Soldier on Her Doorstep by Soraya Lane Read Free Book Online Page A

work out there this morning as notice that you’re definitely staying?” She didn’t look over her shoulder, just continued getting breakfast ready. She thought he’d feel less pressured without her watching his face.
    â€œAh…I guess you could say that,” he answered warily.
    She pursed her lips to stop from smiling. “Excellent.” She spun around and just about tossed the plate and its entire contents over Alex. “Oh!”
    He moved quickly, grabbing the plate and steadying her with the other hand.
    â€œSorry. I was just…”
    She felt a sense of cool as his hand left her upper arm.
    â€œâ€¦going to help you with the plate,” he finished.
    Lisa felt bad that his tanned cheeks had a hue of crimson adorning them.
    â€œAren’t you having any?” he asked in concern, looking at how much she’d given him.
    That made her smile. She couldn’t cook breakfast and not partake. “Just a small version for me.”
    She sat down at the table with him, her own plate modestly loaded. His hands hovered over the utensils.
    â€œPlease start,” she told him, wanting to put him at ease. “Eat while it’s hot.”
    He did.
    She watched as he firmly yet politely pierced meat and cut at his toast, practically inhaling the breakfast. She wondered if she’d served him enough.
    â€œI’ve got work to do today, so I’m not going to be any help to you out there,” she said.
    Alex placed his knife and fork on the edge of the plate and reached for his coffee. She forced herself not to watch his every move. Strong fingers curled around the cup and he wiped at the corner of his mouth with the other hand.
    â€œWhere do you work?” he asked.
    She was pleased he’d asked. Maybe food was the way to communicate with a man after all.
    â€œI work from home,” she explained, rising to collect the toast she’d left cooling in a rack on the counter. She brought it back to the table. “As I mentioned before, I write cookbooks, so I’m usually trying out new recipes, baking things.”
    He swallowed another mouthful of coffee. “Right.”
    â€œAnd today I’m under pressure, because my editor wants recipes emailed to her by the end of next week.”
    He looked thoughtful. She opened a jar of homemade jam and nudged it toward him. Alex dipped a knife in and spread some on a piece of toast.
    â€œDo you have to take Lilly to school soon?”
    She shook her head. “Spring break.” She sighed. “But she hasn’t gone back to school since William died, so I’ve had to start home-schooling her.”
    Alex looked like he was calculating how long that was.
    â€œI do my best, but I need to get her back there.” She sighed.
    â€œHave you tried therapy?” he asked.
    She blew out a deep breath. “Yup.”
    She couldn’t tell if he approved or not. For some reason his opinion mattered to her.
    â€œI’d better get back out there,” he said.
    She rose as he did, and collected the plates.
    â€œThanks for breakfast,” he added.
    He looked awkward but she ignored it. “No problem. I owe you for taking on the jungle out there.”
    The look he gave her made her think otherwise. That he thought he owed her . The way his eyes flickered, briefly catching hers, almost questioning.
    â€œYou need a hand with those?” he offered.
    Lisa turned back to him. To those sad eyes trained her way. “I’m fine here. I’ll have lunch ready for later, but help yourself to anything you need. The door’s open.”
    She watched as Alex walked out. His shoulders were so broad, yet they looked like they were frowning. He looked so strong, yet sad—tough, yet soft. As if he could crush an enemy with his bare hands, yet provide comfort to one of his own all in the same breath.
    She wished there was more she could do for him. But something told her that whatever she