Finding Hope (Love's Compass Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page A

and he drove them through town and onto the highway that lead out of Kitner.
    So far, Lexi had said little and he expected a long drive. He glanced at her out of the corner of his eye.
    Dressed in dark jeans and a deep purple blouse, she sat with her hands resting on her knees. Her head was up as she watched the terrain speed by. The picture of confidence. That was Lexi.
    It had been way too quiet and he tried to think of something to say to spark a conversation. “We’ll have to figure out how to get to the doctor’s office using the GPS once we get closer to Dallas. Chances are, it’s downtown and that area is a mess to drive in.”
    She nodded. “I have the address. They said to use a big parking structure and take an elevator to the eighth floor. There’s a sky bridge that’ll lead us over to the right building.”
    “That sounds like a plan.”
    They rode in silence which continued to build until it was about all Lance could take. He contemplated turning the radio on.
    He had to suppress a start when Lexi cleared her throat.
    “I’m not real good about sharing personal things.”
    “With your brother’s friend?”
    “With anyone.”
    He glanced at her and caught a small smile, pulling the corners of his own mouth upwards. “You’re the listener.”
    She angled her head to the side and pursed her lips. “Excuse me?”
    “You’re the one who listens to everyone else. I remember that was the case when we were kids, too. It seemed like people trusted you with their secrets. But I don’t remember you ever talking about yourself much.” She was silent and he stole another glance. “Am I wrong?”
    “No, you’re not wrong.”
    “Everyone needs to talk things out. I’m not saying you should consider me to be your new best friend. But there’s got to be somebody you trust.”
    Another peek and he could tell she was staring at him. “I thought you were coming along as my chauffeur, not my priest.”
    He took a deep breath. The last thing he’d wanted to do was make her angry. But when he saw the twinkle in her eye, a deep laugh rumbled from his chest. “Keep my white collar in the glove box. Check.” He gave her a wink and she rewarded him with a smile that lit up her face. He kept his gaze on her for a split second longer before reluctantly returning his attention to the road.
     
    ~
     
    Lexi had insisted that Lance go explore the clinic or check out the cafeteria while she waited for her appointment. There was an empty feeling in the pit of her stomach as it was. She didn’t need to have him there trying to make her feel better.
    He’d agreed, made sure she had his phone number, and disappeared around the corner. She appreciated that he hadn’t insisted on staying.
    She could see why Tuck and Lance’s friendship had lasted into adulthood. There was one thing she could say about the man who drove her here: he was loyal.
    Lance was also handsome. The realization surprised Lexi. He wasn’t overly tall, but the muscles in his arms were well-defined after years of working for the police force and now as a carpenter. His hands were large, his fingers long. She couldn’t help but notice them when he’d stopped her the other day. They were strong, yet had touched her with a gentleness she hadn’t expected.
    Lexi thought his strongest features were those bright blue eyes and that disarming smile. When used in combination, she doubted there were many people alive who could resist him.
    She felt a measure of guilt for not giving him a proper explanation about her health after all the effort he was putting into helping her. Once she spoke with the oncologist, she would tell him more.
    Assuming she ever got called back for her appointment in the first place.
    Great, now a muscle near her right eye was twitching. This waiting was going to drive her insane. A peek at the time told her it’d only been five minutes since the last time she’d checked.
    If they would call her name before the mass on her