Tomorrow's Promise (The Hawks Mountain Series) Read Online Free PDF Page B

relying on a man once and . . .
    No! She had to stop rehashing the past. It was just that, the past, and she had to concentrate on her future and her daughter’s. That left no room for remorse. But there wasn’t room for a man either.
    “Thanks, but I planned on going job hunting tomorrow. I’m sure I’ll find something.” And exactly what do you think you’ll find in this little town? You have no qualifications for anything.
    His face melted into an expression of disappointment. “Okay. But the job offer stands if you need it.”
    “Thanks. I really appreciate all you and Doc have done for me . . . for us. But it’s time I started doing for myself.”
    Cole frowned and opened the door. “I’ll see you around, Faith.”
    “Goodbye, Sheriff.” Her stilted farewell rang with finality.
    He paused for a moment, nodded, and then he was gone.
    With his departure, it felt as if all the air had been sucked from the room.
    THE NEXT MORNING, Faith hitched Lizzie a little higher on her hip. She’d only been walking toward town for a short time, and already her blouse and Lizzie’s pink sundress were soaked with perspiration. Even the fur on Lizzie’s bear was matted and wet. Sweat poured down Faith’s back and temples. The straps of the tote bag holding a drink for Lizzie and a few other necessities bit deeply into her shoulder.
    Faith hadn’t remembered this walk into town being this long, but then again, she’d never made it while carrying a child. She’d considered allowing Lizzie to walk, but the way the cars passing them didn’t seem to slow down, she’d decided against it.
    As she trudged along, and the sun’s rays seemed to get hotter with every step, she began to wonder how smart this idea had been. But what other alternative did she have? There was no one to take care of Lizzie so she could walk the distance alone. She had no means of transportation. No way to call someone to drive her. Even if she’d had a phone, who would she call? Certainly not her judgmental mother. And most definitely not the helpful sheriff.
    The unseasonably warm late spring day and the burdens of life settled on her already bowed shoulders. Would she make it through this? Was she wise to have come back here where the job opportunities were so limited?
    “Stop it!” she scolded. “You can do this. You’re strong.” Lizzie squirmed in her arms, reminding her of her responsibility to this small life. “You have to do this.”
    The sound of another approaching car broke the woodsy silence. Faith took a deep breath and moved farther onto the side of the road. But rather than pass her, the car slowed and adjusted its speed to her pace. When she looked toward it, she was surprised to see the sheriff’s car. Cole was smiling at her through the open passenger’s side window.
    “Need a lift?”
    She wanted to say no, but one look at Lizzie’s flushed cheeks and sweat-soaked curls changed her mind. “That would be great. Thanks.”
    Cole pulled the car to the shoulder of the road in front of her, stopped it, climbed out, and opened the trunk to reveal the child’s car seat he’d used for Lizzie the day before. After reinstalling the seat, he scooped Lizzie from Faith’s arms and buckled the little girl and her bear in while Faith collapsed in the passenger seat.
    “Where are you going?” Cole asked as he slipped behind the wheel, closed the car door and cranked up the AC.
    Why did he have to be so considerate? Why was she allowing him to unnerve her? Too hot and exhausted to think about anything but how good it felt to get off her feet, Faith leaned back. As the cool air bathed her face and shoulders, she sighed. “To town. I need to find a job.”
    “You could have asked me to pick you up when I was at your house yesterday.” Cole pulled the car onto the road. “It wouldn’t have been a problem. I come this way every day.” He glanced in the rearview mirror. “Lizzie shouldn’t be out in this heat.”
    Guilt