Broken: Healing Her Heart

roved nearly impossible. After several jerky attempts at driving with her left foot, she let out a frustrated groan, turned off the c

going to ruin her few days off work if she couldnt manage to drive a car. She propped herse

nt. Maybe she could manage to hobble down to Roses Café? Josie would keep her com

ri

er eyes when she caught sight of Gabe Allen walking tow

was dressed in a flowery skirt and a matching pink, short-sleeved top

some help getting around. He gazed at her attire an

an option. Had he mentioned crutches? She brightened with the possibility. I bet I could walk to church, though, if youre serious about all

you to church, Gabe said slowly. Crutc

hurch because shed never seen him attend services in the past

lean on me, and well

e in less than twenty-four hours. She had no idea why God kept sending this man into her path, but for right now, she could

She waited until he slid into the drivers seat before glancing at him. You know, I wouldnt m

his shoulder as he backed

ay of saying Im no

e would think that. I guess I just never no

to convince us non-goers to attend church and to rediscover our faith? he

about that. I would love for you to come to church, but I cant force

ve to be honest with you. I havent

o pry into his personal life by asking. She, better than anyone, understood the need for privacy. Well, I have to tell you that out of all the church services Ive attended in my lifetime,

d up to the parking lot of the church. She struggled to get out of the

ng he wouldnt notice the b

told her. Ill g

t them next to her. Try these. I set them up for your heig

th her armpits, not surprised to discover th

what youre going through, he confided. I

up to the front door of the church. Gabe stayed right beside her, his ha

. She didnt know if she should introduce Gabe, and if so, as what? Her friend? A colleague? One of the doctors s

eing flashed their way. Did Gabe realize the power of small-town gossip? She co

. If this was what Gabe needed to bring him back to th

up a small prayer. Please,

given him an out, had offered to be dropped off and picked up in an hour when the ser

h in the first time in over a year. His sister had dragged him to services whene

. He loved his sister, Kimberly, but she was constantly preaching at him, trying to get him to

hing hed rather liked about the church services was the m

lay, they rose to their fe

it rusty, but he soo

nging along. Her arm lightly brushed his, and he kept hi

hough

ce, despite Larissas glowing praise of Pastor John Gorman, but since the theme of t

d praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that yo

n Madison. Telling his boss and the hospital leadership that hed sexually harassed her when, in fact, she was simply upset because hed broken off t

gainst his, and h

ording to Pastor John, if he wanted to find peace, he first

ew he should, but saying and d

e was nearly over. And he was even more surprised that he hadnt been wa

arissa said softly. That was ex

ded. Dont tell my sist

Or maybe that was just the last time he could remember being happ

he offered. I know the lake will be busy considering i

to do that. You have no idea how horrible it is sitting insid

then head over to my place. Unless you

And I was thinking of stop

me with him, even though he wasnt exactly sure

ical director position. He couldnt afford to get emotionally involved with someone he worked with. Yet he

spending the day with Larissa was a

d wagged her eyebrows when shed noticed Larissa and Gabe together. Larissa tipped her face

ad she s

sit around in her apartment. But the real reason was that she

ked a man in a r

past. As much as she learned to love Crystal Lake, the fact of the mat

e to live with that one bad decision forever? Maybe it was time

stressed out, Gabe said as he slowed

ut that. I guess I was wallowing in the past. Youre right that being out on the water like t

, he admitted. I tend to los

ned. Yes

to let go of the past as well, he finally said. So I

at much. We should be able to let go, right?

he city, thats for sure. He lifted his brow. Its a b

st you were a Wisconsinite. Shed heard hed moved here from Madison. I ca

. I can on

ce she grew up here, the locals finally stopped treating me like an outsider.

her than G

was complaini

more transplant residents than thos

o were born and raised h

Julie, the Hinkles had be

You might be ri

tempted to let the call go to voice mail as she didnt recognize the number.

woman was speaking so soft

ppled down her spine. Annie

rash followed by n

had hu