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.It’s not his.I’m sure of it.”Josh and Ruth exchanged a look.Laney gasped.“You can’t think it is! Josh, you’re his best friend.You—of all people—should know he wouldn’t have … have …” Her voice died out.Josh’s face remained grim.“In the end, it doesn’t matter whether he fathered the child.It’s still his baby, and Ivy is his wife.”“What if Ivy and Ishmael lied and there’s no baby at all?”Josh shook his head.“It’s rare you see anyone that livid.Ishmael is normally mild-mannered.”“Ivy’s still lying.”“She might be.” Ruth wouldn’t meet Laney’s eyes.“Might?!” Laney felt a second flash of surprise, then indignation.Ruth started brushing her thumb back and forth on the back of Laney’s hand.“Laney, you know I’ve struggled with all of the silly rules of society.Being proper isn’t easy for me, but even I know a man shouldn’t ever be alone with a woman.Galen admitted he’s been alone with Ivy on more than one occasion.” Ruth winced.“And he even gave her a blanket.”“He was showing Christian charity.”“He showed poor judgment.” Josh shook his head sorrowfully.“Galen acknowledged seeing her alone, and that’s compromised her.She’s in a fix now, and almost no one else knew she existed.”Laney stared at her brother.“You can think whatever you want.You can believe whatever you please.I know the man I love.Galen wouldn’t ever … indulge.He’s an upright man.”“Even upright men sin on occasion.” Josh’s voice ached with sadness.“Laney, you must listen to us.” Ruth stopped rubbing Laney’s hand and squeezed her arm.“You just called Galen the man you love.That cannot continue.He’s married to Ivy.Regardless of the tenderness you hold in your heart for him, he’s her husband.It’s wrong for you to nurture any feelings.It’s …”“Adulterous,” Josh finished.Their words hit Laney with devastating impact.She could scarcely breathe.“As for Ivy—even if we assume she’s told a lie …” Ruth still held on to Laney.“She’s not a Christian, Laney.She doesn’t have the same sense of morality we do.”“Which is why it’s so very wrong to condemn Galen!”“Laney,” Josh heaved with a gigantic sigh.“They’re married.Deciding who’s to blame isn’t going to change that fact.It doesn’t matter.”“Doesn’t matter? Oh, Josh.I’m so disappointed in you.You know Galen’s character.You’re supposed to be his friend.”Josh’s gaze held steady.“I am his friend.The length and quality of that friendship is the only thing that’s keeping me from tearing him limb from limb for hurting you.”“You’re more important to us,” Ruth declared.“But this isn’t a situation where you have to choose between us.”Ruth slid her hand back down and curled her fingers around Laney’s.“Josh taught me that I didn’t have to be perfect for him to love me.Can’t you see? Instead of expecting Galen to be flawless, Josh is accepting that this is the way things are for Galen.Just because you care for someone doesn’t mean they’re always right.”Josh sat at the foot of her bed.“You’re reading about Jacob.Don’t forget, Laney—he cheated Esau from his birthright.It’s a reminder that even though a man might do something wrong, God can still use him for mighty works.”Laney slowly shut her Bible.“But think about Leah.She knew Jacob wanted Rachel, but Leah played her part in her father’s deception and trapped Jacob.”“Look how sadly that turned out,” Ruth said quietly.“Jacob never wanted Leah.She always knew he didn’t want her.Ivy was humiliated by being dragged into church today.Everyone knows she’s sullied.Galen married her, but Ivy can’t possibly ever forget that he didn’t want her.”“Galen’s rejection isn’t what should upset her; don’t you see? Whoever the real father is—that man is the one who spurned Ivy and left her in this predicament.Galen didn’t care for her; he cared for me.” Laney dared to add, “I love him, and I’m sure he loves me.”“The best thing you can do is stay away.” Josh gave her a stern look.Tears filled her eyes.“Now, more than ever, Galen needs to know I believe in him.”“I’m so sorry, Laney.But Josh is right.You can’t go over there.At least not for the next week.Things need to settle down.”“A week!”Ruth nodded.“You’ll see him at church.I know you’ve grown accustomed to seeing him every other day—” “Ruth.” Josh’s voice carried a warning.“Sweetheart, pretending otherwise is only going to make it difficult for Laney to accept this.” Ruth stroked Laney’s arm.“I know you dreamed of one thing, but it isn’t to be.What we’re going to do is pray for God to bring along the man He wants for you.”“I couldn’t possibly ever love another man.”Josh rose.“It kills me knowing you’re heartbroken.But, Laney, don’t make this any worse.”“It couldn’t possibly be worse!”“You’re wrong.” He took Ruth’s hand and tugged her from the bed
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