Lakeside Romance by Lisa Jordan

out.”
    â€œI’m sure that must be hard.”
    â€œYou have no idea.” He sat next to her and clasped his hands between his knees, fixating his gaze on a random spot on the beige carpet. “I’m not delusional, you know. I know she’s not coming back.”
    â€œMaybe it’s too overwhelming. Maybe you’re uncertain of where to start. Kind of like Emmett’s house.” The calm, soothing yet questioning tone in her voice reminded him of the couple of times he’d visited a counselor after Christy’s death.
    â€œYes, something like that.” He covered his nose and mouth with his hands and exhaled.
    Sarah nudged his shoulder with hers. “You’re allowed to ask for help, you know.”
    â€œEveryone has too much on their plates already.”
    She reached for a framed photo of his family taken a couple of years ago when his mom had been stateside. “I’m sure they’d make time for you, Alec. We all need someone to lean on.”
    â€œThat’s a bit hypocritical coming from you.” He shot her a sideways look.
    â€œWhy do you say that?”
    â€œBecause of these.” Alec traced the skin under her eyes. “Your plate was full with the program, helping me, which by the way proves I can ask for help, and now you’re caring for two lost kids. You need to learn to say no before you pass on advice to anyone else.”
    â€œThose boys need someone they can trust to care for them.”
    â€œI get that, Sarah. I really do.” Alec rubbed his palms together, choosing his next words carefully—he wasn’t in the mood for another battle. “Ian and Agnes James are licensed emergency foster parents who are amazing with kids of all ages.”
    â€œYou’re reminding me of that because you don’t want the boys here.” She jumped to her feet and paced on the other side of his coffee table.
    He pushed to his feet. “No, I’m saying it because I’m afraid you’re taking on too much.”
    â€œThankfully I’m not your problem to worry about.”
    His chest seized. He sighed and lowered his voice. “I don’t want to see you hurt.”
    She hesitated, drawing in a deep breath and letting it out in a single whoosh as if to gain strength for her next words. “Why do you even care?”
    â€œBecause.” Alec crossed his arms over his chest. They were straying into territory he wasn’t sure he was ready to explore. She needed to go.
    Her quick laugh bounced around the too-quiet room. “Good answer, Mr. Articulate.”
    â€œBecause you...challenge me.” He rounded the table to stand in front of her. “My family treats me as if I were one of Gran’s delicate teacups. You show compassion, yet you push me to try new things.”
    The corner of her mouth lifted. “I believe that’s one of the nicest things you’ve said to me.”
    â€œYou caught me at a weak moment.” He smiled to show he was teasing.
    â€œYou keep people at arm’s length, Alec, but there’s a part of you that wants to draw them in. You’re afraid, though, and when that battle wages inside you, you lash out and your jerky side emerges.”
    â€œWe all have our flaws.” Alec jammed his hands in his pockets and moved to the window. Anything to put distance between them. “Not everyone has your Pollyanna ideals, okay?”
    Sarah crossed the room and joined him at the window, placing her hand on his shoulder. Her gentle touch warmed his skin. “I don’t have Pollyanna ideals, but I do believe in giving people a fair chance. I’m asking you to do the same.”
    Deep inside he knew she was right. And that was part of the struggle.

Chapter Eight
    W ith the bases loaded, Sarah needed a solid hit to bring her team home so they could win the game. Pulling her sunglasses off her face, she wiped the sweat off her forehead with the back of her