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“Wait! Are you willing to pay a fee for rushing it?”
He twisted back. “Why not? Rushing it is already costing me big time. I’m getting used to it.”
“I’m sorry? I don’t understand—”
“Never mind. I’ll pay to rush it, and I need it engraved.”
She squinted at the ring. “There’s not much room. Just a few letters.”
“I want it to say Ruth 1:16. Can you do that?”
“You’ll have to pay in advance if you want it engraved.”
Josh reached for his wallet, murmuring, “Please, God. Let this be the right ring.”
“WHY ARE WE MEETING at the Parson’s house?” Charlie gripped Josh’s hand as they moved up the long walkway to the front door. “It’s a long way out; I’m surprised we didn’t meet on neutral ground somewhere in the city.”
“I don’t know, and I don’t care. I just want to get this over with.”
“You need to have an open mind, Josh. Maybe they’re really nice people.”
“How nice of people can they be when they’re willing to reject an innocent nine-year-old simply because he’s not their biological grandson?”
“Maybe something happened we don’t know about. Maybe Jace rejected them.”
“No. He obviously loves them. He’s asked several times when he’s going to see them. He has no idea they don’t want him.”
Charlie stopped in her tracks, pulling him to face her. “Josh. If there’s one thing I’ve learned from my mom it’s giving people the benefit of the doubt. There’s a chance we don’t understand the circumstances. Please swallow that righteous anger and be nice. Do it for Chloe and Jace’s sake. Maybe we can talk them into still being grandparents to Jace, too. He doesn’t have to know they weren’t planning to continue a relationship with him.”
“They don’t deserve him.”
“No. Jace doesn’t deserve to be hurt. We knew this wasn’t going to be easy when we signed up for it—we’re not going to blow it the first time the going gets rough. We can be the bigger people here. We don’t have to sink to their level.”
Josh hung his head. “I know you’re right. It’s...”
“I know you hurt for Jace. You know what it feels like. I understand. That’s why I know you’ll do whatever it takes to make his life easier than yours. Even if it means swallowing your pride and pretending you’re not angry.”
He took a deep breath and plastered a smile on his face. “How’s this?”
“Awful! But better than that scowl you had on your face before.” They continued up the walk.
“Come, my dear Olivia,” he drawled. “Now, remember, you’ve met the ad litem once before in his office. His name is—”
“Drew Warner. I know. But if he asks me questions about being a nurse, we’re in hot water. What about the arm wrap?”
“He already knows we went on a ski trip together before Christmas.”
“That’s handy.”
“Ready?”
“Ready as I’ll ever be,” she said, squeezing his hand before he knocked on the door.
“HELLO, JOSH. THANKS for coming,” said Drew, as he opened the door. “And I see you’ve brought... uhmm...”
“My fiancée,” said Josh. “You remember Olivia, right?”
He narrowed his eyes for a moment before smiling at Charlie. “Of course, Olivia. How could I forget a girl with eyes as beautiful as yours?” Josh winced. Had he already seen through their subterfuge?
