Finding the Way Back (Book 1 in the Forgiving Hearts Trilogy) by Erin Landy

lifted her hair away and kissed the back of her neck. “Let’s stay home.”
    Laurel looked at him regretfully. “You know we can’t do that.”
    Colton drew her into his arms. “I know, but it’s still fun to suggest the idea and then wait to see how long you consider it before you crush my hopes.”
    She laughed. “I did more than consider it; I almost agreed to it. I’d much rather stay home with you, and you know it.”
    “That’s all I wanted to hear.” With one last kiss, he let her go. “We had a wave of new interns start today. I don’t mind them coming, but until they get used to the routine, they do nothing but get in the way.”
    “Not too long ago, you were an intern,’ Laurel pointed out.
    “I wonder if I was this much of a nuisance.” Colton removed the take-out box from the microwave. “Is this what I think it is?” he asked hopefully.
    “How can I say? I don’t know what you think it is.”
    He opened the lid and grinned. “Sweet and sour pork. Okay, Laurel, time to confess. What horrible thing have you committed me to do?”
    “You’re already doing it. It’s a ‘thank-you’ for coming with me tonight.”
    A teasing glint entered his eyes. “I had something else in mind for that, but this is a nice start to the evening.”
    Later when she sat beside Colton in the darkened auditorium, Laurel felt his hand reach for hers. His touch never failed to move her, never failed to make her aware of how blessed she was. She may have doubts about other things in life, but she was secure in his love. Sometimes she felt as if she hadn’t lived at all until Colton came into her life – that her first twenty-five years were insignificant when compared to the time she’d known him. She never dreamed she could be so happy.
    * * * *
    Six months later…
    Colton glanced at the text message and frowned. One of the clinic doctors, who was supposed to be assisting with the presentation and also bringing the handouts for the attendees, wouldn’t be able to come after all. His wife had just gone into labor. This meant someone else would have to make the trip from Charleston to Myrtle Beach. If Colton hadn’t been in such a rush to get out of town, he could have picked them up from the printer and saved all this trouble.
    It wasn’t until a few hours later that he found out who the ‘someone’ was. He took the box of papers from Leslie with an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry you got dragged into this. Have you had dinner? The least I can do is feed you before you drive back.”
    The intern he’d worked closely with for the past few months smiled widely. “I’d love that. Just give me a minute to make myself more presentable. I flew out of the office without even combing my hair.”
    His eyes flicked over her briefly. “You look fine to me.”
    Colton didn’t take Leslie to the hotel restaurant as he’d originally planned. Instead, he drove to a place situated on the ocean. Her delight in the view from their tableside window drew a reluctant smile from him. “You can look at the beach later. Right now, we need to order.”
    “Can we take a walk after dinner?” she asked hopefully.
    Colton hesitated and then said, “Don’t forget you have to drive back to Charleston tonight.”
    “There’s plenty of time.”
    * * * *
    Laurel closed the trunk of the car with a happy sigh. By now, Colton should have found the note she tucked into his luggage hinting at her arrival. This was the perfect opportunity for them to get away together. Their schedules had been at cross-purposes for the last few weeks leaving them little time for each other. What could be more romantic than being together in Myrtle Beach, the town where they first met?
    Her eyes grew dreamy thinking about Juliet’s rehearsal dinner and the walk on the pier that followed. She would never forget that magical evening. Hopefully, Colton could find time in his schedule to take her there again.
    Finding someone to take her place on the