They would never have dared venture beyond the allowed area if he were still here. They'd been afraid of him. In retrospect, it was that fear that kept them safe from harm. Alex had thought his strictness cruel, but it was actually proof of his love and caring. Alex had been too lax with the kids. Less an authority figure than a buddy or a friend. Never stern or demanding, she tried to reason with them rather than dictate to them. Allowing the line between adult and child to become blurred.
There is a happy medium between the two!
