Leap of Faith Read Online Free PDF Page A

had left something out, something important and somewhat troubling. The fact that she didn’t trust him enough to talk about it bothered him.
    He wanted that trust, wanted her to bare her soul as he’d done with her. But every instinct in his body told him she wasn’t ready.
    She took a deep breath. “I didn’t know where I wanted to work until the earthquake in Haiti.”
    “Haiti? It’s one of the most poverty stricken areas in the world.”
    “Unlike you, Zack,” she said with a small shake of her head, “I’ve never had much money, so doing without it won’t bother me quite so much. But still”—she looked away—“the orphanage needs help. I can’t just go down there and be another mouth to feed.”
    “You’ve already chosen a place?”
    “Of course,” she said. “I’ve always known where I belong.”
    “But what about marriage…children of your own?”
    She sighed. “I’ve known for a long time that wasn’t the plan for me. I’m always the odd one out, so I’m used to being alone and besides, relationships never work out for me.”
    Zack stared at her creamy skin, beautiful dark lashes and wondered if every man in her life had been blind. She was so vibrant, so full of life and unconditional love.
    “How could your relationships not work out?”
    Zoe shook her head with a wry smile. “Aren’t you the guy who pushed me out his door because our encounter was too weird?”
    Zack’s mouth fell open. “Well, yeah, but that was before—”
    “Before what?”
    He couldn’t come out and say what he thought. Their relationship was too new and way too wacky. He ran a hand through his hair. “Before you slipped a pill in the soda you brought me the other day and turned my world upside down.”
    Zoe burst out laughing. “Are you accusing me of drugging you?”
    “It’s the only plausible explanation. I just know that I see things differently now. I need time to understand and figure this out. Will you give me that time?”
    She stared at him. Her smile faded and a slight frown creased the space between her delicate brows. For one long minute, he thought she would say no. Then she gestured to his burger. “Finish up. I’m ready for dessert and they have the best peach pie in town.”
     
     
     
     

7
     
    Zoe twisted one long, dangling strand of hair around her finger, held it tight then released it. She watched it fall straight, not holding a hint of curl. Just for once, she wished it would swirl on the ends…just a little. Normally, she didn’t give a thought to things like that. There was no time in her life for primping and vanity. But her hair was the one thing about her that could be called pretty. And just for today, she wanted to be pretty.
    Frustrated, Zoe closed her eyes. She didn’t need to be pretty. She needed to get control of herself and focus on what was important.
    Just because Zack Manning could look at her and make her feel like she was beautiful didn’t mean she was. And just because he was going to church with her today didn’t mean she was anything special to him.
    She was a friend, sent by God, to walk by his side on his new journey. The fact that he was going to church this morning was all the proof she needed of that fact.
    Sighing, Zoe turned off her bathroom light and walked away from the mirror. It was easy to think she was just a companion for his journey. Her mind accepted it, but she couldn’t quite seem to convince herself. Every time she heard his voice her heart skipped a beat
    It didn’t help that he was so good to look at. His brown hair, just a shade darker than hers, had no trouble with curl. It always fell in a wave over his forehead and was so shiny and silky, she longed to sweep it back and run her fingers through it.
    His lips were full and well-shaped, firm and strong. One side tilted up a little, especially when he looked at her. She loved the fact that every time he saw her, he was halfway to a smile.
    But his warm, rich eyes made her