Page 134 of Finding Amanda

Baby in his arms, Mark said, “Your turn, Mom. Meet your grandson.”

She sent Amanda a questioning look.

“Go ahead.”

Mark shifted the infant into Mrs. Johnson’s arms, and she studied his perfect little face. “You make beautiful babies.” She directed the remark to Amanda.

“Oh. Thank you. I think so, but God’s doing most of the work. I just add sleep and calories.”

Mrs. Johnson smiled again. At least Amanda thought it was a smile, but it was so different from any expression she’d ever seen on her face that she wasn’t sure if she could trust it.

“Have you decided on a name yet?”

Amanda glanced at Mark, who cleared his throat. “His name is Joseph, which means God will give.”

“‘God will give.’ How fitting.” Patricia grinned down at the baby. “Hello, little Joseph. Or do you prefer Joey? Maybe someday, just Joe.” She looked at Mark again. “Does he have a middle name?”

“Hayden.” Did she notice how her son stiffened? “After Dad.”

Amanda tensed. This would be the moment Mrs. Johnson transformed back into the dragon lady.

Her expression dimmed the slightest. “Joseph Hayden Johnson. Your father will be honored.” Then, she tilted her head to one side. “Isn’t there a composer named Joseph Hayden?”

Just like that, they were past it?

“Uh”—Mark glanced at Amanda—“I don’t know. We just picked the name last night.”

They’d been pouring over lists of names for months, but Mark had been determined to wait for God’s leading. And He’d led them both to the same name a few hours after Joey’s birth.

“I’ll look him up and share some of his music with you.” Mrs. Johnson moved to the head of the bed but spoke to Mark. “Why don’t you take the girls for a walk? I’d like to speak to your wife alone.” She turned to Amanda. “If that’s all right with you.”

Ten minutes before, she’d have refused outright, but his mother was obviously trying to be nice.

Mark turned to Amanda, waiting for her response.

“I guess.”

His lips tipped up in the sweetest smile, and he spoke to Sophie and Madi, who were playing a hand-clapping game. “How about a soda?”

Choruses of yays were followed by requests for their favorite flavors as Mark followed them toward the door. Behind his mother’s back, he lifted his phone so she’d see it. She got the message—call me if you need me.

And then they were gone, the door closing with athunk.

Still holding the baby, Mrs. Johnson pulled the rolling doctor’s stool close. “Is it all right if I sit down?”

“Of course.”

She did, then moved closer. She found little Joey’s fist, which he curled around her finger. “I wanted to talk to you alone.” It seemed to take courage for her to meet Amanda’s eyes. “I understand why you and Mark have been avoiding me, and I don’t blame you. I think, under the circumstances, I’d have done the same thing. I am ashamed to admit I was glad to hear you and Mark had separated. It was a vindication for me because I’d always believed he made the wrong choice when he married you.”

Mrs. Johnson had always been a forthright, straight-to-the-point kind of person, and today was clearly no exception.

Amanda kept very still, unsure where her mother-in-law was going. She wished she’d pulled her cell phone into her lap so she could call Mark back, but it was on the side table, just out of reach.

“But he didn’t.” Mrs. Johnson held Amanda’s eye contact. “He didn’t make the wrong choice. Mark chose you because he loves you. You're good for him. The right woman for him. And I . . . I’ve treated you terribly over the years. I was foolish and judgmental and bitter.” Her lips tightened at the corners, a hint of the contempt she’d so often shown her daughter-in-law. “I still am. A lifetime of bad habits and ugly thoughts aren’t so easy to overcome. It’s a daily battle.”

What was happening?

Amanda was afraid to move, as if whatever spell had come over the dragon lady would be broken.

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