When Sarah did return, Michael spoke up. “Josie and I were just thinking of taking a walk at River Park. Would you like to join us?”

“I would love to, but I’ve promised to take Gran to the grocery store.” Then turning to Josie, she added, “She’ll be joining us for dinner tonight.”

“I was hoping she would feel up to a night out. I’m planning to stop by and see her this afternoon.” It was hard to believe her Gran now resided in an assisted living home.

“She’s anxious to see you, too, dear, but I think it would be best to let her rest this afternoon.”

“Okay.” There would be plenty of time to visit with Gran later. And she intended to have many long talks with the beloved woman. No one ever understood her like Gran did.

Even before her mother spoke, Josie knew by the sparkle in Sarah’s eye she wasn’t going to be pleased.

“Michael, if you don’t have plans for this evening, why don’t you join us?”

Michael looked to Josie who stood just behind her mother. She shook her head slowly, making sure he understood she didn’t want him at her homecoming dinner.

With his gaze set on Josie, he said, “Mrs. Marshall, I’d love to come to dinner.”

If he’d been within reach, Josie would have put her hands on his shoulders and shaken him.

They didn’t speak again until they were in the car and halfway to the park, which followed the Arkansas River through Tulsa.

“If I were you, Michael,” she said, “I wouldn’t forget that I’m doing you a favor.”

“Is that a threat?” With one hand casually draped over the steering wheel, Michael looked cool. But Josie knew better. She noticed the twitch of his chin and the nervous way he pushed his fingers through his hair. He wasn’t half as confident as he acted.

“No. It’s just a reminder.” She softened a bit as she thought of Sharla and all that was at stake for Michael.

“Think about it,” he urged. “Remember how things used to be between us?”

Though she nodded her head, she resisted thoughts of the past. In the last two days, she’d already been bombarded by more forgotten moments than she cared to relive.

“Remember how I used to barge in on Saturday mornings and your mom would invite me to eat breakfast with her and your father while you were still upstairs sleeping?” As Josie nodded, a vivid image of a younger Michael popped into her mind. “Remember how we used to argue about the silliest things, but neither one of us ever stayed mad?” Again Josie nodded.

“And your point?” she said, eager to end this forced stroll down memory lane.

“Your parents and our friends are going to expect us to act the way we used to, and when we do, they’ll believe we’re still in love.”

“You have it all figured out,” she muttered.

Michael sighed. “No, Josie. I haven’t even begun to figure anything out.”

Josie bit down on her lip. She wanted to tell Michael everything would work out, but she new better. The court might not grant Michael custody of Sharla. He might fail the child, just as Josie had failed Angelina. And as she had for the last six months, Michael would question his faith. Did God really listen to our prayers? Were His answers always for the best? When a child had died in your arms, it was hard to trust in God’s wisdom again.

Michael turned off Riverside Drive and parked near the fountain and pedestrian bridge at Thirty-First Street. Here, the Arkansas River cut a half-mile-wide ribbon through the west edge of Tulsa. Alive with turtles and dragon flies, the full river flowed south between banks edged with willowy trees and spring flowers. In the distance, a lonely, long-legged gray egret perched on weathered drift-wood.

Michael led the way onto the bridge, which had once belonged to the railroad. The dark, wooden trestle structure with its plank floor loomed massive and sturdy. The farther they walked over the river, the stronger the June wind blew. Below them, water roared over the low-water dam, making it difficult to talk.

As they neared the small pavilion that marked the halfway point on the bridge, Josie increased the pace. She wanted to pass by the landmark to prove the old memories had lost their value, but Michael had other ideas.

“Do you mind?” he asked, pointing to a bench.

She was about to urge him to keep walking when she noticed the way his hand pressed against his back. “This would be fine,” she agreed.

For a moment, they stood at the railing, looking north toward the Twenty-First Street bridge and the downtown Tulsa skyline. When Josie had first left home, this was the image she’d carried in her mind. Without doubt, it was one of the most tranquil places in Tulsa. Especially now, with the June flowers in bloom. But after she’d realized she and Michael would never get back together, it was an image she had purged from her heart. Here on this very spot, where they stood right now, Michael had kissed her for the first time.

Josie refused to look at him until her memories were under control. If they were going to spend time together this summer, she would have to get used to this topsy-turvy feeling, because it wouldn’t matter where they went, there would be old memories waiting for them.

“I think we need to get a few things settled,” she began, purposely avoiding his gaze by looking down at the swift river.

“I’ve been thinking, too.”

When she did face him, the worry in his eyes concerned her. His thoughts were of Sharla, not long-ago kisses.

“With Sharla spending the summer at her grandmother’s, I’m hoping we can get through the next six weeks without telling her about our engagement.” Michael leaned against the railing for support.

“I believe that’s wise. This pretend engagement would only confuse Sharla.” And if it’d already turned Josie’s heart upside down, what effect would it have on a six-year-old?

“I don’t see any point in telling my parents or sisters, either,” Michael added.

“The fewer people who have to know, the better,” Josie agreed. “We’re doing this for Sharla, not to hurt her. I won’t forget that.” These next six weeks weren’t about their past, they were about a little girl’s future.

Michael squeezed Josie’s shoulder. “You’ll never know how much your support means to me.”

“Oh, I think I do.”

Something about the tone of Josie’s voice caught Michael’s attention. The solemn look in her blue eyes convinced him she understood exactly how he felt. He wondered what had happened to her that would give her such compassion. Then he warned himself that it was none of his business. He could appreciate Josie’s kindness without getting involved in her life.

“We’ll have to tell your parents, of course,” he said.

“Convincing them we’re in love isn’t going to be easy. They’ve written the book on a good marriage,” Josie said.

“Plus I’ll have to find a way to keep my mother from calling yours to discuss wedding plans. But that really shouldn’t be a problem. Since your parents moved to Florida, our families only keep in touch at Christmas.”

“They’re not going to be too happy with us when they find out this is all an act.” He’d realized that at the breakfast table. In less than five minutes, the Marshall family had once again welcomed him into the family fold.

“If you don’t mind, I don’t think we should ever tell them, or anyone else for that fact, that this is all a hoax.” Josie’s wide eyes convincingly pleaded her case.

“But we do have to break up,” he said firmly. He wanted to be clear on that. He wasn’t interested in turning back the clock. She’d left him once before, and he knew given a second chance, she would leave him again. God had given her dreams that didn’t include him.

“Of course we have to break up,” she said. The indignation in her voice comforted him. “I’m perfectly clear on our deal. I can’t believe you thought—”

“Just clearing the air,” he interrupted before the situation spun out of hand.