Read Online Undaunted Hope by Jody Hedlund - Free Book Online Page A

studied her and, seeing nothing amiss, raised one of his brows.
    â€œWe shouldn’t have bothered, Miss Taylor,” Gunnar said, toeing his boot into the area rug that needed beating and airing.
    â€œI don’t mind being bothered,” Tessa started, then stopped and glanced around again as understanding dawned.
    The lighthouse was their home. And if the lighthouse was their home, that could only mean one thing. Alex Bjorklund was a lightkeeper.

Chapter 6
    T essa took a rapid step backward as if she’d been struck. For a moment, Alex thought he glimpsed horror in her eyes before she averted them.
    He stepped to the sofa and retrieved a shirt from a pile of discarded clothes. His fingers fumbled to get the garment turned right side out. He hadn’t meant to offend her. But he supposed he had overstepped the bounds of propriety with his remarks. The moment he’d noticed her, he should have immediately donned a shirt.
    But her brazen and appreciative stare at his bare chest had sent a jolt of heat through him, and he wasn’t able to resist teasing her just a little.
    He stuffed his arms into the sleeves and bit back a mutter when the fabric stuck at his bicep. It wasn’t his fault that he’d stumbled into the parlor without his shirt on and she was there. Usually he tried to make sure he was up to greet the children when they arrived home from school. But some days, after a particularly stormy night like last night, he overslept. Thankfully,Ingrid and Gunnar were old enough now to occupy themselves for a short while, and they usually didn’t get into too much trouble.
    Though the opening of the front door had awakened him, it was the strange voice that dragged him out of bed. He stumbled toward the parlor and certainly hadn’t expected to find Tessa Taylor kneeling next to the sofa and smiling down at Ingrid with such tenderness it had nearly broken his heart.
    â€œPlease forgive me, Miss Taylor,” he said, jerking the shirt up to his shoulders. He cringed when he heard a sharp rip. “I’ve behaved like a complete idiot.”
    She glanced around the room again with a wildness that said she couldn’t wait to escape.
    He hadn’t meant to drive her away.
    â€œIt’s my fault,” Gunnar said. “I’m the one who asked Miss Taylor to come.” He exchanged a glance with Ingrid, one that told Alex the two had been up to something.
    Ingrid shook her head, her eyes flashing a warning.
    But Gunnar continued anyway, always the more forthright of the two. “I’m sorry, Miss Taylor.”
    Tessa took a breath, seemed to push aside her own reservations, and then looked at Gunnar. “You needn’t ever feel bad about coming to me. That’s what I’m here for. But now that I know you’re in good hands, I’ll be on my way—”
    â€œDon’t leave yet, Miss Taylor.” Ingrid slid off the sofa, reached for her cane, and hobbled toward Tessa. “Please stay for a few more minutes.”
    Tessa didn’t resist when Ingrid grabbed her sleeve. Instead she pressed a hand to the girl’s cheek as Alex had seen her do when Ingrid was on the sofa.
    The adoration in Ingrid’s eyes pinched Alex’s heart. She’dgone far too long without a woman’s touch. Now that she had it, she was basking in it.
    â€œI can’t stay, Ingrid,” Tessa said gently, lifting her gaze and meeting Alex’s with a mixture of pity and sorrow.
    Was she feeling sorry for him?
    â€œPerhaps your father will allow you to participate in the special spelling classes?” Tessa directed her question to him. Arched with long lashes, her luminous green eyes were as irresistible as Ingrid’s.
    â€œWell?” she said, waiting for him to give permission for Ingrid to take part in the spelling classes.
    â€œI don’t know . . .”
    â€œMaybe you’ll allow Gunnar to join the classes too?”
    Wait a