Bitter Hearts (A Southern Loving Book 3) by Ava Thorn Read Free Book Online Page B

she realized that she couldn’t continue to live
like that. Kari felt trapped and that she couldn’t get a grip on her own life.
It was time for her live, love, and trust again.
    ***
    Hank
sat on the bed with his head in his hands.  It was nearly 10 o’clock at night
and there was no sleep in his future. Since Natalie left him months ago, he was
unable to sleep. He kept thinking what he could have done differently to make
her stay. All the signs pointed to that love was lost. Hank called and texted
Natalie every day begging her to come home. He wasn’t ready to let her go even
though she was with another man. He kept hope that one day she’d come home and
put her key through the door. But maybe it was time for him to stop pretending,
she obviously didn’t want to make it work.
    Standing
up from the bed, Hank went to the dresser drawer and pulled out Natalie’s
clothes and started to pack them up in boxes. Maybe in the future she would
come back, but until then he would have to let her go. Picking up the wedding
picture of them, Hank traced Natalie beautiful face. Why couldn’t she love
him?  He gave her everything that she needed and wanted. Tears blurred his
vision as he threw the pictures and empty jewelry box against the wall.  What
was wrong with him? What could he do to make her love him? He would do anything
for her to love him.
    Stumbling
out the bedroom he made his way to the kitchen and fixed himself a glass of
bourbon. He was drunk, angry and hurt. He didn’t need love or a woman to make
him happy. It would take the whole bottle of bourbon to help relieved the pain.
He made a lot of scarifies for her and the only thing he got in return was a
slap in the face.
    Natalie
was gone and now he was left to pick up the broken pieces. He felt like he was
caught in a maze and all he was doing was going around in the circle. Hank felt
like was lost and there was no way out this hellhole. He couldn’t see no light
guiding him out of his darkness. Somehow, he had to find his way out the dark and
back home, until then he would be wandering around in agony.

 
    Chapter Three
     
    Saturday
came by swiftly. Kari found herself wondering where the week went as she drove
to Hank’s house. She was surprised to find out that he lived on Southern Hearts
Ranch too. Following his directions, she turned on the private road that lead
straight to his house. It was hard not to gaze out the window and at the horses
and cattle in the pastures.
    Driving
up the hill, Kari’s mouth gaped open as she looked at the two-story white and
brown Tudor house that held characteristic with its weeping mortar brick
exterior, flared eves arched, gables, and triple-stacked chimneys. The house
was a new model but Hank added Grand stone and wrought iron and lush
landscaping to give it a dated look. The house had to be at least three miles
away from the main house and sat on twenty-one acres. Kari was in complete
shock. Hank must be confused on what a mini mansion and a cottage was.  This
house was grand and nothing like a crackerjack cottage.
    Parking
next to his red truck in front of the garage, Kari made sure she had workbag as
she got out. Trekking up the stone pathway to the front she knocked on the slightly
ajar classic wood door and waited for Hank. Knocking for the second time, she
walked inside the house which was an utter masterpiece with a gourmet kitchen,
dining and living room area.
    “Hank!”
Kari called out.
    Normally
she would’ve stopped at the foyer, but her curiosity got the best of her. The
walls were painted a light tan color, but the furniture didn’t match the
function of the home. Kari noticed the house lacked personality. The heavy
drapes prevented natural lights from shining into the house.
     Instead
of going up the stairs, she journey down the hallway and opened the second door
on the left. She inspected the master suite; it’s generous size with a tall
stone fireplace and a sitting room. Her high heels clicked