Okay, now he felt like an absolute ass. Did her brother really look up to him? “No, I’m sorry. I’ll call Marty tomorrow. I’ll apologize. Is he really trying to clean up his diet?”
That was the way her entire family ate. Her father was the same, more than three hundred pounds, and her sister and mother were all about the TV dinners, the fast food. It was still a wonder to him how different Elizabeth was.
“Yup, he wants to still be around in ten, twenty years, to get married and have a future, to be more like you.” She actually reached over and rested her hand on his jean-clad leg, rubbing. The way she looked at him, the intensity, had him feeling like he was really such a total and complete ass, so unworthy of her.
“Yeah, well, not sure picking me to look up to is such a wise move,” he said, pulling back, feeling himself spiraling back into tiredness, disillusionment, everything he’d been drowning in as of late.
“Why would you say such a thing?” Elizabeth said. “Seriously, I have never heard you put yourself down—and for that matter, this mood of yours has been going on for a really long time, and I’m done with it. My brother looks up to you for the choices you’ve made, for the good, decent, and loving person you are, even though there are times like right now where I want to smack you silly. Look at everything you have, this place, your business. I thought you loved being a contractor, working for yourself, calling the shots. I mean, at least now you’re not having to chase people around to get paid. Now you get to handle it all. You said this was your dream, and I’ve supported you. Good God, Gabriel, even Shaunty has seen how off you’ve been. You’re distracted and moody, and we never know which Gabriel is going to walk through that door. I was starting to wonder if it was me.”
Even though it was dark, with just the flashlight casting a soft beam, he didn’t miss how her eyes seemed to glass over. She pressed her fingers to them and wiped.
“You thought it was you? No, Elizabeth, don’t ever think that. Get that out of your head.” He reached over and ran his hand over her arm and her cheek, feeling a tear he hadn’t seen run down her face. She sniffed. What had he done?
“Then what is it, Gabriel? Because you’re not sharing anything, and I’m not the only one who’s been wondering what’s going on with you. Even Sara said you snapped at her the other day. She called today and asked if everything was okay between the two of us. She said even your mom and dad and your brothers were wondering if our marriage was in trouble.”
He could feel his jaw slacken as he racked his brain, trying to figure out how they could come up with such a ridiculous idea. He laughed and shook his head. “Geez, talk about reading into something. So my family’s concerned for us, and what did you say to them?”
She shrugged. “It was just your sister, and she was worried. What was I supposed to say to her? Nothing, because I have no idea what’s going on with you. You’re a closed book, Gabriel, and when you don’t want to let someone into your thoughts and feelings, they’re not getting in. I know that, your family knows that. So if it’s not me you’re angry with, then who is it, Gabriel? I haven’t pushed. I’ve given you space. Shaunty and I feel at times as if we’re walking on eggshells around you. In case you forgot the part about us being married, I’m the one person you should be sharing with. For that matter, if it was me walking around, being moody and difficult and not sharing, I’m pretty sure you wouldn’t give me the same space I’ve given you. Seriously, what was I supposed to think? I ask you something, you give me a one-word answer. We don’t talk about our days, how Shaunty is doing in school. It’s as if you’ve completely shut me out. You’ve stopped sharing anything…”
She lifted her hands, and he could feel the way the air was charged with emotion, anxiety, angst, and he was responsible for all of it.
“I want to find my father,” he said.
She said nothing at first, staring at him as if he’d lost his mind. “Why?”
“That’s why I said nothing, because of the look you’re giving me now.” He knew she didn’t get it. “Because I want him to look me in the eye when I tell him he’s a worthless piece of shit. No, scratch that.” He gestured to himself. “What I really want is for him to look me in the eye and tell me he’s sorry.”
Click here to order How to Heal a Heart and keep reading! Or Grab the collection below at a specially reduced price!
This boxed set collection in The Friessen Legacy Series includes The Visitor, All About Devon, Long Past Dawn & How to Heal a Heart
New York Times & USA Today bestselling author Lorhainne Eckhart returns with a Friessen family character who must come to terms with unfinished business and long-buried hurts—not just for her family but for herself.
All About Devon
New York Times & USA Today bestselling author Lorhainne Eckhart brings young love and redemption in this Friessen family novella about a sweet small town romance.
Long Past Dawn
Two years ago, Sara Friessen’s life was changed forever when a young man from the wrong side of the tracks saved her from a brutal assault.
How to Heal a Heart
NY Times & USA Today bestselling author Lorhainne Eckhart brings you a Friessen family novel about one man’s choice to come to terms with a past that has secretly haunted him.
About the Author
"Lorhainne Eckhart is one of my go to authors when I want a guaranteed good book. So many twists and turns, but also so much love and such a strong sense of family."
(Lora W., Reviewer)
New York Times & USA Today bestseller Lorhainne Eckhart writes Raw Relatable Real Romance is best known for her big family romances series, where “Morals and family are running themes. Danger, romance, and a drive to do what is right will see you glued to the page.” As one fan calls her, she is the “Queen of the family saga.” (aherman) writing “the ups and downs of what goes on within a family but also with some suspense, angst and of course a bit of romance thrown in for good measure.” Follow Lorhainne on Bookbub to receive alerts on New Releases and Sales and join her mailing list at LorhainneEckhart.com for her Monday Blog, books news, giveaways and FREE reads. With over 120 books, audiobooks, and multiple series published and available at all retailers now translated into six languages. She is a multiple recipient of the Readers’ Favorite Award for Suspense and Romance, and lives in the Pacific Northwest on an island, is the mother of three, her oldest has autism and she is an advocate for never giving up on your dreams.
"Lorhainne Eckhart has this uncanny way of just hitting the spot every time with her books.”
(Caroline L., Reviewer)
The O’Connells: The O’Connells of Livingston, Montana are not your typical family. A riveting collection of stories surrounding the ups and downs of what goes on within a family but also with some suspense, angst and of course a bit of romance thrown in for good measure “I thought I loved the Friessens, but I absolutely adore the O’Connell’s. Each and every book has totally different genres of stories but the one thing in common is how she is able to wrap it around the family which is the heart of each story.” (C. Logue)
The Friessens: An emotional big family romance series, the Friessen family siblings find their relationships tested, lay their hearts on the line, and discover lasting love! “Lorhainne Eckhart is one of my go to authors when I want a guaranteed good book. So many twists and turns, but also so much love and such a strong sense of family.” (Lora W., Reviewer)
The Parker Sisters: The Parker Sisters are a close-knit family, and like any other family they have their ups and downs. “Eckhart has crafted another intense family drama…The character development is outstanding, and the emotional investment is high…" (Aherman, Reviewer)
The McCabe Brothers: Join the five McCabe siblings on their journeys to the dark and dangerous side of love! An intense, exhilarating collection of romantic thrillers you won’t want to miss. — “Eckhart has a new series that is definitely worth the read. The queen of the family saga started this series wi
th a spin-off of her wildly successful Friessen series.” From a Readers’ Favorite award—winning author and “queen of the family saga” (Aherman)
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Lorhainne loves to hear from her readers! You can connect with me at:
www.LorhainneEckhart.com
[email protected]
Links to Lorhainne Eckhart’s Booklist
The following Lorhainne Eckhart titles are available in ebook, audiobook and paperback. Please scroll down for the links or visit her website at www.LorhainneEckhart.com for all available retailers.
The Outsider Series
The Forgotten Child (Brad and Emily)
A Baby and a Wedding (An Outsider Series Short)
Fallen Hero (Andy, Jed, and Diana)
The Search (An Outsider Series Short)
The Awakening (Andy and Laura)
Secrets (Jed and Diana)
Runaway (Andy and Laura)
Overdue (An Outsider Series Short)
The Unexpected Storm (Neil and Candy)
The Wedding (Neil and Candy)
The Friessens: A New Beginning
The Deadline (Andy and Laura)
The Price to Love (Neil and Candy)
A Different Kind of Love (Brad and Emily)
A Vow of Love, A Friessen Family Christmas
The Friessens
The Reunion
The Bloodline (Andy & Laura)
The Promise (Diana & Jed)
The Business Plan (Neil & Candy)
The Decision (Brad & Emily)
First Love (Katy)
Family First
Leave the Light On
In the Moment
In the Family: A Friessen Family Christmas
In the Silence
In the Stars
In the Charm
Unexpected Consequences
It Was Always You
The First Time I Saw You
Welcome to My Arms
Welcome to Boston
I’ll Always Love You
Ground Rules
A Reason to Breathe
You Are My Everything
Anything For You
The Homecoming includes FREE short story When They Were Young
Stay Away From My Daughter
The Bad Boy
A Place to Call Our Own
The Visitor
All About Devon
Long Past Dawn
How to Heal a Heart
The Friessen Legacy Collections
1) The Outsider Series: The Complete Omnibus Collection
2) The Friessens A New Beginning: The Collection
3) The Friessens Books 1 - 5 Box Set
4) The Friessens Books 6 -8
5) The Friessen Books 9 - 11
6) The Friessen Books 12 - 14
7) The Friessen Books 15 - 18
8) The Friessen Books 19 -21
9. The Friessen Books 22 - 24
10) The Friessens Books 25 - 27
11) The Friessens Books 28 - 31
The O’Connells
The Neighbor
The Third Call
The Secret Husband
The Quiet Day
The Commitment
The Missing Father
The Hometown Hero
Justice
The Family Secret
The Fallen O’Connell
The Return of the O’Connells
And The She Was Gone
The Stalker
The O’Connells Box Set Collections
The O’Connells Books 1 - 3
The O’Connells Books 4 - 6
The McCabe Brothers
Don’t Stop Me (Vic)
Don’t Catch Me (Chase)
Don’t Run From Me (Aaron)
Don’t Hide From Me (Luc)
Don’t Leave Me - Claudia
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or grab THE MCCABE BROTHERS THE COMPLETE COLLECTION at a special reduced price.
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Out of Time, A McCabe Christmas Novella
The Wilde Brothers
The One (Joe and Margaret)
The Honeymoon, A Wilde Brothers Short
Friendly Fire (Logan and Julia)
Not Quite Married, A Wilde Brothers Short
A Matter of Trust (Ben and Carrie)
The Reckoning, A Wilde Brothers Christmas
Traded (Jake)
Unforgiven (Samuel)
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Click here to grab The Wilde Brother The Complete Collection at a specially reduced price!
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The Holiday Bride
Married in Montana
His Promise
Love’s Promise
A Promise of Forever
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Or click here and grab Married in Montana the three book collection at a specially reduced price
The Parker Sisters
Thrill of the Chase
The Dating Game
Play Hard to Get
What We Can’t Have
Go Your Own Way
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Or click here to grab The Parker Sisters 5 Book collection at a specially reduced price
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A June Wedding
Kate and Walker: Deadly, Dangerous and Desired Series
One Night
Edge of Night
Last Night
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Or grab the Kate & Walker Collection at a specially reduced price
Walk the Right Road Series
The Choice
Lost and Found
Merkaba
Bounty
Blown Away: The Final Chapter
Or click here to grab all the books in the Walk the Right Road series in one boxed set collection
The Saved Series
Saved
Vanished
Captured
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Or click here to grab The Saved Series: The Complete Collection, with all the books in this military thriller.
Single Titles
He Came Back
Loving Christine
Boxed Sets & Collections
Danger Deception Devotion, The Firsts: A collection of eight novels all first in series. A great collection if unsure of which series to begin with.
For my German Readers
Die Außenseiter-Reihe
Der Vergessene Junge
Der Gefallene Held
For my French Readers
L’ENFANT OUBLIÉ
#6--The Missing Father--O’Connells Page 12
