Read Online Halfway to Forever by Karen Kingsbury - Free Book Online Page A

according to Scripture she was living in adultery.
    The idea that what she and Tanner shared might somehow be against God’s will was almost more than Jade could take. Especially when she loved him more than life itself. She’d read theScripture in Matthew about divorce over and over again. At first she’d been convinced that she was in the right, that God granted exceptions in cases where one spouse had been unfaithful. There was no question that Jim was guilty of marital unfaithfulness. He’d refused to rectify things with her even when she’d wanted to try.
    But the stronger her headaches grew, and the weaker and sicker she felt, the more terrified she became that somehow God was angry with her. Her face grew hot and her heart raced wildly.
Don’t punish us now, God, please …
    A veil of sweat broke out on her face, and she pushed her fears aside. Nothing good came from worry. She reached for a glass of water and two pain relievers from a bottle on her bedside table. They were a mild, over-the-counter brand—the strongest thing she would consider taking while pregnant. They hadn’t worked well in past days, but as she swallowed them she told herself she’d be fine in an hour.
    The perspiration on her face was heavier than before. She took her hand from Tanner’s arm and ran it across her forehead. As she did, Tanner stirred and blinked a few times before squinting at the clock.
    “Jade … it’s 4:30, honey.” His eyes closed as he snuggled against her and circled his arms around her waist. His voice was thick with sleep. “What’re you doing up?”
    Her head pounded in response and her mind raced. “I’m hot. I think I’ll take a shower.”
    Tanner tightened his grip on her. “Mmmm, baby, are you sure? Stay here with me.”
    “I’d like to.” Jade ran her fingers through his hair and down the length of his arm. “But the morning sickness is kinda strong.”
    Tanner opened his eyes again. Even in the dark she could see his growing alarm. “Hey … shouldn’t that be over by now? You’re what … twelve, thirteen weeks?”
    “Yes.” Jade forced a smile. Tanner had dozens of briefs he could be studying, but instead she had often found him these past weeks in their office poring over the daily breakdown of what to expect during pregnancy. “You know what it is? This baby of ours is so healthy, my morning sickness might last four months. Who knows, right?”
    Tanner thought about that for a moment and the worry left his face. “I love you, Jade.” He leaned up and brought his lips to hers.
    Their kiss lingered, and for a brief moment Jade forgot about the pain in her head. “I love you, too.”
    “Go shower.” He smiled. “And I’ll pray it won’t be four months.” He settled back into the pillow and closed his eyes once more.
    “Okay. Sweet dreams.”
    Jade studied the image of her husband as she stood and pulled her robe tight. As she headed for the bathroom, his words rang her heart.
I love you, Jade …
    Despite her aching head, the thought of an angry God punishing her for loving Tanner seemed nothing short of outlandish. She knew God better than that.
    But five minutes into her shower, her vision doubled and grew so blurry she couldn’t see. As she struggled to focus, a piercing pain sliced through her head, and she screamed in agony. “Tanner!” She groped to keep her balance as everything around her began to spin. “Help me!”
    His footsteps sounded fast and hard against the floor outside the bathroom, but it was too late. Darkness overtook her as she collapsed on the floor of the shower, unable to move.
    “Jade!” Tanner was at her side. “Dear God, help me …”
    She could feel his hands on her shoulders, then under her arms as he lifted her from the wet tile, but the sounds around her were fading fast.
    And in that moment her symptoms seemed terrifyingly clear. Nausea, morning headaches, double vision. Now this.
    How many children had she cared for with