Read Online For Better or Worse by Jennifer Johnson - Free Book Online Page B

ago filled Kelly’s mind.
“But I know I love this woman
.” He’d pointed to Kelly. “
And all the Coyle women
.” His smile and quick wink had warmed her heart.
“I don’t know what it’s like to be a biological father, but when I see one of Kelly’s girls get hurt, I know I want to help them. When I see them smile over something they’re proud of, I feel prouder. When I see a boy looking at them inappropriately, I want to punch him in the face
.”
    The last statement brought a smile to her face even now.
In the last year, he had proven his love for them. But now with Zoey …
Her thought broke and she closed her eyes. What was her oldest child thinking?
God, what will it take to bring her back to a right standing with You? How can I help her
?
    She’d tried everything every Christian counselor had ever suggested. The girl simply refused to allow herself to heal from her father’s death. She wanted to blame God. And the child was old enough—seventeen and a senior in high school—that all Kelly could do was watch the girl’s emotional upheaval.
    But this I can do something about
. Kelly gripped Zoey’s cell phone tighter.
    “Kelly, tell me what’s going on.” Harold’s voice broke her thoughts.
    “She’s meeting a guy after work.”
    Harold nodded. “Okay. That’s not so bad.”
    “No.” Kelly shook her head. “The boy’s intentions for that meeting are written in the text. And she told me she was getting off at eleven, but she’s supposed to meet him at nine thirty.”
    Anger etched on Harold’s features as his foot pressed more firmly against the gas pedal. By all accounts, he looked like a father on a mission to save his little girl. The picture warmed Kelly’s heart but saddened her, as well. She knew Harold loved the girls, even though Zoey especially was at her most difficult. His life had been much simpler before Kelly came along.
    The guilt of it weighed her, and then she thought of the confrontation she and Zoey would no doubt have in just a matter of minutes. She felt older. Tired.
    She didn’t feel like a two-week-away bride. Nor like a woman who had just spent a romantic dinner at one of the nicest places she’d ever been to.
    She felt like an old, weary woman, who was in for yet another “battle of her life.”
God, I feel like I’m losing
.

six
    It had been an uphill battle getting to this day, but they’d made it. Harold looked at the calendar on his cell phone. December 28. His wedding day. Battle or no battle, Kelly Coyle—soon-to-be Smith—was worth it.
    Harold buttoned the last button on his white vest. The thing had some kind of pattern on it. He thought the woman had called it paisley. It made him nervous that Kelly hadn’t gone with him to pick it out. He wanted this wedding to be all that Kelly dreamed. At least Cam had gone with him. Kelly’s brother knew more about clothes than Harold did.
    “You don’t look half bad.” His friend, Rudy, walked into the Sunday school room turned men’s dressing room. Walt followed behind Rudy.
    Harold grinned at his friends. The two had surprised him by attending the church’s Christmas service. Walt had even brought his wife and children. They hadn’t talked much about it since, but Harold knew it was a start. And he clung to God’s promise that His Word never comes back void. No matter what, he’d continue to pray for his friends.
    Rudy patted his round belly. “I think I look ten pounds thinner.”
    Normally, the pair reminded Harold of the villains from the movie
Home Alone
. Seeing them decked out in black tuxes made Harold smile. “I’d say that you two don’t look too shabby.”
    “Maggie thinks I’m hot.” Walt straightened his shoulders then wiggled his eyebrows.
    Harold and Rudy burst out in laughter. Harold nudged the taller man’s shoulder. “It’s good your wife thinks you look good.”
    Cam walked into the room. He clasped his hands together. “Are you ready for this, big brother?”
    Harold