Page 23 (1/2)

"Did you see hiain?" Annie asked

"I couldn’t help it We were in the same history class We talked after the lecture a couple of times and went for a Coke He was always nice to ain and he respected that I wrote Royce every single day but I never told him about Richard"

"Richard?" Bethanne repeated, stunned That was Grant’s father

"Yes Then one night we attended another party He and I went together I thought I’d be all right because I ith Richard, but soave me a spiked drink and e--" She paused and once more hid her face in her hands "We made love in the backseat of his car and a feeeks later I realized I was pregnant"

"Oh, Ruth" Bethanne looked away froh to reassure her mother-in-law that she was the last person who’d think badly of her How strange that they should be having this conversation, which was probably the most serious and honest of their entire relationship, while driving down the freeway

"Richard took the news like a gentleman… He said he loved me and would marry me But we hardly knew each other and I hadn’t even told Royce I’danother nant--and all of this happened while he was still in basic training!"

"Ruth, my poor Ruth…"

"Oh, Grandma, hoful for you"

"I broke his heart," Ruth said with finality She gazed at Bethanne, her tears drying as she resumed her story "He said if I could be unfaithful so soon after leaving hoht I was He said he was happy to be rid of ain Bethanne looked away fro from his pain"

Ruth went on as if she hadn’t heard "Richard was a good husband We were both deterh the years…" She hesitated "I often wondered what oing to the party I wonder if Royce and I would eventually have married"

"It’s only natural to wonder," Bethanne said

"You were pregnant with Dad when you married Grandpa?" Annie said "Wow I never added up the dates before"

"Annie"

"Grandnored Bethanne "I meant what I said--I bet Royce is just as anxious to see you again You’re probably the reason he’s attending this reunion"

"I hope so, but I can’t be sure"

"You should call him and at least let him know you’ll be there"

"I can’t," she said ada, I wouldn’t knohat to say Besides," she said as though this was aexcuse, "I don’t have his number"

"That’s easy" Annie pulled out her cell phone "Tell , Ruth turned to Bethanne, her face creased with doubt and indecision "Do you think contacting Royce before I arrive is a good idea?"

"I don’t think it would hurt," Bethanne said "If you chatted briefly, then your mind would be at rest You’d knohat to expect"

Ruth’s shoulders sagged "Maybe later Okay?"

"Of course it’s okay," Bethanne assured her

"You do what you feel is best," Annie echoed "But I’ll look up his number for you, anyway"

"Okay," Ruth said "I’d like to have it…in case I do decide to call In case I can figure out what to say," she added under her breath

It was afternoon when they entered the national park The sights were as spectacular as Max had promised They walked across the Grand Canyon Skywalk andColorado River far below

Later, Ruth was in the gift shop and Annie was speaking to one of the park rangers, a young wohter, when Bethanne’s cell phone rang

Digging in her purse, she located it just before it went to voice roaned inwardly "Hello, Grant" She almost wished she hadn’t answered--or that she’d taken the time to check call display "We’re at the Grand Canyon"

"Sounds like you got a late start"

"We did, but we drove straight here Your et to Florida"

The words were barely past her lips when Grant asked, "What’s this about you taking off with that biker?"

Apparently, Annie had told Grant, which Bethanne didn’t appreciate "Is that what Annie said?"

"Well, so"

"I’ to discuss Max with her ex-husband

"So what happened?"

"What do youto our daughter you spent the night with hie--and then laughter "You’ve got to be joking!"

"Okay, well, I hear you were gone until three"