figure it out.”
“I wanted to join so I could show you how good it was.” He wiped away tears. “It’s a really great program, and I wanted it so much. I thought you would be proud of me when you found out later.”
She tried to remember the last time he’d cried. It had been at least a year, maybe longer. The tears were genuine—Hunter had never been a faker—but they didn’t move her.
“I’m really sad,” she said quietly.
“Mom, don’t say that!” He looked at her. “A lot of moms said no, so I got scared. I really wanted this. I know I was wrong and I’m sorry, but you have to understand.”
“You betrayed my trust in you. I thought we were a team. I thought we had a special relationship where we understood we would always take care of each other. But you didn’t trust me to want what was best for you. You didn’t trust me to listen and be reasonable. You didn’t trust me at all.”
The tears spilled down his cheeks. “Don’t say that,” he said, his voice cracking. “Don’t say that.”
“Have you ever faked my signature on a form before?”
He stared at her. “No. I’d never do that.”
“But you did this time, and I don’t know if I can believe you about anything.”
“That’s not fair. It was one time. Just one time. Mom, don’t be like this. Don’t say we’re broken. We’re not. I’m still who I was. I wanted it so much. You have to understand.” He wiped his face again. “You’re right. I should have asked. I was wrong not to ask. You should punish me really bad. Like a horrible punishment so I’ll never do it again. I’ll earn your trust back, I swear. I’ll do anything.”
His mouth twisted. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you or disappoint you. I wouldn’t do that. I wouldn’t!”
“But you did.”
The tears fell faster. “Mom, please. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”
She believed he was but wasn’t sure that was enough. And she was still in an impossible situation.
“What am I supposed to do now?” she asked.
Hunter looked at her. “What do you mean?”
“What should I do? Tell them what you did?”
His eyes widened. “If you do that, they won’t let me be in the program. Mom, you can’t.”
“You want me to lie, too? You want me to lie for you?”
He shifted on his seat. “Not exactly.”
She waited. He hunched over in his seat.
“If you don’t tell them,” he said, his voice low and full of pain, “then you’re teaching me the wrong lesson. You’re teaching me that it’s okay to lie. If you don’t tell them the truth, then we’re betraying everything ROTC stands for.”
“Yes, we are.”
He stared at her. “What are you going to do?”
Until this second, she honestly hadn’t known. She didn’t like either option. Because of what he’d done, he’d put her in an impossible situation—unless she believed she’d raised a good kid who, despite recent events, understood the difference between right and wrong.
“That’s up to you.”
His eyes widened. “What do you mean?”
“What I said. It’s up to you. You created this problem, so you’re going to figure out how we deal with it.” She paused. “Regardless of what you choose, you’re going to have to be punished, but that’s a separate matter. You tell me how you want to handle this. You can let me know in the morning.”
“You’ll do whatever I say?”
Her stomach flipped over a couple of times as she thought about changing her mind.
She nodded. “It’s on you, Hunter. I’ll go along with whatever you decide.”
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
GARRICK THOUGHT HE knew everything about Happily Inc, but he was wrong. He never would have guessed the hospital offered birthing classes to expectant mothers.
“Welcome,” a fifty-something woman said when he and Joylyn entered. “I’m Serenity, your instructor.”
Serenity? he mouthed, looking at his daughter.
She rolled her eyes, then looked at Serenity. “Hi. I’m Joylyn Kaberline.”
He held out his hand. “I’m Garrick.”
“Joylyn and Garrick Kaberline,” Serenity said, checking her clipboard.
“Not Kaberline,” Joylyn said quickly. “I mean that’s my last name, but it’s not his.” She sighed. “He’s not my husband. Chandler’s still deployed. He should be back before the baby’s born. This is my dad.”
Garrick did his best not to chuckle. “I’m standing in for Chandler.”
Serenity offered him a glowing smile. “What a wonderfully supportive thing to do for your daughter.” She patted Joylyn’s arm. “You’re a lucky girl to have such a caring father.”
“Thank you,” she muttered.
Serenity pointed to a few empty chairs. “Have