Free To Love and Honor by Irene Brand

“You convinced your mother that she was welcome, otherwise, she would never have agreed to leave prison.”
    â€œI really meant that I was glad to have her come, and that amazed me as much as it did her.”
    Roger started the engine of the car. “We need to find rooms for the night. There’s a big motel a few miles down the highway.”
    â€œLet’s stay there if we can, and I’ll telephone Aunt Ruth as soon as we register.”
    When they arrived at the motel, Violet handed her credit card to Roger. “Use this for both of our rooms,” she said. “I don’t want you to be out any money for helping me.”
    â€œNow you’re being ridiculous,” he said. “I’ll payfor my own room, but I’ll compromise—you can buy my dinner.”
    â€œWith pleasure,” Violet said, “but I was serious about paying for the room, too.”
    Violet’s room was across the hall from the one assigned to Roger. He carried her bag into the room and snapped on the lights. “Let’s take an hour to rest,” he said. “This has been a stressful day, Violet, and tomorrow won’t be much better. But I think you’ll rest tonight.”
    â€œYes, I’m finally at peace with my decision. I realize that I have a lot of hurdles to cross, but I know now that it’s the right thing for me to do.”
    Violet stood on tiptoes and kissed Roger’s cheek. “And thanks so much. I’ve been thinking all day about a proverb that speaks of ‘a man who sticks closer than a brother.’ Well, I’ve never had a brother, but you’ve been that kind of friend for the past week. I appreciate it more than you’ll ever know.”
    â€œYou don’t have to thank me.” Roger pulled her hair with a gentle tug. “I’m just happy I could be there for you. See you in an hour.”

Chapter Four
    I t was ten o’clock Friday evening before Roger and Violet arrived home from Topeka, after having made arrangements to have her mother brought on Wednesday. Violet wanted to sleep late on Saturday morning, but she couldn’t spare the time. She had many things to do before her mother came. She would have to make an appointment with Pastor Tom, and she certainly had to talk to Larry before the news circulated around the city. Right now, only she and Roger knew about her impending house guest, but once a few others knew, the news would travel as fast as wildfire among her acquaintances. Larry had to be told, but she didn’t know whether he had returned from the conference in Florida. She decided that if she didn’t hear from him tomorrow, she’d leave a message on his machine. Perhaps they could talk on Sunday, before school. She’d prefer the privacy.
    As she washed up breakfast dishes, wondering how to explain the situation to him, Larry telephoned her.
    â€œI was wondering if you had returned,” she said. “Did you have a pleasant time in Florida?”
    â€œThe weather was great, but we were kept so busy we didn’t have much time to loaf around. I did take time for two afternoons of golf. Our plane was late yesterday, so I didn’t get home until midnight—I thought that was too late to telephone.”
    â€œI was sleeping by then.”
    â€œI’m over at the school now, checking to see what had happened while I was gone. I notice you had two days of personal leave. That’s unusual for you.”
    â€œI had an emergency family problem that I had to take care of, and I really need to talk to you about it. Since you’re at the school building, may I come over for a few minutes?”
    â€œOf course.”
    â€œI’ll be there in fifteen minutes.”
    When she entered the principal’s office Larry’s eyes brightened. He circled his desk and kissed her cheek.
    â€œI’ve missed seeing you this week,” he said.
    â€œIt’s nice to be