Love Comes Home Read Online Free PDF Page A

Josh.”
    â€œOh, honey, it was in so many ways.” Mom G. stared into space for a heartbeat then turned to Rachel. “Do you have someone in your life?”
    She blinked. “Uh…you mean a man?”
    â€œAre you involved in a relationship?”
    â€œNo.”
    â€œI didn’t think so. Good.” Mom G. seemed to relax.
    Rachel narrowed her eyes. “What do you mean ‘good’?”
    Mom G. gripped Rachel’s hand tight. “Is your hope still in Jesus?”
    Rachel gently patted the frail hand encased within her own. “Yes, my hope’s in Jesus. He’s my strength. You showed me that—you and Josh.”
    Mom G. nodded. “God loves you.”
    â€œI know. He’s blessed me greatly. He brought me to you. Without Him and you in my life I’d…be lost. I’m doing what He wants with my life.”
    Mom G.’s brows drew together. “But He wants so much more for you.”
    More? She’d tried to have more once and she’d ended up with nothing but pain. Loving was a risk she was no longer willing to take. She shook her head. “I have everything I need. There couldn’t possibly be more.”
    â€œWhat about love? Aren’t you lonely?”
    Mom G.’s words struck a cord within Rachel. She tugged at her bottom lip, loath to admit that there had been times over the years she’d watched couples, families, and felt an ache she couldn’t explain. Was it loneliness?
    Maybe.
    But loneliness was a small price to pay to fulfill God’s plan and to protect her heart.
    â€œMy life’s very full. I might not have as many friends as I could…” Rachel frowned at the direction of her thoughts. Friends couldn’t help in her quest to change emergency room procedures. “I just don’t have time for relationships.”
    â€œDon’t grow old alone. Believe me, it’s not fun.”
    Guilt reached up and slapped Rachel. “I’m sorry I haven’t been here for you.”
    Mom G. touched Rachel’s cheek. “No, honey, you had to do what you needed to do. I regret that I never remarried after Frank died. I don’t want you to make the same mistake.”
    Rachel nuzzled into the touch. She hadn’t known Mr. Green. He’d been gone long before she’d cometo live with Mom G. His picture graced the nightstand in Mom G.’s bedroom. “I’ll be fine, I promise,” Rachel assured her.
    â€œDon’t you think you’d be better with Josh in your life?”
    Rachel schooled her features. She didn’t want Mom G. to know how upsetting she found the subject of Josh. She didn’t want her to know she still hurt deep inside her heart, in a far corner she pretended didn’t exist.
    â€œDon’t avoid this Rachel.”
    Rachel met Mom G.’s gaze straight on. “There’s nothing to avoid. Josh isn’t a part of my life and he’s not going to be.”
    Tears gathered at the corners of Mom G.’s eyes. “He needs you.”
    Mom G.’s sadness tore at Rachel. She wouldn’t be able to make Mom G. happy. Not if her happiness involved Josh. “This is upsetting you.”
    â€œHe needs you,” Mom G. insisted.
    Slowly Rachel shook her head. “He’s never needed me. ”
    â€œBut he does. Rachel, he’s always loved you and you still love him.”
    A double-edged sword of hurt and anger sliced through her. Her heart raced and her blood pounded in her ears. Josh didn’t love her. She doubted he ever had.
    As for her loving him… She closed her eyes briefly and hardened her heart. Been there, done that. Not doing it again. Emotions would not control her actions. Her goal in life was to make sure her mother hadn’t died in vain, not to resurrect her relationship with Josh.
    She opened her eyes and took a calming breath, regaining her composure. “It’s not a matter of love. Josh had