Finding the Way Back (Book 1 in the Forgiving Hearts Trilogy) Read Online Free Page B

brushed the styling gel and hairspray out of her hair and captured the bright strands into a ponytail.
    As she slipped the lavender dress inside its protective bag and placed the silver sandals in a box, Laurel realized that an event which had loomed large in her life for months was over. With Juliet married, she was the only single left in the group of five girls who roomed together in college. It was a sobering thought. What was God waiting on? Didn’t He realize how much she wanted to find that special someone?
    When she swung open the heavy door of the room set aside for the bridesmaids, Colton was leaning against the wall. He immediately stepped forward to take the bags dangling from her fingers.
    “All set?”
    “Sorry it took so long.”
    “No problem.” As they walked through the carpeted hallway to the exit, he asked, “Where are Juliet and Jacob going for their honeymoon?”
    “Mexico. I’m so jealous; I’ve always wanted to go on a cruise.”
    “Me, too. A few years ago, my brother, his girlfriend and my parents went on a cruise to Alaska. The pictures they took of the glaciers towering over everything in sight were breathtaking.” He came to halt as they reached her car. “I’ll follow you back and then drive us somewhere to eat. That way we won’t have to take two cars.”
    “Okay. Prepare yourself for a slow drive.”
    * * * *
    Laurel couldn’t stop herself from peering into the rearview mirror every ten seconds. Why was the sight of Colton’s sleek sports model hugging the road a short distance behind her so exciting? This evening might end up being a complete bust. Then again, maybe the instant liking she felt for him was mutual and might lead to something more.
    A couple hours later she was pulling into her parents’ driveway with Colton right behind her. He met her in the space between the cars, his glance going to the two-story brick house in the background. When she opened the trunk, he grabbed her two pieces of luggage and waited while she picked up the dress bag and shoe box.
    As they walked to the front door, she glanced back at him. “I live with my parents; they’re on vacation in Florida this week.”
    If he was surprised that she lived at home, he didn’t show it. “Do you have any brothers or sisters?”
    Laurel opened the door and led the way into a spacious foyer. “I have an older sister. Rose and her husband live in St. Simons, Georgia.” She noticed he was still carrying her things. “Oh, you can put those down anywhere. I’ll take care of them later.”
    Colton placed the suitcases near a pedestal table and looked around him with interest. He noticed a set of pencil sketches grouped together on the wall. “Are you the artist?”
    Laurel laughed. “I can’t even draw stick figures. Rose did those.”
    He moved over to look at them more closely. “They’re very good. That’s you, right?” he asked as he pointed to one.
    “How did you know? Rose did that from a picture of me when I was about five years old.”
    “I’d recognize those pretty eyes anywhere.”
    “Have I mentioned you’re a terrible flirt?”
    “Yes, but I can’t seem to stop myself. Maybe if I get some food, I’ll calm down.”
    * * * *
    Laurel tried not to laugh as she watched Colton gulp down iced tea. Had he forgotten the bowl on his right contained the spicy dip?
    “Whew, that was really hot,” he said as he wiped his forehead with a napkin.
    “I thought you knew what you were doing.”
    “Clearly, I didn’t. Thanks to that mistake, I won’t be able to taste anything else for days. My mouth is on fire.”
    “I’ve heard milk helps.”
    He grinned sheepishly. “I’m not usually such an idiot. You’re probably wondering how I made it this far in medical school.”
    “I was actually thinking how nice it is to be with someone who can laugh at himself.”
    “What else can I do? Here I am trying to make a good impression and instead I have a jalapeno-induced