Read Online Love Lessons by Margaret Daley - Free Book Online

faded into the silence, a flush to her cheeks. She swept around to watch Jana coming back from the edge of the lake.
    Alexa pressed her lips together to keep from smiling at the discomfort crossing Ian’s face. He dressed up more to go to his office in his home than she did to go to church.
    Jana stopped a few feet away, kneeling next to Charlie. “I think he’s part German shepherd, part collie, maybe some Great Dane. What do ya think?”
    Ian circled the large dog, rubbing his chin. “I definitely think part Great Dane. Now I understand why Alexa doesn’t want to bring him inside.”
    â€œI’ve decided I want a big dog—like Charlie.”
    Frowning, Ian faced his daughter. “No. We agreed upon a small one.”
    Alexa could see the horror that flitted across Ian’s expression, as though he’d just pictured Charlie running wild through his house, crashing into one thing after another. Which was definitely possible with a dog like Charlie.
    â€œBut, Dad—”
    â€œWe’ve never had a pet. Let’s start small and see how things go.”
    â€œBut Alexa lives in a duplex and Charlie does fine.” Jana’s pout descended.
    Alexa started to tell Jana that she didn’t have that much furniture in her place and not much of value to destroy, as well as a fenced backyard, but her mother stepped toward the young girl.
    â€œI can bring Charlie back another day for a visit if you all want, but I have a lunch date and need to get Charlie home.” Her mom took the leash from the child. “It was nice meeting you two.”
    Before Gloria left, Jana bent over and hugged the dog,burying her face against the side of his neck. “Bye, boy. Maybe you can come back again for a longer visit.”
    Alexa sidled next to Ian and whispered, “She may fall in love with a small dog at the pound.”
    â€œLet’s hope.”
    After her mother and Charlie left, Jana swiveled toward her father. “Let’s go to the pound now.”
    Ian checked his watch. “Fine. Then we can grab something to eat on the way home.”
    â€œIn a restaurant?” A tinge of panic laced Jana’s voice.
    â€œWe can use the drive-through or go inside the burger place. It’ll be your call, Jana.”
    â€œWe can’t leave a dog in the car. We’ll have to use the drive-through.”
    â€œYou’re right. I hadn’t thought of that.” Ian started for the house. “I’m going to have to adjust my thinking with a dog around.”
    â€œActually—” Alexa glanced back at the young girl still standing at the edge of the patio “—Jana, you won’t be able to bring your dog home until tomorrow. A vet will need to check it over first.”
    â€œI have to wait.” The corners of Jana’s mouth inched down.
    â€œThat’ll give you time to get everything you need, like food, bedding, maybe a few toys.” Alexa paused walking when Ian did.
    â€œYeah,” Jana’s expression brightened. “After we eat, we can go to the pet store and buy what we need.”
    Surprise flashed into Ian’s eyes. “You want to go to the store?”
    â€œThe deal we had was I had to take care of my pet, so I should pick out its bedding and toys.” Jana raced toward the back door.
    â€œAre you ready for this?” Alexa hung back with Ian.
    â€œSure, how hard can it be? We’ll get a little dog. How much damage can a little one do?”
    She wasn’t going to tell him about the first dog she got when she was a teenager that her father gave away because it chewed everything it could get hold of, including his favorite pair of dress shoes.
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    Jana stood at one end of the rows of cages at the pound, her forehead creased, her mouth twisted in a perplexed expression. “How can I pick just one?”
    â€œBecause you have to.” The thought of more than one pet running around his