Wayward Hearts Read Online Free PDF Page A

don’t know. Aidan’s in the shower, and I don’t want to leave Mama alone.” Pretty sad, using her mother as an excuse.
    “I understand. How’s she doing anyway?”
    She kept her voice low. “I think she’s still in shock. It hasn’t sunk in for any of us yet. And she’s worried about what’s going to happen to her now.” Like we all are.
    “I’d like to talk to you about all this. How about tomorrow?”
    He wasn’t giving up. “I’m meeting Lily tomorrow. She’s going to show me around the shelter. I haven’t seen it since they made all the renovations.”
    “You’ll be amazed at the transformation. It looks great, if I do say so myself.”
    “Lily told me you worked with Nick fixing it up.” Another fact that surprised her. Since when had Jason bothered with charities?
    “Nick was nice enough to give me a job when Tony’s garage burned down. Now I’m working on their living room.”
    A small stab of jealousy rocked her. How had Jason become so involved with her best friends? “Looks like I’ve missed a lot since I’ve been away.”
    “See, we really do need to catch up. As a matter of fact, I’ll be doing some landscaping around the grounds of the shelter tomorrow. Maybe we could meet afterward.”
    Maxi drew in a deep breath. There appeared to be no polite way to get out of seeing him. For the sake of their former relationship, she could at least give him this. “Sure. That’d be fine.”
    “Great. See you tomorrow then.”
    She could hear the relief in his voice. For whatever reason, Jason seemed eager to see her. She’d just have to steel herself against the attraction she’d always felt in his presence.
    Nothing but more heartache could come from allowing Jason back into her life.
     
     
     
     

4
     
    The next day, Maxi followed Lily down the main staircase of Logan House to the impressive entranceway, finishing her tour of the new shelter. The mahogany railings shone as though just polished, as did the gleaming hardwood floors. She was amazed at the stillness in the big house. With two families living there, she thought there’d be more noise.
    “You guys have done a fantastic job. I wouldn’t have recognized the place.”
    Lily smiled. “Nick and Jason worked hard to get it ready.”
    “How did Jason end up working for Nick?” Maxi didn’t mind letting Lily see her interest in Jason. After all, she’d cried all over Lily’s shoulder years ago when Jason had fallen so hard for Susie Marshall.
    Lily paused with her hand on the newel post. “He started as a volunteer at first, until the fire at Tony’s garage put him out of work. Nick felt bad for him and liked his work well enough to hire him.”
    Maxi frowned trying to remember if Peg had told her about Tony’s place being destroyed. She was more blown away by Jason volunteering for something. The Jason she remembered wouldn’t do anything unless there was something in it for him.
    “He’s changed a lot since you’ve been gone,” Lily said in a quiet voice, as though reading her mind. “You should talk to him.”
    “I will—later today.” Maxi ignored the nerves rolling in her stomach as she followed Lily to the kitchen. “Apparently he’s working on the property. I’m going to meet him after we’re done.”
    “Good, ’cause you guys need to resolve things between you.”
    Suspicion hummed through Maxi’s veins. “What do you mean by that?” she demanded, marching into the spacious room. A distinct citrus odor floated in the air.
    Lily went to the fridge and pulled out a large pitcher of lemonade. “I know you and Jason had some big blowup before you moved to New York. And you haven’t really talked since, have you?”
    Maxi sputtered as her temper took hold. “Who told you that?” She hadn’t discussed the fight with anyone. Not even Lily.
    Her friend shrugged. “No one. I guessed what happened from the way you guys were acting. Jason confirmed it yesterday.” She stretched to pull two glasses