Love Lessons by Margaret Daley Page B

taking it?”
    â€œOkay. We made posters to put up tomorrow around town. I know the neighbors are aware Sugar is missing, but the dog might wander farther away from her home than a six-block radius.”
    Her mom’s assessing gaze skimmed over her features. “And you? How are you?”
    â€œTired. I’d go straight to bed except I’m still too wired to sleep.” Oops. The second she had said the last sentence she’d realized her mistake. Her mother would take that as a cue to chat with her about Ian.
    â€œLet me fix you a cup of chamomile tea. It’ll relax you and help you sleep.”
    Alexa trailed her mother into the kitchen and sat at the table while Gloria busied herself putting the water on to boil and getting the tea bags. “Thanks for searching earlier.”
    â€œAnything to help.” After putting the bags and water into the mugs, she carried them to the table and sat across from Alexa. “I didn’t tell you, but your dad called me again on my cell while I was out looking for Sugar. He wanted to talk. I didn’t want to have that conversation at Ian’s, so I came back here and called him.”
    â€œAre you going home?” Alexa cupped her mug between her palms, its warmth seeping into her cold hands.
    â€œThis is my home right now. He didn’t say anything tochange that.” Her mother took a sip of her tea. “I’m thinking I need this more than you,” she said, gesturing to the mug. “Every time I talk about that man, I get riled, so let’s discuss something else. Are you falling for Ian?”
    Alexa spewed her drink of tea. “Mom! Why would you ask that?”
    â€œI saw you two today. I’ve seen the looks you have exchanged, and I’m worried about you. Don’t get involved with him, honey. He’s got too much baggage for you.” Her mother averted her look, chewing on her lower lip. “Your father had a lot of baggage when we got married.”
    â€œHe did?”
    â€œI never told you that your dad was married before me. He even had a child before you. A son.”
    Alexa collapsed back in the chair. The tea sloshed out onto her hand and burned it. She quickly placed the mug on the table and massaged the red spot. “Mom, how about warning me before you drop a bombshell?”
    â€œSorry.”
    â€œWhy wasn’t I told?”
    â€œBecause when he married me, he made me promise never to bring it up. I’m breaking my promise because I’m worried you’re following in my footsteps. Look where it has landed me—estranged from my husband.”
    â€œMy situation with Ian isn’t anything like that. Marriage? Where is that coming from?” Although for a few seconds, she began to picture being married to Ian, but pushed those thoughts away as ridiculous. Tonight only confirmed that. They were in different places in their lives, and the faith that meant so much to her was clearly something he couldn’t share.
    â€œIan reminds me of your father in some ways. He’s struggling to control his emotions, his life. He’s hurting. Ididn’t see that until after I married your father that he wasn’t really over his deceased wife.”
    â€œWhat happened to her?”
    â€œA car accident. A drunk driver took both his wife and baby son. His first wife was a friend from church. I tried to help Richard and, as you know, eventually married him. He wasn’t the same man I knew before the accident.”
    Alexa stood. She had to escape to the privacy of her room. Her thoughts reeled with the news her mother had told her. Her father had a son who’d died. Was that why he didn’t love her? Was that why it had been so important that she followed in her father’s footsteps?
    â€œYou don’t need to worry about me, Mom. I’m not falling in love with Ian. I’m aware he has issues with his ex-wife, and he’s certainly not ready to be