A Passion Denied by Julie Lessman Read Free Book Online

he kisses me on the forehead, snuggles, and mutters how exhausted he is.” Charity swiped at a renegade potato peel and popped it in her mouth. “I just wish he knew that I need his love now more than ever.”
    “So tell him. It’s not like you to hold things back,” Faith said.
    Lizzie reached across to touch Charity’s arm. “Mitch would want to know how you feel. The man’s crazy about you. Anybody can see it.”
    Charity shook her head. “No, I don’t want his love out of pity. I want him to want me. Like before.”
    Lizzie smiled and folded her hands neatly on the table. “Well, why don’t you take some of your own advice? And then we can work on our ‘projects’ together?”
    Charity blinked. The light went on in her eyes and she sat straight up, causing her tummy to jut in defiance. She released a little-girl giggle that brought a pretty blush to her cheeks. “Oh my goodness! See, I told you this pregnancy was dulling my brain. Seduction! Saints preserve us, why didn’t I think of it first?”
    Lizzie laughed and grabbed both of her sisters’ hands, so grateful for them in her life. “So what do you say we pray about it, then go to work?” She grinned at Faith. “Anything you need to pray about in the romance department?”
    Faith chuckled and snatched Charity’s magazine off the table. She began fanning her cheeks, which were bright pink. “Yes, but on the opposite side of the bed, I’m afraid. I need Collin to let me get some decent sleep. I have a feeling he’s trying to go head-to-head with Mitch in the baby department.”
    Charity swooned. “Oh, that I could be plagued with such a problem!”
    “Okay, ladies, then let’s put our prayers to the task at hand.” Lizzie grinned, feeling better than she had in weeks. “Faith, you’re on.” She squeezed her sisters’ hands and closed her eyes.
    Charity tugged on her arm. “Wait a minute. Before we pray, I want to make sure you’re clear on one thing. The most important thing is that you get that kiss—one way or the other. Understand?”
    Lizzie nodded, her heart thumping in her chest.
    “Good. So I’ve given my expertise, now Faith can give you hers. Ready?”
    Faith grinned. “Finally—a battleground I feel comfortable with!” She closed her eyes. “Lord God, we thank you for our husbands . . . and potential husband in Brady. Help us to be the wives you want us to be. Give Mitch an overwhelming attraction for Charity, especially now when she needs it most. Give Charity wisdom in this situation, and please turn it around. And as far as Collin goes, Lord, I think he wants a baby really badly. We both do. So I’m putting that in your hands too. Psalm 113:9 says that you ‘make the barren woman abide in the house as a joyful mother of children.’ That’s what I’m asking, Lord. For me, Charity, and Lizzie. And speaking of Lizzie, we only want what you want. So if Brady’s not right for her, please heal her heart and bring the right man into her life. But if Brady is being stiff-necked and blind to the woman you have for him in Lizzie, we’re asking that you open his eyes. And if there are other barriers in the way, knock ’em down, Lord, like a tunnel of dominoes. Give Lizzie wisdom and patience in the process . . . and Brady a swift kick in the behind. Amen.”
    Faith opened her eyes and grinned. “Get ready to say goodbye to Big Brother Brady, Lizzie. Something deep down inside tells me that man is history.”

    “Lizzie O’Connor, it’s about time! God knows I’ve done everything I can to drag you into the modern era.” Millie sighed. “Including changing that goody-goody name of yours into something more hotsy-totsy. You’re lucky to have sisters like Faith and Charity. Meg wouldn’t do that for me.”
    Lizzie grinned at her best friend, then turned to fiddle with the display of bestsellers in the window of the Bookends bookstore. She stood back to assess with a critical eye. “That’s because you don’t need