Read Online Hazel St. James - Fighting For You (Redemption#1)[ by Hazel St James - Free Book Online Page A

was still the issue of his car that was at least half paid for, and where that ended up, but Tristan was just glad right now to have the one battle finished. It felt like he’d won this part, but not the war, and his animosity towards his uncle didn’t seem to wane.
    Whatever, Tristan thought as Morgan got into his town car and headed off to work. Maybe I will get my shit together and get out of this shit-ass town and move somewhere else to start over. Someplace where no one knows who I am, where I came from, or how fucked up I am .
    With the money situation handled, Tristan shot Peyton a text, telling her that he was game for going to the gym today. He wasn’t sure if he had much for workout clothes at his apartment, but thought it wouldn’t be too hard to grab a pair from somewhere if he needed to.
    Lunchtime came, and as promised, Peyton arrived holding two covered bowls in her hands, and a grocery sack hooked over her arm. “Lunchtime!” she singsonged as she stepped inside the apartment. She was still wearing his ski jacket from last night, and Tristan couldn’t help but smirk at her.
    “Pretty cold out there, huh?”
    “Ya huh, it is,” she nonchalantly answered before setting the two bowls on the counter. “Homemade chicken noodle soup. I use wheat-based thin noodles, low sodium chicken broth, and lots of fresh vegetables. Tastes just the same.” She pulled out of the bag two very tall reusable water bottles and handed Tristan one, along with a spoon from the dish drainer. “Dig in. I’m starved.”
    Tristan wasn’t surprised that Peyton was in another grand mood. She’d never faltered yesterday, even when he made a feeble attempt at a come on. She just blew it off like it meant nothing and moved on. She was eye candy for him to look at, but she didn’t seem to know she was hot and used it to her advantage, like his usual women did.
    Peyton was already aware of his recent problems and didn’t seem to care one way or the other. Hey, she’s only nice to you because she’s paid to be, his faulty subconscious sneered at him. He considered that line of thought for a minute, concluding that it could be possible she was just here because it was a job. Something about her made it seem damn near impossible for the girl to lie though. Maybe he would ask her a few questions? See if he could get a bit more of a read on her?
    Neither one of them bothered to take their food from the small island in the kitchen, so they stood up to slurp their soup. In between mouthfuls, Tristan asked, “So, Peyton, do you have family here in Colorado?”
    “Nope. Just me, myself and I,” she told him without even flinching. Okay, so that didn’t really help , he thought. Try again…something she has to answer more than yes or no.
    “Why did you choose to work at a place that houses handicapped people? I would think that would be extremely difficult to deal with day in and day out.”
    Peyton nodded her head as she stared off into the distance and spoke. “Yeah, it is hard. None of my patients can help the situations they’re in, but not a one of them has a bad thing to say about their lives. They are perfectly content and happy to live there, and they are grateful for any bit of kindness given to them. They may have a mental or physical handicap, but that doesn’t mean they can’t give or accept love, kindness, friendship, and they do all of that without pause. Unlike the rest of the cold-hearted world.”
    Peyton snapped her eyes back to Tristan, and gave an embarrassed laugh, “Sorry. That was a bit philosophical. Yes, it’s full of hardships, but it’s also full of some rewards that don’t come easy in life.”
    Peyton was quick to focus on her soup again, and picked up her bowl and drank the remainder of the contents. Her words spoke volumes to him and even though she was embarrassed, Tristan was feeling much better about their arrangement, and Peyton’s motives, if she even had any. Either way, he knew they