Heart of the Family by Margaret Daley Page B

the one who wanted to come out here.” Jacob’s gaze swept the road in front of him, then the sides he could barely make out. Piles of snow still lined the highway.
    “Yeah, so we could put the pedal to the metal. If you don’t want to, I’ll drive again.”
    To keep his friend quiet, Jacob increased the speed to forty-five but looked for a place to pull over so Kevin could drive. Suddenly he lost control of the car, the darkness spiraling around him. Screams pierced the quiet, sounds of glass breaking….
    Jacob shot up in bed, sweat drenching him. His whole body shook from the nightmare that had plagued him for years—one of his punishments for surviving the wreck that killed Kevin.

Chapter Six

    H annah stared at the shelves full of medical books with titles that made her head spin. Why was she standing in the middle of Jacob’s office waiting for him? She rotated around to grab her purse on the chair and leave before he came into the room. As she gripped the leather handle, the door opened, and she knew she was stuck.
    “I was surprised to hear you were here.” Jacob’s smile wiped the weariness from his face. “I’m assuming everything is all right at the refuge or Teresa would have said something about it to me.”
    “Everything’s fine. I just dropped Lisa off at the rehab center and wanted to stop by and thank you for finding a place for her to stay last night.” Hannah released her strap and straightened. “I didn’t realize she was living on the street. She didn’t say anything to me about that.”
    “It was nothing. At this time of year Herb and Vickie always have a spare bed at the shelter. Now, if it had been winter, it might have been different.”
    “I should have figured something like that had happened to her when she mentioned she wasn’t working. I’m learning.” She attempted a smile that quivered. “At least she has a place to stay for the next few weeks.”
    “If she stays there.” Jacob dropped a file on his desk, releasing a long sigh.
    Exhaustion, etching tiny lines into his face, sparked her compassion. “Long day?”
    “Nonstop since I arrived this morning. The beginning of the flu season.”
    “Don’t mention that word to me. I have eighteen children to keep healthy. I know you gave them a flu shot, but that’s not the only illness they can get.”
    “As I well know. You’ve got your work cut out for you.” He leaned back against his desk and folded his arms over his chest.
    “I think you’re right.”
    His eyebrows shot up. “You’re admitting I might be right. Hold it right there while I get my recorder and you can repeat it for the microphone.”
    “Funny. I could say the same thing about you. You think I’m naive and idealistic.”
    “You are, but the world needs all kinds of people.”
    “So they don’t all have to be cynical and realistic?”
    He thrust away from the desk. “I hope not or we are in big trouble. Are you hungry?”
    “Why?”
    “Now, that question sounds cynical.” He grinned. “Because I am hungry, and I’d like to take you to Noah’s restaurant for dinner.”
    “According to all the kids that’s their favorite place to eat.”
    “According to Noah it’s the best in the whole Southwest.”
    “Will your friend be there?”
    “If he’s not out on a date, he’s usually there. He’s worse than me about working all the time. The one on Columbia Street was his first restaurant so he has a soft spot for it.” Jacob snatched his jacket from the peg on the back of the door and slipped it on.
    “I know he’s a board member of the Henderson Foundation, but I haven’t met him yet.” Hannah exited the office first, into the dim light of the hallway.
    Jacob came up behind her. “I guess everyone skedaddled out of here the first chance they got. Did I tell you it has been a long, crazy day?”
    “I believe you mentioned that fact.” She was very aware they were probably the only two people left in his suite of offices.
    His