Hearths of Fire by Kennedy Layne

Author:Kennedy Layne
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Military, Romance
ISBN: 9780990886037
Publisher: Kennedy Layne
Published: 2014-11-11T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seventeen

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Charlotte hung up the phone, having just gotten an update from Pam. The store was operating fine and her friend loved the extra hours, but Charlotte still felt guilty for taking so much time away from what was her livelihood. Technically she could have gone into the shop today, but that wasn’t going to happen after this morning. She refused to believe that Neal wasn’t aware of the returning feelings from so long ago that they were both experiencing. He didn’t seem to be harboring ill will toward her for past decisions, yet he was acting as if this meant nothing but a few nights of sex. They were rediscovering something between them and she wasn’t about to discard that.

Looking at the time display on the microwave, she saw that it was one o’clock in the afternoon and neither Neal nor Mandy had returned. Anxiety was clutching her stomach at the thought that Neal might get caught searching the premises and she couldn’t even wrap her mind around the fact that Mandy was attending whatever services the Ashes were providing. Scenarios were running rampant in Charlotte’s mind and her sitting here would only blow them out of proportion. She’d just made up her mind to take a ride into town when she heard the front door open.

“Mandy?” Charlotte knew it was her sister from the jingle of her keys. “I didn’t expect you back so early.”

Charlotte rose from the table and hadn’t even made it to the doorway of the living room when Mandy appeared, tears streaming down her pale cheeks. Her arms were wrapped around her petite waist as she struggled to keep herself together. Fear consumed Charlotte that something had been done physically to her sister, but looking her over produced no evidence. Closing the distance, she wrapped her arms around Mandy while the words came spilling out.

“Did Garreth hurt you? Did the Ashes hurt you?” Charlotte went to pull away so that she could see Mandy’s face, but her sister wouldn’t let go as another sob wracked her body. “Mandy, you need to tell me what happened.”

“Y-you were right,” Mandy cried, shaking her head against Charlotte’s neck. “He d-doesn’t love me. He only p-pretended because he thinks I’m the one his parents want.”

Charlotte was relatively sure she’d never felt such relief wash over her body before and closed her eyes in gratitude that Mandy finally could see through the smoke and mirrors. Charlotte led her back through the doorframe and into the living room, where they sat on the couch. She kept her arm around Mandy, rubbing her arm in consolation, and also resting her chin on her sister’s head.

Mandy’s pain was more than palpable but the only thing Charlotte could do was sit and listen. A good five minutes passed with no words being exchanged. Her emotions needed an outlet and Charlotte needed the time to formulate words that Mandy would be able to hear right now. I told you so wasn’t appropriate nor was it warranted.

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