stood straight and tall, facing him. She kept her arms at her sides, and the loose, lacy top flowed over her hips while the sleeves did the same thing over her slim, tanned hands.
“I need to talk to you.”
She didn’t move closer. She didn’t look angry. She looked bereft. And that made his heart ache harder. “You’ve had your say. Please go.”
He couldn’t, so he shook his head. “It’s not that easy.”
“Easy?” Her gold-green eyes flashed fire his way. “Trust me, there is not one moment of this entire thing that could possibly be construed as easy, Jacob. Not from where I’m standing.”
“Can we talk? Please?” He needed to talk to her. Explain what he knew. And perhaps more important, he needed to listen for a change, and not assume he had all the answers. “Can we walk down by the water?”
“It’s too busy there, and I don’t need the entire town talking about me again. I’ve had my share of that, thank you.”
“Josie, I—”
“This way.” Abrupt, she led him through the garage and up the stairs. Cool air greeted them when she opened the upper door, and she led the way through a galley kitchen, into a cozy living room beyond. She held up her watch. “You’ve got ten minutes.”
“Josie.”
“Clock’s ticking.”
He sat, hoping she’d sit, too, and when he swiped his damp hands against his trousers, she noticed, but it wasn’t sympathy that deepened her gaze. She sat on the love seat opposite him, unhappy and untrusting. His fault, he knew. “Cruz Maldonado came to see me.”
She breathed deeply and said nothing, but she brought her hands together in her lap and held them there.
“He explained what he’d found. What the agency revealed, and how my sister lied to get what she wanted, which turned out to be your daughter.” He paused, then shook his head. “I don’t get it, Josie. What my sister did. It’s incomprehensible to me. We were raised by the same parents, but I could never do what she did. I don’t lie. I don’t take advantage. Ginger did, every chance she got, but I don’t think any of us ever expected it to go to this level. To lie and then further confirm that lie to gain what she wanted. To deceive a mother.” He leaned forward and wished she’d look at him, but she kept her eyes down. “I’m sorry, Josie. So very sorry. My parents feel the same way. Shocked and ashamed.”
“They know?”
Now her eyes came to his.
He nodded. “I had to tell them. If we’re going to work this thing out, they need to know everything.”
“There’s nothing to work out.” Calm and steadfast, she held his attention. “You’re leaving. Addie is wonderfully happy with you, and that’s all I ever wanted, Jacob. I didn’t go into the adoption agency with thoughts of control. I just wanted the decisions I made, the requirements I wanted for her, to be respected.”
“And they weren’t.”
“No. But one thing I’ve learned from this whole thing is to stop looking back. I made mistakes, sure. I did stupid things in college and paid the price by shaming my mother and my brothers. But that’s behind me now. God forgave me. And after a long time and a lot of self-shaming, I learned to forgive myself.” She glanced at her watch, implying his time was nearly up. “Addie’s in good hands. No, wait.” She drew a breath and indicated him with a wave. “She’s in great hands. I could never mess that up. What kind of selfish person wrenches a child away from someone who loves her unconditionally?” She shrugged. “Not me.”
