Healing Her Spirit (Serenity Springs Book 2) Read Free Page A

same.  He just wanted her to leave so he could try and find the strength to crawl out of bed, put on some clothes, and go home.
    “Clinton,” her voice broke through the pain-filled fog he was in.  “I have looked in on you every single day.  Today is just the first day I said anything.”  Walking forward, she reached out and placed a gentle hand on his arm.  “I’m so sorry, Clint,” she whispered.  “I never meant to hurt you.  I’m going through some things in my life and I needed some distance.”
    Struggling to keep his eyes open, Clint asked hoarsely, “You didn’t trust me to help you with whatever it is you are going through?”  Covering her hand with his he said, “I would have been there for you, Lace.  Instead, you chose to ignore me.”  Letting his eyes drift closed he whispered, “And now you are dating Carl.  Why?  Why choose Carl over me?”
    As Clint drifted off into sleep he heard Lacey respond softly, “Because he was safe.  I didn’t have to worry about falling for him.”

Chapter 3

     
    Lacey slowly ran a hand through Clint’s short, light blond hair, a tear slipping down her cheek unnoticed.  It had been so long since she’d touched him.  Too long since she had felt his skin against hers.  She missed him so much.
    What they had shared months ago was something Lacey had never shared with anyone else.  Her mother was not the kind of person who worried about anyone except for herself.  There was no emotional mother-daughter bonding.  No tucking her daughter into bed at night and reading her a bedtime story.  Hell, Lacey was lucky if her mother even came home.  She had never met her father.  Her mother kept a steady stream of men moving in and out of her life, and she could not even remember half of their names.   
    The only thing Lacey knew about Ethan’s father was his name, Tyler Reynolds.  He was a one night stand from the only wild night Lacey had ever allowed herself to have.  She did not regret it, though.  Ethan was her life.  She lived and breathed for her son. 
    When she met Clint, she finally realized what she was missing out on.  As much as she loved Ethan, she craved that companionship she got from Clint.  The time at the park when he kissed her was her most treasured memory.  The soft, gentle pressure of his lips on hers was nothing like the harsh, bruising sex she’d had with Tyler.  He had taken her virginity roughly, not stopping when she cried out in pain and fear.  When he was done, he’d stood up, pulled on his pants and sneered, “Thanks for the lay, bitch,” before walking out the door.  Lacey lay curled in a ball, crying for several minutes, before finally gathering the courage to crawl out of Tyler’s bed.  After quickly slipping her clothes on, Lacey had snuck out of the house praying no one saw her. 
    When she found out she was pregnant, Lacey did not tell Tyler.  She knew he would not want anything to do with being a father.  She was proven right when she found out Ethan had cancer.  Deciding Tyler should have the right to get to know his son if he chose to, and knowing Ethan could use the support of a father, Lacey went to Tyler’s house and told him about their child.  Tyler would not even contemplate the idea that Ethan was his.  He told her there was no way he was the father.  He had only fucked her once, and even if the child was his, he wanted nothing to do with a sick kid.  Lacey tried three more times to change Tyler’s mind, but to no avail.  She had finally given up, but had made sure Tyler signed away all rights to Ethan.  Tyler did not even want to contact an attorney.  He just signed the document and was out of their lives for good.       
    Clint was the only person who had ever taken the time to get to know Lacey.  He was kind, compassionate, and caring.  He treated her with respect and showed his affection in many different ways.  Unfortunately, Lacey had screwed up the beautiful