Read Love Inspired Suspense September 2015 #1 for Free Online

he did get into the house through the window. I’d decided no.”
    Chuckling, Jesse relaxed, surprised by both actions.
    When Lydia returned to the kitchen table and sat across from him, she blew on her tea and took a sip, a habit she’d had since he’d first known her. What else did she still do? She used to chew on her thumbnail when she was nervous. He looked at her hand and saw each fingernail was cut short.
    â€œI’m glad you’re having a good laugh over my bear encounter. There is a downside to living a little ways out from the main part of the city. More wildlife.”
    â€œTo me that’s what’s appealing about this place. I live in town with a fenced yard. Brutus needs to have a place to exercise when he isn’t working. I can’t risk him encountering a bear.”
    Lydia shifted in her chair and cringed. “I’m trying to ignore my bruised ribs, but they love reminding me they’ve been mistreated.”
    â€œBeing in that hallway protected you some from the main blast.”
    She stared at her tea, tracing her finger around the rim. “I know. I...” She shook her head. “Can we not talk about the bombing?”
    â€œYou need to remember, and talking sometimes helps.”
    Her mouth tightened. “Not right now. When I start trying to think about that day, my mind shuts down.”
    â€œThat’s not an unusual reaction for a traumatic experience. So what do you want to talk about, if not the case?”
    â€œThe way things ended for us. I never wanted to hurt you. If I could have done that over—”
    He held up his hand. “Don’t. We can’t change what happened and discussing it to death won’t help. What was done is done.”
    â€œI understand, but ignoring something doesn’t make it disappear.”
    â€œMaybe I want to be reminded to be cautious.”
    â€œWith me?” Her eyes darkened. “I made a couple of big mistakes as a teenager and have learned a lot from them. I hope we can be friends at least.”
    Friends
. That was how things started originally. “Listen, I’m sorry it didn’t work out with you and Aaron, but when you eloped it changed everything.”
    A noise from the foyer charged the air between them.
    â€œLydia, I’m home. Where are you?”
    â€œI’m in the kitchen.”
    He stood, the sound of his chair scraping across the floor echoing through the kitchen. “I need to check in with Thomas before I call it a day. I’d better leave. I’ll lock the door on my way out.” He passed Kate in the dining room, nodding at her but not slowing his step.
    Always in the back of his mind, he wondered why she’d married Aaron so fast after going out with him again. He’d thought they really had a chance to make it work that second time. He was a foster kid while Aaron came from a good family with some influence in Anchorage. Had money in the end meant something to Lydia? Or was it something else that changed her mind? They had started to make up after their breakup at Christmas, but in a snap of his finger, everything had fallen apart. And Jesse had only himself to rely on, again.
    * * *
    Lydia forced a smile when Kate came into the kitchen. The sound of the front door slamming came just as Lydia realized she’d have to tell Jesse the whole sordid incident of her becoming pregnant and having to marry Aaron. One foolish night and her whole life had changed. She lost so much then. Although she’d communicated with Kate on a regular basis over the years, they weren’t close. And her father had made it clear she wasn’t welcome in Anchorage.
    â€œHow was school?”
    Kate shrugged. “Nothing earth-shattering. Everyone is still talking about the bombing. They’re scared.”
    â€œSo am I.”
    â€œThey’ve locked down the school tight. No one gets inside without a valid reason and everyone gets searched at