Her Holiday Hero

by Margaret Daley

  One of his eyebrows rose. “Yes, you can ask, but I won’t guarantee I’ll do it.” One side of his mouth turned up.

  “I have an idea. I’d like to drop Josh off at two then go see Sandy at her house where it’s more private. I don’t think it’ll take long. But if you’d rather not watch Josh, just say so. I’ll understand.”

  Jake glanced over her shoulder at the boy. “No problem. We can practice the moves he learned today.”

  The urge to hug Jake swamped her. Instead, she murmured, “Thanks,” then scratched Shep behind his ears and left. Josh knelt next to Shep and rubbed his hand down the length of his back. “Goodbye, boy.”

  As her son descended the porch steps, he said, “You know, Mr. Tanner isn’t so bad. I’m not mad at him anymore for showing you those guys’ pictures. I’ve been thinking. If Dad had been alive, I’d probably have told him who they were. He’d have understood.”

  “And you don’t think I would?”

  “You’re a girl. Girls freak out about fighting.”

  She stopped on the sidewalk, blocking her son’s path. “I don’t condone fighting, but I want you to be able to protect yourself long enough to get away.”

  “Sure, Mom.”

  “Self-defense is one thing. Being aggressive is totally different. Understood?”

  “Yeah. I’d be stupid to pick a fight with them. They’re bigger than me, except for Carson.”

  “I’m glad we understand each other.” She draped her arm over his shoulder and began walking.

  *

  Jake sat in his bedroom that night staring at Shep, who was sitting on his makeshift bed. The German shepherd had scratched and walked around in circles then finally settled onto the two blankets.

  “I’m not sure how this is going to work, but if you’re willing to give this a chance, I am, too.”

  Shep cocked his head, his ears sticking up.

  “I still don’t see how you can really help. I hope you prove me wrong.”

  Jake switched off his light and lay on his bed, tired from lack of sleep and overextending himself with Josh. Still, he felt as if he had made a difference. For a long time he kept his eyes open and stared up, the digital clock on his radio throwing shadows on the ceiling. But slowly his eyelids grew heavy and slid closed, whisking him into a world of dreams he would avoid if he could….

  The noise of gunfire cracked the air around him. Boom, boom rocked the ground beneath him. He lunged for shelter, screaming to his men to do likewise.

  Something wet and rough scraped across his cheek, followed by a loud sound. Barking? Jake’s eyes popped open to find Shep propped up on his hind legs against Jake’s bed. The dog’s tongue swept him again. Jake fumbled for the light and turned it on. Shep nosed Jake’s nearest hand, and he began petting the dog.

  Had he screamed out loud? Awakened the dog? Or had Shep sensed something wasn’t right? Either way, Shep had managed to stop his nightmare before it became full-fledged. That the German shepherd could do exactly what Emma had described amazed Jake. He scooted over and patted the top of his coverlet. Shep jumped up on the bed and stretched out beside Jake.

  With the light off again and one hand on the dog, Jake went to sleep, feeling hope for the first time in months.

  *

  On Sunday afternoon Sandy O’Neil gestured toward a wingback in her living room. “Have a seat, Emma. You sounded serious at church today. Is something wrong?”

  Emma’s heartbeat tapped out a fast tempo against her rib cage. All the way to Sandy’s house she’d practiced what she would say to her friend, and every word she’d come up with fled her mind.

  “Emma?”

  She swallowed then said, “Last weekend Josh was jumped by three boys in the park. As you could see today, he has bruises, a cut on his lip and above his eye.”

  “I wondered about that, but I figured if you wanted to tell me about it you’d say something. I asked Carson on the ride home if he knew what happened. He told me Josh was in a fight.”

  “Yes, one that was completely lopsided and not of his choosing.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that.”

  Emma gripped her hands, rubbing her thumb into her palm. “Thankfully, a man who lived near the park saw what was happening and broke it up before Josh was hurt worse. Two of the boys were bigger than my son. I know one was older. I’m not sure about the third kid.”

  Sandy covered her mouth with her fingers. “Oh, no. Do you know who did it?”

  “Two of the boys and I thought Carson could help me with the third one.”

  “Josh doesn’t know who he is?”

  “Yes, but he’s scared to say anything.”

  Sandy pushed to her feet. “Carson’s out back. I’ll call him in and see if he and Josh talked. They aren’t in the same class this year so they might not have.”

  “Wait before you ask Carson to join us. The reason I know Carson can tell me the name of the third boy is because your son was one of the three beating up Josh.”

  Sandy collapsed onto the couch across from Emma, the color washing from her face. “Not Carson. He doesn’t know how to fight. Josh told you he did?”

  “No, but I asked Jake Tanner, the man who stopped it, to look at the yearbook from last spring and see if he could find any of the boys. He picked out Carson and Sean Phillips. Then I talked to Josh, and he admitted it. My son is afraid of retaliation, so he didn’t want me to know who’s bullying him.”

  Sandy cringed. “My son? A bully? I don’t see that. I didn’t raise him like that.”

  “I know. That’s why I’m here talking to you. Carson and Josh were friends once. I know they drifted apart but…” Emma’s throat jammed with helplessness and frustration.

  “They had a falling-out, and Carson would never say why.”

  “Neither would Josh.”

  “I’ll be right back. We need to get to the bottom of this.” Sandy shot to her feet and marched toward the back of the house.

  Emma took a deep breath, then another, but her lungs still didn’t feel as if they had enough oxygen. The whole affair left her sick to her stomach. She heard Sandy call Carson inside, and the boy stomped toward the living room, denying he did anything wrong.

  Lord, please guide me with what to do. Let the truth come out.

  When Carson entered, he saw Emma and immediately lowered his head and pinched his lips together.

  “Hi, Carson. I haven’t seen you much but occasionally at church. I’ve missed you coming over to the house.”

  Sandy nudged her child farther into the room. “Sit. We need to talk to you.” While her son obeyed, she continued, “Did you take part in beating up Josh last weekend in the park?”

  Seconds ticked away without an answer, then finally Carson raised his head, tears in his eyes. “Yes. But I had to.”

  “Why?” His mother sat next to him.

  “If I didn’t, they’d have done it to me. I was scared.” Carson’s lower lip quivered.

  Emma’s heart cracked at the sight of Carson’s fear—much like Josh’s when he wasn’t trying to mask it. “Who are they? Sean Phillips. Who else?”

  Carson blinked rapidly. “Josh told you about Sean?”

  “No. The man who caught you fighting identified Sean and you. Who’s the third boy?”

  “If he thought I said anything, I’d…” His voice faded, replaced with crying, tears running down Carson’s face.

  Emma looked at Sandy. Her face reflected shock that slowly transformed into anger. Emma sat back in her chair, forcing her tight muscles to relax. She needed to let Sandy deal with Carson. She knew her friend would do the right thing.

  Sandy wound her arms around her son and brought him against her while he sobbed. “Emma, we’ll talk, and I’ll call you later with the third boy’s name. Then all four of us need to talk. This can’t continue.”

  “I agree. Bullies in our neighborhood and school can’t be tolerated.” Emma rose. “I can see myself out. Thank you, Sandy. Goodbye, Carson.”

  “I should be thanking you for bringing this problem to my attention.”

  Emma left the O’Neils’ house. Hope seeded in her hear
t, and she prayed it would grow. That they would come up with a solution to help their sons and others.

  Emma drove to Jake’s place in ten minutes and parked in the driveway. Josh had wanted to bring Buttons over to see Jake and Shep, but she’d told him maybe some other time. When she’d gone in to wake her son for church, Buttons had been sleeping right next to Josh, his arms lying over the terrier. This was one animal she decided she wouldn’t train for Caring Canines, and she knew Abbey would understand, especially with what was going on in her son’s life right now.

  The sounds of her son and Jake talking came from the backyard. She headed for the gate and let herself in. When she rounded the corner of the house, Josh hurled a baseball the farthest she had ever seen and Shep ran to fetch it.

  Emma approached Josh and Jake by the deck. “I don’t think you’re going to need me to be a fielder. Shep’s doing a great job.”

  “He loves to get the ball, Mom. I’ll teach Buttons to do the same thing.”

  “So I can leave and come back when you’re through?”

  Jake shook his head and smiled. “You can be the cheerleader.”

  For the next half hour Jake patiently worked with her son to show him the correct way of throwing a baseball. As she cheered on Josh, she watched Jake and saw the traits of a good leader—he provided honesty when Josh needed instruction, support even when he didn’t quite get the move right, confidence as they practiced again and again.

  When Jake sat on the deck steps, Josh plopped down next to him, breathing hard from his exertion. Shep joined the pair and lay down on the grass nearby.

  “I’m changing hats. I’m going to be the water girl. You all look like you could use some.”

  Jake leaned back, bracing himself with his elbows. “Sounds good. How about you, Josh?”

  Her son followed suit, relaxing against the stair behind him. “Yep, with lots of ice.”

  Emma mounted the steps between the two and went inside the kitchen. After serving and cleaning up the night before, she was familiar with Jake’s setup and in no time found the glasses and a bowl for Shep. She filled a pitcher with ice and water, put everything on a tray, then returned to the deck.

  “How did the self-defense lesson go?” After passing the drinks to everyone, including the dog, she sat down behind her son at the top of the stairs.

  Jake slid her a glance. “Good, but it’s not easy to practice with Josh when I’m so much taller. Maybe I can show you a few moves, and you two can go through them. It wouldn’t hurt for you to know these in case you’re ever attacked.”

  Josh’s eyes grew round and his body tensed.

  Emma hurriedly said to her son, “That’s nothing for you to worry about. It never hurts to be prepared. Just as a precaution, hon.”

  “Mom’s still a lot taller than me.” Josh’s stiff posture eased, and he gulped down most of the water in his glass.

  “Jake, are you back here?” Marcella Kime came around the corner with a basket. She smiled. “I thought I heard you.”

  Out of the corner of his mouth, Jake murmured, “Sunday afternoon is always one of her days to bring some food to fatten me up. She thinks I’ve lost too much weight.”

  “I heard that, and I’m right.” Marcella set the basket down on the step then bent over to pet Shep. “He’s adorable. It’s about time you got some companionship.” His neighbor’s gaze flitted from the dog to Emma. “Nice to see you here. Jake is way too introverted. That’s my vocabulary word for today.”

  “What’s it mean?” Josh peeked into the basket, licking his lips.

  “You can have one, kiddo. She brings enough to feed an army. I’ll let Miss Kime explain since it’s her word.”

  “Introverted means someone who likes to be alone. Jake, all my goodies can be put in the freezer to enjoy another day. Dig in, Josh. It’s my cookies with both white-and-milk chocolate chips and walnuts.” Marcella lifted the basket for Emma’s son.

  “Mmm. Thanks, Miss Kime. This is great,” Josh said with his mouth full.

  “Josh.” Emma gave him “the look” to remember his manners, then took a bite of a cookie, savoring its rich taste. “I hope I can get this recipe. These are delicious.”

  Marcella nodded. “I have all these great recipes and no children to pass them on to. Come by one day and you can take what you want and make a copy of it.”

  “Love to. I’ll give you a call.”

  Marcella set her hand on her waist and peered at Jake. “What do you think?”

  “Since I’m an introvert, I thought I should keep quiet.” He grinned and popped the last bit of his cookie into his mouth and chewed it. “Perfect as always.”

  Marcella beamed. “Music to my ears. That’s why I bake. I love hearing how much people enjoy what I make.” She started for the gate. “Share with your friends. I’ll make you some more tomorrow.” As she went around the side of the house, she waved.

  Reaching for another cookie, Jake laughed. “I’m not sure there are going to be any left to share.”

  Josh looked from Jake to Emma. “I worked up an appetite. I should have asked Miss Kime to help me demonstrate my moves.” He hopped up. “Maybe I should ask her—”

  “No,” both Emma and Jake said at the same time.

  Emma looked at Jake who added, “She may be the right height, but if you accidentally broke one of her bones, you would feel awful.”

  “Older people have more brittle bones and aren’t in as good shape as—”

  Marcella popped her head around the corner of the house. “I heard that. I may be having trouble with the lock that keeps sticking on your gate, but I have strong bones and would love to help.”

  Josh stood to his full four feet ten inches. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

  “You aren’t going to hurt me. I’m in tip-top shape.” The older woman strolled back to the group. “What have you learned?”

  The boy swung his gaze to Emma then Jake, mouthing the words, Help me.

  Jake pulled himself up and with his cane approached Marcella, gesturing for Josh to join them. “I showed him how to block some punches by forming a triangle with his arms. Since it’s such a large discrepancy between my height and his, it’s easier for him to practice with a person closer to his height.”

  The petite neighbor, still wearing her church clothes—a flowery dress, a hat and one-inch high heels—said, “I’m ready and willing. What do you want me to do?”

  “Grab the front of his T-shirt near the collar.” Jake demonstrated.

  Marcella rubbed her palms together, her eyes gleaming. When she made her move toward Josh, his expression was wary. Marcella clutched the cotton by his neck and moved in closer. Leaning back, he brought his arms up as though to ward her off and crossed one over to clasp his forearm, then brought the locked move down on his “attacker.”

  “Good, Josh!” Jake said. “You broke the hold. Depending on the circumstances you can go for various vulnerable spots or hopefully, since you’re already leaning back, you can turn and run. Get to a place where there are people.”

  Emma watched as Jake put Josh and Marcella through a couple of different scenarios using the triangle hold. Her son’s attention stayed totally focused on Jake.

  At the end, Marcella stroked her chin. “You know, I have some friends who would love to learn how to protect themselves. Me, for one. Then there is Bertha, Florence and—”

  Jake’s expression went blank. “I don’t mind your participating when I work with Josh. You two are close in size. But I don’t have time to do classes. I…” His voice sputtered to a halt. He pivoted and started for the deck stairs. “Thank you, Miss Kime, for helping us. I’m afraid all of this activity has tired me out.”

  “Remember, call me Marcella.”

  “Josh, go with Miss Kime and help her with the gate and make sure she gets home all right. I’ll meet you out front by the car.” Emma gestured toward the side yard.

  Josh’s forehead creased. “Okay.” He watched Jake who was opening the back door, Shep on his heels. Josh went to Emma and whispered, “Is he okay?”

  “Yes. You know how Uncle Ben would get when he was r
ecovering from his injuries. He may have overdone it today. I’m going to check with him about Shep then I’ll be out front.”

  As her son and Marcella left, Emma snatched up the pitcher with the three glasses and hurried after Jake before he closed the door and locked her out. Worry nibbled at her. The sight of him shutting down reminded her of Ben. She didn’t give up on her brother; she wouldn’t on Jake, either.

  Chapter Six

  Emma stepped through the entrance into the kitchen as Jake was swinging the door closed, stopping him in midmotion.

  He frowned. “I’m really tired.”

  “I won’t keep you but a few minutes. I wanted to put these in your dishwasher and check with you about Shep.”

  Jake glanced at the dog, noticing he’d followed him into the house. “I want to keep him. But would you do me a favor?”

  “Sure, anything. Josh has really responded to what you’re teaching him.”

  “So did Marcella—too much.” The thought of going somewhere and teaching self-defense had sent a bolt of panic through him. It was one thing to help Josh with a few moves, but he didn’t want to be responsible for instructing others—not when he’d been unable to save his men from walking into an ambush. Their deaths felt like a bombed building crushing him beneath the rubble.

  Emma put the pitcher and glasses in the dishwasher, then faced Jake. “What do you need me to do?”

  He dug his wallet out of his back jean pocket and gave her some money. “If you’ll get me everything that Shep needs, I’d appreciate it. You know what he’s used to. Any toys. Treats. Food.”

  “We’ll go after we leave here. Do you need anything for his bedding?”

  “No, that’s been taken care of.” He remembered waking up this morning with Shep stretched out inches from him on top of the cover. His fingers instinctively went to stroke the dog’s fur, and he’d known in that instant he didn’t want to return Shep. A calmness flowed through him as he petted the German shepherd. If there had been any doubt left, Shep’s eyes, conveying instant affection for Jake, would have erased it. The dog had low crawled what space had been between them and placed his head on Jake’s chest, forging a bond that went straight to his heart.