Free The Deadline (The Friessens: A New Beginning) by Lorhainne Eckhart Page B

and hurt at the same time. “You know, Andy, I love you, but it hurts when you call another woman, even though you say it’s to help me. I’m capable, yet you trust Kim more than me.”
    “Oh my God, Laura, would you drop this already?” His eyes flashed with anger as he snapped at her and continued into their bathroom.
    “That’s not fair , Andy, and you’re treating me like a child.” She stood her ground, following him into the bathroom.
    “ Seriously, would you drop this? It’s got nothing to do with me trusting Kim more. You’re creating problems that aren’t there. I called her because she doesn’t have anyone, no husband, no kids, and she’s our neighbor. She offered, and you have your hands full. I’m not here to help you, Laura. I can’t be in two places at the same time.”
    He yanked off his blue knit sweater, stalking out of the bathroom and tossing it on the unmade bed. Her eyes went right to his chest, that magnificent chest, and those strong, sculpted shoulders. He was absolutely ripped, and her body remembered what it felt like to be held against that chest, to rest her head on shoulders that were anything but soft. Being held by him made her feel as if she could take on the world. She loved to run her fingers through the dark hair covering his chest. She felt a lot of things when Andy was around, as he stirred passion, anger, every emotion inside her. She’d give anything to have him with her. He sighed and shut his eyes, and she knew he was coping with a lot. Maybe she was being unreasonable.
    He started toward her , setting his hands on her shoulders. “Did you eat?”
    Seeing the worry in his eyes, she felt like crap again, so she shook her head and touched his arm. A second later, she found herself pulled against his chest, breathing him in, loving the feel of him holding her.
    “You have to eat. I’m not hungry , either, but we’re not helping the kids if we don’t eat. Go make us some eggs and coffee. I’ll grab a shower, and then we’ll go.” He rubbed her back as he spoke, and Laura didn’t let go. She kept her arms where they were, around his waist. When Jeremy let out a squawk, she rubbed her face against his chest and rested her chin there, gazing up into his tired eyes.
    “Your son is so demanding, just like his father ,” she said. She wondered if that amused him, but Andy had a way of thinking and holding on to things, making her wonder where his head was.
    “And his sister is patient and quiet, just like her mama,” he said. He slid his hand over her cheek and leaned down, pressing a light and tender kiss on her lips and just holding himself there. All the fire and love she felt, all of her need for him, seemed to grow in her heart, bigger and stronger than she’d ever thought possible.
    H e stepped away. “Go get our boy,” he said. “I’ll get in the shower.”

Chapter 15
    Laura had been especially quiet on the drive back to the hospital. Andy knew he’d made her angry, but he’d rather have her angry than stuck in the ditch, or hurt, or overwhelmed in any way. Maybe this was part of his desire to make things easier for her, to somehow make up for all her struggles as a teenage single mother, just trying to make ends meet. He knew she carried so much pain in her heart after what her parents had done, tossing her away instead of standing by her in her hour of need. When Kim had pulled in right before they left, Andy had seen the way Laura frowned, and she didn’t pretend for a moment she was happy to see her. Kim, though, had been pleasant and neighborly, and Andy had asked her if she could take Ladystar back to her place. Of course, she’d said yes. She was a nice woman, and he didn’t understand why Laura didn’t seem to like her.
    A s he glanced at his wife, quiet and staring straight ahead out the windshield, he couldn’t stay quiet. “You know, if you gave Kim a chance, Laura, she’d probably be a good friend to you. She didn’t have to come