Divided Hearts by Carolyne Aarsen

Author:Carolyne Aarsen [Aarsen, Carolyne]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Misty Ridge Publishing
Published: 2018-01-18T06:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

“There’s a path that leads toward the river park,” Cory said. “The same river that runs through Sweet Creek. We could walk there if you want.”

Matthew only nodded as he held open the heavy front door of the restaurant for Cory, waiting as she stepped past him.

A heavy silence hung between them as they walked from the parking lot and toward the river. Matthew wondered how to respond. He had pushed and prodded her to this point. She had told him what her life with Zeke Smith was like. He heard the utter sincerity in her voice, the suppressed enmity.

So how was he supposed to balance what she told him with his own experiences with the charming Zeke Smith? Was he such a fool? How could he, Matthew McKnight, who prided himself on his integrity and innate knowledge of human beings, have been so fooled?

He glanced sidelong at Cory who walked alongside him, seemingly relaxed. He thought about what she had lived with, what she had told him.

Part of it was a result of what he and his father had done.

He wanted to believe her. Had to, if he wanted to pursue the feelings that seemed to change every time he saw her. But, did he need to make that choice? Did it matter anymore? Zeke was dead.

For better or worse, he knew every moment he spent with her, his feelings for her only intensified. He didn’t know why, couldn’t explain it even to himself. He just knew that even though she confused and frustrated him, when he was away from her, he felt lost. As if a center was gone from his life.

The path was wide and graveled, following the narrow river that wound through the valley. The warmth of the day was still trapped between the trees.

“There’s supposed to be some decent fishing on this river,” Cory said.

“I’ve never gone fishing.” He didn’t mean to make that sound so pathetic, but in his ears it seemed like yet one more slam on his life.

She only nodded, and they were silent once again.

He couldn’t stand it anymore, this distance between them. He didn’t know what he could say to bridge the gap, to make up for all that had happened in her life.

Give me the right words, Lord, show me what to do, he prayed. He had never felt unsure around a woman before, but he did around this one.

“Cory...” his voice trailed off as he laid his hand on her shoulder to get her attention.

She stopped and turned to him, her hands clasped together, the half-light of the moon casting mysterious shadows on her face.

“You’re cold,” he said, sliding his hand down her arm, feeling her chilled flesh under his hand.

“Not too bad.”

“I’m sorry for what you had to deal with,” he said. He held her hand in his, struggling for the right words. “I want to fix all that has been wrong in your life, all the things I did, all the pain I caused.” He laughed shortly, as if recognizing the enormity of what he was asking.

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