The Betrayal by Jerry B. Jenkins Page B

has said as much herself.”
    â€œHer father and I raised her right. ’Least we tried to. Maybe we were a little too strict; I don’t know. She knew better is all I can say.”
    â€œWell, if it makes you feel any better, she seems to be a whole different person now, but of course I didn’t know her back then.”
    â€œThen how do you know?”
    â€œShe tells me she was away from God, away from church. Rebelling.”
    â€œAgainst God or against us?”
    â€œI don’t think she was ever that specific.”
    â€œWell, I took it personally.”
    â€œShe knows that.”
    â€œI guess I should be more forgiving.”
    â€œYou haven’t forgiven her?”
    Mrs. Lamonica pressed her lips together. “Sometimes I think I have. Maybe I haven’t forgiven myself. If we were too hard on her, too strict, you know . . .”
    â€œShe was an adult. And like you both say, she knew better.”
    â€œIt’s just such a heartache. And that young man . . .”
    â€œDid you meet him?”
    She shook her head. “Just what she said about him, and him leaving before he even saw his own son. I just hope she never sees him again.”
    â€œI can’t imagine.”
    â€œWell, with people like that you never know. Families keep secrets and have histories, and sure enough someday, sometime, somebody comes out of the woodwork.”
    â€œFrom what she tells me, he has no interest.”
    Mrs. Lamonica sighed and looked away. “Sure, now. But when it suits him . . .”
    â€œLet me pledge to you, ma’am, that if I’m in the picture and he shows up again, he’s going to wish he hadn’t.”
    Suddenly the woman who had appeared weary from her long drive seemed to sit straighter and life came to her eyes. “I might come to like you after all.”
    â€œI hope so!”
    She offered a weak smile. “I know you’ve had your share of tragedy.”
    Boone hadn’t been sure how much Haeley had said about him. “Yes, ma’am.”
    â€œIf it means anything coming from me, I approve of you and Haeley—and Max—getting to know each other better.”
    â€œIt means everything. And excuse me if I’m out of bounds, but I do think Haeley really wants and needs your forgiveness and approval.”
    â€œI know. I’ll try.”
    They both stood when Haeley emerged. “There was one other thing I was going to ask you,” Boone said. “Might we be able to borrow your car? No one will be looking for us in that model car with an out-of-state plate.”
    Haeley said, “Good idea. And my car’s here, Mom, if you have an emergency.”
    â€œI’d feel better if the one of you with two good arms did the driving,” Mrs. Lamonica said.
    â€œMe too,” Boone said.
    On their way downtown Haeley said, “So how did you two get on?”
    â€œOkay, I think. She liked that I promised to take care of your ex if he ever shows up again.”
    â€œDon’t call him that.”
    â€œSorry. Anything else I call him you might not want to hear.”
    â€œI can’t believe you got that far with her already.”
    â€œShe brought it up. The woman speaks her mind.”
    â€œDaddy’s even worse. And they wonder why I was so eager to get out on my own.”
    â€œI’m sure they mean well.”
    Haeley squinted at Boone. “That’s easy to say from a distance. I still feel judged.”
    â€œShe loves you is all I know.”
    â€œConditional love is painful.”
    â€œBelieve me,” he said, “I know. Our mothers have completely different looks and styles, but I’m overparented too.”
    Haeley parked in the garage in Zappolo’s building, but before she got out she reached across Boone to take his good hand. She was shaking. “I need you,” she said.
    â€œI know. I’m here.”
    â€œMr.