Heart's Design: A Contemporary Christian Romance by Joann Durgin

Author:Joann Durgin [Durgin, Joann]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Christian Books & Bibles, Literature & Fiction, Romance, Contemporary, Religious & Inspirational Fiction, Religion & Spirituality, Christian Fiction
Published: 2015-03-27T04:00:00+00:00

Chapter 17

~~♥~~

Seth was engrossed in a conversation with Paul as Caroline followed Liesel into the living room. Settling his gaze on his hostess, Seth pulled Liesel to him, as close as her belly would allow, in a big bear hug.

Dressed in jeans, work boots, and a red flannel shirt over a white T-shirt, Seth looked…so good. Better than ever if such a thing were possible. Two years had only refined his attractiveness. Who was she kidding? The man was gorgeous. Caroline caught a glimpse of that endearing dimple. The only sign that he was slightly older were the beginnings of smile lines around his pale blue eyes.

With his arms wrapped around Liesel, Seth spied her standing in the doorway. His gaze traveled the length of her as if he couldn’t believe it was really her. “Caroline?” His eyes widened.

“Hello, Seth.” Still carrying the appetizer tray, she stepped closer as he released Liesel. “Small world.”

He stared at her for a few more seconds. “I didn’t expect to see you. Here. Tonight.”

She held up the tray. “Carrot?” Maybe she’d hung onto the tray as a subconscious barrier between them, preventing physical contact.

Seth cracked a grin. “No thanks. I’ll pass until dinner.”

“Then please excuse me for a moment.” Walking into the dining room, Caroline set the tray on the table. Liesel and Paul had conveniently disappeared into the kitchen. Within seconds, she stood before Seth again. Unsure what to do with her hands, she clasped them together in front of her, feeling like a kid.

“It’s really good to see you, Caroline. I’d heard you’d moved here.”

“I’d heard you’d gone to California.”

“Yes. For work.”

“Did you enjoy it?”

“Loved it, but it’s not home. How was your first year of law school?”

“It went well, thanks, but I’m no longer a Harvard Law student.”

He nodded. “I hear you’re designing jewelry and have a real talent for it. I’m glad you’re following your dreams.”

“Me, too.” She raised her chin. “I’m also a Christian. I started reading your Bible and it led me to a small study group where I met a lovely girl named Ana. She’s Hindi, was Hindi—I’m not exactly sure how that works—and she loves the Lord.”

Seth’s eyes lit and he quickly pulled her into the circle of his arms. “You don’t know how happy that makes me,” he whispered in her ear. “You don’t know how I’ve prayed for you.”

“Thanks.” Being in this man’s arms seemed as natural as breathing, but she couldn’t do it without wanting more. She pulled back and he released her. “I trust in His promises, and He led me here. I had to get out of Boston. I was suffocating there. Not allowed to breathe.”

“I know.” She could tell Seth did understand, as much as anyone she’d ever met.

“If I’d stuck around, Mother was going to push me into dating a guy named Biff.”

Her attempt at humor fell flat as Seth tilted his head, studying her with great intensity.

“What?”

His gaze held a question. “Caroline, why didn’t you answer my letter?”

She shook her head, confused.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.