Read Online You Can't Hurry Love by Beth K. Vogt - Free Book Online Page B

you teach. What else?”
    â€œThere’s nothing all that spectacular about my life, Jamie. I’m not dating anyone seriously—not that you asked. I go to a good church, but I’m not sure where I fit in. I’m caught in the awkward ‘not married and not having children but a little old for the college and career group’ phase. I go to the gym and do spin class because I never understood the fascination with running. And I see my parents regularly sometimes because I want to and sometimes because I feel like I should.” She shrugged and offered him a brief smile. “And that’s my life. Nothing as glamorous as yours, I’m sure.”
    â€œI’m not sure what I said to suggest my life was glamorous.” Jamie eased Elisabeth a bit closer, daring to admit to himself that he liked holding her again. “I’m satisfied with my life, but it sounds as if you like your life, too. I always wanted a military career, and I have one. Not the one I originally planned on, but I accepted that God knew better. Not right away, of course, but eventually.”
    â€œYour faith is still important to you?”
    â€œYes. I won’t deny that it wavered for a season after my skiing accident. But I had a choice to either trust God or to doubt him. I realized pretty quickly that my doubting God only made the darkness—any pain or disappointment I was struggling with—all the more bleak.”
    â€œI’m glad you’re happy, Jamie—although I guess I should be calling you Jet.”
    â€œJamie is fine. It reminds me of old times.”
    As the music ended, Elisabeth stepped away from him. “I need to go check on Tori. Make sure she’s getting something to eat and not just talking to guests and dancing all night.”
    Jamie allowed her to walk away. He was happy. He wasn’t looking back. Wasn’t doubting where God had led him so far. He’d stopped doing that years ago. But as Elisabeth stopped to hug Tori as she walked onto the dance floor with Pete, he couldn’t help but wonder if God wasn’t providing him—them—a second chance.
    No, not a second chance. An unexpected opportunity for something altogether new between them.

SIX

    T he lobby of the Brown Palace Hotel hummed with nonstop motion as guests checked out. Bellmen transported luggage to waiting cars while front-desk clerks processed bills with muted voices and ready smiles.
    Elisabeth Straker was part of the crowd of people checking out of the hotel. And if Jamie didn’t say anything, then life returned to what it had been before the wedding, with Elisabeth going back to her routine and he going back to work at Wright-Pat in Ohio. And then deploying early in the New Year. They went their separate ways. And wasn’t that for the best?
    He didn’t even need to say good-bye. They’d done a brief “Take care of yourself” exchange last night as the reception ended, standing on the street outside the hotel, holding the extinguished sparklers they’d waved as Tori and Peter ran to their car.
    â€œAnd that is that.” Elisabeth positioned herself by the door leading back into the hotel, picking up a large white bucket.
    â€œWhat are you doing?”
    â€œCollecting the sparklers. Last official maid-of-honor duty.”
    â€œNeed some help?”
    â€œNo. I’m good. At least half the guests left already, so there aren’t that many to collect.”
    â€œIt was great seeing you, Elisabeth.”
    â€œYou, too, Jamie.” Her lips curved in a small grin, even as she shivered in the cool night air. “I realize I’m probably the only one who still calls you Jamie.”
    â€œYou—and my grandmother.”
    â€œOh.”
    â€œYou’re in good company. I’m her favorite grandson.”
    â€œI bet you are.” A trio of people dropped their sparklers into the bucket.
    â€œWell, I’m going to call it