A Heart for a Heart

by Cheryl Pierson

  A Heart for a Heart

  Cheryl Pierson

  A Heart for a Heart by Cheryl Pierson

  Copyright © 2011 by Cheryl Pierson

  Cover Art by Livia Reasoner

  Fire Star Press

  www.firestarpress.com

  All rights reserved.

  This is a work of fiction. The characters, incidents, and dialogues are products of the author's imagination and are not to be construed as real.

  No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews

  Kiera Leslie is all set to welcome Cory Tiger into her home as a foster child. Orphaned and with a learning disability, Cory is looking forward to living with his tutor. Until his uncle shows up...

  Sam Tiger returns from military duty to find his deceased brother's son being taken in by a stranger. The boy needs his family—and Sam is it. He never expects the tutor to stand up to him and want to keep Cory. Then the worst happens—he finds himself attracted to Kiera.

  It’s Valentine’s Day, and Cupid’s got deadly aim!

  Chapter One

  “Let's try it again, Cory.” Kiera Leslie pushed her hair back and straightened her shoulders. Nothing was more uncomfortable than these elementary school plastic chairs. They'd been working on the spelling words for the past twenty-five minutes, over half of their tutoring time gone for the day. “Look them over one more time.”

  “Yes, Miss Kiera,” Cory murmured, dutifully bending to his task again.

  “Cory?”

  The ten-year-old looked up at her with eyes as black as coal. His expression gave away nothing.

  “Is...everything all right at the Landrums'?”

  “I guess.” He scuffed his feet together under the table. “When can I come live with you, though?”

  Kiera smiled. “Tomorrow, sweetie.” She put a gentle hand on his shoulder. “I know it's been a very hard month for you—losing your parents and having to go into foster care.” He nodded, and she sensed his hesitancy.

  “I don't like Mr. Landrum. He says things—” Cory broke off.

  “Like what?” Kiera figured she had a pretty good idea, and when Cory didn't answer, she knew she'd been right. “About you being Indian?” Cory nodded, and lowered his head.

  Anger shot through her, and she steadied herself before she went on. “What does he say, Cory?”

  “He calls me “Chief” and he says stupid stuff in front of people. The other day, one of the neighbors came over and Mr. Landrum tried to make me dance. I told him no, and he said I had to—to dance, or I couldn't have supper.”

  “What?”

  “I'm not lyin' Miss Kiera. I promise.”

  “I know, honey,” she reassured him. “What happened next?”

  Cory raised his head and looked at her directly. “I wouldn't do it. So I didn't get any supper. Mrs. Landrum came in later on and gave me a couple of cookies and a glass of milk.”

  “Oh, Cory—”

  “It didn't matter.” He shrugged. “And I've just got one more night—”

  One more night in hell. Kiera's lips pressed together, her mind tumbling. If she called the case worker, maybe...

  “Miss Kiera, when I come to stay with you, could we order pizza sometimes? The Landrums don't believe in pizza.”

  Kiera smiled. “We'll have it tomorrow night, to celebrate.” Kiera had pulled some strings to get the courts to allow Cory to be placed in her home. She'd just completed her training and background check two weeks earlier, and a friend who worked for the Department of Human Services had arranged Cory's permanent placement with her, even though she was single. The system had need of good homes, and that didn't necessarily mean two-parent homes any more, with so many of them disappearing nowadays. Kiera had passed with flying colors, and she was looking forward to welcoming Cory Tiger into her life.

  She'd been Cory's tutor for the past three years, ever since the middle of second grade. Somehow, despite all the problems he'd faced, he'd managed to pass. Since she'd become his tutor, Kiera had come to know Cory and he'd opened up to her after the first few weeks they'd met.

  As time went by, Kiera could see that Cory was struggling to beat the odds stacked against him. An alcoholic mother, a drugged-out father, a baby sister who had already been given to distant relatives to raise, and on top of everything, a mild form of dyslexia.

  Kiera had already begun the foster care training program, and nearly had it completed when Cory's parents were killed in a car wreck. The Landrum household was a stopgap measure until Cory could be placed somewhere permanently. Tomorrow, she hoped with everything in her, that transition would happen smoothly.

  “I'm ready,” Cory muttered under his breath.

  Kiera's throat tightened at the worried doubt in Cory's voice. He'd been through so much—it had to all work out, for his sake. She patted his arm. “It's going to be fine, Cory.” She gave him a reassuring smile. “You'll see.”

  He nodded, still looking uncertain as he turned back to study his spelling words before they went over them again.

  Kiera glanced toward the door of the library, catching a glimpse of movement. A tall serviceman stood just inside the doorway in camo pants, a nondescript gray t-shirt and combat boots. His skin was a shade darker than Cory's, but when he met her eyes, she knew there could be no doubt that he and the boy were related.

  Her heart jumped. He looked at her without smiling, then started toward the table where she and Cory sat.

  Cory looked up, startled at first, then a joyous smile lit his face. “Uncle Sam!” He pushed the chair back quickly and stood, just as the man reached him, engulfing him in a hug.

  “Cory!” He went down to his haunches after a moment, looking at Cory, his hands rubbing Cory's arms and shoulders. “Look at you!”

  “I'm ten now!”

  Sam laughed and came to his feet, ruffling Cory's dark hair. “I know.”

  Handsome. My God, the man was handsome. With eyes as penetrating and knowing as if he carried the wisdom of the ages, short cropped black hair, and an easy, killer smile.

  Kiera stood like a wax figure, unmoving, her thoughts tumbling in crazy circles. Uncle Sam, Cory had said. In the dim recesses of her mind, she remembered there had been made mention of an uncle, Sam Tiger, who was serving in Iraq.

  He had had several months left to serve, and when he hadn't come to his brother and sister-in-law's funeral, Kiera had assumed he had no family interest.

  “I'm sorry I couldn't come earlier,” he said to Cory, a shadow passing across his dark features. “I didn't know about your mom and dad until it was too late.”

  Cory nodded. “It's okay. I knew you'd come as soon as you could.”

  Sam looked at Kiera and extended his hand. “I'm Sam Tiger.”

  “Kiera Leslie,” Kiera managed, taking his hand, breathing in the faint spicy scent of his aftershave.

  He gave her a firm handshake that spoke of a man who was used to assuming command in any situation. “Miss Leslie. Nice to meet you.”

  Kiera smiled, hoping she'd be able to find her voice again, and that it wouldn't sound so ragged this time. “You too. Nice, I mean. Uh, to meet you—”

  I am an idiot. Her face burned with embarrassment, and thankfully, Cory unwittingly broke in to save her.

  “Miss Kiera's my tutor, Uncle Sam. An' tomorrow she's gonna let me come and live with her. We're gonna eat pizza to celebrate. You'll be there, won't you, Uncle Sam? Please come—”

  “Whoa, Cory, hold on a minute.” Sam shook his head, his smile fading. “What do you mean, you're gonna be living with her?”

  Before Cory could an
swer, Kiera said, “I've asked to be Cory's foster parent since—the accident. He's been in temporary care for the past month, but tomorrow—”

  “Tomorrow he'll be with me, Miss Leslie,” Sam cut in coldly. “Looks like I got here just in the nick of time.” He stiffened, his features becoming hard as chiseled granite. “That's the reason I'm here—to take custody of my nephew.”

  Chapter Two

  By the way Miss Kiera Leslie bristled at that statement, Sam could see she was no pushover. He had a fight on his hands. So much for riding in on the white horse to rescue his nephew. Cory looked absolutely crestfallen. It made him wonder.

  Their family had been a mess ever since he could recall, and not just his older brother Matt. It had started long before then. Sam and Matt had been raised in the rural—very rural—community in central Oklahoma. The bottle had been Matt's escape. Sam had chosen the military as his way out. By the glare Kiera Leslie was giving him, Sam knew he had handled this situation about as badly as he could.

  But dammit, he hadn't expected to arrive back home, ready to accept the responsibility of his nephew, to confront someone who'd made the same plans.

  “You aren't related to him,” Sam said, giving voice to his thoughts.

  Miss Leslie looked like he'd slapped her, he thought, rather than stating an obvious fact. Her eyes widened momentarily before they narrowed into what resembled green bits of glass. Shimmering glass. She was about to cry. But she blinked rapidly and squared her shoulders, lifting her cute little chin.

  Sam glanced at her left hand. No wedding band. They were placing Cory with a single mom? Or did she have a live-in companion? Surely, the Oklahoma court system hadn’t progressed that far.

  “I care for Cory very much, Mr. Tiger. I've been his tutor for the last three years, and—”

  “What does Mr. Leslie think of bringing a foster child into your home?” He cut her off. He didn't give a damn if she 'cared for' Cory. Dammit, Cory was his flesh and blood, not hers!

  “There is no 'Mr.' Leslie. Excuse me a moment.” She turned to Cory. “Better go on back to class, honey,” she said softly. “I'm sorry we didn't get a chance to go over your spelling words again.”

  Her smile was forced, and Sam noticed how her hand shook as she reached to pat Cory's shoulder.

  “Bye, Uncle Sam,” Cory said as he turned to go. “See you this afternoon? After school's out?” There was an uncertain look in his eyes, and it cut Sam to the quick. He'd put it there. He'd given Cory doubt once more. He hunkered down and put his hands on Cory's shoulders. This wasn't settled yet—not by a long shot—but Kiera—Miss Leslie—was right, not to discuss it in front of Cory. It could only cause him to worry.

  “Yep. For sure, Cory. I've got some business to take care of, and I may not be here when school's out, but I'll see you this evening. Let me get some stuff ironed out, and I'll see you later on.”

  “Hey, maybe we can go have dinner or something—maybe go to Burger World—if you wanted?”

  Sam smiled. “That'd be great. You and me.”

  “And Miss Kiera, right?”

  Sam was caught, and he knew it. There was no way of escaping without appearing rude.

  But Kiera broke in to graciously save his ass. “Cory, maybe your uncle would like to catch up with you in private.”

  Cory smiled brightly. “It's okay. He won't mind, will you?” He looked into Sam's eyes, and Sam shook his head.

  “No. I won't mind. We'll figure something out.”

  Cory's good humor was restored as he picked up his books and hurried away.

  Sam watched him go, thinking of what he wanted to say to Kiera. He figured he better start with their only common ground.

  “He's a good kid. Always has been.” He turned to look at Kiera, noticing for the first time what a pretty color her hair was. Auburn. Brown, with rich highlights of gold and copper shot through it. Glossy, and just the right length to slide his hands through. It would feel like silk, and he’d wrap his fingers in it—

  She was looking at him oddly as she replied. “Yes. He is a good boy. I've been tutoring him now for—”

  “—the last three years,” Sam finished irritably. What was he thinking? Must have been without female companionship so long he was falling for the first woman he'd come into contact with. The wrong woman. He couldn't afford to let himself thaw toward her at all. It could be disastrous for him. For Cory.

  Hurt flashed across her delicate features, but she schooled herself quickly.

  My God, she's young.

  He raked a hand through his short hair, then put his hands on his hips and looked down. “I'm sorry, Miss Leslie. I'm tired I guess—been flying for the better part of two days on a military transport.”

  He had not believed his defenses could disintegrate so quickly. She laid a tentative hand on his upper arm, and when he looked into her serious gaze, he knew he was in deep trouble. When she spoke in a soft, smoky voice, he had to get a grip on his heart.

  “Thank you,” she said. Just a simple thank you. He didn't have to even ask her what for. It was written in her face, etched in her eyes, electric in her touch against his skin where the t-shirt sleeve ended.

  It was for all the lonely nights he'd spent on duty in that godforsaken place; for the hours of his life traded for the knowledge he'd gained—skills he'd not be able to put to good use in the civilized world.

  Before he could try to form a response, Kiera went on. “My dad served in Viet Nam. He told me stories of how he and the others were treated when they came home.” She let her hand drop from his skin, and he felt the loss of the contact. “I...just wanted to say thank you for your service.” Shyness tinged her voice, and he realized she felt she'd said too much to him, a stranger, and not a very friendly one, at that.

  Sam nodded. “Can we...start over?”

  Her lips curved in a sweet smile of forgiveness. “Sure. We both want Cory to have an easier time of it. It's been so hard on him.” She looked away and Sam got the feeling she was worried about being overheard.

  “Is there someplace we can go?” he asked. “Are you finished here?”

  “Yes. Cory's my last one. I put him at the end of the line so I can give him more time.” She nodded toward the door. “I'll get my things and we'll head out. There's a coffee shop about a half-mile from here.”

  “Can I get a lift?”

  “Of course! I never even thought—well, just off the plane, you don't have a car.”

  Sam held the door for her, and they walked toward the front hall together. Sam stopped at the office to sign out and pick up his duffel bag. She fidgeted with her purse while she waited. She was nervous. Was it because of him, personally, Sam wondered, or was she unused to being around men in general?

  As they walked across the parking lot, neither of them spoke. The wind had gotten up, and Sam shrugged into his camo jacket.

  Kiera clicked the door locks open from a few steps back and they hurriedly got into her silver Malibu, Sam stowing his bag in the back seat. With a shiver, Kiera put the key in the ignition, her hands trembling.

  “Coffee will be wonderful,” she stated, gripping the steering wheel. “I'm freezing.”

  “I'd forgotten how the wind can be here,” Sam said.

  Kiera backed the car out and started through the parking lot. “How long are you here for?”

  Sam watched her for a moment before he answered. “I'm here for good. The Marines and I are parting ways.” It wasn't entirely true, but he didn't want to tip his hand as far as Cory was concerned.

  “Wow, that's serious. Once a Marine, always a Marine, or so they say.”

  Sam smiled. “Guess that's true enough. But I'd like to think that family's that way, too. Cory's the most important thing right now.”

  Kiera nodded her agreement. “It's been a hard year for him. First the baby being given away—”

  “What?” Sam leaned up, turning to face her more fully. “What baby?”

  She glanced at him qu
ickly as she turned on her blinker. “Your...niece, Avery. Cory's little sister.”

  Sam shook his head as she made the turn and pulled into the parking lot of Java Joe's.

  “You didn't know?”

  He'd had a niece and never known it. How could that have happened? And why hadn't Matt told him? Granted, they hadn't been close in recent years. But having a baby was huge. How could he have not told his own brother?

  “Avery,” he muttered. “How old is Avery?”

  Kiera reached for her purse. “She's close to two now, I'd say.”

  Sam stared into space, looking at nothing in particular. He hadn't bargained for this—a baby. “Where is she? With a different family, I guess?”

  Kiera did it again. She laid a comforting hand on his sleeve, and suddenly, things seemed more manageable. “She's with some uh…distant relatives, Sam.” She gave his arm a quick squeeze. “Come on. I'll tell you everything I know.”

  Chapter Three

  He probably had no money. Being straight out of Iraq as he was, and having come to see Cory before he did anything else, he wouldn't have had time to go to the bank. As they approached the counter, Sam reached for his wallet.

  “Let me,” Kiera said. “I want to buy. A welcome home coffee, okay?” She turned to the cashier, a teenaged girl with bright blue eyes. “I'll have a peppermint mocha.”

  “Plain coffee,” Sam said. “Black.” As the girl took Kiera's money, Sam leaned close to her. “The next one's on me.”

  Kiera nodded. “Okay.”

  Sam's dark eyes were warm with laughter. “I'll show you what a big spender I can be tonight, at Burger World.”

  Kiera giggled. “You're on. I plan to upsize my fries if you can afford it.”

  “I'll manage.”

  The cashier handed them their cups and they made their way to a booth in the back corner. Kiera slid in one side and Sam the other, facing her.

  “Tell me, now, Kiera. Everything.” Sam took the lid off of his cup before looking up to meet her eyes. “Including how you got yourself appointed as Cory's foster mom.”