Read Then Came Alexandra (Southern Love #1) for Free Online

me a ride.”
    “She told me,” he said. “But she said she needed to run an errand. I offered to help her out.”
    Alexandra felt cornered. “Oh okay.”
    “Don’t get too excited,” he said with a smile.
    She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear.
    “You want to get dinner first?”
    Alexandra felt nervous. She didn’t want to piss off the only friends she had left, but she had to be honest. If she wasn’t, she would give him the wrong idea. “Gabe, I’m not dating right now.”
    “Okay…”
    “I’m sorry,” she said. “You seem like a nice guy.”
    He came closer to her then put his hands in his pockets.  “I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. I’m sorry.”
    “No, I just want to be honest.”
    “I’m sorry. I just thought you were really cute. I couldn’t pass up a shot.”
    She looked away.
    “Now let me take you home.” He opened the passenger door and helped her get inside.
    They drove down the road in silence. It was tense for a few minutes.
    “So why aren’t you dating right now?” he asked.
    She looked out the window. “I’m just not in the right place.”
    He nodded. “That’s code for bad breakup.”
    She smiled. “You’re good.”
    “Well, I really hope you and I can be friends. I don’t want this awkward encounter to make you feel weird around me.”
    “No, we’re fine.”
    “Cool,” he said with a smile. “But I have to ask. Would you consider dating me if you weren’t in the wrong place?”
    She shifted her weight. “I don’t know…”
    “I’m sorry I asked.” He turned on the radio and they listened to the music. “I don’t like chick singers very much, but I like Carrie Underwood.”
    “She has a beautiful voice.”
    “She’s cute too,” he said with a smile.
    “Definitely.”
    He looked at her. “You’re really cool, Alex.”
    “Thanks. You are too.”
    He drove to her house and parked his car. The dogs immediately started growling. “I would walk you to the door but they might eat me.”
    Alexandra laughed. “Thank you for the ride.”
    “Anytime.”
    “Goodnight.”
    “Goodnight,” he said. “And we’re cool, right?”
    “Yes, we’re cool.”
    “Excellent.”
    When Alexandra walked inside, her aunt was nowhere to be seen. There wasn’t a note on the refrigerator and there wasn’t any dinner saved. She walked down the hallway but saw the open bedroom. She wasn’t home.
    Alexandra took out her supplies and got to work on her homework. The sun disappeared behind the horizon until it was pitch black.  As the night wore on, she became more worried. Her aunt still hadn’t called.
    When the lights from her truck finally shined through the window, Alexandra breathed a sigh of relief, knowing she was just overreacting. A few minutes later, the front door finally opened.
    Martha’s hand was pressed to her lower back and she walked with a hunch. Her face was in a grimace, indicating she was obviously in pain.
    “Aunt Martha, what’s wrong?” She rose from the chair and helped her walk forward.
    “I really hurt my back today,” she said through her heavy breathing. “I was at the hospital.”
    “Why didn’t you call me?” Alexandra demanded.
    “Its nothing serious,” she said. “It happens all the time.”
    “Then you shouldn’t be working in the fields.”
    “I can’t afford to have someone else do it.”
    “Then I’ll do it.”
    “Absolutely not,” Martha said. “I won’t suck you into this.”
    Alexandra guided her to the bedroom. “Then what are you going to do?”
    She sighed. “I may have to sell it.”
    Alexandra helped her lay on the bed. She pulled her shoes off and helped her get settled. “I can take care of the fields tomorrow. I think I know how.”
    “I have someone coming,” she said with a tired voice. “Don’t worry about it.”
    “I thought you couldn’t afford help?”
    “He’s a family friend.”
    “Oh,” she said. “Well, I’m glad you have someone. I can still help before I go