LITTLE GIRL LOST by SARAH BETH LEE (bill gates books to read TXT) 📖

the table top a couple of weeks ago. I saw her face when she looked at the letters and she knew what they stood for so she definitely knows something.”

Nick only had a few more weeks and then he would make his move but the timing had to be perfect. Christmas Eve was the day he had set for his first face to face visit with Hannah. He had it all planned out and he hoped that it went according to plan. As his thoughts drifted to another time and place Zach watched his face and he knew he was in the land of Hannah.

“Zach here’s the thing I feel as if she and I are connected in some way I can’t even begin to explain. It’s like I already knew her before that day but I don’t know how. I don’t recall ever seeing her before but if I had I don’t see how I could’ve forgotten her. I can’t explain it but that voice touched my heart as if I had heard it a million times before and those eyes I don’t think I could ever forget those eyes. It was as if I could see into her soul with just one look at her huge hazel eyes with every emotion she was feeling staring back at me.”

Zach watched Nick’s face as he spoke and he ached for his brother. He had only done a basic search on Hannah but he hadn’t really dug deep maybe that would explain the connection. He had a nagging feeling that it has something to do with the death of Hannah’s father and the events that took place that week. The mind was a complex thing and it had a way of blocking out the past; maybe Hannah had always been there buried deep inside the dark crevices of his mind.

“Nick just stop putting so much pressure on yourself and think back to the darkest point in your life. I know how hard that is but if you somehow met Hannah during that time you might have blocked it out as a sense of self preservation.”

Nick sat up too fast and his elbows immediately fell to his knees as he clutched his head. “Zach my head feels like it is going to explode, please close the curtains.” Zach took pity on his friend and closed the blinds. Nick sat up and looked at Zach. “Now that is completely crazy even for you! You really think I met her during the same time my family died and that I have forgotten? I remember everything about that day.”

Zach hated reopening all the old wounds but he thought it was the key to explaining everything. Nick had the answer somewhere deep inside and only he could find it. “Nick you remember everything about that day from the time you woke up. You remember the clothes you put on, what you had for breakfast and what you watched on TV but after the accident you shut down. I know I wasn’t there but you told me yourself that you were barely breathing and that it was as if you were on auto pilot. You went through the motions but can you honestly tell me who was at the wake? Who sat beside you at the funeral and who you might have bumped into during that week? I’m just saying it’s possible you met Hannah at the hospital when you got checked out or maybe on the street when you left to get some air. I don’t know when you met her but I feel sure that at some point in time you met her before two weeks ago.”

“Maybe your right I don’t know but I do know that I want to know her now.”

Zach crossed the room and placed his hand on Nick’s shoulder. “Nick what are you waiting for?”

Nick wasn’t really sure, maybe he was stalling or maybe he was trying to make sure Hannah was ready to meet him or maybe he was scared. “I don’t want to rush meeting her. I just want it to be perfect.”

“Nick tell me what did you do?”

Nick hadn’t been listening to Zach so he had missed the question behind the question. “What are you talking about? Do about what?”

“Hannah she has changed since the first time I met her. She was so closed off from the world and she was scared for anyone to know her name or who she was but now she has opened up in ways I never thought possible. I don’t think that two weeks ago she would’ve been at any bar drinking and talking to some random guy. Lucky for you it was Carter any other guy would’ve taken advantage of her in that situation.”

Nick knew he was right but he had never thought about what he did changing her so much. He had only wanted her to know that someone cared about her and that she wasn’t alone. He knew how scary the world could be when you didn’t have anyone to count on or to help you figure out which way to go.

“That night you went to see Hannah and I helped Lucas out at the lab I went back to the Christmas after her dad died. I bought her a Christmas ornament and had it delivered by a messenger service. I then went back the next week and took money to purchase little gifts and cards to have delivered to her at different times in her life; holidays, birthdays, graduation, her Aunt and cousin’s funeral and then sometimes for no reason at all. I just wanted her to know that someone cared what happened to her.”

Zach sat in silence and watched as Nick sat brooding in the corner of the couch. He had no idea what repercussions this might have but as far as he could tell it had only made Hannah happier.

“Nick that wasn’t very smart but I think maybe it did help her. So what are you going to do now? Thanksgiving is the day after tomorrow and you promised mom you’d be there this year.”

“I know and I will be my plans for the day’s events are open but the night is a different story.”

Zach was intrigued by this and he wondered what Nick was thinking. This was the first time since his family’s death and now he was apparently making a move toward Hannah; Zach hoped he didn’t get hurt in the process.

“Nick what exactly are you planning for Thanksgiving night?”

Nick grinned, “I can’t really say because I haven’t figured it all out but maybe I’ll have all the answers I need by the end of the night.”

Zach wasn’t sure if that was a good idea but Nick wouldn’t listen so he kept his opinions to himself. He walked toward the kitchen, “You know we’re all going to the movies tomorrow night why don’t I just ask Hannah to join us?”

“That’s an ongoing family tradition and I don’t really want to meet her for the first time with an audience.”

“Fine but I hope you know what you’re doing. I’m going to make some breakfast while you take a shower and act human.”

Nick didn’t think he could move much less take a shower but the smell of last night was starting to get to him. He pulled himself up off the couch and crawled to the shower. As the hot water cascaded down his face he wondered how Hannah was doing and if she felt half as bad as he did. He closed his eyes trying to forget how bad his head was pounding and the way his stomach was rolling. He hadn’t been drunk in a long time but last night he had just wanted to forget his own name. He had succeeded for a while but now in the light of another day he had to admit that he was in way over his head. He really didn’t know much about Hannah but he wanted to know her and that was what killed him the not knowing. He ached for her touch as if he already knew how her elegant hand would feel as she ran one silk finger along his hand or how her soft lips would tremble as he leaned in close enough that he could feel her breath on his face just before he kissed her for the first time. He knew there might be a reason he felt this connection but he already knew it didn’t matter because he was already mad about her. As the water began to run cold he climbed out of the shower and grabbed a towel.

After a few minutes in the bathroom he walked to his room to get dressed. He pulled on a black sweater and faded jeans. He made his way to the kitchen and found Zach putting a plate of bacon and toast on the table.

“Here eat this and try to hurry up we need to stop by mom’s on the way to the lab.”

Nick nodded his head as he threw the bacon on the toast and grabbed the napkin. “Ok you drive I’ll eat.”

“Fine but please don’t throw up in the car.”

Nick laughed and put his sunglasses on as he walked out the door behind Zach. He climbed into the car and closed his eyes against the harsh glare of the sun. “Zach don’t ever let me act that stupid again.”

“I think I’ve heard that before but the good news is you’ll eventually feel better.”

Nick wasn’t sure if he would ever feel better but maybe miracles did happen. He was praying for one on Thursday. He smiled to himself Hannah was the miracle he just prayed he didn’t screw up his chance
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Maddie woke up and saw that Hannah was still sprawled out on the couch. She had kicked the cover off and she was now laying face down with her head buried under the pillows. Maddie hated to wake her but she knew that she had to get up and get moving.

“H, honey it’s time to wake up.” Maddie watched as Hannah rolled over and squinted at the bright white light. She finally focused on Maddie. “Is it morning already?”

“I’m afraid so, come on let’s get you moving.” Maddie helped Hannah to the shower and then walked to the kitchen to fix her toast and peanut butter and an icy diet coke. She picked up the newspaper and laid it on the table. A few minutes later Hannah stumbled through the door and looked somewhat awake.

“Maddie I am so sorry for acting so stupid and irresponsible last night.”

Maddie shook her head, “Don’t worry about it H, you are the most responsible person I know. I think you grew up too fast and that last night was