April's Promise (Forever Love Series) (20 page)

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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