Love Lifted Me Read Online Free Page A

had wrestled two days over Taylor Branch and her news. If she told him, he’d be crushed. Would it send him tumbling back to his old ways of phantom back pains and pain pill addiction?
    Secrets had all but destroyed their marriage. How could she keep this one to herself? She was sitting on a potential time bomb.
    Jade had no proof to corroborate Taylor’s claim. She could be lying for some hideous, bizarre reason.
    Either way, she wasn’t willing to blurt, “Asa’s not your son,” without some evidence. Without giving Max a chance to move home and consider a shave.
    â€œJade, are you okay?” Max curved his hand over her shoulder. “You sighed really heavy.”
    â€œDid I?” She moved behind the sales counter, meeting his eyes for a fleeting second. “Just, you know, taking it all in.” She stacked the disheveled pile of sales flyers, then straightened the business cards. “So . . . here you are.”
    â€œYeah, here I am.” Max brushed his hair back so it layered like ripples on the surface of still waters. “How’s Asa?”
    â€œBrilliant.” Finally—safe, common ground. “Yes, he’s brilliant.”
    Max grinned. “You’ve been watching Hugh Grant movies again.”
    Jade made a wry face. “ About a Boy was on last night.”
    â€œOne of your favorites.”
    He remembered . “I love all the imagery and symbolism. I love how Hugh Grant’s character changes.” Jade peered at Max until he started playing her heart with his hazel eyes. “But it’s just a movie.”
    The strange route of their conversation, the bumpy reintroduction, actually calmed her. But they couldn’t stand in the middle of the Blue Umbrella forever— or until she could trust him. Love or not, sexy cowboy husband or not, the bridge of trust was blown to smithereens.
    She couldn’t just let him waltz back into her heart and into her bed without some proof of change. Looking fabulous in those stupid Levi’s and speaking to her in tender tones merely skimmed the surface.
    â€œListen,” he said. “I came home under the radar so we could have some time together. No one knows I’m home but you and Lillabeth. And those two tourists over there.”
    â€œNot even your mom?” Jade whispered.
    â€œEspecially not Mom, queen of parties and parades. I wanted time with you and Asa, if that’s all right with you. Uncomplicated and quiet. Dad and Mom and the rest of Whisper Hollow will see me soon enough. You and I need to talk.”
    If he talked, she’d have to talk. Recount how he hurt her and how she wanted to smash her fist into his face when she found out about Rice and the evil night in Vegas. But deep down she dreaded bringing it all up again, rehashing her hurt, his explanation, blah, blah, blah . She wasn’t in the mood to hear what he’d learned at the Outpost. She didn’t want to hear that she’d always be inadequate for him.
    Oh, she just wanted to move on before the cement at her feet hardened and she’d never be free. Could she simply hang a For Sale sign on this past year?
    â€œAsa’s at school.” Jade motioned toward the back of the shop, moving away from the intimate, uncomfortable tones of the conversation. “I have to pick him up in a few minutes.”
    â€œYeah, I guess we don’t have to deal with us right now. I didn’t mean to come in and disrupt your day.”
    Or my heart? My mind? My strength? The longer he stood there, the more he consumed her.
    â€œWe knew this day was coming,” she said, moving away from the register for Lillabeth to ring up the customers’ sale. The twentysomethings chose tunics and bell-bottoms. One of the girls also had a pair of Candie’s platforms Jade loved. “You may be confident and together, Max, but—”
    â€œConfident? Together? I’m a mess.” Max drew Jade back to