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

youth trip to Orlando had been difficult, but all the trouble would be worth it when she saw Colton’s face. With no traffic delays, she should be with him before midnight.
    * * * *
    Colton watched as Leslie removed her sandals. “When I agreed to a walk on the beach, I didn’t mean literally in the water.”
    “What’s the fun in that?”
    “Come on; we need to get moving.”
    Leslie shook her head. “It’s still early.”
    “Am I going to have to carry you to the car?”
    She smiled at him. “I dare you to.”
    Lightning flashed in the distance followed by the rumble of thunder. “I’d prefer not to be a mile from my car when that storm gets here.” He reached out and tucked the loose strands of dark hair behind her ear. “You’re worse than a child.”
    “I know, but admit it, you’re having fun.”
    “It would be difficult not to have fun with you around,” he conceded reluctantly.
    “Do you mean that?”
    “Why would I say it if I didn’t mean it?”
    “Lots of people say things they don’t mean,” she said softly.
    Colton glanced away from her. “I try not to.”
    Leslie moved closer and slipped her arm through his. “You know I like you, don’t you, Colton?”
    That was an understatement. It had been impossible to ignore such blatant signals. The problem was he hadn’t discouraged them when he had a chance. It had been amusing at first; then it had become something else. Colton had rationalized his growing interest in Leslie as harmless. He had no intention of carrying out any of the wild ideas floating around in his head. She would return to Maryland, and this situation would die a natural death. He bent to pick up her shoes. “It’s time for us to leave.”
    “Have I made you angry?” she asked as she followed him toward the stairs leading to the parking lot.
    He opened the car door. “No, I’m upset with myself.”
    They rode in silence back to the hotel. When the sound of the engine died away, he said, “Be careful driving back, Leslie.”
    She turned to him in the darkness. “Denying something doesn’t make it go away. Isn’t it time we stop pretending? You want this as much as I do.”
    He glanced at her, his eyes stormy. “You’re not very subtle, are you?”
    “Neither are you. I’ve seen the way you look at me. This is our last chance to be together. Please don’t send me home, Colton.”
    * * * *
    Laurel wasn’t aware of the heavy rain pounding against the roof of the car. She stared blankly out the front window oblivious to her soaked clothes and shivering body. All she could see was Colton’s ravaged face and the shadow of a woman in his arms. Over the loud ringing in her ears, someone had called her name. She couldn’t remember if she answered. The last thing that registered in her numbed mind was the pink envelope lying on the table by Colton’s phone. Had he even read it? Or had it simply not mattered?

Chapter Five
    Present day…
    Rose blew through the fold in the curtains surrounding the hospital bed. One look at her face told Laurel something momentous had happened.
    “You’re not going to believe this, but I just saw Colton. What’s he doing here?”
    “Seeing patients most likely.”
    “Your husband, who you haven’t seen in who knows how long, is walking around in this hospital, and that’s all you can say. Aren’t you curious?”
    “Not really. I want someone to come back and tell me when we can leave.”
    “Oh, you’ve been seen already? What did the doctor say?”
    “There’s nothing broken, thank goodness,” Laurel said lightly. Except her heart which would never mend . “Just a slight sprain. I should be back on my feet in no time.”
    “Do you think he’s living here?”
    Laurel gave up the struggle. She might as well tell Rose what happened and get it over with. “Colton is the doctor who treated me.”
    Rose put her hands on her hips. “You weren’t going to say anything, were you?”
    “No, and it would be better if you