Taking Love in Stride by Donna Fasano

Author:Donna Fasano [Fasano, Donna]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Romance, Contemporary, silhouette, harlequin romance, donna clayton, donna fasano
Publisher: Donna Fasano
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seven

"Pops!" Denise fled from the table and disappeared into the house.

Andrea stared at the empty doorway, horror-stricken that she'd offended Harry. She hadn't meant to intrude, but she'd been so sure he could really help her students.

When Ian's warm hand enveloped hers, she turned toward him.

"I'm sorry about this," he said. "I'm going to go talk to him. I'll only be a minute."

Ian rose, but Andrea clasped his hand in both of her own.

"Wait," she pleaded. "I think I know what's wrong."

Ian lowered himself back into his chair, an inquiring look in his eyes.

Holding on to Ian's hand comforted her and made the telling easier.

"It all started yesterday," she explained. "During the track meet, I asked Harry if he'd consider coming to practice to coach the kids." She searched Ian's face for signs of disapproval, but saw none. "He knows so much about running. He shouldn't let all his knowledge go to waste."

She hoped Ian understood her motives. Her reasons for asking Harry hadn't been selfish. Sure, her runners would benefit from Harry's influence, but she was sure Harry would gain from the experience, too.

Andrea knew there was no way she could give Harry the ability to run, but if she could get him involved in the sport again, even in a small way, she could help him to see that his life was far from over.

She probed Ian's expression. Did he understand?

His features were somber, pensive.

"I must be blind," he finally said.

Andrea's brow knit with confusion, and Ian sighed heavily before explaining.

"The first time I met you, you told me that my relationship with my daughter wasn't all it could be. And you were right." He looked away a moment, as though gathering the courage to speak. "And now you're telling me that my father isn't happy."

His eyes returned to hers, his gaze fervent and heavy.

"And again I see that you're correct in your observation. My father isn't content with his life, I see that now. But how is it that I've lived in the same house with Denise and my father and I haven't recognized their needs?"

Andrea's heart twisted at the look of self-reproach on Ian's face. From the very first, she'd wanted to make him see his shortcomings as a father. But she was sure that it had had more to do with her relationship with Robert, her own father, rather than Ian's relationship with Denise. Somehow she'd thought that pointing out Ian's fatherly flaws would purge herself of her own agonizing memories. But she was wrong.

She was filled with misery at the thought of having induced Ian to feel guilty. What had she been thinking? Had she meant to hurt him?

Weeks ago, she would have answered yes to that question. But she knew him now. She knew that he loved Denise, that he'd never meant to harm or disappoint his daughter. And Harry's plight had nothing whatsoever to do with Ian. Andrea felt compelled to tell him so.

Releasing his hand only long enough to slide her chair closer to him, she once again entwined her fingers with his.

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