A Turn in the Road - Debbie Macomber [57]
“Oh, Ruth.” Bethanne looked away from the road long enough 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’d met anyone else…and then I had to tell him I was marrying another man and that I was pregnant—and all of this happened while he was still in basic training!”
“Ruth, my poor Ruth…”
“Oh, Grandma, how awful 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 home, I wasn’t the person he thought I was. He said he was happy to be rid of me.”
Again Bethanne looked away from the road. “I’m sure he didn’t mean that. He was speaking from his pain.”
Ruth went on as if she hadn’t heard. “Richard was a good husband. We were both determined to make the best of the marriage, and we did, but through the years…” She hesitated. “I often wondered what might’ve happened if I’d stayed home that night instead of going 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.”
“Grandma.” Annie ignored 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 adamantly.
“Why not?”
“For one thing, I wouldn’t know what to say. Besides,” she said as though this was a more convincing excuse, “I don’t have his number.”
“That’s easy.” Annie pulled out her cell phone. “Tell me his full name and I’ll get it for you.”
Frowning, 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 know what 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 and marveled at the twisting, curving Colorado River far below.
Later, Ruth was in the gift shop and Annie was speaking to one of the park rangers, a young woman who didn’t look much older than her daughter, when Bethanne’s cell phone rang.
Digging in her purse, she located it just before it went to voice mail.
“Hello.”
“Bethanne, where are you?”
She groaned 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 mother’s eager to get 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, some variation of it. I’m sure she’s exaggerating.”
“I’m sure,” Bethanne echoed, unwilling to discuss Max with her ex-husband.
“So what happened?”
“What do you mean?”
“You took off with this biker and according to our daughter you spent the night with him.”
“What?