“Yes, today, when I finally was able to talk to him alone. I should have done it sooner but I couldn’t think straight, and it took me a while to work up to it.”

Hayley nodded in gentle understanding. “It’s not easy to change your entire way of thinking. And it would be especially tough for you right now, when you have your own situation to deal with at the same time. But I’m glad you told him.”

“I’m not sure it did much good,” Amanda said rather glumly. “Now he thinks I just feel sorry for him.”

“Do you?”

“In a way, because of the permanent damage. But I admire him more, for how he’s adapted.”

“He’s done well. Although it is curious that he’s refused the joint replacement surgery.”

Amanda frowned. “Joint replacement? I didn’t realize they did that for elbows. But I guess if they can do knees, an elbow isn’t all that different.”

“I’d think it would be even more durable, without the putting weight on it issue.”

Amanda nodded. “But...you said he’s refused it?”

“That’s what Quinn told me.”

“But why, if it could help?”

“Quinn said he said he was tired of surgery. But he suspects there’s more to it than just that.”

“Like...what?”

Hayley shook her head at the question. “Quinn’s a guy, he doesn’t speculate on stuff like that, or dig at somebody to talk about something they don’t want to talk about. Well, except me,” she added with a grin.

Amanda sighed. “If I didn’t like you both so much I’d envy you. You’re amazing together.”

“We are,” Hayley agreed simply. Then, with a speculative look at Amanda, she said, “That story I promised... I know a little bit about...misjudging people.”

“You? I can’t imagine that.”

“Then you should talk to my brother. I thought the absolute worst of him for a very long time. Because I didn’t know the truth.”

Amanda listened with increasing amazement at the story Hayley told her then, of terrorism and courage and a man who kept his word even when it hurt. “So...heroics run in the family?” she said rather faintly at the end.

Hayley grinned. “On all sides, now. Amy’s no slouch in the nerve department, either. And Walker’s running the Southwest office of Foxworth now.”

“Wow.”

Hayley became serious then. “I told you that to show you that damaged bridges can be repaired. And sometimes they’re even stronger, after.”

“I...but how do you make up for that damage, when they believe the horrible things you thought are true? And when it may well be your fault that they believe it?”

“That one I don’t have an answer for, except keep trying.”

“Maybe if I grovel for five years,” Amanda said glumly.