Mended Hearts by Ruth Logan Herne

Author:Ruth Logan Herne
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2011-01-28T16:00:00+00:00

Jeff knew Christ’s answer. He understood the severity behind the response, the virtually limitless cache of forgiveness. Now he just had to find the strength to go along with the understanding.

“Jeff, this is lovely.” Hannah surveyed the stately Colonial from the driveway a half hour later as the late-day light danced beams across the west-facing house. She turned to face Jeff, her right hand indicating the house and the yard. “This is yours?”

“You like it?”

“Try love it. Is it as sweet inside?”

“Let’s find out.” He grinned and lifted the two bags of takeout. “Since it appears I’ll be eating leftover Chinese for a week, we might as well start putting a dent in this.”

“I told you not to get the cashew chicken or the sesame shrimp,” she scolded as they reached the front door. “Just because I said I liked them didn’t mean we needed four entrées.”

“I enjoy choices, and I lived through many a college weekend on cold Chinese,” he told her. “So I actually like having leftovers in the fridge.”

“You surprise me.”

“How’s that?”

Hannah shrugged. “You live in a big house you probably rarely see and you eat cold Chinese out of paper cartons.”

“The house was a wise investment about seven years ago when prices were down and the former owners moved south. The Chinese food, well, I like cold Chinese.”

“It’s beautiful, Jeff.” Hannah turned in a slow circle once inside, taking in the entry hall, the oak-trimmed rooms embracing the foyer and the staircase before her, a nod to older times and more stately bearings. “And what a staircase.”

Jeff grinned boyishly. “That’s what sold me. I could just see me as a kid, sliding down that banister, listening to my mother scold me.”

“Having met your mother, I can’t imagine she scolded too loud or too long. She’s sweet and gentle.”

“Unlike me?”

Hannah heard an almost plaintive note in his voice. “I think life might have handed you a two-sided coin and you’re not too sure how to handle that.”

“You mean that scene with my brother.”

She made a little face. “Your business. Not mine.”

He crossed the large and fairly empty dining room and entered a big, homey kitchen. Hannah followed, appreciating the welcoming stature of the elegant old rooms. The inviting maple table and chairs said the kitchen was his room of preference. He set the bags on the kitchen table and indicated them with a wave as he withdrew plates from ivory-stained cupboards. “Buying beef, shrimp, chicken and lo mein should be considered at least a little sweet.”

“Since food is a necessity, and I’ve witnessed your confession about loving leftovers, I’m afraid buying too much doesn’t measure up.”

“How about this?” He handed her the plates, opened the fridge and withdrew a string-tied white box. He slit the string, lifted the cover and withdrew a chocolate enhanced cannoli. “When it comes to desserts, I like Italian best.” He held the pastry to her mouth and Hannah bit down carefully, letting the mingled tastes of dark chocolate, crisp cookie and sweet filling meld before she swallowed.

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