Free Rough Terrain (Vista Falls #1) by Cheryl Douglas Page B

the name his adoptive parents gave him.”
    “Um, honey…” She set the frame back on the desk. “I know I should have told you about this sooner, but I wasn’t sure you wanted to talk about it. Sage wrote a book about the adoption and—”
    “I know.” He pulled the book out of his desk drawer, holding it up before sitting back in his chair. “Read it cover to cover.”
    “Me too. Several times, in fact.”
    They shared a long look. It was all he needed to remind him that he and Sage weren’t the only people who had suffered when they gave their son up for adoption. His parents hadn’t wanted him to do it. They’d even offered to help him raise the baby, but that wasn’t an option Sage’s parents were willing to consider. As far as they were concerned, there was only one choice—adoption.
    “I was so heartbroken for Sage when I read that book.” Her jaw clenched as she straightened her silver-framed glasses. “The way her parents pressured her into—”
    “I know.” Wes didn’t want to go there again. If he did, he was afraid he’d drive across town and let her parents have it. Something he probably should have done years ago. “But that’s ancient history, right?”
    “She was young,” she said gently. “You were both so young, honey. I know you don’t agree with the decision she made and you resented being pressured into going along with it, but you have to know how much she regrets it.”
    “You and Sage have talked about the adoption?” Wes didn’t know why he was so stunned to hear that, only that he’d never imagined Sage having the courage to broach the subject with his mother.
    “You know she goes to my church, right?”
    “No, I didn’t know that.”
    “Well, she does. Anyways, when she wrote the book, it circulated at the church, of course. It helped a lot of families who’d been touched by adoption. The reverend even asked her to speak about it.” She smiled. “She was wonderful. I was so proud of her.”
    “Really?” He didn’t know how to feel about the fact that his mother’s relationship with Sage had continued, even grown stronger, though she’d never said anything to him about his ex. “I’m sorry I missed that.”
    “You need to forgive, son.”
    “I’ve already forgiven Sage. I know she was just doing what she thought was best for all of us.”
    “I’m talking about her parents. I know you think they’re the reason you weren’t able to raise your son, and you may be right. But it’s not healthy to carry around all that hate and resentment.”
    Wes had never even entertained the idea of forgiving the Brevilles. Not that he thought they wanted his forgiveness. He was certain they couldn’t care less how he felt about them. “I have more important things on my mind than them right now.” He held up the slip of paper that contained the name of the woman who could provide a direct line to the missing part of his life.
    “What’s that?” she asked, frowning.
    “The name and number of Nick’s adoptive mom.”
    “Oh, wow.” Her eyes widened. “You’re going to reach out to her? Does Sage know?”
    “She knows. That’s the reason I was at her place last night, to discuss it.”
    “Oh.” Her slim shoulders slumped slightly, beneath her thin, hand-knit gray cardigan. “I thought maybe you two were seeing each other again.”
    “We’re not.” Not that he didn’t wish they were. “But we have decided we’d like to meet our son. Together.”
    She clasped her hands, looking elated once again. “Oh, Wes. That is so wonderful!”
    “I hope it will be.”
    “You’re worried that he won’t be receptive?” She pursed her lips. “I guess I can understand that. After all, he has no way of knowing the circumstances or how much we all love him and wish he were a part of our lives.”
    The last thing Wes wanted was to give his mother false hope. She’d already been hurt enough. “Mom, listen, I know you want grandchildren, but you have to