Letting Go (Healing Hearts) Read Free Page A

company tonight?”
    Cocking his head to the side, he studied her. “It’s been a long time. Why now?”
    Come play with Daddy. You make Daddy so happy.
    “Diane? Are you there?”
    She blinked. Where had that memory come from?
    Ken frowned. “Hello?”
    “Don’t tease me.” She wiped a tear from her cheek with the back of her hand and sat up. “I’m really upset right now. I just found out Randy’s married.”
    “Randy . . . the pilot? Did he tell you?”
    “Would you?” She frowned. “On second thought, don’t answer that.”
    His posture grew rigid.
    “I had a conversation with this guy at a coffee shop in Seattle. He talked about Randy’s wife and their baby and even showed me a picture.” She inhaled deeply and let out a shaky breath. “There’s no doubt in my mind. It was him.”
    “Wow, that’s rough.” His eyes revealed sympathy, but he made no move to console her.
    She angled her head and gazed up at him, nibbling on her lower lip. “Why do I end up with married men? You know I don’t want that. I never want that.”
    Ken just stood there and listened.
    Choking on tears, she cried, “Do I have an invisible sign over my head that says, ‘I’ll only take you if you’re married?’ ”
    He crossed his arms over his broad chest, his shirt still clutched in his hand. “Maybe you should find out more about a guy’s background before you fall for him.”
    His tone sounded matter of fact, not snarky or insulting.
    “I know you’re not married.” She batted her eyelashes and gave him what her mother called “the look.”
    His gaze drifted to her mouth and lingered. Her heart pounded. He was actually considering her offer. She let her gaze slide from his face to the dark hair on his chest.
    As if he’d suddenly snapped out of a trance, Ken straightened and pulled on his shirt.
    Standing, she whispered, “Wait. Don’t do that.”
    Again, he avoided eye contact and stepped back.
    “Please, Ken, just let me stay the night.”
    “I’m a Christian. I won’t fall for that now.”
    “Why should it matter? You’re lonely and so am I. We used to be so good together.” She managed an uncertain smile. “Remember?”
    He turned away. “You’re a beautiful woman, but I can’t. You know I love Katia. I won’t do that to her.”
    She stared at his back, stunned by his refusal.
    Daddy likes that . . . hmmm . . . Let’s play another game.
    A sudden chill made her shudder. As if watching from a distance, she mentally replayed her attempt to seduce Ken. A wave of nausea washed over her, and the déjà vu feeling made her want to bolt from the room.
    Blinking back tears, she covered her mouth and sobbed, “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have come here.”
    She rushed from his room and darted down the stairs. Her hands trembled as she attempted to slip the electronic key in her door, but it failed to open.
    Pounding on the door with her fist, she growled, “Stupid door!”
    Wrapping her arms around her abdomen, she leaned her hip against the frame while tears streamed down. After several minutes she swiped her palm over her wet face and tried again.
    This time the green light flashed. She shoved the door open, rushed inside, and slammed it behind her. Falling onto the bed, she curled into a fetal position and sobbed.
    Why doesn’t anyone love me? What’s wrong with me?
    After crying a while, she released an exhausted moan and finally drifted off to sleep.
    *   *   *
    She awoke before dawn, wondering where she was. Then she remembered.
    Her throat ached with renewed regret for her actions. The urge to leave the motel and go home where she could crawl into bed grabbed hold. Collecting her things, she checked out.
    Three hours later, she threw her keys on the entry table in the foyer of her condo. She didn’t even remember how she got there.
    Shrugging out of her leather blazer, she tossed it at the coat tree, but missed. Her jacket fell to the floor. Not bothering to pick it up, she grabbed her