Mended Hearts by Ruth Logan Herne

other for reasons other than the library fund project buys dinner.”
    â€œYou’d make me pay for dinner? On my salary?”
    â€œTo make a point, yes. We’ll consider it valuable education.”
    â€œSince it won’t happen we’ll consider it moot. Goodbye.”
    She went into the library without a backward glance, at least not one he could see. But it wouldn’t surprise him if she tipped a blind, watching him. Grinning.
    And yeah, he knew there wasn’t time to pursue this. Not now. But if not now, then when? When will you let yourself embrace life?
    Reverend Hannity had done a series of sermons making that very point this fall. Thoughtful and thought provoking, his gentle words had tweaked Jeff’s conscience. The work demands that used to nibble his free time now consumed it.
    Was his dedication to work extreme?
    The fact that he didn’t want to answer that question said plenty. Sure, he’d grown up in the shadow of his father’s misdeeds, and their physical resemblance was so strong that Jeff felt required to establish degrees of separation. He accomplished that by being honest, faithful and self-reliant, qualities his father could have embraced.
    But chose not to.
    Hannah was right. He should squelch this attraction and cite bad timing as the reason. He needed to cover for Trent while putting the company’s best foot forward on current bids.
    Plus, the girl wasn’t interested. Correct that, she was interested, but didn’t want to be and Jeff sensed that reluctance. He didn’t need distractions or aggravations. Neither did she. And since they’d thrown down a challenge to see who’d cave first, maybe it was for the best if neither caved.
    It wouldn’t be easy to let things slide. And the thought of her walking home, even though it was only several blocks away…the image of her alone, on the streets, in the rain, the dark of night…
    That brought out his protective instincts. But she’d made it this far without his help, his protection. The fact that he wanted, no, longed to help and protect needled him.
    But he’d let it go. They both would. He knew she wouldn’t call. If self-preservation was a lock, Hannah Moore turned the key long ago.
    Sometimes God offered a distinct picture of right and wrong, and sometimes He let you figure it out for yourself. This time, Jeff was pretty sure of the message he’d been getting from Hannah.
    Put it on hold, as much as it scorched his take-charge mind-set.
    And with work tugging him in different directions, it might not scorch as much as he’d have thought.

Chapter Six
    H annah moved to the candy store counter and smiled at the teenage boy who walked in with his mother on Monday afternoon. He didn’t return the smile, just gave a semi-embarrassed “what am I doing here” half shrug.
    Hannah understood the adolescent gesture. When the woman moved off to examine preboxed candy, a note of desperation darkened the boy’s eyes, a quick flash, as if weighing escape routes and finding them lacking.
    A cold shudder coursed through Hannah; an icy prickling climbed her back, clawing her gut.
    She stood on her side of the counter, wanting to move, wanting to help, frozen in the press of memories, the boy’s stark look familiar.
    The boy read her expression and jerked his features into a quick semblance of normalcy. Then he ducked his chin.
    He’s a kid, Hannah reminded herself as she stepped forward. They’re all a little whacked-out at this age. Puberty does weird things to kids’ heads. You know that, Hannah. Get a grip.
    â€œMay I help you?”
    He shrugged again, glanced around, then settled a look on his mother. “I’m just waiting for her.”
    His detached tone told Hannah he wasn’t here by choice. She nodded and raised a tray of freshly done candies. “Well, I’ve got a sampling here of some new twists on old favorites. If