For Better or Worse (Book 2 in the Forgiving Hearts Trilogy) Read Online Free Page A

things. And once she started talking, she couldn’t stop.
    He must have been shocked to find her so altered, but to his credit, his demeanor never changed. There hadn’t been disapproval or censure in his voice, only kindness and understanding. Jackson hadn’t fixated on her failures, but had instead tried to focus her on the present. In her mind’s eye, it was as if she was suspended between the woman she’d allowed herself to become and the woman she could be.
    Into these troubled thoughts came the ringing of her phone. She didn’t know whether to be relieved or regretful.
    “Hello, Bradley.”
    “How was the trip down memory lane?”
    “It was nice to see someone from home.”
    “You didn’t mention why he was here.”
    Hannah sighed soundlessly. Bradley was becoming what she most disliked in a man: possessive. A few dates didn’t give him the right to be so involved in her life. “He just started working at Hollis Clinic.”
    “So he’ll be sticking around. I thought he was just visiting.”
    “Does it matter? It’s been a long day, and I’m tired.”
    “Which is why you should have met him some other time.”
    She rolled her eyes. “Are we still on for tomorrow?”
    “I hope so. I already made reservations.”
    “Reservations? That sounds like I’ll have to dress up.”
    Bradley laughed. “I’ll pick you up around six.”
    “Sounds good. See you then.”
    Setting the phone on the counter next to her purse, Hannah walked into the bedroom and kicked off her shoes. After a shower, she slipped her arms into a long-sleeved dress shirt and inhaled the musky scent of Mitchell’s cologne. An aching sadness welled up inside her.
    Why did she still miss him? She should be proud of herself for leaving and relieved that Mitchell hadn’t followed her. Only a fool would stay with someone so self-absorbed. So why couldn’t she move on? It had been eight weeks; eight long weeks of crying herself to sleep every night. She’d tried everything to forget Mitchell; nothing was working. And getting involved with Bradley had been a mistake. She wasn’t ready for another relationship.

Chapter Two
    Jackson managed to find his suit and was able to visit the church whose tall steeple was easily visible from his subdivision. He enjoyed the sermon and felt comfortable enough to go there again. If he could get Hannah to come with him, all the better. The pain he saw reflected in her lovely eyes tore at his heart. He knew there could be no true happiness for a Christian living apart from God.
    He spent the afternoon filling out the packet of papers provided to him by the human resources representative of the clinic. After dinner, he grabbed the leash, opened the door leading to the backyard and whistled for Freya. Within a few minutes, she was pulling him along the paved sidewalk.
    “You’re like someone else I know. Always in a hurry. You’ve got to slow down and take time to smell the roses or whatever that saying is.”
    Jackson was admiring a two-story Tudor-style house when a little girl on a red bicycle came out of nowhere. In trying to avoid hitting Freya, she ran into him. They both ended up on the ground. After one stunned moment, he lifted the bike off his legs and turned to see how his companion was doing. There were tears in her eyes, but he didn’t see any obvious injuries. She looked more frightened than hurt.
    “We got a little tangled up, didn’t we? Are you okay?” He spoke in a soft voice, knowing from experience that his face could be scary to a child.
    “I think so.” She scrambled to her feet and peered more closely at him. “What happened to you?”
    “I was in an accident a long time ago. Let’s check you over and make sure you didn’t break a leg or anything.”
    This drew a giggle from her. “How could I break my legs? I’m standing on them.”
    “Oh, yeah, you’re right. My name is Jackson. What’s yours?”
    “Amanda.”
    “Well, Amanda, since you’re okay, we better check