“Audrey didn’t know you’d taken her place?”
“No. She decided to stay in England after Robert died. I didn’t steal her life, Tom; she threw it away. I fished the papers from the rubbish bin and took her identity because I had no family, no place to go, and no way to support my son. Now she’s here.”
He was quiet for a moment before saying, “May I ask you a question? And you don’t have to answer it if you don’t want to.”
Eve shrugged. “Sure, go ahead.” Her life and the lies she’d told were already laid bare before this kind, sweet man.
“Is Louis Dubois Robbie’s father?”
“I suppose that’s obvious, too?”
“Only because I know Louis so well.”
Eve lowered her head again, unable to face him. She was sorry for ever starting this conversation. Yet the truth was the only path to forgiveness.
“Louis and I had a long talk after the war ended,” Tom continued. “He said he needed to confess something, so he told me about you. How he’d fallen in love with you without ever intending to. How there was no hope of ever being with you because of Jean and the baby. He was riddled with guilt for betraying Jean, and he asked me if he should come clean and confess everything to her.”
“And you told him not to.”
“I told him he should confess to God but not to Jean. God would forgive him, but Jean might never get over his betrayal. I don’t think it’s right to unburden your own heart by laying the load on someone else’s. Some secrets are better left untold.”
Eve nodded. She’d given Louis the same advice. “You can’t imagine how hard it is to live with the guilt of something like this,” she said.
“Does Louis know he has a son?” Tom asked.
She shook her head. “The truth would ruin his life and destroy his family. I can’t do that to him. I’ve already ruined my own life—except it isn’t completely ruined because Robbie is the best thing that ever happened to me.”
“He’s a great kid. You’re a wonderful mother.”
“But I’m so ashamed,” she said, her tears starting again. “It’s bad enough that everyone will know that I lied about who I am, but even worse that you know I committed—” Adultery. She couldn’t say the word. She wiped her tears and lifted her head again. “Louis and I made a terrible mistake. We never meant for it to happen.”
“We’ve all done things we’re ashamed of, Eve. Every last one of us.”
“But my sins are piled a mile high! And now Audrey is here with Robert’s son, and my sins will all be exposed. The Barretts are going to hate me for lying to them. They love Robbie and they think he’s their grandson. And they’ve been so good to us. But it’s all been a lie! My house and my car belong to Audrey. The life insurance and trust fund are hers. I know the right thing to do is to leave town, but where can I go? How will Robbie and I live? I have no one! Nothing!”
“Hey . . . hey . . . don’t cry,” he said, pulling her into his arms. The lamb squirmed and bleated, pinned between them.
“I’m sorry, Tom. I’m so very, very sorry. Your mother is such a saint. She’ll be horrified to learn what kind of person I really am. And you’ve done so much for Robbie and me because you thought we were Robert’s wife and son. I don’t know how you and your family and everyone else will ever forgive me. I wouldn’t blame any of you for walking away from me.”
“None of us is in a position to throw stones.”
“You haven’t done anything this bad, I’m sure!”
“I’ll tell you the same thing I told Louis. God will forgive you if you ask Him to. And once Jesus takes away your guilt, you can start all over again. Your past is forgiven and forgotten by God.” He released her and handed her his handkerchief. “You want my advice?” he asked.
“Yes,” she replied, sniffling. “Please.”
“I think you should tell everyone the truth, just like you told me. The people who know you and love you may be shocked and surprised, but they won’t stop loving you and Robbie. That includes me and my parents and the Barretts.”
“Are you sure about that?”
“Yeah. I am. Jesus said we have to forgive others if we want Him to forgive us. Besides, you’re part of our lives now. We know the funny, charming, wonderful woman you are, and it doesn’t matter what your real name is.”