Free Hearths of Fire by Kennedy Layne Page B

then glanced at his watch. “Did I mention that your sister and I are taking a drive
     out to their property? Before you get upset, I just want to meet Garreth’s parents.
     Charlotte hasn’t met them either and this is a way to smooth any tension that I may
     have caused the last time I was in town.”
    “Neal, they have been so nice to me,” Mandy said, her innocent gaze almost too much
     for Charlotte to take. “They are encouraging me to go to nursing school as they understand
     the importance of healing people. It was fate that brought Garreth and I together.
     Just think of all the good we can do with him becoming the church’s leader next week.”
    “What?” Charlotte asked, standing back up and wincing as the chair made a hideous
     noise from being moved too quickly. Her heart started racing at the thought of what
     this news meant for her sister. “Mandy, what the hell are you talking about?”
    “I knew you’d overreact,” Mandy accused, pushing her own seat back. “Garreth turns
     eighteen next weekend as well and this is what his parents have prepared him to do
     for his entire life. I think it’s wonderful and once you meet his parents, you’ll
     know how good they are.”
    “How can an eighteen year old boy know what it takes to—”
    “Mandy,” Neal said, interrupting what Charlotte had been going to ask, “we’re not
     saying they aren’t good people. What we’re afraid of is the fact that you’ve been
     dating Garreth for only two months and in that time span, you’re all but declaring
     your love for him. We’re concerned you’re moving your relationship with him a little
     too fast.”
    “It’s not like we’re having sex,” Mandy declared, shoving her phone in the back of
     her jeans as she stood up. The relief that Charlotte felt was palpable, but unfortunately
     the feeling didn’t last all but two seconds. “Garreth wants to wait until we’re married.
     Doesn’t that tell you what a good man he is?”
    Charlotte was speechless and before she found her voice, Neal had taken the lead on
     this conversation. She thought she heard him say that was a nice gesture on Garreth’s
     part and that Neal hoped that she was smart enough to finish nursing school before
     taking that type of leap, but Charlotte couldn’t be sure. Her hearing sounded as if
     she’d been placed underwater and from the tightness in her chest, she wasn’t getting
     air either. Married?
    “Char?” Neal was standing in front of her, his warm fingers cradling the side of her
     face. “There’s nothing we can do but what we’re already doing. Now eat something,
     even if it’s only a slice of French toast. I need to make a couple of calls and then
     we’ll head out.”
    Charlotte was surprised to see that Mandy had already left the kitchen while she’d
     been grappling with the comment about marriage. She looked up into Neal’s green eyes,
     not seeing the reassurance that she needed. He was worried too and that didn’t bode
     well. She nodded to let him know that she’d heard him but he didn’t release her right
     away. When his eyes dropped to her lips, she was amazed he didn’t comment on their
     color. They had to be blue from lack of oxygen. He hadn’t touched her like this since
     they were teenagers and everything she’d wanted to say was on the tip of her tongue.
    “We’ll leave in ten minutes.”
    As if he’d known she was going to bring up the past, Neal released her as if she’d
     burned his hand. He lifted his lips in what could pass for a smile, but he couldn’t
     hide his discomfort. Emotions warred with each other as she struggled for one area
     to concentrate on. Mandy had to come first, so Charlotte slid back into the chair
     as she watched Neal exit through the living room archway. Later tonight, when they
     were alone, Charlotte would finally bring up the past and put to rest the guilt that
     she’d carried all of these years.

Chapter Eight
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    N eal pulled onto