Broken Road (45 page)

“Mrs. Jenner, the President is ready for you and the boys to join him.”

“Thank you.” Brenda replied. “If you’ll just give me a moment I’ll be right there.”

“Certainly. Just keep in mind that the reception can’t begin until you arrive at the table.”

“Of course, I’ll be quick.” She said and turned to Callan. “Cal, will you please wait for me by the door with your brother?” Callan looked at Riley and then at his mother. He nodded and took Taylor by the hand.

“Come on.” The older boy said as they walked away leaving Brenda and Riley alone. Brenda walked over to a quieter and less conspicuous corner of the room and motioned for him to follow.

“You’re going to keep the President waiting?” he asked with a grin. She laughed.

“I guess I am.”

“Figures.” He said smiling.

“I’m happy you came.”

“Me too.”

“I saw Louis. I couldn’t believe it. He looks so different!”

“Well, he was kind of my ride. The President was nice enough to extend the invitation to both of us. ”
 

“How did you get him to shave and cut his hair?”

“I told him if he was going to be my date at the White House he was going to have to clean up. He did it on his own.”

“Well, he looks great. I’m glad he could come.”
 

“He’s probably already inside the room where you should be.”

“You’re probably right.” She said looking over at her boys. Standing there with her there was so much he wanted to say but it didn’t seem to be the right place or time. He wondered if they would ever have the chance to make things right.
Why not now?

“Brenda…” he began but the presidential aide reappeared.

“Mrs. Jenner, I’m so sorry to interrupt but we
must
get you and the boys inside. You too, Specialist Favreau.”

“Okay.” Brenda nodded and there was a deep look of disappointment on her face. What if she felt what he felt? What if she was willing to give him a second chance? She started to walk away but suddenly turned back and held out her hand to him. He looked at her for a moment and then he took her hand, pulled her back into the corner. Making sure they were out of sight of the aides and reporters, he leaned in and kissed her. Her lips were soft, warm and welcoming. He had his answer and he was grateful. Suddenly aware of their surroundings, they parted, he took her hand, and walked her to the door where Callan and Taylor were waiting. They stood at the entrance to the reception hall and looked into the faces of all the people who had come to honor Shane Jenner. Suddenly, Taylor slipped his small hand into Riley’s and after a moment Callan took Brenda’s hand. The crowd applauded as they walked in and the President waved them over to the large table where he was waiting.
 

As they made their way across the room, Riley thought about the people back home in Bess, about Misty, Brandon and especially his grandfather. He thought about their journeys, the beginnings as well as the endings. He thought about the road he and Brenda had traveled to get to this moment and while he didn’t understand it all, he was still grateful. Riley looked at Brenda and knew that he was willing to give what they had begun to build back in Bess a second chance. But this time, it would be built on a foundation of truth and unconditional love. For no matter what happened, he knew that while the broken road they traveled to get here would never really end, there were blessings to be found along its cracks and none of them had to travel it alone.