On the two-hour drive to Saxton University from their small hometown of Darby, in south Georgia, Amy had leaned her head back on the headrest of the car, fought her never-ending battle with car sickness, held Phil’s hand and mumbled, “What kind of name is Lisbeth?”

“I think it’s German . . . maybe a form of Elizabeth.”

“It sounds kinda snobby, don’t you think?”

“Ame, let’s not judge her before we meet her.”

“You’re right . . . you’re right. I’m defensive already. Sorry. Jack is just so . . . special, so different, so much more . . . mature than other—”

“You wouldn’t be a little prejudiced, now would you?” Phil squeezed her hand—playful, yet understanding her complete love for their son. It was the same way she loved her entire family, husband, son and daughter—her love a transforming filter to any average quality.

Phil pulled her hand to his mouth and kissed the back of it. “I agree with you, sweetie, but I’m also sure Jack’s sound judgment of people has prevailed here. I can’t wait to meet the girl who has finally stolen his heart.”

Amy opened her eyes and glared at Phil. “She didn’t steal anything yet.”

“Ah, you didn’t hear him on the phone.”

Amy scrunched her nose at her husband. Phil was right. She was prejudging this girl whose last name she didn’t even know. “Well, I wish we could’ve come last night. Her parents were here and they wanted us to go out to dinner.”

“There was no way I could miss yesterday evening’s meeting, Amy. We’ve been over this.”

“I know, I know. Doesn’t mean I don’t wish you could’ve. Who works till eight o’clock on a Friday night?”

“My boss, and therefore me.” Phil tightened his face the way he did when he felt she was questioning his work ethic. Raised in a strict home where work and obligation were the gods to bow to, he didn’t understand her more laid-back, skip-work-for-family approach. Now was not the time to get into it.

“Well,” she said, “my committee seems to be making progress. We did have one hour out on the island. An hour’s better than nothing.”

“That’s great, honey, great.” Phil flipped the AM channels; static from the radio filled the car, increasing her frustration. “I can’t find the game channel. We should be able to get it by now.”