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you, and then leaving you to mull it over yourself. The church wanted him to take over his dad’s position as pastor, but Nathan knew he wasn’t cut out for that position. Besides, his family didn't know how miserably he failed to minister to his own roommate in Seminary. How was he supposed to care for an entire congregation if he couldn’t even save his best friend?
    Sighing in frustration, he started the truck and followed his brother back to the house. After today, playing with Mike’s kids was just what he needed. He loved those kids, and they had a way of taking the burdens off your heart with their sweet smiles and endearing comments. Within moments of entering the house, the troubles of the day were crumbling away. As he lifted both Rick and Karen in his arms, all thoughts of his failures, the pastoral position, and Kristina were far from his mind.
    After dinner, the kids settled in the crook of each of his arms. He inhaled the sweet scent of their freshly-washed hair, and delighted in their giggles as he read them their favorite bedtime stories. When he kissed them each on top of their heads, his heart longed for the day when his own children would snuggle next to him for their bedtime stories. The sound of tiny bare feet running across his floor was a beautiful symphony he couldn't wait to hear. Unfortunately, he thought with a sad chuckle, Hamilton wasn’t filled with many eligible ladies. And if things stayed the way they were, it would take a miracle for him to find someone to warm his heart and side.
     

Chapter Five
     
    As Nathan enjoyed the evening with his family, Kristina was not having such an easy time relaxing. She returned home and tried to look over Mrs. Rose’s notes, but she couldn’t shake Nathan from her mind. She was here in Hamilton to get a fresh start, away from David and everything associated with him. But Nathan threatened to take all that away from her. His presence alone caused her to be nervous. On top of that, he wouldn’t relent with his probing questions, teasing, and frustrating invitations.
    And she was sure he had overheard her conversation with Mr. Shirley. Or had he? She nibbled on her fingernail as she wondered. Would he repeat it?
    She thought about all of the pepper spray comments that had been thrown their way today. She could imagine how fast the tidbits of her past would spread through this town.
    She’d come this far, she was finally free, but she felt more enslaved than ever. Her fears and her past were like heavy shackles around her arms, holding her down. Without David around, she thought that she would be free from constantly disguising her thoughts and emotions, but that’s exactly how she had spent her first day in Hamilton.
    You should have never left me. David’s voice echoed in her mind. We are one. No one can separate what God put together. David had told her that after she tried to leave him the first time. The pain and degradation she suffered that night were forever burned into her mind. After he was done abusing her, he forced her to spend the night “proving” how much she loved him, and how sorry she was.
    Wrapping her arms around her legs, she buried her face. David had often told the congregation that Jesus could wash you clean. “I wish You could wash my mind clean,” she said to the empty room.
    She picked up the notebook and tried to concentrate. But after a few moments of staring at Mrs. Rose’s scrawl, she threw the notebook aside. Instead, she put on some music and set about putting the day out of her mind.
    She had been so tired last night that she left everything packed, and this morning, she rushed out before getting around to it. Now she began unpacking her things. Several suitcases and an overnight bag were the extent of her belongings now. No, I have much more than that. I have freedom from five years of constant nightmares. I have a chance at a fresh start, a chance to heal.
    As she put away her toiletries, she ran across her