Free The Sacrifice (The Alexandra Denton Chronicles Book 4) by Amanda K. Dudley-Penn

him in a different way?  Did you even try to speak it before doing that thing you do?”
                  “Do you think he would have believed me?” I asked and then, gave a short laugh, “Daddy, you have too much faith in my ability to explain things.  I rely on that gift so much more than you think…Besides, it’s quicker and you told me to use that gift on him.”
                  “He could have hurt himself when he fell,” my dad scolded and I sighed, heavily. 
                  “But he didn’t,” I said, narrowing my eyes, “Maybe you should have told him.  At least that way I wouldn’t have had my methods critiqued.  You know…You said that I was the only one who could tell him without thinking that we were crazy because of my gift.”
                  My father nodded his head, “You’re right,” he said and then, patted my shoulder before turning back to Matt.
                  I pursed my lips.  That was as close to an apology as I was going to get.  My dad didn’t believe in saying he was sorry.  Instead, he ignored that he was ever wrong.
                  “Anyway, Matt wanted to talk to you,” I said, rolling my eyes, “I thought we owed him that after what he’d just been through.” 
                  Our father turned back to him and then, nodded as they walked away so they could speak in private, leaving me alone with Daniel.  An awkward silence fell around us as we glanced anywhere but at each other. 
                  Finally, Daniel gazed at me until I turned to him, “Alex, we’re friends, right?” He asked, frowning as he searched my face.
                  I nodded as guilt moved through me once again, “Of course we are,” I said, shifting beneath his gaze, “It’s just…hard.”
                  It was silent again for a while as he stared at my dad and Matt.  His brown eyes darkened in sadness.  Finally, he turned back to me. 
    “Is it because of what I did?” He asked and then, his shoulders slumped forward as he sighed, heavily, “I will always be sorry for that.  I hope you know that.”
                  I gave him a small smile and then, shook my head, “It’s not that…At least not anymore,” I said, shifting again, “I’m over it.  You sacrificed yourself to save me.  I think that makes us even.”
                  He frowned as he stared into my face.  His chest rose and fell slowly before he spoke again, “I’m not trying to cause problems between you and Ky.  I care about you too much for that…I love you too much for that.  I want you to be happy.”
                  “You’re in love with me too and Ky sees it,” I said, swallowing, “But that’s not the problem either.  The problem lies with how I feel about you.  Ky knows and that makes it worse.”
                  “You still love me,” he stated before he sighed and ran his hand through his hair, “But you are with Ky and neither of us would act on it.  He has to know that.”
                  “You’re right,” I said, glancing toward where my father and Matt spoke, “We wouldn’t act on it but he’s still jealous.”
                  He gave me a small smile, “I am happy with being just your friend.  I know I messed up.  I’m happy that you still want to speak to me.  I don’t deserve even that.  So, I’m thankful.”
                  “I know,” I said with a sigh, “Honestly, it’s not your fault.  He’s so jealous that it is tearing me a part.  He won’t let it go.  He’s upset that he wasn’t the one to sacrifice himself for me.  He’s upset that I can’t just throw away feelings we’ve had since we were little.”
                  I glanced up to see Daniel’s face contort in pain, “I’m so sorry,” he said, “I never mean to cause