Hearts Under Construction Read Online Free

and turned to him. “Look, Cole, you know nothing about me, so please don’t try to analyze me!”
    She pulled onto the side of the road at the job site, slammed into park with more force than she’d intended, and jumped out of the car. Cole followed suit. She knew she would regret her anger later, but for now it simmered like a sauna bath.
    Instead of taking the usual care when walking at a construction site, she plunged the heels of her shoes into the muddy ground. When she lifted her left leg, her shoe stayed put. She teetered and swayed like a Hawaiian dashboard doll. Desperate to maintain her dignity, she jerked on her foot and fell into the waiting arms of Cole Preston.
    The construction workers whistled and cawed from the house. Ellie wanted to curl up and roll away.
    Cole whispered into her ear, “What shall we do for an encore?”
    She turned a disgusted face at him and yanked herself free from his arms. “You are the most egotistical man I have ever met!”
    He laughed out loud and bowed as she made her way past him.
    Her only solace came from flicking specks of dirt from her shoes across his pant legs as she went.
     
     
    Ellie took a sip from her teacup. “Thanks, Mom. This hits the spot.”
    “Your headache is better, then?”
    Her mother’s worried gaze met Ellie’s. “I’m much better.” Ellie could see her mom visibly relax. “What would I do without you?”
    Her mom waved her hand. “You’d be just fine. The Lord would give you someone in my place.”
    “No one could ever take your place, Mom.”
    Her mother fidgeted with her teacup and glanced around the room. “Ellie, don’t you think your couch would be more functional if you placed it against that wall? Then you could see out the patio while—”
    “Oh, here we go. I’ve told you, Mom, I’ve got enough battle scars from my childhood. Remember? From when I bumped into furniture that you kept switching around the room?”
    Her mother’s mouth formed into a pout and she hung her head.
    Ellie laughed, causing her mother to brighten.
    “Don’t you get bored with it the same way all the time?”
    Ellie shook her head. “I like to keep things the way they are. Why fix something that’s not broken?”
    Her mother remained silent, giving in on the issue as if it were the first time, though they had had the discussion many times before. “Ellie, your headaches usually come on because of stress. Anything you want to talk about?”
    Ellie put her cup on the coffee table, straightened her pillow and leaned against the back of the sofa. “It’s Cole Preston. I try, Mom, I really do, but I just don’t like the man.”
    “What is it you don’t like about him?”
    “Everything. He’s pushy. He’s demanding. Always trying something new.”
    “Ah.”
    “Ah, what?” Ellie couldn’t hide the edginess in her voice.
    “Well, honey, it’s just that you’ve never adjusted well to change.”
    “Mom, please, I’m not a child anymore. I can adapt.”
    Her mother raised an eyebrow.
    “I can,” she repeated, defensively. They sat a moment in silence. She hated it when her mother was right. “Okay, so I don’t like change,” she admitted with some reluctance. Ellie sighed and adjusted her blankets. She looked at her mother. “I’m still struggling with this whole partnership thing.”
    “Really?”
    “Well, it’s just not fair.” Oh, she could kick herself for sounding so childish. Her mother stared, saying nothing. Ellie felt like a bug under a microscope. With everything in her, she tried not to squirm. She knew she was wrong. She had to let her bitterness go, but could she? Sighing, she leaned back into her pillow.
    “I wouldn’t worry too much about it, Ellie. As you get used to his ways, you’ll get along fine.” Her mother smiled.
    Ever the optimist, Ellie thought. “Is Dad coming for dinner?”
    Her mother came over and fluffed the blanket around her. “Yes. In another hour or so.”
    “The vegetable soup smells so