Love in a Fix Read Online Free PDF Page A

say that.” A hard glint shimmered in the center of cobalt eyes. He lowered his arm and clenched his fists. “You’re talking about my best friend’s wife and my wife’s best friend. I have it on good authority neither of them would appreciate that kind of talk.”
    “I should have made it work somehow. Should’ve done something more.” The desperation in her voice mimicked the defeat in her heart. “But no matter what I do, it’s never enough to make ends meet. Mark’s life insurance barely paid funeral costs and I’ve been struggling since.”
    Shep stood and walked to her. Positioned himself in front of her, pressed his hands to her shoulders. “Maybe God is telling you that you’re not meant to do it on your own. Maybe he wants you to see that you’re not alone. Mark is gone, but there are people here to help you.”
    “I am Josh’s mother. He needs to see his mom will always take care of him.” She hunched her shoulders, hoping Shep would take a hint and move his hands. The heat from his touch seared through her lightweight cotton shirt.
    “You’re smart Lyndsey, but prideful.”
    “No, I’m not.” A bitter retort surfaced after the denial, but she swallowed the comment.
    “Oh really?” A single eyebrow arched high on Shep’s forehead. “In that case, I’ll write you a check for the amount you owe.”
    “Absolutely not.” Too late, she realized she’d fallen into his trap.
    “Point proven.” He stepped away, finding the one deck board that creaked. A partial smile curled the right side of his mouth, and then he chuckled.
    “Are you laughing at me?” Her projected indignation fell flat, made as much noise as a dandelion seed falling on a cotton pillow.
    “No.” The sparkle in his eye said otherwise.
    “Don’t get too cocky, just because you got me on this one thing.” Casting Shep a truce smile, she slid her legs down then rose to her feet. “Maybe I do cling too tightly to my pride, but I was raised to believe in personal responsibility.”
    The smugness left his eyes. “Which is an admirable quality, but there’s nothing wrong with accepting help when it’s needed.”
    Why did he have to make sense? The stubborn side of her hated to admit there was truth to his words, but the friend in her realized she’d been unfair. “I’m willing to concede there’s a possibility you’re correct again, but I still can’t accept your help.”
    A low growl rumbled off his lips. “Why not, Lyndsey? You asked for a miracle, here it is.”
    “It’s too much and then I would feel beholden to you. Besides, it wouldn’t be proper.”
    “You’re kidding me, right?” He ran a hand through his already disheveled hair. “How do you figure that?”
    She sucked in a long breath before answering, caught a whiff of the hazelnut flavored coffee. “It’s not like you’re family or my husband. What would people say?”
    “But I am a friend, one your husband trusted enough to look after you, and a brother in Christ. And doesn’t God command us to look after the widows and orphans?” His jaw tensed, eyes narrowed, demonstrating a side of him she’d never seen. “The real question is, are you more concerned with keeping your home or the gossip of biddies who have nothing better to do?”
    The hurled accusation struck where it needed. She hugged herself, drawing her bottom lip between her teeth. Where had the conversation gone awry? One second Shep was smiling, the next, angry—their amicable evening quickly deteriorated.
    Would it be so wrong to accept his money? Had her staunch determination to maintain personal responsibility become a sin of pride?
    Lifting her head, she met his gaze, hating what she saw.
    Hurt.
    She’d never intended to upset him. Not when he’d done so much for her, and undoubtedly more than she realized. In light of the information about Mark’s request, she was certain she’d uncover more of Shep’s help in the coming days and weeks.
    “I’m sorry.” She