“Dating? You mean Alexa and my dad?”
“Yeah.”
“No, why do you ask that?”
“They act like they are. You know, like in the movies.”
“I think my dad is clueless.”
Ashley giggled. “Sounds like my uncle Zachary. At least that’s what my mom says. She’s thinking of tricking him into dating.”
“Tricking him? How?”
“Invite a girl to dinner and him, too. Not make it seem like it’s a date but it really is. Throw them together until he gets the picture.”
Throw them together? Maybe she could do that. “Alexa is at my house all the time.”
“It should be easy then.” Ashley snapped her fingers. “I’ve got a great plan. The HHH Valentine’s Day party is next Saturday here at the ranch. Get Alexa to come with you and your dad. You can hang with me and my friends and leave them by themselves.”
Maybe if Alexa and her dad started dating, he would be happy all the time. She enjoyed having Alexa around. She could talk to Alexa. Better than she ever did with her mom. For a few seconds that thought bothered her as though she was a traitor to her own mother, but then she remembered how Alexa was there for her. She made her feel special. Her dad should get to feel that way, too.
Later that afternoon, Alexa finished up helping Jana write a story about her first riding lesson. “Show that to your dad tonight. He’ll enjoy it.”
“He always enjoys what I write. He’s special, don’t ya think?”
Alexa started to rise from the kitchen table, but sank back down. Jana’s question threw her off balance. “Well, yes, he is.”
“He has a good job. He’s not bad to look at. He stays in shape, not like some fathers I’ve seen. He’s—”
“What are you doing, Jana?” Finally, Alexa pushed to her feet, looking down at the child, who grinned.
She wiped the smile from her face and shrugged. “Just talking about what a great guy he is.” Her mouth formed a pout. “But I think he’s lonely. He stays home a lot. He doesn’t get to meet nice women like you. He needs to start dating.”
“Jana, don’t you think you should let your dad make that decision when he’s ready?” The thought of Ian dating some other woman didn’t sit well with her.
Jana placed her elbow on the table and tapped her finger against her chin. “You know, Ashley said something about the Valentine’s party for the families in Helping Hands Homeschooling. I think we should go. What do ya think about doing that?”
“I think that’s a great suggestion for you and your dad,” Alexa said, all the while thinking: Jana’s trying to fix her dad up with other women. Her stomach roiled as though she’d eaten something that didn’t agree with her.
“Great. It’s next Saturday night. Put it on your calendar. We’re gonna have fun.”
“But I didn’t mean me. It’s a family affair.”
“You’ve got to come. I won’t know too many people there.” Jana’s pout strengthened. “Maybe I shouldn’t go.”
Alexa put her hand on her waist. “Jana Ferguson, you’re manipulating me.”
“Is it working? Will ya go?”
“Fine, I’ll be there on Saturday night.” Alexa shoved in her chair, started to turn toward the kitchen to refill her mug, when she stopped. “Where is the Valentine’s Day party?” She wasn’t agreeing because of Ian but because of Jana. The more the child got out of the house, the better it would be for Jana.
Yeah, right, Alexa.
Okay, Ian needs someone to save him from getting involved with the wrong woman.
Oh, that’s a good one.
“The party’s at the ranch in the barn. Won’t that be different? Ashley told me there would be square dancing. Her uncle learned to call it while they were doing a unit on the Old West.”
“Square dancing? I’ve never done it.”
Jana rose and leaned close to Alexa. “Tell ya a secret, neither has Dad. In fact, I don’t think Dad has ever danced. He said something about having two left feet once when he came in while I was watching a show about dancing on TV. You ought to get him out on the dance floor. You two should be a riot.”
The flush of embarrassment heated Alexa’s cheeks. “I don’t think I want to be the object of amusement for anyone. And I’m sure your dad doesn’t either.”
“I’m just kidding. Zachary is gonna teach some of the steps so people can do it. I hope you can get Dad to dance. He needs to have some fun again.”
“You’d have a better chance than me.” Alexa covered the distance to the kitchen and picked up the kettle from the stove to pour some hot water for her tea. “Don’t you have a birthday coming up soon?” she asked, hoping to take Jana off the topic of her father.
“Yeah, March 8th.”
“What are you gonna do for it?”
Jana lifted her shoulders, her arms out wide. “Any suggestions?”
“A party. Invite your friends.”
“Other than Ashley I’ve lost track of most of them this past year.”
“Well, you’ve got the kids that come to class on Wednesdays and Fridays. Then there are Kelly and Aaron next door. Think about it. Maybe it would be a good time to see how your old friends are doing. Or you could have a slumber party with a few girls. Watch movies, eat lots of popcorn and stay up all night.”
Jana’s eyes grew round as Alexa ticked off activities the kids could do. “I like that!”
“Like what, pumpkin?” Ian asked from the doorway, his hair a bit tousled, the long sleeves on his white shirt rolled up.
Alexa paused in stirring the sugar into her tea. He looks good. The thought stopped her movements and sent her heart beating double time.
“Alexa thinks I should have a party for my birthday.”
“She does?” Ian’s penetratingly blue gaze latched on to hers. “I suppose you’re going to volunteer to chaperone, too.”
Alexa brought the mug to her lips and took a tentative sip. “Jana hasn’t decided what she’s gonna do.”
“Yes, I have. I want to have a sleepover the Friday night before, and you being here to keep my dad in line is great.”
No way in a thousand years. In fact, never. Too dangerous to my peace of mind. “I’ll have to check my calendar. I seem to remember my singles group at church has something going on.” Which was true. They did the first Friday of every month, and she had attended a few times when work and schooling permitted. Maybe I can come up with something more interesting than a slumber party for a soon-to-be eleven-year-old.
“You’ve got to be there. I wouldn’t be having one if you hadn’t said anything.”
Thanks for reminding me of that one. When am I going to really think things through before saying anything? “Let me see, but that shouldn’t stop you from making plans with your dad.” Alexa shot Ian a look. “And I can help with any planning and shopping for food. Actually, Jana, that would be good for us to do together.”
For a moment Jana’s teeth worried her bottom lip. “Will ya come for a part of the night at least if I do?”
“Ah, manipulating me twice in less than half an hour.” Alexa crossed to the window that afforded her a view of the lake and swept around to face the pair. “Fine. I’ll come and stay until midnight. Then, Ian, you’re on your own.”
Jana clapped. “Perfect. I’m gonna get some paper and make a list of who I’m gonna invite.”
The second she left the kitchen Alexa held up her hand. “Don’t say anything. I spoke before I really thought about it. I’m sorry…”
His strides chewed up the distance between them. “Do you realize what you’ve done?”
She nodded. “But I’m not really sure you fully realize.”
He came to a halt a foot from her. “I’m almost afraid to ask what.”
A lump welled in her throat, not from anything he said, but from his nearness. “No sleep, loud noises, total disruption in any schedule you’ve got. Should I go on?” she asked over the drumming beat of her heart in h
er ears.
“Please, no. I think ignorance in this case might be bliss.” Cutting the space between them even more, he bent forward. “Today was great. It’s something I’d hoped would happen for quite some time, and now, for her to be reaching out to friends and wanting to spend time with them—it’s wonderful. Well worth any amount of loud noise.”
His musky scent engulfed her, her pulse rate responding to it. Ever since Sunday when he’d almost kissed her, she’d wondered what it would be like. Dreamed about it. Then today, Jana’s attempts at matchmaking had rekindled the hope yet again. Even though there were so many reasons she should back away, put the length of the room between them, she stayed rooted to the floor, praying her longing wasn’t visible in her eyes.
He took her face between his hands, his fingertips roughened and warm to the touch. “Jana was happy, content while at the ranch, and you’re the reason it happened. When you first came here, I didn’t think it would work out. Your teaching methods are—” he paused, as though searching for the right word “—so different from what is traditional. Since then I’ve discovered there are many ways for a child to learn and not to confine myself to just one.”
She noticed he’d loosened up some while teaching his math class on Wednesdays and Fridays. But she also realized simply going with the flow wasn’t totally right either. She and Jana had a routine they followed because the girl needed to know what came next.
He inched closer. “Thank you for taking the job and going beyond what a tutor does.”
The feel of his hands on her face branded her as if in that moment she’d become his. The realization struck terror in her, and yet she couldn’t move away. She remembered the pain of Daniel’s loss. Never wanted to experience it again. And she’d spent weeks telling herself that she and Ian were just too different. But she remained frozen as Ian lowered his head toward hers.
His half-lidded survey of her roamed a leisurely path from her hair to her eyes to her lips. More inches that separated them disappeared. The scent of his peppermint toothpaste swirled about her, roping her to him.
She wanted him to kiss her. Badly.
The soft brush of his lips tingled down her length. She wanted more.
The thundering in her ears evolved into honking and barking. She blinked, wrenched from the moment as Ian lifted his head slightly and looked beyond her out the window.
His eyes grew round. “Well, I’ll be.”
“What?” She whirled around and stared at the scene outside near the lake.
Four geese surrounded Sugar. The largest male went in for a nip. The dog spun around and barked some more.
Ian flew toward the door.
Pushing away all thoughts of the too-brief kiss, Alexa hurried after him, shouting, “Jana, come quick. Sugar’s out back.”
Ian gestured toward the right. “You go that way. I’ll go this way.” Veering to the left, he increased his jog, waving his arms and saying, “Scat.”
The big male goose peered at Ian as though he were crazy, which, when Alexa thought about it, was what he looked like. The gander honked and hissed, charging at Ian. The other male followed suit while the two females waddled back into the water.
Ian kept moving forward. “Get Sugar while I distract them.”
Alexa slowed her pace so she didn’t scare the dog. Sugar sat and continued to yelp in a high-pitched tone, her leash still attached to the pet.
“That’s it. Stay right there, Sugar,” she said in a soothing voice while a battle raged a few yards from her.
One gander nipped Ian on the leg, then the other one did. Ian backed away, flailing his arms like a windmill.
Alexa grabbed the end of the leash then scooped Sugar up into her embrace and hung on for dear life. The back door banged close, and Jana raced toward them, brandishing the sweater Alexa had worn to work.
The largest gander took a look at the third human invading his territory, gave one final hiss and padded back to the lake, with the other male trailing behind him. Quickly the four geese swam away.
“Are you all right?” Alexa asked Ian while she handed the dog to Jana, and the child passed her the sweater.
“I think my pride is all that’s hurt.” Massaging his thigh, Ian checked on the geese’s progress out to the middle of the lake. “Those two ganders could give lessons to the military on defending their territory. Hon, is Sugar okay?” he asked his daughter.
“She’s great. She came home.” Jana hugged her dog to her chest. “I’m never letting her go.” She started for the house, rubbing her face against Sugar’s neck, the leash dragging on the ground behind them.
“Life may get interesting around the Ferguson house-hold with my daughter lugging her dog everywhere she goes.” Limping slightly, Ian headed for the patio.
“She’ll get tired of it after a while. Fifteen pounds doesn’t sound like a lot until you carry it a long time.” Alexa glanced at the time on the clock in the kitchen. “I’ve got to go. My class starts in twenty minutes.”
“You wouldn’t have been so surprised if you had a watch on and kept track of the time.”
His grin that accompanied that observation made her frown. “You enjoyed pointing that out.” She wouldn’t even go into the fact that earlier, her lack of attention to the time had more to do with him briefly kissing her, not her lack of a watch. He could distract more than a gaggle of geese honking at the same time.
At school, Dr. Baker stopped Alexa right after her class. “How’s it going with Jana and Ian?”
“Fine. Jana is doing great. She struggles with math, but we’ve been doing some hands-on activities that I think have helped.”
“I’ve heard from one or two of the kids who come over for math lessons that they’re doing some fun projects after Mr. Ferguson explains the concept. Is that your doing?”
“Not for the past week. Ian’s getting into it and has been coming up with different ways to help the kids with fractions. Next he’s gonna do some geometry with them. That should be interesting.”
“Has Sugar been found?” Nancy started walking toward the main foyer.
“Yes. Right before I came to class.”
“Good, I’m glad Sugar is home where she belongs.” She glanced at Alexa. “I’ve been wanting to talk to you. I’ve found a scholarship I want you to apply for. It’s a full scholarship for a year, which includes tuition, books, and living expenses for two semesters, plus it will pay off your student loans in exchange for committing to teaching for three years in an underdeveloped country where Christian Teachers International runs a school. You could complete your schooling by December instead of the summer semester next year. I know you’ve dreamed of working overseas, and I know you’ve got some hefty student loans. This could be your opportunity. Come to my office. I’ll give you the paperwork.”
Alexa paused in the large entrance area into the Education Building. “When is the deadline?”
“Three weeks. The organization will interview the four finalists in Oklahoma City, and if you get it, you could go full-time this summer and finish up with student teaching in the fall and a few classes. What do you say?”
Nancy dangled her dream before her, but for a moment all she could think about was Jana’s look of joy when she’d seen Sugar and Ian’s expression as he’d cupped her face right before his lips had touched hers. She wouldn’t see them after she left Tallgrass if she got the scholarship, at least not for three years. Yet this was what she and Daniel had wanted to do. She’d promised him at his memorial service to fulfill their dream.
“Alexa, is everything all right?”
She shook the thoughts from her mind. “Yes. You’re right, this is an opportunity I can’t pass up.”
Nancy moved across the foyer toward the hallway where the faculty offices were. “If you’re the winner, you’ll know by the second week in April.”
“I’ve got to fill out the application and be one of the finalists first.”
Inside her office, Nancy crossed
to her desk, rummaged through a stack of folders and pulled one out. “Here’s the application. It’ll take a few hours to complete, but it’ll be well worth it. Christian Teachers International has some dynamite people working for them.”
The small pile of papers in the folder attested to the hours she would have to invest. “Thanks, Nancy. I appreciate you thinking of me.”
“You’re the only one of my students I thought had a chance at this scholarship. See you Thursday.”
Out in the hallway Alexa flipped through the pages in the folder. This was her future—not anyone here in Tallgrass. She stuck the application in her backpack then hurried toward her car. She’d start answering the questions tonight and would work each night until the paperwork was completed.
But when she pulled into her driveway at the duplex, she noticed a vehicle parked behind her mother’s. A black Lincoln Town Car. One of Mom’s new friends? She’d say hello to whoever it was and then quickly escape to her bedroom to work on her application.
When she opened the door to her place, she heard low, intense voices coming from the kitchen. One was a deep bass. A male? Her mom was seeing a man? Cautiously she tiptoed toward her bedroom, deciding to disappear without telling her mother she was home.
Halfway down the short hall, her mom said, “Alexa, your dad is here in the kitchen.”
Chapter Eight
“Dad? Here?” Alexa clutched her backpack. No! Not here. Not now.
Her mother nodded.
“Why didn’t you tell me he was coming?”
“Because I didn’t know. He surprised me.”
Alexa stepped closer to her mother and lowered her voice. “Where’s he staying?”
“I’m staying at Tallgrass Inn, at least for the night.”
Alexa stiffened, but the fingers holding her book bag went slack and it fell to the floor. The thud echoed down the hallway. Her gaze swept to him standing at the end of the corridor, only three feet away. She wanted to cross the distance and hug him—the way Jana did Ian, but the hard look in his eyes, the firm set of his shoulders, the balled hands at his sides proclaimed his anger. She stayed put, remembering all the times she’d wanted to be accepted unconditionally by him but never felt she had been.
Love Lessons Page 10