Free Soldier on Her Doorstep by Soraya Lane Page A

leaned against it. The timber felt cool against her back. She’d been naïve to think her friends seeing Alex would go down without some interest, but she had been surprised by her sister’s reaction.
    The fact that her sister was still in her kitchen wasn’t helping either.
    Her mother she wasn’t so worried about. But Anna?
    She had as good as idolized William. The two of them had always gotten on well, right from the beginning when Lisa and he had first started dating. Once they were both married they had double-dated, hung out together whenever William was home on leave.
    Anna and her husband were Lilly’s godparents. They were all best friends. But it didn’t mean Anna had a right to judge her.
    She was judging herself enough, without needing to worry about others doing it too. Every time she felt her eyes drawn to Alex. Every time she felt a dusting of attraction. It made her feel guilty. Unfaithful.
    Where William had been chatty and bright, like an energetic ball of sunshine, Alex was brooding. Lost in thought. Closed.
    But she couldn’t help the way she felt. The way she wanted to help him. Nurture him. Be the one to bring him slowly from his shell. It didn’t mean she wanted to move on. At least she didn’t think so. Confusion danced a pattern through her mind.
    â€œAlmost done, dear.”
    She smiled as her mother crossed the hall. “Thanks.”
    â€œAre you feeling okay?”
    Lisa nodded. Her mother walked a few steps closer. “You should have told us, Lisa, just for your own safety. But this isyour home, and it’s your life. William’s been gone now for months.”
    â€œI’m not seeing Alex, Mom.” She felt like she was going to cry. Felt unfaithful to her darling husband just having to defend herself.
    â€œMaybe not. But it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t if you want to.”
    Lisa swallowed away her emotion and linked arms with her mother. She dropped her head on her shoulder as they walked. Why did it have to be so hard?
    â€œCan you tell Anna that?”
    â€œDoes that mean you are dating him?” her mother asked.
    She flicked her mother on the arm and they both laughed.
    No, but it didn’t mean she hadn’t thought about it. No matter how much her stomach crawled with guilt and worry, she couldn’t deny thinking about Alex like that.
    â€œSo, do we get to meet this man?” Anna asked waspishly.
    Lisa tried her hardest not to roll her eyes. “His name is Alex.” She put up a hand before Anna had a chance to speak again. “And, yes, you can meet him right now.”
    Her mother smiled. Encouragingly.
    â€œI’m just going to pour them each a glass of homemade lemonade and…”
    â€œI’ll get some cake,” her mother finished.
    Lisa filled the tray.
    â€œCome on, then,” she said, beckoning with her head. “And go easy on him.”
    It wasn’t that she was worried about how he’d react to them. She’d told him plenty about her family. But he didn’t like being asked about his past. His family. Or about war zones. She had picked up on that pretty fast, and she had no intention of pushing him unless he was mentally ready for it.
    â€œDo you think it’s okay to leave Lilly with him?”
    Lisa ignored Anna’s question. Was it okay? The kid hadn’t spoken or shown interest in anyone except her and Boston for months, and yet she had taken to this guy like a bear to honey.And he was hardly likely to hurt her. The man was more frightened of Lilly than she could ever be of him!
    Plus, Alex just gave off the right vibes. Sad? Yes. Emotional wreck? Check. But dangerous? Even if she had judged his character wrong William wouldn’t have. Not after serving with him. If he trusted him enough to send him here, knowing that she’d be alone, then that was all that mattered.
    She heard Lilly laughing. If she’d been alone she would have