Loving Tenderness by Gail Gaymer Martin Read Free Book Online Page B

before speaking again. “How about police protection?”
    “I was granted a protection order, but I’m afraid it won’t stop Jack. He’s so vicious he…” She paused and looked away.
    Andrew didn’t know if he should speak or wait.
    “I’m sorry,” she said. “Let’s forget my problems.”
    He wanted to remind her that God promised to bear her burdens, but he recalled that when he was in hershoes, he didn’t remember that, either. If he had remembered, he’d been too ashamed to ask the Lord for help.
    She gave a faint shrug, then waved to JJ who was tossing the ball in the air and trying to catch it.
    “He misses his friends,” Hannah said. “I’m thinking we can go back once the locks are changed. At least I’ll have the protection order, and I can always hope it helps. Maybe with the note he left, the judge will give Jack some jail time.”
    Andrew’s next question seemed almost pointless, thinking of Jack’s compulsive behavior. “Have you pressed charges?”
    “Yes.” Her gaze drifted from him to JJ.
    “If you need someone to help with anything, just ask. I’d be happy to do what I can.”
    “Thanks,” she said. “You’ve already done too much.”
    He didn’t respond, his thoughts captured by a new question. “Do you feel safe at work?”
    “I don’t know, but as I said, I start a new job in mid-May. Jack won’t know where I am unless he follows me.” Her downcast eyes snapped upward suddenly and her gaze captured his. “Although that’s not beyond him.”
    Andrew agreed. He wondered what was keeping the guy from finding her now. “Where’s the new job?”
    “Loving Chocolate. I’ll be a candymaker there.”
    “Candymaker. Sounds like a sweet place to work.” He grimaced at his silly comment, but she smiled and that pleased him. He’d begun to notice that many things pleased him about Hannah.
    Before their conversation continued, a commotion sounded from inside, and his gut knotted. Hannah rose,but Andrew’s arm flew forward to stop her. “Stay here,” he said before he darted inside.
    He met Annie in the hallway and, seeing her ashen face, skidded to a stop. “What is it? What’s all the noise?”
    Annie pressed her hand against her chest. “He’s after Hannah, and he’s determined to get in.”

Chapter Four
    A ndrew motioned Annie toward the shelter’s office. “Call 911,” Andrew whispered, “while I get Hannah and JJ inside before Jack tries the back door.” He was certain the violent intruder was Hannah’s ex-husband. “I’ll talk with him.”
    Annie faltered. “No. It’s not your responsibility. I can’t—”
    “You can,” he said, again steering her toward the phone. Relieved when she followed his instructions, Andrew dashed to the back door.
    Hannah had already come through the doorway, clutching JJ to her side. “What is it?” Panic filled her eyes as if she already knew the answer.
    Jack’s rantings resounded through the front entrance, and JJ began to cry as he clasped his mother’s leg.
    “You’ll be fine, son,” Andrew said, closing and locking the back door. He motioned toward the hallway. “Get into your room and pull the window shades. I’ll take care of it.”
    Hannah did as he asked, and as Andrew raced pastthe office doorway, Annie’s tense voice met his ears. His teeth ground together, his jaw aching with tension. Witnessing the fear in Hannah’s eyes and seeing the boy’s fright, too, fired him into action. Andrew had never been a fighter, but now his dark past rose up to meet him, for once, without guilt. He’d learned to be strong and maneuver well in difficult situations. Today that skill could be his ally.
    He grasped the doorknob and jerked open the door, not knowing what might happen but asking God to be his fortress.
    The action appeared to startle Jack, and he stumbled backward for a moment before regaining control.
    The stench of alcohol attacked Andrew’s senses. Jack’s unshaven face sagged while his