Read Finding the Way Back (Book 1 in the Forgiving Hearts Trilogy) for Free Online Page B

pretending to know all the answers. He readily confessed his confusion about certain passages in the Bible. On most issues of importance, they were in agreement.
    Their relationship was moving quickly from friendship to something warmer and more serious. Laurel knew she couldn’t let things go any further without showing him what she purposely kept hidden from everyone except her family. Would he still find her attractive once he knew? If he liked her as much as his words and actions indicated, she didn’t have anything to worry about. If he didn’t, she was better off knowing. His rejection would hurt, but she’d be able to recover – at least she hoped so. She knew in her heart she’d never cared so deeply about anyone else.
    This last day together was her opportunity to speak to him. Tomorrow, he would be pulled back into a hectic schedule where they might go days or weeks without being able to spend time together. She knew him to be a compassionate man; he would never hurt anyone intentionally. What she didn’t need from him was pity; Laurel wanted his acceptance.
    * * * *
    As she locked the door of her classroom, Laurel felt Colton’s presence seconds before his hands settled at her waist. He kissed the sensitive spot just beneath her ear.
    “You smell like strawberries,” he whispered.
    She turned around in his arms. “It’s actually sweet pea.”
    “Whatever is it, don’t stop wearing it,” Colton murmured as he trailed a line of light kisses from her ear to her lips.
    Laurel laughed and put a hand on his chest. “Will you behave? At least until we’re somewhere more appropriate.”
    His gorgeous eyes twinkled with amusement. “Is that a promise? If we go to my apartment, we could be alone for at least an hour.”
    “And what would we do for an hour, Dr. Samuels?”
    He grinned teasingly. “Anything I could talk you into.”
    “Which you and I both know won’t be any more than what we’re doing now.”
    “Am I complaining? I could do this forever.” He slid the loaded bag off her shoulder, but made no move to leave the building. “This week has gone by too fast. I miss you already.”
    “You talk as if you’re going away.”
    Colton took her hand and started walking down the hallway. “I might as well be. The last few months of my residency are going to be brutal. I’ll have so little time to be with you.”
    She linked her fingers through his. “I’ll take whatever time you have.”
    He smiled wryly. “I got a look at my schedule; I suggest we make the most of today.”
    “What do you want to do?”
    “We could drive to Folly Beach and walk around. At this time of day, it shouldn’t be too crowded.”
    “I’d like that, but first let’s go to your apartment.”
    Colton threw her a shocked glance. “It’s not nice to play around with my emotions like that.”
    “This is serious. There’s something you need to know about me.”
    He squeezed the hand he held. “Whatever it is, it won’t make any difference.”
    “You don’t know what it is yet.”
    “I’m telling you; it won’t matter.”
    * * * *
    Laurel hugged those words tightly around her heart. She repeated them over and over as they drove the short distance to his apartment. Only by doing so could she blot out the memories of the shocked expressions and hurtful words of others.
    Colton ushered her through the door and down a short hallway into the living room. When she stepped toward a chair, he steered her to the couch and dropped down beside her.
    “Can I get you anything?” he asked.
    “No, I just want to get this over with,” she admitted.
    He smiled encouragingly. “Go ahead whenever you’re ready.”
    With a final glance at him, she stared unseeingly at the beige carpeting. “You’ve probably noticed I don’t wear shorts. This is why.” She slowly lifted her skirt. Just above her knee was a large section of raised, reddened skin covering most of her thigh. “It’s a capillary vascular