Fragile
M. Leighton
Language: English
Pages: 296
ISBN: 1475158378
Format: PDF / Kindle (mobi) / ePub
Her heart, as delicate as glass. His love, as strong as steel. Can either survive life and death? Hardy Bradford is an eighteen year old football phenomenon who has the girl, the school, the town and the future in the palm of his hand. His life is all mapped out for him, right down to who he’ll marry and how he’ll become a professional football player. It doesn't seem to matter that Hardy would’ve chosen a much different life if it was up to him. But it's not. At least not until his miracle comes along. The first time Hardy laid eyes on Miracle St. James, he didn’t know who she was, but he knew she was something different and that he’d never get her out of his head. And he didn’t. Now, months later, Hardy’s world is turned upside down when Miracle shows up in his class, stealing his heart and forever changing the course of his life. Miracle’s sick. Very sick. And Hardy might be losing the only thing in his life that has ever mattered. How much is too much to sacrifice for the one you love? For just a little more time? For just one more chance? Can Hardy be the hero Miracle needs? Or is it Hardy that needs saving?
always the longest hour of his life, apart from the hour following church when he would hide in his room with a toddler-age Clay, trying to entertain him while his father screamed at his mother a few doors down. Ever since, Sundays had been tense days for Hardy. He spent the day holed up in his room, staying out of trouble, as he seemed to be the source of most of his father’s biggest rages. An overwhelming need to get out of the house kept him company, but he was always afraid to leave his
himself what’s done is done. He couldn’t undo it and texting more in an attempt at damage control would likely only make things worse. So, putting his phone aside, Hardy turned onto his side and tried to put it—and Miracle—out of his mind. When he heard the ding of an incoming message, he nearly rolled out of bed scrambling to grab his phone. My fault. Not yours. And I can’t explain why, but I miss you, too. Hardy’s heart raced. Suddenly, he was no longer the least bit tired; he was elated.
He didn’t care who saw or where they were, he’d long since discovered that he was happiest when he was touching her, even in some small way like holding her hand as they walked. And so he did. And she didn’t complain. “I’ve got a surprise for you. Can I borrow you for a while after lunch?” “A surprise? Of course you can borrow me after lunch,” Miracle agreed with a grin. “Perfect. Meet me at my car?” Miracle smiled. “I’ll be there. I’ll be the one in…” She paused to look down at what she was
and shook her, Hardy saw red and fury exploded in his stomach. Slamming on the brakes, Hardy stopped right in the middle of the street, pushed the gearshift into park and leapt out. He practically ran to Miracle’s side. Jonah heard him coming. He turned toward Hardy just as Hardy’s body left the ground and flew through the air like a missile, knocking Jonah against the side of the house. Hardy heard the breath leave Jonah’s lungs in a whoosh before they both fell to the concrete porch. In the
gently rubbing Miracle’s cheek. “Miracle, honey, can you hear me?” Miracle mumbled something unintelligible as she struggled to open her eyes, to no avail. “Well?” Hardy prompted. “Is she allergic to anything? Bee stings? Anything like that?” “Not that I know of.” “Hmm. Well, it’s hard to say what it is, honey, but they’ll get her to the hospital and take a look at her there.” “So we’re waiting for the ambulance? I can get her to the hospital faster. Let me take her,” Hardy begged. “No,