Read Love Takes Hold: The Helena's Grove Series Book 3 for Free Online

He didn’t move, other than his eyelids that blinked rhythmically as he looked at her. She held his gaze for several seconds, trying to read his expression before he looked away.
    “I’m going to take a shower,” he said softly. He got up slowly and made his way to the bathroom without another word.
    “Zack,” Jen started but the door closed before she could say anything else. She exhaled loudly and leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees. She would rather he yell and scream and say anything he wanted than not talk to her at all. When he was silent it made her feel like he was giving up, like it wasn’t worth the fight anymore. And if he wasn’t willing to fight for his beliefs did that mean he wasn’t willing to fight for their relationship? Jen’s heart picked up speed as she thought of life without him. He’d been the most stable person she’d ever known besides Aunt Gabby, and even though she talked big, being out on her own scared her more than she would like to admit.
    Jen walked to the bathroom door and tried the doorknob. It was locked. Her head hung and she slowly walked to the bed to lie down. She hugged a pillow close to her as she thought. A year is not a lot to ask! Why can’t he just see it my way! Why can’t he be happy with what we have? Why can’t he just, just… Jen couldn’t think through her frustration and unhappiness. She closed her eyes tight and remembered their days together, before all of this marriage stuff had come up. Those were happy times, but instead of bringing her happiness, they only added to her heavy heart. How could they go from being so content, so perfect, to this? The last few weeks seemed like a blur and Jen squeezed her pillow tighter. She listened silently to the shower in the bathroom, wondering what Zack was thinking, remembering a time when they shared every thought with each other. It was strange to her how quickly things could change.
    “Oh Zack!” she said out loud. “How did we get here?”

Chapter 6
     
    The weekend came and Annie and Adam arrived. They made plans to meet Jen and Zack for dinner Saturday night. Jen had been dreading it all day. Putting on a front that she and Zack were still as happy as ever made her uncomfortable, but they had both decided it would be best to get through the weekend and then see where they were at. It seemed to Jen that their life had become a constant game of zig and zag as they got through each event. She didn’t feel she was living at all, but merely existing from one day to the next.
    “How’s your stay been so far?” Zack asked Annie once they were all seated around the table.
    “Great! We’ve been to a few stores, walked down the Freedom Trail, and got some lobster today for lunch.” She smiled at Adam. “It’s been very relaxing.”
    “Good,” Zack said with a nod and then buried his face in his menu. Jen bit her lip, trying to think of something to say.
    “So Adam,” she began. “What are you doing for work now?”
    He and Annie shared a smile. “It’s a funny story actually,” he said with a sheepish grin. “When I went out to Ohio last year for the holidays I was supposed to be a mechanical engineer, so I read a couple books on the subject. I found the one on solar panels particularly interesting so after Annie and I got together and I quit my job I decided to look into them. I found a guy who was looking for help at his solar panel business and he was willing to hire me, despite my lack of experience. I’ve taken a couple classes since then to learn more about energy and the beauty behind harnessing the sun for power and I really like it. The work is steady and pays pretty well. I’m actually hoping to have my own business someday, either building or installing. I’ll see where the wind takes me I guess.”
    Jen was nodding at Adam but she had a hard time focusing on him. Her eyes kept darting to Annie. She stared up at Adam like a puppy, her eyes fixed on his every word. She could