Marlene's Secret — Brenda Maxfield

Marlene Jantzi flees Rock Point, Ohio, to escape her shame. She will do anything to give her son a good start in life-even if it means she has to lie. It works, too, until she begins to have feelings for the mysterious Daniel Studer. She sees the pain in his eyes and wonders whether he's been hurt, too.As Marlene becomes more and more fond of Daniel and his parents, her lies become heavier and heavier, often sitting like stone in her stomach. She can't keep this up, but the consequences of telling the truth are simply too risky. Will Marlene ever be able to trust someone enough to tell the truth? And what would Daniel's reaction be to that truth? And will she ever learn what is behind his pain?