Love Lessons (17 page)

“You can't fool me. You aren't doing fine.”

“Mom, don't start with me.” Alexa sank onto a chair in the kitchen.

“You didn't say anything to Ian about how you feel about him?”

“I told you I tried Monday night. I've hardly seen him this week. Remember, today is the fifteenth. A big day for a CPA. He's been busy.”

“Then say something tomorrow. You're going to work tomorrow, aren't you?”

“Yes. My last day isn't until the end of April.”

“Ah, he's keeping you around after the fifteenth. I wonder why.”

“Because he has some things to do since he's been so focused on doing taxes these past months.”

“Yeah, that's a good reason to keep you around.” Her mother's chuckle taunted Alexa.

She gripped the mobile phone. The sound of the doorbell echoed through her house. “Someone's here. I'll talk to you later. Tell Dad hi for me. Bye.”

After hanging up, Alexa hurried toward the foyer. When she opened the door, she blinked. “Jana, why are you here? Are you okay? Does your father know you are here?”

“I left him a note telling him I was coming over to talk to you.”

Alexa stood to the side to allow Jana inside. “But he doesn't know?”

Jana shrugged.

“I need to call him and let him know you are here.”

“Use his cell number. He's out jogging.”

In the living room Alexa snatched up her phone and dialed Ian.

“Is Jana there?” he asked in a breathless voice before Alexa could say anything.

“Yeah.”

“I'm a few minutes away from your place.”

The thought of him coming to her house sent her heartbeat galloping. When she'd talked with her mother, she'd realized she needed to tell Ian point-blank how she felt about him. Then if he still wanted her to take the scholarship and leave, she would. But she had to risk it and let him know how important he was to her.

After putting the receiver back in its cradle, she swung around to face Jana. “Why did you come over to see me?”

“I wanted you to know that Dad loves you. You two belong together.”

Dad loves you.
Those words resonated through Alexa's mind. “Your father and I are friends, Jana. You shouldn't read anything else into it.”

“It's more than that. He told me tonight.”

“He did?” Alexa clasped her hands behind her back to keep the young girl from seeing how much they trembled.
He loves me. Is it Jana's wish or really true?

“Yes, I'm not lying to you. He wants you to stay but won't tell you because he thinks you want to go. I came over to tell you. You two are making a big mistake.”

“We are?” She couldn't think of anything else to say because out her front picture window she saw Ian jogging up the sidewalk. The sight of him doubled her pounding heartbeat.

Jana turned to see what Alexa was staring at. “Ask him.” She gestured toward her dad coming to a stop on her porch. “Is Charlie out back?”

“Yes.”

“I'm going to see him. Talk to Dad. Don't make the biggest mistake of your life.” The young girl hurried toward the kitchen.

When Alexa opened the front door, Ian's gaze captured hers and held her for a long moment. All words fled her mind.

“I don't know what got into Jana's head. Leaving like that.” Ian approached her, only a few inches separating them.

“She was upset about me going away.”
Tell him how you feel. What do you have to lose now?
Monday she hadn't been as straightforward as she should have been. “She thinks we should be together, that you love me.” When his eyes widened, she continued, “I love you, Ian, and whether I go or not, that won't change.”
There. I've told him. If Jana is wrong, at least I've done what I needed to do.

“You love me?”

“Yes. For the longest time I was sure you were still in love with your ex-wife, so I fought these feelings, but I can't any longer. Is Jana right? Do we have a chance?”

He started to reach for her then suddenly dropped his arms back to his sides. “You need to fulfill your dream. What if you stay and then down the line you regret never going? I couldn't live with that.”

“Why can't we do it together? What's keeping you here? Jana could learn so much seeing firsthand places she's read about.”

“The world as her classroom?”

“Well, at least for a few years. After that, who knows?”

He raked his hands through his hair, averting his gaze. “That's a big step. That's a—”

“A big change.” Alexa moved even closer to him. “Yes, it is. I'd stay if it meant we had a chance. You mean too much to me.”

He sucked in a breath. “I could never ask you to do that.”

“You're not. Do we have a chance?”

His gaze locked with hers, a softening in his blue eyes
that rocked her clear to her toes. “I love you, Alexa, but this isn't about that.”

“Yes, it is. I'm not taking the scholarship if that means I lose you. End of story. Dreams can be changed. I can help people here.”

He shook his head and stepped away. “I can't let you give up on a dream like that.”

“What's your dream?”

He moistened his lips. “To have a family—a wife I love, children. That's all I ever really wanted.”

“Then let me give that to you.”

“Not fair to you.”

“Not having you in my life isn't fair to me. A place won't make me happy. But you can.”

“I hate to fly.”

Hope blossomed in her. “I can help you overcome your fear.”

“It's a control thing.”

“Will you give control to God?”

“Is that a trick question?”

“No.”

His forehead crunched. “I know what you're doing. I know I don't really control my life like I used to think I do.”

“Then we can work through that fear. If the Lord is with you, anything is possible—even flying.”

He stared at her for a long moment, then suddenly dragged her against him, winding his arms around her. She cuddled into his embrace, relishing his warmth, his scent, his smile.

“The only way I see it working is if you take the scholarship and when you leave to fulfill your obligation, Jana and I go with you.”

“Go with me? What are you saying?”

“I want us to be that family I've dreamed of.” One corner
of his mouth lifted. “I help you with your dream. You help me with mine. A deal?”

“Marry you?” She looked up into his adoring gaze and never wanted to leave the shelter of his arms.

“Yes. You taught me to love again, to put my past behind me, but I'm thinking I'll need a lot of lessons to get it perfect. Do you think you could tutor me?”

She laughed and planted a kiss on his mouth. “You've got yourself a teacher—for life.”

“A
re you ready, Alexa?”

She took her father's arm. “Is this really happening?”

“Yes, in the next half an hour you'll become Mrs. Ian Ferguson. In case I haven't told you lately, I love you. You're going to make a wonderful wife for Ian.”

“Let's do this.” She grinned at her dad and moved toward the foyer of the church, wearing her mother's wedding dress.

There by the double doors into the sanctuary stood Jana waiting for her. As her maid of honor she wore a pale yellow dress of chiffon with tiny yellow roses woven throughout her hair. A beam lit the child's eyes, and she turned to enter as the music began.

Alexa took a deep breath and followed, feeling as though she glided toward her destiny. Ian watched her walk toward him, the sparkle in his blue eyes melting any doubts she might have had. She loved him with all her heart. Jana, too. She was finally going to have the family she always wanted.

When she stopped beside him, he moved close and leaned in to whisper, “I love you. There can't be a happier man alive today.”

 

Dear Readers,

Love Lessons
is the first in a three-book series about various situations involving homeschooling. I have many friends who have homeschooled their children. It has been fun exploring the different ways to homeschool. Although it isn't for everyone, it is definitely the answer for many families. I hope you will enjoy a glimpse into my fictional families who choose to homeschool their children.

I love hearing from readers. You can contact me at [email protected] or at P.O. Box 2074, Tulsa, OK 74101. You can also learn more about my books at http://www.margaretdaley.com. I have a quarterly newsletter that you can sign up for on my Web site or you can enter my monthly drawings by signing my guest book on the Web site.

Best wishes,

1. Ian couldn't forgive his ex-wife for betraying him. His past ruled his life. Is there something that happened in your past that has done that to you? How can you get past that?
   
2. Who is your favorite character? Why?
   
3. Alexa's relationship with her father was rocky all her life. She had a lot of anger toward him because she had never felt he loved her. Do you or someone you know have a similar relationship with a parent? How have you or that parent dealt with that situation?
   
4. Ian didn't think the Lord answered his prayers. Have you ever thought that? If so, what did you do?
   
5. What is your favorite scene? Why?
   
6. Jana developed separation anxiety because her mother suddenly left her and her father. She was scared, especially that her father would leave her, too. Do you know anyone who experiences anxiety to the point that it governs how he/she lives? What are some things you can do to help that person get over his/her anxiety?
   
7. Ian thought if he could control his life he would be all right. He didn't realize there are a lot of things we can't control in our lives. What are some things that have happened to you lately that have been out of your control? How did you deal with them?
   
8. Alexa's mother left her husband because she didn't feel he appreciated her. Everything had to be his way. Have you ever been around someone like that? What were some things you did to handle that person?
   
9. Alexa's father dealt with his grief by pushing away everyone who loved him. How have you dealt with grief?
   
10. Although Alexa knew she should forgive her father, that God wanted her to, she couldn't. Have you ever done something you know you shouldn't? How did the situation turn out by avoiding what you knew you should do?
    
11. Ian was willing to let Alexa leave Tallgrass to fulfill her dream although he was in love with her. What are some situations where you've sacrificed your happiness for another?
    
12. Alexa's dream was changing as she got to know Ian and Jana. Has what you wanted for the future ever changed because of a situation or from getting to know someone? Do you think you are happier with the change in the direction your life took? Why or why not?