Read Online A Splash of Hope by Charity Parkerson - Free Book Online Page B

doesn’t know,” he admitted. “You’re the only person I’ve told.”
    Faith straightened, slowly turning to face him once more.
    “Why?”
    She didn’t expound on her question, but she didn’t have to. He knew what she was asking. Why not share this place with his father or even Serenity? Why her? “I don’t know.” But he did. She thought he didn’t a have purpose in life. For some reason, it mattered to him. He needed her to see there was more to him than she believed. He did have dreams that weren’t his father’s. His life wasn’t built on some childish rebellion, but on a purpose. This was his dream and he’d put his heart and soul into it. He went to bed exhausted each night after spending his every spare moment trying to perfect it.
    “I’m honored.” She meant it, he realized as she held his gaze steadily. He was going to kiss her again. Her gaze dropped to his mouth and he knew she knew it as well. She didn’t attempt to move away. He took it as a good sign, but he still moved slowly, half savoring the moment and half expecting a knee to the groin at any time. He brushed his knuckles along her jaw, enjoying the soft feel of her skin. When no blows landed, he encircled her nape with his fingers and tugged her closer. He lowered his head, touching his lips to hers. Keeping the kiss innocent. It held a hint of promise. Faith’s cell phone rang, breaking the spell.
    She hastily stepped away from him and pulled her phone out of her pocket in one motion. A look of pure horror passed over her face as she pressed the phone to her ear. “Serenity, where are you? I’ve been trying to call you for days now.” She listened intently with her brows drawn together. “Your phone is breaking up. Are you still there?” Pulling the phone away, she glanced down at it. “Damn it.”
    “A bad connection?” he asked, even though he knew the answer.
    “I guess so.” She sighed wearily. “I could only hear about every other word, but I did get that she’s fine and will call me when she has better reception.” She watched him in silence. He recognized the moment was lost. Serenity was back, sitting between them as surely as if she were in the room with them.
    “Are you hungry?” he asked, attempting to win back some of the ground he’d gained.
    “So you do intend to feed me, then?” Her smile seemed strained but since she wasn’t demanding he take her to her car, he accepted it in the spirit it was offered.
    “Well, I do happen to know of this wonderful little bakery that makes the most amazing donuts, if you’re interested.”
    ***
    Once Adam fed Faith, he quickly reassembled her car to prove how easy it was and that it wouldn’t require hiring a mechanic. She surprised him by not protesting. He hoped it meant he’d made a good choice by not helping her in any other way with the problem. Slamming the hood closed, he turned to find her watching him silently with a look he couldn’t decipher. She made no move to leave and his mind scrambled for a way to convince her to stay a little longer. He wanted to offer her the moon. At the very least, he wished he could say something incredibly smooth that would blow her away.
    “Don’t go,” he said, surprising even himself with the plea. Faith glanced away, but not before he caught the look of pure anguish crossing her face.
    “Don’t do this to me.”
    “Was it easy for you to leave me?” He wasn’t sure why he couldn’t stop pushing her, but she surprised him.
    “I cried all day long the first day,” she admitted.
    For Faith to confess even a hint of weakness to anyone was as akin to politicians admitting they lied. It was something he never expected to happen. He felt moved to make a confession, as well.
    “I punched a hole in my bedroom wall and then stayed drunk for three days.”
    Her eyes shot to his and a bright smile lit her face. “Really?”
    “Well, you don’t have to look so happy about it,” he grumbled.
    He smothered a laugh