Surrendered Hearts Read Free Page B

of the driveway. Bill sat behind the wheel, and her brother filled the passenger seat. A small blue Toyota sat on the far side of the driveway.
    So, the truck belonged to Bill. The Toyota must be her brother’s.
    She released a heavy sigh as she watched the truck disappear around the bend in the road. Then she shifted her gaze to the yard below. Dew sparkled on the grass like little prisms of shimmering light. White daisies and small purple wild flowers swayed in the breeze. She pushed open the window. Cool fresh air greeted her. It must be Tuesday morning rather than Monday evening.
    Why had Wes left without checking on her or saying goodbye? She needed to talk to him and begin making plans. Uneasiness tightened her empty stomach. She pulled the window closed and wrapped her arms around herself, trying to halt another shiver.
    What would she do all day by herself?
    Then another question rose and tore away the tiny shred of peace she tried so hard to hold on to.
    Would Wes and Bill let her stay? Where would she go if they didn’t?
    She closed her eyes, yearning to talk to someone who cared. If only she believed there was a God who listened and answered prayer. But she’d given up that fantasy the night she’d sat in the emergency room and prayed her parents would live.
    The answer to her plea had been a devastating “no.” So she’d closed her heart and never whispered a prayer since.
    * * * *
    Bill tapped his pen on his desk and tried to focus on the grant application in front of him. He just needed to double-check the changes he’d made to be sure there were no more typos. He shifted in the chair and glanced at his watch. Ten thirty-seven.
    Why hadn’t Jennifer called?
    He tossed the pen aside and rose from behind his desk. Leaving his office, he strode into the Nature Center auditorium looking for Wes. He found him up on a ladder hanging a new sign for the reptile exhibit. “Do you know what time it is?”
    Wes checked his watch. “About ten-forty.”
    Bill huffed. “Well, aren’t you going to do anything about it?”
    “What do you mean?” Wes climbed down the ladder.
    “I mean, don’t you think it’s a little strange that your sister is still sleeping after nineteen hours?”
    A small smile twitched at the corners of Wes’s mouth. “Are you worried she’s turned into Sleeping Beauty or something?”
    Bill scowled. “No, It’s just not normal for someone to sleep that long. What if something’s wrong because of her burns or the smoke inhalation? Don’t you think you should check on her?”
    Wes rubbed his chin. “I could call, but if she’s still asleep, she probably needs the rest. When she wakes up she’ll find that note we left on the kitchen table.”
    “If she wakes up,” Bill grumbled under his breath. “So you’re just going to wait?”
    “I thought I’d go home at lunch and check on her if she hasn’t called by noon.”
    Bill looked at his watch again. “Okay, why don’t you go ahead and take an early lunch? I don’t mind keeping an eye . . .” His words faded as Jennifer stepped through the front door.
    Her hesitant glance swept the room, stalling when she spotted Bill. Emotion flickered in her eyes. She touched the collar and top button of her pale green blouse then smoothed her hand down the sleeve.
    “Hey, Jenn.” Wes crossed the room and greeted his sister with a hug. “You look rested.” He smiled as he surveyed her, affection in his eyes.
    She laughed softly. “I slept a little longer than I expected.” Her gaze met Bill’s and held. “Hello, Bill.”
    “Morning.” He nodded and crossed his arms, but that did little to shield him from the way her arrival stirred his senses.
    Her cheeks flushed pink, and she shifted her focus to her brother. “I saw your note, so I decided to come see you. I hope it’s okay I used your car.”
    “That’s why I left you the keys. Use it whenever you like.”
    “Thanks.” She glanced around the auditorium at the display