Read Online A Rescued Heart (Rescued Heart Romance) by Natalie Replogle - Free Book Online Page A

any means, but they talked often at school functions and conferences. They were on a first name basis, which she didn’t have with most of the other parents. Still, she wondered if Kim would be happy to see her at the front door.
    The blinds were closed and the house looked dark. Finally locks jingled and the door opened a crack. Ava couldn’t see Kim, but she heard her gasp.
    “Miss Williams, I wasn’t expecting you.” Ava noted the switch in formality, but she couldn’t read whether Kim was upset or just taken back.
    “Hi Kim, may I come in, please?”
    “Um, sure, maybe just a few minutes.”
    Ava took Tessa’s hand and led her into the house, mulling over in her head what her next words should be. Kim looked nervous and Ava didn’t want to push too hard. Kim shut the door and immediately Ava saw, even in the dim light that her arm lay in a sling and the side of her face held a line of bruises.
    “Kim, are you okay? What happened?”
    “Oh, um, last night I fell and bruised my arm and face. I went to the doctor this morning and they gave me some medicine for the pain. I must have fallen asleep and didn’t hear Tessa come home.”
    She leaned down and hugged her daughter with her good arm and kissed her head. “I’m so sorry I didn’t hear you come home, baby. You must have been so scared. I made some cookies for you earlier today. Why don’t you go into the kitchen and have one? I think dessert before supper would be just fine today.”
    Tessa skipped through the dining room into the kitchen, oblivious to the adults’ uncomfortable silence. Ava sensed that Kim wanted her to leave. It was now or never . Lord, give me the words .
    “I’m sorry about your arm and face, Kim. I hope they heal soon.”
    “Thank you.”
    “I brought Tessa home today because I hoped we would have a chance to talk. There have been too many instances in the last month where Tessa has been left alone and I’m just checking to see if everything is okay?”
    Ava had debated during their walk to Tessa’s house if she should bring this issue to the attention of the principal or school counselor. She wanted to get more facts first, but this situation seemed to be quickly slipping away from her expertise. Tomorrow she would share the details that she had. She wanted to go by the books in case legal measures needed to be taken at some point.
    “Everything is fine. There is no need to worry about Tessa.” Kim looked down at her watch and started biting her nails.
    “I feel there is. I don’t mean to push, but I can tell Tessa is very concerned about you. She mentioned that you have a new boyfriend and that he is upsetting you.”
    The statement took Kim by surprise and her eyes widened. She broke eye contact again by looking down toward the kitchen. Despite the sun outside, inside remained dark and dreary. A musty odor hung in the air.
    “She told you about Ray?” Her voice barely reached above a whisper.
    “Yes. Is there anything you want to talk about? I know you don’t know me well, but I’m a pretty good listener.”
    Kim’s eyes welled up with tears and she shook her head back and forth. She ran her trembling fingers through her short blond e hair, lost in thought. A car drove by and she jumped. Ava hadn’t been in the church support group for very long, but she could see the signs of abuse etched in Kim’s frightened face.
    With ease she touched Kim’s arm in the sling. “Did Ray do this to you, Kim?”
    How would Kim respond to her blunt question? She guessed that Kim would lie, shut down, or kick her out. It would be a stretch for her to open up. There needed to be a foundation of trust before Kim would leak even the tiniest bit of truth. Ava took the first step and hoped she hadn’t pushed too far.
    “I … um … can’t talk about this right now. I appreciate your concern, but I’m fine. Maybe sometime …”
    Gravel crunched outside the dining room window. The vehicle that pulled into the driveway cut her