Read Online An Unbroken Heart by Kathleen Fuller - Free Book Online Page B

long moment she didn’t say anything. She didn’t move. After what seemed like
a lifetime, she finally said, “Yes.”

CHAPTER 5

    J oanna forced her pulse to slow as Andrew walked into the kitchen. Why had she let
him in? She regretted it as soon as he shut the door. Could he hear her heart pounding?
She was sure he could, because it was roaring in her ears.
    She went to the kitchen table. Cake ingredients were spread out on top. She stared
at them, every sense heightened as she heard Andrew move to stand behind her. She
had missed him so much, and seeing him, feeling his warmth as he stood close . .
. She almost turned around and leaned against him. Yet her feet refused to move,
refused to seek comfort from the one man who could give it to her.
    â€œJoanna?” When she didn’t move or answer him, he said, “Please look at me.”
    Just as she couldn’t turn him away again, she couldn’t refuse his request. She swallowed
and faced him, steeling herself for his negative reaction when he saw the ugly, raised
ridge on her cheek.
    But he didn’t seem to notice. In fact, his gaze didn’t leave her eyes. The blue depths
drew her in, eliciting the tingling warmth of attraction she used to feel when she
was around him. It was faint and hidden in a fog of conflicting emotions, but the
spark was there. She couldn’t ignore it even if she wanted to.
    Still, she tried. She snatched the wooden spoon from the bowl and turned her back
on him. A rude gesture, but she couldn’t sort her feelings with him looking at her
with so much . . . love.
    Love motivated by pity. She had to remember that.
    â€œJoanna, I . . .”
    His warm breath brushed against her bare neck, and she froze. Did he have any idea
how he affected her? How for years she had wished he would be this physically close
to her? She tossed a cup of flour into the cake batter and started stirring, needing
to lean against the table for support. Her legs, already wobbly from the morning’s
work, were now like jelly. But she refused to collapse in front of him.
    Then his hand covered hers with a light, firm touch that made her skin tingle. She
glanced
at
his tan skin against her pale flesh, the roughness of his calloused fingers
and
palm
a familiar sight but not a familiar feeling. With every movement he was
confusing
her
further, weakening her resolve. “I need to finish this cake.”
    â€œYou have the whole afternoon to bake that cake.”
    â€œUnlike you,” she said, her sudden resentment not allowing her to soften her words,
“it takes a long time for me to get things done.”
    â€œThen let me help. All you have to do is ask.”
    She stopped stirring the batter and closed her eyes. His kindness, which he had
always possessed in abundance, started to unravel her tormented thoughts.
    His strong hands touched her shoulders and turned her to face him, the heat of his
palms passing through the light green cloth of her dress, warming her skin. “I want
to understand what you’re thinking,” he said. “What you’re feeling. It’s hard, I’ll
admit. I don’t have any idea what you’re going through. I won’t pretend I do.” He
leaned forward, his voice low. “But I do know this. I love you, Joanna, even though
you’re pushing me away. Have you”—his Adam’s apple bobbed in his throat—“stopped
loving me?”
    She fought the tears that threatened to fall. Again, he was seeing her at one of
her weakest moments. She couldn’t lie to him, though. “ Nee , Andrew. I still love
you.”
    He blew out a long breath, then smiled. “You had me worried for a minute.” His smile
faded. “Can I hold you, Joanna?”
    All she could do was nod. He kept his gaze locked with hers as he slipped the crutch
from underneath her arm and leaned it against the table. Then he enfolded her against
him.
    She could feel the