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

out your bike. Oh, I almost forgot to introduce you to Freya.” He turned to the dog. “Freya, where are your manners? Say ‘hello’ to Amanda.” Freya held out one large paw.
    “Hi, Freya.” Amanda laughed and took the paw in her tiny hand. “She’s so big; I was scared of her at first.”
    “But you’re not now, right?” Jackson moved the bike forward and backward a few times. “I think your bicycle survived our collision.”
    “Here comes my mom.”
    Jackson turned his head in time to see a woman almost as tall as he was walking in their direction.
    “Amanda Samuels, you weren’t supposed to leave the driveway.”
    “I know, Mommy, but I wanted to get a closer look at Freya. She’s Mr. Jackson’s dog. I ran into him with my bicycle.”
    “That wouldn’t have happened if you’d obeyed.” The woman held out her hand to Jackson. “I’m sorry about this. I’m Laurel Samuels.”
    “Nice to meet you, Laurel. I’m Jackson Steadman. I moved into the neighborhood yesterday.”
    “You bought the Powell place? I saw the realtor take down the sign a few weeks ago. Are you from around here?”
    “I’m from Cochran. I moved here to work at the Hollis Clinic.”
    Laurel’s smile grew wider. “My husband works there. I’d introduce you but he’s not home at the moment.” They were interrupted by Amanda.
    “Mr. Jackson, Freya just licked me.”
    Jackson laughed. “Yeah, she does that to people she likes. It’s a disgusting habit.”
    “Oh, I like it.” She looked at Laurel. “Mommy, I think we should invite Mr. Jackson and Freya to my birthday party next weekend.”
    “It’s a kid’s party, sweet pea; I don’t think Mr. Jackson would be interested in coming.”
    “How do you know? Have you asked him?”
    “I’ll do that while you put your bicycle in the garage; it’s almost time for your bath.” After Amanda reluctantly left them, Laurel turned to Jackson. “I don’t want to put you on the spot. Her party is next Saturday at three. You’re welcome to drop by, with or without Freya. If you’d rather not, I understand.”
    Jackson smiled. “I’ll try to make it. Can you give me some idea what to bring as a present? I don’t know anything about kids this age.”
    “Don’t worry about bringing anything. She’s got too much as it is. If we don’t see you Saturday, I’m sure Amanda will run you down another time.”
    * * * *
    Jackson finished his walk without further mishap. When he got back to the house, he stretched out on the couch in the living room. “I think we’ve made a friend, Freya. I wish adult women were as easy to impress as little girls like Amanda.”
    He reached over and pulled his Bible off the coffee table. After reading for a while, he bowed his head. “Father, I don’t know your plans for Hannah, but I pray that I can be of help to her. I know she’s hurting, and I also know that only You can heal a broken heart. In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.”
    Arriving at the clinic the next morning, Jackson dutifully dropped off the paperwork to human resources and took the elevator to the third floor. His supervisor had asked him to come early before the patients arrived. He walked into a large open area containing treatment tables, exercise bikes, hot pack machines and rows of neatly stacked therapy equipment. The only person in the room was seated at a desk. At his approach, the woman looked up at him and smiled.
    “Hey, Jackson. I’m glad to see you arrived in one piece. Give me a minute, and I’ll give you the grand tour. In the meantime, if you’d like some coffee, it’s in the cubbyhole behind you.”
    “Thanks, Nicole. I never turn down coffee.” After fixing a cup, he sat down on one of the tables and looked around. This period of calm wouldn’t last long. In another half hour this place would be humming with activity.
    “Okay, I’m ready. Let’s start on the physician side.”
    Jackson stood up. “Sounds great.”
    Nicole led the way down a long