Read Online A Better Man by Candis Terry - Free Book Online

I guess it is.”
    â€œThen I’ll say thank you.”
    â€œYou’re welcome. And as much as I’d like to stand here and chat, I really need to get this workout d one.”
    â€œYeah. Sorry about t hat.”
    â€œNo problem. Have a nice ni ght.”
    He turned to leave, then just as his hand reached the door, he stopped and came back.
    â€œLucy? I’m really in a bind. And, no bullshit, I could really use some help. I’ve tried to talk to my brothers but they seem to be as clueless as me when it comes to our baby sister. I spoke with my sister and I really need a woman’s take.” A hesitant smile tipped the corners of his sensuous masculine lips. “I know nothing about teenage girls. And as much as I hate to admit it, you’re also right about me not knowing much about my sister. I’d like to change that. I really do want to help her. I’m afraid if I don’t act now .  . .”
    He shook his head, leaving the unsaid lingering in the air.
    Lucy didn’t want to feel anything for this man. But the sincerity in his eyes and the crinkles of concern in his forehead told her he really was perplexed on how to handle the problem. She was sure even seasoned parents had issues with their troubled teens, so an unmarried brother who had no experience would be even more at a loss.
    â€œIt means a lot to me that you want to help her,” he said. “That you recognized a problem prior to the loss of our parents. I respect your insight and your opin ion.”
    His unnerving gaze cut right to the core of why she’d become a teacher. She wanted to help students, the same as she had when she’d been a student herself. Education was the lifeline people used to propel themselves out into the world. Without it, they’d be at a standstill. Along with that, a little kindness and understanding never hurt.
    Lucy cared about Nicole Kincade. Beneath her recent obstinacy, she was a bright girl. With the sudden loss of her parents, she was going through a tough time. So even if Jordan Kincade rattled her in ways she never imagined, now wasn’t the moment for Lucy to turn her back.
    While Jordan continued to look at her with something akin to defeat in his eyes, she caved like a sou fflé.
    â€œAll right,” she said. “How about tomorrow? Four-­thirty at The Muddy Cup? I can spare an hour before another appointment I h ave.”
    â€œI’d really appreciate that.” With the sincerest of smiles, he turned and proved that some men looked good any way they chose t o go.
    That admission had Lucy slamming her gloves into the punching bag. She had no business looking at Jordan Kincade as anything other than a man she’d known from her past and the brother of a student in need.
    So why were her girl parts suddenly dan cing?
    T he day had gone from interesting to disastrous and back to interesting again when he’d run into Lucy at the gym. If you’d ever asked him what he thought the woman did in her spare time he’d have said jigsaw puzzles or volunteering at a hospital. He’d never have come up with kickboxing to heavy metal m usic.
    This new Lucy surprised him.
    In a good way.
    Back in the day she’d been quiet and reserved. She’d dressed down instead of up. She’d hidden behind a pair of heavy framed glasses that did nothing to disguise her pretty face. She’d rarely smiled, and when she was deep in thought she’d snag her full bottom lip between her teeth. Talking with her brought back some good memories and somehow made him feel connected to her again. Like maybe down deep they had something more in common than being old schoolmates. He’d never been much of a talker, but with Lucy he couldn’t seem to get his fill. He liked the way she gave as good as she got, as opposed to the old Lucy who’d never say a word in defense of her self.
    Crazy that he remembered all that about her. But