sadly. "Letting her leave is a sign of how much he cares for her."
"There's nothing more you can do?" Mercy asked. "Perhaps what Brynn needs is a little talking to from the three of us."
"I'm afraid that would send her packing faster than anything."
"Okay, okay," Goodness said, looking to Mercy. "What's happening with Jenny?"
"I thought she'd be overjoyed to get this chance to star on Broadway. It's been her dream."
"And she isn't happy?"
Mercy shrugged, apparently unable to come up with an explanation of her charge's behavior. "She's moped around the apartment for two days now. I'm afraid she wants Trey with her and a chance to star on Broadway, but she can't have both."
"Oh boy," Shirley muttered. "And what is Gabriel going to say about that?"
"I don't know, but I have the distinct notion he's going to think I was responsible for getting the play's director to notice her. I wasn't, truly I wasn't."
"I believe you," Shirley murmured, but her opinion wasn't the one that mattered, and all three knew it.
"That leaves me to tell you about Hannah," Goodness said, and her disappointment was keen. "She broke off the engagement with Carl."
"Good." Both Shirley and Mercy brightened.
"But it was too late." Goodness told them that Joshua was dating Carol seriously now.
"Joshua found someone else?" Shirley asked. "I don't believe it."
Mercy crossed her arms and pursed her lips. "Men can be so fickle."
"In my opinion he still loves Hannah."
"But he doesn't know that Hannah broke her engagement with Carl, does he?"
"It might have made a difference," Shirley insisted.
"It's too late," Goodness informed them sadly. "Hannah saw him with the other woman."
"We can fix that," Mercy said confidently. "This sort of thing is right up our alley."
"It won't work. Not this time."
"Why not?" Shirley insisted.
"Because Joshua has decided to cut his losses and look elsewhere for a wife."
"And Hannah?"
"Hannah will live with her parents the rest of her life and never marry."
"Just a minute," Mercy said, and rolled up her sleeves. "We can fix that, and while we're at it, there are ways to deal with men as stubborn as Roberto."
"What about you and Jenny?" Goodness asked.
Some of Mercy's brightness dimmed. "I don't know what we can do about Jenny and Trey."
Shirley rubbed her chin. "I have an idea. All isn't lost yet."
Chapter Eighteen
From inside his office Joshua heard the raised voices of the receptionist and an angry man. He stepped into the hallway and heard David Morganstern, Hannah's father, demanding to see him.
"It's all right, Julie," Joshua said, coming forward, "I'll see Mr. Morganstern."
David shot the receptionist a look of triumph and straightened the cuffs of his coat sleeves. "I told you Mr. Shadduck would see me."
"He doesn't have an appointment," Julie told Joshua, "and he refused to make one."
"It's all right, Julie."
Joshua escorted David into his office. The older man paused in the doorway and looked around. He didn't seem overly impressed. "Mighty fancy digs you have here."
"Thank you." Giving the impression of nonchalance, Joshua sat down at his desk and invited Hannah's father to make himself comfortable. "What can I do for you, Mr. Morganstern?"
David sat on the cushion as if he expected it to jump up and bite him at any moment. "I've come to ask you a few questions, young man. I recently learned, through no fault of my daughter's, that you've been sneaking around with Hannah. I want you to know I don't like it one bit."
Joshua folded his hands on top of the desk and waited.
"I wanted to meet the man face to face who played havoc with my daughter's life." It was clear David's feelings ran strong and fervent. The older gentleman bolted out of the chair and stood directly in front of Joshua's desk.
Joshua wondered exactly how much David knew about the two of them and feared saying more than he should.
"Your silence tells me everything I need to know," David said, spitting out the words, revealing his distaste. "I find you to be the most despicable kind of man."
Joshua didn't blame Morganstern. His behavior had been less than honorable. He'd never been comfortable meeting Hannah on the sly, kissing her, urging her to continue their relationship while she was engaged to another man. He wasn't comfortable now, offering excuses.
"How is she?" Joshua couldn't keep himself from asking.
"How do you think?" David demanded.
"You have my apology," Joshua said, hoping the other man understood the full extent of his regret.
"What about Carl? Are you willing to apologize to him, too? What about Hannah?