In Every Heartbeat - By Kim Vogel Sawyer Page 0,112

now make better choices with the second chance he’d been given.

“We’re so happy things have turned out well for Oscar.” Isabelle took Pete’s hand. Even though they sat in a public restaurant in Clayton, Pete felt no embarrassment. He loved this woman as much as he could have loved his own mother. It seemed good and right that she would hold his hand and offer her support.

He said, “I’ve been praying for leniency. Justice, yes, but leniency. I trust the judge will be fair in dealing with Oscar.”

Aaron leaned his elbows on the table. “I spoke with Jackson last night. He believes the judge will give Oscar a light sentence since it was his first offense and he was only acting in obedience to his father. Besides, he’s already served many days in jail.”

Pete’s chest constricted at the mention of Gunter Leidig. He couldn’t wait to become Peter Rowley, erasing his father’s imprint on his life. “I think Oscar will be less likely to get into trouble if he’s kept busy in appropriate ways, and he’ll be able to help contribute to the family income. That will be a big help to me.”

Aaron and Isabelle exchanged a look, and then Aaron cleared his throat. “Pete, Oscar isn’t the only person Jackson and I discussed. He told me you were considering dropping out of school to take care of your mother and siblings.”

Isabelle pulled her hand away, fixing Pete with a dismayed look. “And I must tell you, I am very much in opposition.”

Pete groaned. Why hadn’t Jackson allowed him to tell Aaron and Isabelle in his own way? “Would you at least talk to me about this? It’s important to me.”

Isabelle’s green eyes flashed fire. “Nothing is more important than you getting your education. Your scholarship was meant—”

Aaron put his hand over hers. “Isabelle, let’s at least hear Pete out.”

“But—”

Aaron shook his head slightly, and Isabelle drew in a deep breath. She released the breath slowly then faced Pete. “Very well. I’ll listen.” She pointed at him. “But don’t expect me to support any scheme that involves you quitting the university!”

In spite of himself, Pete laughed. Often Libby complained about Isabelle, but they were alike in many ways, including being hardheaded. He decided it might be best to keep that opinion to himself, however. “All right. Let me tell you what I’m thinking. . . .”

For the next few minutes, he shared his deep concern about his mother and his siblings’ situation. Without a man providing an income, the children would suffer. His throat tightened as he described his strong desire to take care of his brothers and sister. He finished with, “You took care of me. What would have happened to me if you hadn’t? My brothers and sister now need someone to look after them. I just want to do what’s right.”

During his explanation, Aaron and Isabelle had occasionally exchanged glances, seeming to communicate with their eyes, but they hadn’t interrupted. Now Aaron spoke. “First of all, we admire you, Pete, for wanting to be responsible for your family.”

Isabelle squeezed his hand again. “You could easily ignore your family’s plight, given the way they treated you when you were a little boy.” She gave him a warm smile. “Your willingness to meet their needs in deference to holding a grudge shows us what a fine man you’ve grown to be.” Tears glittered in her eyes. “We’re both very proud of you.”

Pete felt his chest puff at their approval. “Then you agree that I should quit school?”

Isabelle raised her chin. “Absolutely not.”

“But you just said—”

“We said we admired your desire. We did not say we agreed it was the best thing for you to do.”

Pete looked in confusion from Isabelle to Aaron. “Isn’t it the same thing?”

Aaron chuckled. “Not quite. All right, Pete. We listened to you. Now will you listen to us?”

Pete suspected he was going to hear the same arguments he’d already endured from Jackson. But he wouldn’t be disrespectful to the people who’d raised him. He nodded.

Aaron propped one arm on the table and his expression turned serious. “You see, Pete, Isabelle and I have been praying about a situation at home. We knew when Matt and Lorna got married, Lorna wouldn’t want to keep working at the orphans’ school forever. She agreed to continue cleaning and helping with the cooking until she and Matt started their family, but . . .” He grinned, gesturing toward Isabelle.

Isabelle clapped her hands together, joy lighting her face. “Lorna