Mended Hearts by Carol Steward

Author:Carol Steward
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2012-10-15T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER ELEVEN

EMILY SWUNG HER ARMS in a quick rhythm opposite her feet; two more blocks, and she’d slow her pace. The spring sunshine had a crisp warmth, and invigorated her lungs. She was grateful for the beautiful day, and the fact that she had it off to enjoy.

It was Emily’s first day to herself in a month. After the wonderful time she and Kevin had managed to find for each other over the past few weeks, she had hope there could really be a future for the two of them. There were no doubts in her mind that Kevin was still the man of her dreams. The man who would stand beside her, through good times and bad.

It was her mother whom she would have to convince—and Kevin. Though at this moment, she wasn’t sure which would be more difficult.

Her mother had never forgiven her father for leaving her with three daughters to raise alone. She lived with bitterness to this day. Emily had grown up believing all men fit the same mold as Dad. Yet Kevin was the first man to show her differently. He would go for visits with Emily, ignore her mother’s cold shoulder and smart remarks, and dry Emily’s tears when they left. The day they broke the engagement was the worst day of her life—the day Kevin fulfilled her mother’s lowest expectations.

Since then, though, there had been countless other “father figures” in her life who had helped her turn away from the fears and bitterness that had threatened to consume her, as it had her mother. They had taught her to move into other relationships with a sense of self-confidence and hope.

And then there was Kevin. Kevin, who refused to talk about the future, claiming he didn’t want to ruin the fun they were having with anything that serious. His hesitation sent up warning flags, yet Emily was convinced that it would take only time for him to realize his dreams, as well as her own, were alive and waiting to be fulfilled.

She realized that changing Kevin’s heart and healing his emotional scars weren’t within her means. She could only accept Kevin into her life again, and leave the rest to him.

After her morning walk, Emily dusted the table and placed the flowers in the middle. Once she vacuumed, she would have the day to relax, do some shopping and bake some cookies. The phone rang, and Emily answered eagerly, hoping it was Kevin.

“Emily!” Laura was sobbing. “Gretchen and Jack West were killed in a car accident last night.”

Emily’s voice caught in her throat. “Oh, no. And Ricky? Was he hurt?” She paced the room.

“No,” she squeaked. “He was with us. They went to Denver for dinner and a play. They were going to be back around midnight—” her sobbing grew softer “—at three, I started calling their house, their cell phones, everyone I could think of. Finally, I called the state patrol and explained the situation. At six this morning, they returned my call with the news.

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