Yuletide Proposal. Lois Richer
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Название: Yuletide Proposal
Автор: Lois Richer
Издательство: HarperCollins
Жанр: Короткие любовные романы
Серия: Mills & Boon Love Inspired
isbn: 9781472008015
isbn:
“But you didn’t love Craig?”
“No.” Brianna smiled, sadness filling her heart. “I wish I could have. He was a wonderful man. But there was never love between us. We were just good friends who married a few months after we met to give Cory a home. At least I thought that’s what we were. But when I learned the truth, that he knew—” Brianna bit her lip. “I might not have been so decimated if Craig had prepared me. But he never said a word and suddenly at twenty-three I was a widow and a mother, responsible for this little boy, no clue how I was going to do it and all alone. I was at my lowest when I phoned you for help.”
“I’m glad you finally did. That’s what friends are for.” She wrapped her arms around Brianna and help on tight. “I wish I could have come.”
“I know. But you sent your mother instead, and she was wonderful to me. I’ll never be able to thank her or you enough.” Brianna clung a moment longer then drew back. “Anyway, all of this was to say my dad razzed me about going to see Mom tonight.”
“You should go,” Jaclyn insisted.
“I can’t go to the nursing home again,” Brianna admitted. “Not for a while.”
“Why not?”
“Today she said I made her ashamed.” The lump in Brianna’s stomach hardened. “It hurt so much. I don’t want to live with that pain again, Jaclyn. I’m done with trying to be the obedient daughter I’m supposed to be. It didn’t work for her and it doesn’t work for me.” Briefly Brianna explained what she’d learned about her grandfather.
“I understand.” Jaclyn reached out and started the car. She shifted into gear before facing Brianna. “But you can’t go on hating her, either. You’ve got to find a way past it. And you’ve got to do the same with Zac. Didn’t you say he wanted you to work with him?”
“He’s got this idea that I can help him shake up the school.”
“About time that school had a good shake-up,” Jaclyn said, steering into the restaurant parking lot. “Couldn’t hurt your career to be at the forefront of change, either, could it?”
“No,” Brianna mumbled.
“Then?” Jaclyn lifted an eyebrow. “What’s the problem?”
“The truth?” Brianna climbed out of the car.
“Always.”
“I don’t know if I can work with Zac.” That admission wasn’t easy.
“You probably can’t,” Jaclyn agreed, walking with her to the front door. “Until you let go of your resentment of him. You were young. You both made mistakes because you didn’t trust each other. It will take some heavenly healing and help for you to start again, Bri.” She rolled her eyes. “Listen to me—the pediatrician advising the child psychologist.”
“No, the best friend advising her dim-witted school buddy. Thanks, pal.” She stopped Jaclyn before they went inside and hugged her. “Did I tell you I’m so happy you and Kent are having a baby?”
“Me, too. But I want you to be happy, too, Brianna. And you aren’t going to be until you make peace with the past. So think about it. Okay?” She waited for her friend’s nod. “And I’ll pray for you to find a way to mend things with your mom. And Zac.” Then Jaclyn tugged her inside the café where they chose their favorite Mexican food.
Brianna enjoyed the meal. But her thoughts kept straying to Zac.
Would the past interfere with working together?
When Jaclyn dropped her off at Zac’s office, she went inside only after whispering a prayer for the right words, and after reminding herself that she was doing this for Cory, not Zac.
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