Free Love Lessons by Margaret Daley

help Jana and Ashley. They have a harder time with math than the others.”
    â€œMaybe Ashley could stay after the others leave, and I can help reinforce what you teach both of them.”
    â€œThat would be perfect. Jana really likes Ashley. I’ll talk to her mother today when she comes to pick her up. You’re just full of good ideas.” He touched her arm briefly, squeezing it, before he spun on his heel and hurried back to the classroom.
    Alexa stared at the place where his hand had been on heras though it had left a mark on her skin. Maybe not a visible one, but definitely in five days since she had come to the house, he’d left one on her heart. Although his outlook on life was different, he was kind and loving toward his daughter. How could a person not respond to that?
    Yeah, that’s it. I would react to anyone like him. There’s nothing really special about Ian. Just a single dad trying to do his best.
    Alexa rubbed her cheek against Sugar. “I guess it’s you and me for the next hour.”
    Suddenly the six children flew out of the classroom, all going in different directions. Jana rushed to Alexa, petted her dog, then started for her dad’s office.
    â€œWhat’s going on, Jana?”
    The young girl swiveled, grinning. “Dad wants us to find something to measure. Anything in the house we can carry back to the classroom. I’m getting his telescope.” The child began to turn, stopped in midmotion and swung back toward Alexa. “On second thought, I’ve got a better idea.” She ran to Alexa, snatched Sugar from her grasp and kept going, saying over her shoulder, “She’ll be perfect to measure.”
    â€œBut—” Alexa’s words came to a halt. Ian’s daughter was already back in the classroom.
    Alexa arrived at the door into the room, stepping to the side as the other kids poured back inside with various items to measure. Randy lugged a sofa cushion and plopped it down on his desk, while Haley carried in an oblong planter. When Alexa peeked in, Ian’s wide-eyed gaze connected with hers. The look in his eyes shouted the words What have you gotten me into?
    He crossed to her. “Okay, I probably shouldn’t have said, ‘let’s see how big a number we can get.’”
    Alexa laughed. “Are you okay with Jana using Sugar?”
    â€œYeah, why not? I fear I’ve lost control of the lesson anyway.”
    â€œDo you want me to stay and help?”
    â€œPlease. I think I’m in over my head.”
    For a few seconds his gaze met hers and Alexa knew she was in over her head.

Chapter Five
    J ana tapped her finger against her chin and made a full circle in the classroom. “I hate this room.”
    Alexa looked up from the student desk she sat in next to Jana’s. “You do?” Maybe now she could do something about the place. After spending over a week in here, she was ready to spend her own money, as scarce as it was, to redecorate the classroom.
    â€œDad was so proud of fixing up this spare bedroom, I didn’t say anything to him.”
    â€œI will if you want.”
    â€œGreat.” Jana plopped down in her desk. “I’d love to paint the walls hot pink.”
    Hot pink! Thinking about the living room done in black and white, Alexa could imagine what Ian would say to that. “Let me see what he has to say.”
    â€œWhat?” Ian stuck his head through the doorway, dressed in his overcoat, his car keys in his hand.
    Alexa slowly turned toward him. The sight of him stole her breath every time—which she didn’t understand since they were polar opposites. He was nothing like Daniel, herhigh school sweetheart. And why was she even comparing them? He was her employer. He was much older than she was. They didn’t agree on much—well, except about wanting to help Jana. But she had to admit since eight days ago when she’d come to work with the