Read Online Brides and Betrayal (Reconciled and Redeemed Book 1) by Michelle Lynn Brown - Free Book Online Page A

feeling up to it, I’d like to talk with you.”
    When she finally looked at him, he could hardly bear the pain he saw swimming in the depths of her blue eyes. “But if you want to wait until you feel better, we can.”
    She sat up, propping the pillows behind her and grabbed for a tissue. “I’m fine.”
    “I am sorry I was such a jerk. I want you to know it had nothing to do with your parent’s story - it was more my parents than anything.”
    She twirled the tissue around on her finger, still refusing to look at him, so he continued. “I just...” lifting her chin with his finger, he forced her to look at him. “My mom did an awful thing, but that has nothing to do with you. You and Seth were right, I need to let go of this.
    She looked away from him, tears coursing down her cheeks.
    He cupped her face and tried to turn her head, but she refused to look at him. “I am sorry I hurt you. Holly, I love you and I trust you. I don’t want to cause you any pain.”
    A visceral sob tore through her, and his heart broke at the sound. Unable to stand it any longer, he pulled her into his arms and held her. It took some time before her arms wrapped around his neck, but when they did, she didn’t let go. She clung to him for some time, crying violently, while he whispered “I’m sorry” over and over until she finally quieted.
    Her eyes were red and puffy when she finally relinquished her hold on his neck. He laid her down on the bed and bent to kiss her, but she shrank from his kiss. His heart shattered at her withdrawal and he whispered a prayer that he hadn’t done irreparable damage to their marriage.
    He leaned in again and gave her a short kiss. She responded this time, hesitantly at first, and the she sweetly abandoned herself to the kiss.
    Hunter disrobed and slid into bed with her, holding her gently in his arms. She slept for a while, and Hunter looked down at her. Her auburn hair spread out like a blanket over his arm, her cheek resting on his chest.
    He ran a finger down her smooth cheek, and his touch startled her awake. She looked up at him and relief flooded her eyes, followed by some other emotion that she swiftly tucked away behind a smile. Later that evening, when Hunter woke to the sounds of her crying, he wondered if he would ever figure out his elusive hummingbird.

    T he day of the summer outreach event dawned. Holly picked at her breakfast, feeling Hunter’s eyes on her across the table.
    “You’ve hardly eaten anything these past few days.”
    She pushed her eggs to the side and picked up a piece of toast. Shrugging, she said, “I guess my stomach still feels upset.”
    “Maybe you should go to the doctor tomorrow.”
    She nodded, seizing on a way out of her predicament. “Maybe I should just stay home today.”
    “That’s probably a good idea. I will call Seth and let him know we won’t make it.”
    Seth! So consumed with her own guilt, she hadn’t thought of what would happen if the two men came face to face. Would he tell Hunter? “I can call him...I mean...since I’m the reason we are ditching him.”
    “I don’t mind calling if you want to rest.”
    “No, since it is my fault we cannot attend, it should be me that calls him and...” Her voice trailed off as she tried to reign in her hysteria. If she protested too much, would he suspect something was up?
    Hunter stood with a shrug. “If you want to, be my guest.” Coming to stand behind her, he placed his hands on her shoulder and leaned down to kiss the top of her head. As he gathered their plates from the table, he added, “But after that, you need to rest.”
    Climbing the stairs, she made sure Hunter was in the kitchen when she dialed Seth’s number. It rang several times before he finally picked up.
    “Holly, I don’t think...” Hesitation laced his voice, but Holly didn’t give him a chance to finish his sentence.
    “I was just calling to let you know we can’t make it to the event this afternoon.”
    Silence