Free For Better or Worse (Book 2 in the Forgiving Hearts Trilogy) by Erin Landy

enough to resist temptation on our own.”
    She rubbed her hands up and down her arms as if she was cold. “I’ve been going in the wrong direction for too long. I feel as if I need to fix myself before I come back to God.”
    Jackson shook his head. “You can’t fix yourself. Only God can do that.”
    Hannah sighed heavily. “I know you’re right. I just have to do it.”
    “There’s nothing to be afraid of, Hannah. Do you want me to pray with you?”
    “Would you?”
    “I’d love to.” He took her small hands into his and bowed his head. “Father, I thank You for loving us no matter what we do. I pray that You’ll speak to Hannah’s heart. She’s hurting right now and needs Your wisdom and strength. Help her as a child of God to return to You. I also ask that You watch over the baby she carries. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
    When he opened his eyes, Hannah had tears in her eyes. “Thank you, Jackson.”
    “Any time you need to talk or pray together, I’m here for you.”
    “I’ve already been doing the talking part. I tell you things I won’t even admit to myself. I guess it’s because you care. There’s nothing more comforting than being able to talk to someone who not only listens, but takes an interest in what is being said.”
    If she only knew how much he cared. “I know the issue with Mitchell makes this a delicate subject, but how do you feel about having a baby?”
    “At first I was terrified, and I still am a little, but I’m also okay with it.”
    “No matter what happens with Mitchell, you’re not alone, Hannah. Uncle Jackson is only a phone call away.”
    “Uncle Jackson?” she asked with a grin. “I like the sound of that.”
    Gathering their plates, she went into the kitchen. Jackson didn’t immediately follow her. He was again dealing with the un-Christian-like desire to shake some sense into Mitchell.
    * * * *
    Just when Hannah decided Mitchell wasn’t going to respond to her numerous text messages, he called her. Hating that her hands wouldn’t stop shaking, she hoped she didn’t sound as uncertain and abandoned as she felt.
    “Hello, Mitchell.”
    “I don’t know what else you want me to say, Hannah. I’ve already told you that I won’t be forced into marriage because you decided to stop taking birth control pills.”
    “Is that all this means to you? This is a child we’re talking about. Your child, Mitchell.”
    “I only have your word for that.”
    As the meaning of his words became clear, she gasped. Did he have so little faith in her? “A paternity test would prove it beyond all doubt.”
    “Is that a threat?”
    Her voice broke. “Do you hear yourself? I can’t believe you really believe all these things you’re saying. You’ve known me since ninth grade. In your heart, you know I didn’t trick you into anything.”
    Mitchell sighed heavily into the phone. “I said that in anger, but it doesn’t alter my decision. I’m not ready to get married.”
    She laughed scornfully. “I know that. What I did hope was that you might want to be involved in some aspect of your child’s life.”
    “I can’t be involved. I’ve met someone. I know this isn’t the best time to tell you, but I can’t compromise my chance of happiness over something that could easily have been prevented. Given our history, it’s understandable that I would assume you’d taken measures to avoid getting pregnant. I’m sorry if that sounds callous and unfeeling, but these are the facts as I see them.”
    “In that case, you’re right, Mitchell. There is nothing else you can say.”
    At her sudden capitulation, he said, “I know you think I’m the worst person on earth, but I told you a long time ago that I didn’t want children. I made no secret about my feelings. It didn’t bother you at the time, and you’ve never brought up the subject since.”
    “I hadn’t forgotten, but I believed, however foolishly, that you loved me enough to change your mind.”
    “And I