Redemption Read Online Free PDF

narrowed her eyes as another thought occurred to her. “Or maybe I should ask, what did she do to you?”
    A muscle in his jaw flexed as his eyes turned flinty. “My past is not up for discussion.”
    “At least you have a past.”
    He shook his head. “You amaze me. You can quit the act.”
    “It’s not an act.”
    “When is she supposed to arrive?”
    “How would I know?”
    “What did she tell you?”
    “ Nothing . I’ve never met the woman.”
    He pointed at her. “You’re lying.”
    “Oh, yeah? How do I know you’re who you say you are?” Her voice rose until she was yelling and she didn’t care. He accused her of lying? You needed to know the truth in order to lie.
    “ Me? Who else would I be?”
    “Maybe you’re the father of this baby. Maybe I was running from you and you didn’t like it.”
    The silence that followed was deafening. Callahan stared at her, his expression incredulous. She didn’t need him to tell her how preposterous the idea was—it was written all over his face. Her cheeks heated in embarrassment and she shifted on the couch.
    He turned on his heel and headed for the back door.
    “Where are you going?”
    “Out.” His voice was tight, controlled.
    “You’re leaving?” Her voice rose to a squeak.
    He didn’t even glance over his shoulder as he stormed through the kitchen and out the door, grabbing his coat along the way.

Chapter Four
    Her allegation hit him like a sucker punch to the stomach. It was ludicrous, of course. Absolutely ridiculous. He’d never seen her before in his life. She couldn’t really believe he’d get her pregnant.
    Her tear-streaked face, the absolute fear in her eyes—it worked on him. He wanted to soothe her fears, erase her nightmares. But that was the old John Callahan talking. The new Callahan was stronger, had learned from past mistakes. His body may be free, but his mind would never be.
    “I’ve been trying to get a hold of you for days,” Luke had said. “Heard about the blizzard.”
    John had sensed the caution in his friend’s voice. That tone that said bad news was coming.
    “Suzanne Carmichael escaped,” Luke said.
    Once upon a time, John had known terror firsthand. In that instant, he’d lived it all over again. He and Suzanne Carmichael had a history. She’d betrayed him, and he hated her for it. Now she’d escaped the supposed tight security of the federal penitentiary that had become her new home.
    He’d been expecting it. Yet he couldn’t figure out why Suzanne would want anything to do with him now, after all her dirty secrets had been revealed.
    What was he supposed to do now? If Hope was linked to Suzanne—and all the evidence pointed to a connection regardless of his feelings—he couldn’t let her walk free. A perimeter sweep around the cabin assured him all was safe. The snowstorm would keep people away for at least another day. He stood in front of her car, a barely discernable hump in the wintry landscape. Why would a pregnant woman deliberately harm herself and put her baby in danger to get to him? That seemed a little over and above rational thought.
    Hell, nothing made sense anymore.
    ***
    Light from the fire picked up the blond hints in his hair, making them glow. Some of the strands were still wet from his trek through the snow. He leaned against the doorjamb into the kitchen, sipping from a steaming mug, staring at her with a pensive expression. His shoulders flexed beneath the navy and forest green plaid shirt. The muted colors suited him. And why the heck was she thinking of his shirt and hair?
    “I owe you an apology,” he said.
    “None necessary.”
    He shook his head, lips tilting in what she could have sworn was a smile. “Truth is…” He looked down at his hands and she stayed silent, watching him try to collect his thoughts. He seemed to struggle with it for some time. “I’m not very good with women.”
    She didn’t know what to say to that. “No kidding,” seemed a little harsh.