Zander_Heroes at Heart by Maryann Jordan

Author:Maryann Jordan [Jordan, Maryann]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2018-03-05T18:30:00+00:00

18

“You sure you know what you’re doing?”

Zander glared at Jaxon from across the table at Miss Ethel’s house. “You ever know me to not know what I was doing?” he retorted.

“Look, all Jaxon is saying is that you need to think carefully about taking Rosalie into your home,” Jayden added. “There’s still a lot you don’t know about her…hell, a lot she doesn’t know about herself.”

Sending his glare to the others, he said, “I know she’s not married. I know she’s not wanted by the police. I know she worked hard to put herself through college and has a master’s degree. And I know she’s got no one in her life to help her out right now. I think that’s enough.”

“Are you sure this isn’t some kind of hero complex you’ve got?” Asher asked.

He felt like punching someone and, at this moment, did not care which one of them felt his fist. He knew his face must show his anger because he could feel the red-hot heat pouring off him.

“I think Alexander is a hero,” Miss Ethel said, walking into the dining room, a plate of homemade cookies in her hand. Setting them down in the middle of the table, she smiled as they all stood while she took a seat. “I think all of you are heroes.”

No one said anything for a moment, allowing her to pass the plate of cookies around. “One thing I can say is, I taught my boys good table manners.”

“Miss Ethel,” Jaxon said, swallowing a bite before continuing, “you taught us a lot more than just that.”

She shrugged her bony shoulders, “Well, I’m glad you think so.” Looking around the table, she settled her gaze on Zander. “You’ve told us the practical reasons why you’re taking Rosalie home with you. But what you haven’t said is what you feel.”

His face heated, this time with embarrassment, as he stared at his plate. “I feel like I want to help her…”

“That’s what you might tell your friends, but we’re family,” she prodded. “Do you just want to be her hero?”

“No,” he argued, shifting in his seat, thinking of Rosalie’s gentle voice, her smile, her piercing blue eyes. And the way she looked at him, every time he entered her room. Sighing, he said, “She makes me feel…feel things I didn’t know about.”

He noticed the table had grown quiet and he took a chance, lifting his head, wondering if he would see ridicule on their faces. Instead, what greeted him was calm acceptance. Even Jaxon had no ready quip. He watched Miss Ethel’s smile deepen the lines from her eyes.

“You always took charge, Alexander,” she said. “Being the oldest, you were the leader, so responsible.” Reaching over, she clasped her fingers around another cookie, but paused before taking a bite. “Keep in mind that Rosalie has a long way to go to remember all about her life, and you can’t rush a relationship. She’s going to your apartment to continue to heal. It’s not a large apartment. You have feelings for her, but remember to protect her first.

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