Her Sister (Search For Love series)
Page 17
"Sounds good."
Alex forced his attention away from her midriff to the lawn mower. But when she walked to the house, he couldn't keep his gaze from following the sway of her hips. A fantasy popped into his head and he shook it off. He was here for his daughter's sake, and he'd better remember that.
***
For the life of her, Amanda couldn't figure out why she was disconcerted that Alex Woodsides was crouched in her yard, fidgeting with her lawn mower. She'd probably said twenty words to him since she'd moved to Cedar Grove. Well, maybe fifty.
Opening the refrigerator door, she picked up the pitcher of iced tea. All right. So he'd appeared unbidden in a dream or two. With his tall, muscled physique, his green eyes, his dark brown hair, her libido had snatched him out of the world's population to give her a midnight thrill. She remembered one dream in particular...
With a sigh, Amanda poured two glasses of iced tea, wondering where the girls had disappeared to. It was steaming hot in Heather's room where they usually hung out. Heather was her best reason for dismissing dreams as well as handsome men in her back yard. Hadn't her marriage and divorce taught her anything?
As she took oatmeal cookies from a canister and arranged them on a plate, she glanced out the window. Good heavens! Alex Woodsides had removed his shirt. All she could do was stare as he pulled on the starter rope. Muscular arms. Broad back and shoulders. Slim waist. And when he turned...
She quickly moved to the table with the plate of cookies, but not before she'd glimpsed thick wavy dark hair arrowing down his chest. She'd no sooner carried the glasses to the table when her back screen door opened. Suddenly the man from her dreams was standing in her kitchen--hot, sweated and exceptionally male.
At first she couldn't find her voice. Finally, she managed, "Did you find the problem?"
"Sure did. A gummed up spark plug." He set it on the counter. "Just take that to the hardware store for a replacement."
She gave a sigh of relief. "I thought the mower was on its last legs. Thanks."
They stared at each other for a few moments, neither of them moving. Amanda was too aware of Alex's scent, both male and cologne, and the heat that seemed to rise up between them. She had to break the spell and distance herself.
Drawing in a breath, she motioned to the sink. "If you'd like to wash up, Mr. Woodsides..."
"Alex," he suggested in a voice that shook her almost as much as the sight of his bare chest.
"Alex," she repeated, feeling dazed.
He smiled. "We might as well be on a first name basis, because I have a proposition to make to you."
His smile was as potent as the rest of him. "A proposition?"
"I'll replace the plug for you and give the mower a once over, if you'll agree to tutor Kristy in math. She received a D for the quarter."
"Kristy did?"
"You sound surprised."
"I've overseen their homework a few times when she and Heather were working on it, and she never had a problem. But if she needs help, I'll be glad to work with her."
He turned to the sink and used the soap to wash his hands. Above the running water, he said, "I'll pay you the going rate, of course."
"No."
"No?" He reached for the towel on the counter.
He had such large hands. Long, tapered fingers... "I won't take money for helping Kristy."
"Need anything else fixed?" he asked with a grin that said he wouldn't let her do it for free.
All of a sudden, an inspired idea struck Amanda. He could be the answer to a problem she had to solve. "I have a better idea for repayment. You're just the person we need to head a program for Career Day at the elementary school."
Alex's grin vanished. "Why would I fill the bill?"
"Because of your position in the community. You've lived here all your life. I'm sure you have contacts with community businesses. Our committee consists of myself, another teacher, Mrs. Webb, and the school principal."
Alex shook his head. "I don't have that kind of time. As it is I work long days."
Work taking precedence. Echoes of her ex-husband. Only he'd had other diversions as well. Alex probably did, too. After all, he was a good-looking bachelor. But she was sure this man had the expertise to make Career Day a success. "This program will benefit Kristy, too."
"Good. But I don't have to be the one to head it up."
"Look, Alex. Parents say they want to become involved in their child's education, but when push comes to shove..."
Alex's scowl drew his brows together and the muscles in his shoulders tensed. "Don't try to use guilt on me. It won't work. And if this is what I have to do to get you to tutor my daughter, forget it. I'll do it myself."
"I told you I'll tutor Kristy. You asked how you could repay me."
"You're asking too much."
Amanda kept quiet. Often, more battles were won by retreat rather than aggression.
Sounds in the living room alerted Amanda to the girls' presence. They came into the kitchen with smiles on their faces.
Kristy looked up at Amanda. "Are you going to tutor me?"
She would help Alex's daughter whether he helped with Career Day or not. "I sure am." Looking at Alex, she asked, "What time is good for you?"
After he gave her a probing look, he responded, "Kristy stays with her grandparents during the day in the summer. So evenings would be best. Or Saturdays."
"I think if we have a good session once a week, I can bring her up to speed," Amanda suggested. "Give it some thought and let me know what's best for you."
Alex draped his arm across his daughter's shoulders. "We should be getting home. I'll give you a call about the time."
As Alex and Kristy went to the door, Amanda followed. She watched Alex pluck his shirt from a low tree limb, then walk with his daughter out of the yard.
Heather tugged on Amanda's arm. "He's cool, isn't he, Mom?"
Cool? Not exactly the word Amanda would use. She gave her daughter a hug. "He seems very...nice. Now, why don't you and I take those cookies and iced tea outside and get cooled off? I really think we might have to invest in an air conditioner for my bedroom. On hot nights like this, you could sleep with me."
"You know, Mom, Kristy's house has central air."
Of course, it would. Amanda would not think about Alex on hot nights or in his air-conditioned bedroom. She would not think of him at all.
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Table of Contents
Copyright
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR
Other books by the author
Excerpt from JAKE'S BRIDE Search For Love series, Book 1
Excerpt from WHEN MOM MEETS DAD Finding Mr. Right series, Book 3