Finding Hope by Brenda Coulter Read Free Book Online Page B

it!”
    A minute ago he had hurt her, but now he was just plain ticking her off. She was determined to set him straight. “That’s just it, Charlie—you’re not. But you try so hard to make yourself and everyone else believe that you are. It must be a tremendous strain. I wonder how much longer you’ll be able to keep up the act.”
    He wasn’t smiling now. “Stop it, Hope,” he said in a low, threatening tone.
    Refusing to be intimidated, she folded her arms on the table and leaned towards him. “Why?” she challenged. “Are you afraid your mask will slip?”
    â€œThere’s no mask. This is who I am. You appear to be convinced there’s something in me worth redemption. There isn’t, and your pretty illusions are in danger of being trampled. I might regret that, but I wouldn’t bend over to pick up the pieces.”
    She was very sure. “Yes, Charlie—you would.”
    He might snap at her, he might try to shock her a little, but he wouldn’t hurt her for the world. Hope knew that even if he didn’t. She had decided to be a friend to him and she always stood by her friends. If he expected her to run away just because he was a little testy, he was going to be surprised. She lifted her chin and silently defied him.
    â€œStop it, Hope,” he said again. It wasn’t a warning this time, but a plea, and sudden insight told Hope she’d pushed him too far. She had meant only to shake him up a little, but somehow she had disarmed him completely. She looked into his wide, frightened eyes and realized he understood nothing at all about friendship and trust.
    Impulsively she reached out to touch his hair. She was surprised that he didn’t shy away, but sat perfectly still, watching her face in apparent amazement. She ruffled his civilized, honey-colored waves, coaxing them to stand up rakishly.
    Satisfied with her work, she swallowed a giggle and withdrew her hand.
    He gazed at her soberly, making no effort to smooth his hair. “What was that for?”
    â€œIt needed to be done,” she said with an almost-straight face.
    â€œAre you laughing at me?”
    She was. “Don’t you think it’s about time somebody did, Charlie Hartman?”
    His mouth opened slightly and she saw his tonguemove against his cheek. He didn’t smile, but he came close.
    â€œYou’re wondering whether I’m fearless or merely stupid,” she guessed, lifting a forkful of cheesecake.
    His breath came out in a huff. “You are a most uncommon girl.”
    â€œNo,” she protested, reaching for her coffee. “I’m as ordinary as they come.”
    He shook his head in slow motion, his eyes on her all the while. “Hope, there is nothing remotely ordinary about you.”
    She lowered her cup and dropped her gaze. Aware that he was still watching her, she picked up her fork again, toying with her dessert as she prayed silently. Lord, let me show him what a real friend is. And help me teach him that You are the best friend of all.

Chapter Four
    I t appeared that she had passed some kind of test. Hope sat on her porch swing, her purse and her Bible beside her. Rocking gently, she mulled over the events of the past two weeks.
    Consciously or not, Charles had done his utmost to push her away. Confronted with his unrelenting cynicism, she’d dug in her heels and fought for him. When the smoke cleared, she’d remained standing, battered but not beaten, still determinedly waving her banner of friendship.
    And Charles had surrendered, handing her his trust as if it had been hers by right, a spoil of war.
    Hope glanced at her watch—5:50. Provided he had been able to get away from the hospital, Charles would be here in ten minutes. But people didn’t stop bleeding merely to suit Dr. Hartman’s convenience, and Hope was learning to be flexible.
    She still couldn’t believe he had actually agreed to