Heart of a Hero (New Beginnings Book 4)

by Margaret Daley

  “It’s right here.” Lisa rummaged through a box sitting on the couch and produced the item. “What do you think? Will it fit?” She set it on the carpet before the floor-to-ceiling window.

  After David fit the stand on the base of the trunk, then tightened the screws to hold the tree in place, he straightened and stepped back. “Well, does it look okay?”

  Lisa studied the pine that leaned to the left by at least fifteen degrees. “You don’t do this often, do you?”

  “I have to admit I don’t normally go around chopping down trees, hauling them to my house, and putting them upright in a stand. What’s wrong?”

  Andy giggled. “It’s not straight.”

  “That’s easy to take care of. I’ll just—” David scooted it around “—turn it a little and you won’t be able…” A frown twisted his mouth as he tilted his head to one side, then the other.

  “It’s worse. There’s a hole in the back of the pine.” Lisa stifled a smile as David moved the tree again.

  “Why didn’t you notice this hole when you were picking it out?” David rubbed his chin.

  “I like a tree that’s not perfect.” Like her. She hadn’t wanted it to be left at the Christmas tree farm. It needed a home, too.

  “Okay, Andy, let’s saw the bottom some to compensate for the leaning.”

  “We don’t have one,” her son said.

  “You don’t. What tools do you have?”

  “A screwdriver and hammer. That’s it.” Lisa walked to the pine and turned it back the way it was. “Let’s leave it like it is. It’s growing on me. Perfect is overrated.”

  “If you’re sure.”

  Andy nodded while she said, “Yes.”

  “What’s next?” David stood back next to her and again studied the pine. “Lights, ornaments, tinsel?”

  “We put the lights on after I check to make sure they’re working.” Andy dug into another box on the coffee table and pulled out several strings of multicolored twinkling lights.

  “While you two get those up, I’ll go make the hot chocolate and bring the cake in here.”

  “She makes it from scratch. It’s great!” Andy plugged in the first string.

  “Yeah, she is,” she heard David murmur, thankfully too low for her son to hear as she passed David to go into the kitchen.

  She shed her heavy sweater, the temperature in the apartment unusually warm. She checked to make sure her son hadn’t turned up the thermostat. But the setting of sixty-eight mocked her. She quickly put the chocolate on to melt. While it was, she scalded some milk with vanilla flavoring in it and then dissolved sugar and salt in the hot liquid. The sweet mixture spiced the air as she poured it into the melted chocolate, then beat it with a whisk. When she was finished with making the hot chocolate, she filled three mugs, topping them off with whipping cream.

  As she sliced the cake, she thought about making it the night before. She was going to see where this situation—no, there wasn’t a better word than relationship—went with David. If it was only friendship, then she would cherish that. If it was something more, then she wasn’t sure what she would do, but she couldn’t turn her back on David. She couldn’t help him if she didn’t invest some emotions into what was developing between them.

  As she brought the large tray containing the mugs and cake into the living room, the sound of her son’s laughter only confirmed what she had decided. David was a good man although he was too hard on himself and his experiences had jaded him. Andy was growing to like him and respect his opinion, which said a lot because he’d always been so standoffish where the police were concerned.

  “I notice your mom waited until we were through with putting the lights on before coming back.”

  “Yeah, Coach, you’re right.” Andy’s eyes gleamed with merriment.

  “I think we should sit and enjoy the hot chocolate and cake while she puts on all the ornaments.”

  After she set the tray on the empty end of the coffee table, she fisted her hands and placed them at her waist. “This is what I get after slaving over the stove to fix this.” She swept her arm wide above the goodies. “I can tell when my hard work isn’t being appreciated so I guess—” she bent to pick up the tray “—I’ll take this—”

  David’s hand closed around her nearest one and stilled her movements. “Put that way I think Andy and I can help you with the decorations while drinking our chocolate and eating our cake.”

  She grinned. “That’s better.” She passed one mug to Andy and another to David, then lifted her own into the air. “Here’s to family and friends.”

  Andy and David took a sip of their drink, then placed their mugs on the tray and reached for the same slice of German chocolate cake, as though they were in sync with each other.

  “Later,” Lisa said, moving the cake away from both of them. Laughter bubbled up in her at the sight of the white mustache above their lips.

  “What’s so funny?” David looked at Andy, his brow creased. When the boy glanced David’s way, he chuckled. “Never mind. I think I know.”

  Transfixed, David’s gaze trained on her, Lisa watched him run his forefinger across his mouth, erasing the white whipping cream. All she could think about was those lips had been on hers the night before. Even after being exhausted staying up late to bake the cake, she couldn’t rid her mind of the image of David leaning slowly toward her, a softness in his blue eyes that melted her insides like the gas flame melted the chocolate earlier.

  She absently fumbled for her mug and took a swig, the warm liquid sliding down her throat, her gaze still locked with David’s. His eyes sparkled as he dropped his attention to her mouth. He reached out toward her and brushed the pad of his thumb across her upper lip, then brought it to his mouth and sucked off the whipping cream.

  Sensations—all centered on David—closed her throat, making it even difficult to pull air into her lungs. Her pulse raced while the temperature in the room skyrocketed.

  “Mom, do I still have a mustache?”

  Lisa blinked, suddenly remembering her son was in the room, not far from her and David. Again, the heat of a blush colored her cheeks. How could she forget that even for a few seconds?

  She wrenched her attention from David and focused on Andy. “No,” she managed to say although she heard the squeak in her voice and winced.

  “Are you okay, Mom?” Puzzlement entered her child’s eyes.

  “I’m fine. Let’s get those ornaments on the tree,” she muttered, turning away from both of them.

  “Why can’t we have our cake? I’ve got a craving for something—sweet,” David said, amusement lacing his words.

  She shot him a look she hoped squelched his humor. He might have the fine art of flirting down; she didn’t. “That’s your reward when we’re through.”

  David peered at Andy. “Is she always such a hard taskmaster?”

  Her son nodded. “Yup, when she has her mind set on something.”

  David clasped Andy’s shoulder. “Well, then, let’s get this done so we can play.”

  * * *

  “Joey told me before class today that he’s named his pig Bolt because it’s always getting out. He said that yesterday they moved Bolt to a stall to see if that makes a difference.” David took her hand as they walked behind Joey, Andy and Gabe toward the barn at the refuge on Saturday morning.

  “I like that name.” His fingers clasped around hers felt right.

  “I think the Seven Step Program of Healing Joey’s going through is starting to work. He doesn’t seem as angry as he was a few weeks ago.” Something out of the corner of her eye caught her attention. She scanned the meadow but couldn’t find anything out of the ordinary.

  “Yeah, I hope. But as you probably know, often a person will backslide.”

  “I’m living proof of that. But I did overcome in the end.”

  “Maybe I should go through that healing program Joey’s doing because what I’m doing isn’t working. I thought the move to Cimarron
City was just what I needed. I thought changing jobs within the department was what I needed. Neither has taken the pain away, made me forget what happened in that alley.”

  The honor she experienced at being the one he told his troubles to filled her heart with an emotion she was afraid to feel. But in that moment her love for him blossomed. She wanted to take his pain into her, having been in the same low spot once in her life. Lisa halted, causing David to stop, too. She drew him back toward her and clasped his upper arms, looking into the vulnerability etched into each of his features. “Sometimes you can’t do it alone.”

  “Is this where you tell me to turn it over to the Lord?”

  “I could and you should, but I was going to tell you I’ll listen anytime you’re willing to talk. Keeping the poisonous thoughts bottled up inside you usually only means it eats away at you.”

  He brushed her hair behind her ears, one finger grazing down her jaw before tracing her mouth. “You make me think it’s possible.”

  “It is. That’s what I love about Christmas. It reminds me all things are possible through our Lord. Christmas was when I hit my lowest and started fighting my way up. When God sent us His only Son, He was sending us hope.”

  David leaned forward, his lips caressing hers. When he pulled back, his gaze, full of appreciation, captured hers. “I’m actually looking forward to the holidays this year. I might even get a small tree for my apartment.”

  “Be still, my heart. You getting a tree? Did I hear correctly?”

  He chuckled. “I know. It’s a novel idea, but I enjoyed decorating yours last weekend.”

  “We can help you decorate yours.”

  He anchored her against him. “How about one evening just you and I decorate it?”

  “Hmm. That’s a possibility.”

  “I could even fix some dinner.”

  “You cook?”

  One of his eyebrows rose. “Of course. Well, not great, but it’s passable.”

  “How about I help with the cooking, too?”

  “You’ve got yourself a date. Next Saturday night?”

  “I may have to work until seven, but otherwise, yes.” Lisa peered toward the barn. “I guess we should see where the boys went.”

  As they started forward, the potbellied pig called Bolt bolted from the back entrance with Joey chasing him.

  “I think the pig got out again,” David said with a chuckle.

  Andy near the paddock where Belle and Tiger were turned toward the squealing sound. Suddenly from the other side of the barn a big cinnamon brown dog with white splotches darted toward Bolt, intercepting the pig in its flight.

  “Get away!” Joey screamed, rushing the dog.

  The stray held down Bolt. The pig’s shrills sent chills down Lisa. She raced toward the foray with David a few feet in front of her. Andy, closer than they, also charged the attacking dog.

  Her son and Joey arrived at the same time. Shouting, Joey yanked at the stray while Andy pulled Bolt from under the dog. As David reached the boys, the animal, a boxer, ran off.

  Joey hurried to Bolt, red covering the animal’s side. Tears streamed down the boy’s face. “Is he dead?”

  Andy looked up. “No, but we need to get Roman.”

  David stooped by the pig. “Andy, can you go get Roman? I saw his van at the cottage.”

  Her son leaped to his feet and raced toward the refuge across the meadow.

  Lisa knelt on the other side of Bolt, checking the damage the stray did to the pig. “The wounds don’t look too deep. He’ll be okay, Joey.”

  “He’s got to be. He’s got to be.” Joey sat near the pig’s head, stroking it over and over. “You can’t die.”

  When Roman arrived ten minutes later, Lisa and David pulled Joey back to let Roman tend to Bolt.

  “It’s my fault. I opened the door too wide. He got away from me before I could catch him.” Joey’s eyes glistened.

  Andy, a little out of breath, came over to Joey. “You did what you could. Bolt likes to run. I think he likes to be chased. He thinks it’s a game.”

  “I was gonna play with him. That’s why I came to the barn. He should have stayed. He’ll be all right. He’ll…” Joey’s words choked to a spattering end.

  “Maybe he needs a friend.” Andy’s attention fixed upon Roman as he worked on the pig.

  “I’m his friend.” Joey stepped toward Roman, hovering near the vet, watching every move.

  “We might be able to find him another pig to keep him company when you aren’t around, Joey,” Roman said, lifting his gaze to the teen nearby. “He’s going to be fine. I’m going to take him to my practice and clean and stitch him up. I could use your help with Bolt. Okay?”

  “Yes, anything.”

  Andy moved forward. “I can help, too.”

  “Good. I’m going to go get my van, and then we’ll load him in it. You two stay and keep him company.” Roman rose.

  He came to Lisa and David. “Keep an eye out in case that stray returns. No one was bit, were they?”

  While Lisa said, “No,” David shook his head.

  “Good. Then we don’t need to worry about rabies with y’all. We need to contact Peter, find that stray and make sure it isn’t around here to do harm to other animals.”

  “We’ll do that after you leave. I don’t want the boys to worry about other pets getting hurt.” Lisa scanned the area, checking to make sure the pens around them with various animals were secured and the pets safe.

  “I’ll be back in a minute.” Roman loped across the meadow.

  Listening to Joey’s murmurs to Bolt tugged at Lisa’s heart. “I thought a little while ago I saw something coming from the woods. We should check there first.”

  “Yes, but how are we going to capture the dog?”

  Lisa backed up a few more paces so the boys couldn’t hear what they were saying. They didn’t need to worry about anything but Bolt. “Peter has a gun that shoots tranquilizers. We’ll probably need that.”

  “Has Peter ever turned an animal away?”

  “A couple of times if they might harm the ones here.” Seeing her son comforting Joey caused her throat to constrict.

  “Did you see the dog’s ribs? It hasn’t eaten much lately.”

  “Yeah, that makes for a dangerous animal.” Again Lisa searched her surroundings, noticing Roman’s van coming down the road toward the barn. “I’m thankful that Joey and Andy didn’t get bit. They didn’t think twice about coming to Bolt’s aid.”

  “A month ago, I would have been surprised by that from Joey, but in the past couple of weeks that pig has become important to him. Roman told me the other day Joey does what he has to at the cottage and in the program because then he gets to spend more time at the barn, which means more time with Bolt.”

  Roman backed up his van to the front entrance of the barn, then hopped from it and hurried toward them. He gave Bolt a shot, then spread a plastic sheet on the ground. After moving the pig to the sheet, Roman with David’s help carried the animal to the van. Settling Bolt in the back with Andy and Joey on either side of the pig, Roman gave them some instructions, then closed the doors.

  “Find the stray if possible. I’ll take care of Joey and Andy and bring them back to the refuge.” Roman climbed behind the steering wheel and started the engine.

  Watching the van disappear from view, Lisa reached for David’s hand. His strong grasp comforted her. She didn’t relish looking for the stray, but it had to be done.

  “We’d better call Peter. We don’t want a repeat of earlier,” David said.

  “I know you’re right, but the dog was only trying to survive.”

  “Maybe Peter will have a place for the stray other than here.”

  Lisa turned toward David. “Maybe. Or maybe it’s lost, and we’ll find its owner. It looked like a pure-bred boxer.”

  “That’s what I like to see—your Pollyanna outlook.” A teasing glint shone in his blue eyes. “Let’s go get Peter.”

  *
* *

  Five hours later, exhausted, Lisa sat at the kitchen table at Hannah’s house. She nursed a lukewarm cup of coffee while waiting for a call from Peter telling her the fate of the stray boxer they found.

  “They should be back soon.” Hannah set her mug on the table.

  “I hate this waiting.” Lisa could still see the tears in Joey’s and Andy’s eyes as they left with Roman and Bolt in the van.

  A sound from the front of the house announced the arrival of someone.

  “Maybe that’s good news, and they found a place for the boxer.” Lisa cradled her drink in her hands to warm her cold fingers. “He must have been on his own for quite a while. Poor thing.”

  “Didn’t I tell you, Peter. Lisa is always full of hope that things will work out,” David said from the doorway into the kitchen. He grinned. “And they did. The boxer has a new home with a shop owner who needed a guard dog. The man had been into the shelter earlier today and asked the attendant to call if any dog came in that fit his needs.”

  “What a wonderful Christmas gift. Everything ended well because Roman said that Bolt would be back to one hundred percent in a week or so. He’ll keep him overnight at his practice, but the pig should be back in his pen by tomorrow.” Lisa rose. “It’s cold out there. Want a drink of coffee?”

  “Sounds good.” David shed his heavy coat and draped it over the back of a chair.

  Peter shook his head. “I’m heading home. Has Roman returned yet?”

  “He should be here any minute.” Lisa picked up the pot and poured some coffee for David.

  When she sat next to David at the table, Lisa saw the tired lines in his face. It had been a long afternoon hunting down the stray dog, combing the whole ranch. She slid her hand to his and covered it. His gaze snagged hers. A slow smile blossomed in those blue depths. He mouthed the word thanks.

  A door slammed at the front of the house.

  Andy hurried into the room. “He’s gonna make it. Roman is great!”

  Shortly after that declaration, Roman entered, chuckling. “I need Andy to go before me and proclaim that more often.”

  “Where’s Joey?” David asked as he took a sip of coffee.