In the week that followed Kayla running off, Brady had barely seen Josie. Probably for the best, considering he wasn’t sure how he could keep his distance from her on a romantic level, not when what he needed most was for her to take him in her arms and tell him that everything was going to be okay.
Kayla had been staying at his house, not speaking to Maddie. At least until today, when they finally got in to see the family therapist Pastor Cline had recommended. He’d left the session feeling hopeful because Maddie had accepted fault for her actions and given a sincere apology to their daughter. Though Kayla was still angry, she had agreed to give her mother the chance to make it up to her.
How, he didn’t know, since Maddie had no idea who Kayla’s biological father was. Though Brady had told Kayla he would always be her dad, his daughter wanted answers that no one could give her. But at least they were moving forward.
Now he was on his way to the volunteer committee meeting, where Maddie had agreed to apologize to the committee for drawing conclusions and making a public confrontation without all the information. Josie was finally going to share about the opportunity for the stables to bid on having the rec-center programs use their facilities for the summer.
So all was moving forward in a good way, except for the ache in Brady’s heart.
The meeting convened as usual, and Brady was surprised to see Maddie sitting next to Josie. The women appeared friendly toward each other, and it warmed his heart. Maddie had said in the counseling session that she and Josie had worked through their issues, but Brady had thought that had happened before, so hopefully, this time, it worked.
“I know we usually begin with an update from the committee members, but in the spirit of healing and reconciliation, Maddie has asked to address the committee.”
Josie squeezed Maddie before Maddie stood, and it broke his heart in a small way, knowing that he could not have Josie’s love for himself. They’d done the right thing, though, ending their relationship so Brady could focus on Kayla and Maddie.
“Last week, I made some accusations against Josie,” Maddie said. “I thought I had done my research, but it turns out I was wrong. Josie didn’t sign any contracts to sell the stables. Her father did. But he died before it could be executed, and the buyer, Josie’s uncle, having seen Josie’s passion for revitalizing the stables, has agreed to back out of the deal and is sponsoring our show instead.”
Her gaze rested on Brady for a moment, then went to Josie, where it remained. “I sincerely apologize for the drama I caused needlessly. But I wanted to publicly give my commitment to this project and to my unwavering belief in Josie and her desire to save the stables.”
As Maddie turned to leave the podium, the people in the stands applauded. He could see the tears in Maddie’s eyes, and Josie went to her and hugged her before they sat. When Brady retook the podium, he could see the impact Maddie’s words had made on the audience. There seemed to be a renewed energy and excitement about the project, and he knew they would be able to move forward together.
Brady continued through the agenda, giving Josie the floor when it was time to explain the summer program. Though it had been only a week since she’d first come up with the idea, she’d done her homework and had a very clear plan to present. She’d be sharing the same presentation with the rec-center people later this week, and he had to say, if they weren’t impressed, nothing could impress them. When the meeting ended, Brady was convinced that finally, everything was going to work out okay.
He spoke briefly with the various members at the end, noting that both Maddie and Josie had hung back to talk with others as well. Seeing how they all engaged in what seemed to be a positive manner was another sign for Brady that they were headed in the right direction.
When everyone finally cleared the arena, Brady headed to his office, where Maddie was waiting.
“I know that we already did a lot of talking in counseling,” she said. “But I needed to let you know how sorry I truly am for everything. I hate that I am the reason you and Josie aren’t together. I can’t make up for the years I stole from you two, but if you let me, I want to help you have a future with her.”
His throat caught at the earnestness in her voice. No, it didn’t make up for the years he and Josie weren’t together, but as he’d been mulling over with Pastor Cline and praying about it, had Maddie not lied, Brady would not have had all this wonderful time as a father. Kayla was the biggest blessing he’d ever had in his life, and no matter how hard he tried to think about doing it differently, he couldn’t. Biology didn’t change the fact that she was his daughter.
“Thank you,” Brady said. “I know I told you in the counseling session that I was working on forgiving you, but the Bible doesn’t tell us to work on forgiveness. It says to do it, so I do. I forgive you.”
He wasn’t expecting the way he felt lighter having said those words to Maddie, but he did. He hoped he could live them. He’d thought the situation hopeless, but with Maddie’s support, they could find a way to work things out.
“Thank you,” Maddie said. “Because of my talk with Josie, I’ve been seeking the Lord more deeply. Though I’ve been going to church for a long time, I haven’t followed Him the way I ought to have.”
She hesitated for a moment, looking like the scared young girl he’d known all those years ago. “We tried to do the romantic thing based on my lie, and that failed miserably. Since then, we’ve done our best to co-parent Kayla, but we’ve never actually been friends. I know it’s a big ask, but do you think we could try that?”
Maddie’s words hit him hard, like a thousand-pound horse coming at him full force. She was right. They had always been polite and cordial and worked together as a team for Kayla’s sake, but they hadn’t ever tried to work on their relationship.
“I’m sorry,” she said. “That was a dumb idea. After everything I’ve done to you, I shouldn’t have asked.”
Brady took a step toward her. “No. That was the perfect thing to ask and the one thing we’ve never tried. Maddie Antere, would you please be my friend?”
He held out his arms to Maddie and hugged her tight to him. In all these years, they had never done this. Even when they thought they would try to get married for Kayla’s sake, affection between them had been minimal and felt weird. But to finally build a relationship based on truth and God’s love, this felt right.
As he broke off the hug, Josie stepped into the office.
“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to interrupt,” she said.
Maddie turned toward her. “You didn’t. You came at a great time. You said you wouldn’t be in a relationship with Brady because you didn’t want to interfere with our family. But Brady and I just made a decision that we’d never made before, and we’re going to be friends. And friends look out for each other.”
Maddie looked at Josie, then over at Brady. “You’re both my friends, and as I just told Brady, I made some dumb mistakes in keeping the two of you apart.”
The vulnerability on her face was unlike anything he’d ever seen from her before. He glanced over at Josie, who had tears in her eyes. For Josie, facing her childhood bully and hearing this kind of talk had to be an incredible change for her.
“I am so sorry for everything I did against the two of you,” Maddie said. “Josie, you said that in your relationship with Brady, you were going to put his daughter first. I believe you. And as Kayla’s mother, I know that what her dad needs most is a woman who will stand by his side and fight for him and what’s right the way you have. I promise both of you that our family is me, Brady, Kayla and Josie from this moment on. Can we all work together?”
If Brady hadn’t already had a lump in his throat, seeing the tears in Josie’s eyes would have put one there.
“What happens if we have a conflict?” Josie asked. “We’d found a place of forgiveness once before, and then it all blew up. What’s to say it’s not going to happen again?”
The courage and fear in Josie’s voice made Brady want to take her in his arms and tell her that they’d figure it out together, but this was Maddie’s show, and he knew that this was something Maddie had to do.
“Then we’ll work it out,” Maddie said. “When I think back on those hours of worry at not finding Kayla, I knew that it was my stupid pride that had caused all that trouble. That’s something I’m working on because I can’t hurt my daughter ever again. She means too much to me.”
Kayla came into the room. “Do you mean that?”
“Yes, I do,” Maddie said. “I have made so many mistakes. I am so sorry. I thought I was doing it all for you, but I was very selfish in my actions, and I’m trying to make it right, starting with trying to help your dad and Josie get back together.”
Brady looked over at Josie to see her reaction and saw that she had allowed a few tears to escape. Did she have any idea how beautiful she was?
“I didn’t mean it when I said that I wished Josie was my mom instead of you,” Kayla said. “Other than the fact that you lied to me about my dad, you’re a pretty great mom. But I hope Josie and my dad get together because Josie would be a pretty awesome stepmom.”
The old Maddie would have flipped out at such a statement. Since he’d been the victim of Maddie’s tirades when he dated anyone else, Brady would know.
But this Maddie held her arms out to Kayla and said, “I couldn’t think of anything better. Why don’t we leave these two alone to talk, and you and I can go get ice cream or pedicures or something.”
The smile Kayla gave her mother told Brady that they were well on their way to figuring things out as a family. The question was, was this enough to convince Josie to give him another chance?
When they left, Brady locked the door so they wouldn’t be interrupted again.
“I know that’s a lot to take in,” he said. “But I believe Maddie, and I believe in us. There has to be a reason that God keeps bringing us back together, so this time, I want to make the most of it.”
Josie didn’t say anything at first, but then she nodded. “I think you’re right. Part of me is terrified that we’ll have a setback with Maddie or Kayla, but the other part of me is reminded that God has been faithful, and no matter what, He’ll be there supporting us.”
Brady breached the distance between them and held her tight in his arms. “Unlike how we prayed for the stables, I’m not praying for any other options. You are my only option, and I’m going to do whatever it takes to make our relationship work.”
Instead of answering with words, Josie reached her arms up to his neck and pulled him close to her, kissing him. Her touch was beautiful and glorious, and though the kisses they’d shared as teenagers had all been wonderful, this spoke of something deeper and more real. This kiss was the promise of forever after having been through life trials and understanding that forever would take a lot of hard work, commitment and trust in God.
But when they broke off the kiss and he looked at the love shining in her eyes, he had absolute faith that they would make their relationship and their family work.