Hannah (The Hawthorne Sisters) by Ava Catori Read Free Book Online

it, thinking she was messed up.
    “It doesn’t matter what other people think. What’s important is taking care of what you need, what you want in your life. You need to stop worrying what other people are thinking.”
    As she spoke the words, the irony struck her. They were the very words she needed to hear.
    After her chores, Hannah cleaned up and hopped in her truck. Something stopped her. He hadn’t made contact with her since their kiss. Maybe he’d changed his mind. Weeks had passed and neither of them made the effort. She sat thinking. Finally, she got out of her truck and went back inside. She felt foolish for even thinking he’d still be interested. If he was, he’d have come by for sure.
    Walking back through the door, she found Maggie curled up with a book. “Hey , Mags.”
    “ Hi.”
    “Are you free this weekend? I was thinking of doing something fun with Sarah . Maybe we can go riding, and just spend some time together?”
    “Sure.”
    “I’ll check in with Allie, see if she wants to go.”
    “Mom won’t ride anymore.”
    “Yeah,” Hannah sighed. “Getting back on the horse is the best medicine.”
    “You can ask, but you already know the answer.”
    “I have some morning chores, but after that, I should be good to go.”
    “ That sounds good.” Her nose was back in her book. She’d already gotten absorbed again.
    Allie had plans with Richard, and Mom said she’d have breakfast with them, but she wasn’t getting back on a horse. It would be Hannah, Maggie, and Sarah.
    When the weekend rolled around, the family sat to eat breakfast together. Nobody saw it coming. Sure, she talked about it, but they were just words. Allie dropped the bomb. She was moving in with Richard at the end of the month. That didn’t go over well.
    The aftermath of breakfast was finally passing, and t he day was a good one. It was something they all needed, to reconnect. The girls went riding, and finally made their way home. Sarah and Maggie decided to go find some ice cream, and Hannah settled in next to her mother, who was doing cross stitch.
    “We had fun. You should have come with us.”
    Her mother looked up. “I’m glad you girls spent time together. It’s nice for sisters to bond.”
    “Nice way to change the topic.”
    “Somebody came by for you earlier. I told them you’d be home later this afternoon.”
    “Oh?”
    “Some guy,” she said, “but not the right one.”
    “What?” She was confused. “ Who’s the right one?”
    “Some boy from school you used to date.”
    “Oh.” She couldn’t hide the disappointment in her voice.
    “Why don’t you just go see him?”
    Hannah shrugged. “I thought maybe he’d come see me.”
    “Maybe there’s a reason he hasn’t.”
    “Is it weird? The two of us?”
    “The heart wants what the heart wants. I saw it the moment you interacted with him. As stubborn as you are, you still couldn’t hide your attraction.”
    Hannah flushed. “He’s dad’s friend.”
    “You’re a grown woman.”
    “You’d be okay with it?”
    “It’s not for me to say who you should fall in love with. Sometimes we don’t get to choose.”
    “Why haven’t you said anything?”
    “You’re like talking to a brick wall sometimes. I love you, but you’re a stubborn mule at times, dear.”
    Hannah smiled at her mother. “Thanks, Mom.”
    Nothing else needed to be said. Hannah stood and headed out the front door. There was somebody she had to talk to – somebody she had to see.
    When she knocked, he wasn’t there. She went out to the barn, and saw Ruby was gone. He was out riding. Should she wait? Maybe this was a mistake. She knew what she wanted, but what about him? Why didn’t he come to her? Would he find her too aggressive, just showing up again? As she was about to leave, he was walking Ruby back in.
    “Hannah!”
    “Hey.”
    “It’s so good to see you.”
    “Is it?” She didn’t mean for it to come out that way.
    “Yeah, it is. I’m sorry I