A Hero for Her Heart (Truly Yours Digital Editions Book 885)

by Candice Miller Speare

  “I’ve been proud and stubborn, Lord.” But she had her reasons. She’d do anything to hide the extent of their family problems from outsiders. She wanted to protect Luke and hide what he’d done. Lying, keeping a second set of books. . .her own brother. But why had he done it? What could have driven a man who was otherwise so honest in his dealings to lead a double life? Worse, she had to admit she felt betrayed by the Lord. Why had He allowed so many bad things to happen?

  She clasped her hands and closed her eyes. “Lord, we need answers. If You’re really there, if You really do watch over us, please give me answers.”

  Forty minutes later Allie forced down bites of toast in the kitchen while she tried not to think about Derrick. Stop it! she told herself. Why was she dwelling on a virtual stranger? The phone rang and put a stop to her ridiculous train of thought. She snatched it off its cradle and barked, “Hello!”

  “Allie, it’s me. I forgot to tell you last night that I invited. . .so I. . .and he. . .then I. . .”

  “Shannon?” Allie pressed the phone closer to her ear. “I can barely hear you.”

  “Oh. . .won’t hold the cell to my ear. . .” Shannon said something else that Allie didn’t catch. “Just read. . .same as sticking your head. . .microwave. Brain cancer.”

  Allie huffed out a sigh. “Well why can’t you wait until we get to church?”

  “No! This is important!” Shannon’s voice came through loud and clear. “Did you hear the part about Derrick coming to church?”

  “What?” Heat burned her cheeks. Just when she’d been dreaming about him.

  “I invited him last night, but I forgot to tell you.”

  Allie ignored the footsteps coming into the kitchen and focused on the phone conversation.

  Shannon giggled. “I think he likes you, Allie. All that time we played Scrabble, he kept trying not to look at you. You know how I’m good at reading body language—”

  “Shannon! Why did you invite him to church? I’m not interested in a man right now, no matter what his body language says. You remember what I went through nine months ago with—” She turned to see her mother standing in the doorway.

  “Michael? Forget about him!” Shannon said. “You need to leave that in the past and move on.” The timbre of her voice had changed to the one she used for animals and small children, making Allie feel stupid. “Besides, Derrick coming to church is really not that big a deal. If anything, we’re being kind to someone who’s temporarily in town. What harm can come from it?”

  Ma cleared her throat, and Allie faced her, pointing at the phone.

  “Shannon, I’m not—”

  Ma pointed at Danny then at her watch.

  “I have to go,” Allie said.

  “Okay. I’ll talk to you at church.” Shannon’s voice was too cheerful.

  As she hung up, Allie could have sworn she heard her friend laugh, and a bolt of irritation raced up her spine. She switched her attention to her mom. “Let me brush my teeth real fast.”

  “Okay. I take it the hero will be at church today?”

  “I guess.” Allie shrugged. “Thanks to Shannon.”

  “He will?” Danny smiled widely. “Yay!”

  “Hurry, then. We’ll be waiting for you in the car.” Ma and Danny walked out of the kitchen into the utility room and then outside.

  As Allie hurried to the bathroom, she mentally scolded her friend. Shannon had arranged this on purpose. Now there were three people set on matchmaking. Her mother, Danny, and Shannon, and she wanted no part of it.

  ❧

  As Allie walked down the church aisle, her eyes burned and she glanced up at the wooden ceiling beams to hide her tears. Hard as she tried to please the Lord, to love Him, she was at odds with Him lately. Her anger caused her lack of faith in His goodness, and she couldn’t find a cure for it.

  I’m sorry, Lord.

  Trailing Ma and Danny, Allie shuffled into the pew four rows from the front and sat at the end next to Danny. Her gaze automatically roamed to the second row. Shannon. They locked gazes, and Shannon winked, then she smiled at Ma and Danny.

  Allie turned at the tap on her shoulder. She found herself staring up into Derrick’s dark eyes, unable to utter a solitary word.

  Derrick smiled. “Good morning.”

  His crisp shirt dazzled white in contrast to his tanned skin and black hair. She grew as breathless as yesterday when he yanked her from Chester’s back and into his arms.

  “Mr. Derrick!” Danny grabbed Derrick’s attention, saving her the mortification of revealing her inability to form a coherent sentence, a rare occurrence.

  Derrick greeted Danny with a warm smile. “How are you, Spiderman?”

  “Great. This is my granny.” Danny pulled on Ma’s hand.

  Allie’s face heated. She should’ve made the introduction, but Derrick had her so tongue-tied, she’d forgotten her manners.

  “Derrick,” Ma said, “it’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Betsy Vahn. Please call me Betsy. Thank you so much for rescuing my daughter yesterday.”

  “I told Granny you’re a hero,” Danny added.

  “And he told me all about hero school.” Ma’s grin was wide. “If we’d known you were coming, we would have saved you a seat.” She leaned forward, indicating with her eyes that the pew was filled, and shrugged.

  “Quite all right.” Derrick pointed to the front. “Shannon saved me a seat.”

  A spot near Shannon? Allie felt a spurt of jealousy, then told herself to get over it. She wasn’t interested in any man. Not now. Not for a long time. But despite her mental self-chastisement, she watched as he walked over to sit beside her best friend.

  Allie’s cell phone vibrated in her purse. She fished it out, peered at the text message on the screen, and saw Michael’s name. ALLIE, WE NEED TO TALK. The man wasn’t listening to her. She didn’t want to talk. She wanted nothing to do with him.

  The music commenced, and Allie stuffed the phone back into her purse and rose with the congregation, but her gaze kept returning to Derrick’s broad shoulders. He seemed to know the songs by heart—not once looking at the lyrics on the overhead projector. She caught a glimpse of the side of his face. Eyes closed and hands lifted, he appeared to be sincerely worshipping God. Allie leaned forward, caught her mother looking at her, and swung her gaze to the screen. Great. Ma was grinning.

  What was there to grin about? Who knew anything about Derrick Owens? Charming, friendly, and more than likely a professing Christian, but experience had proven even people she’d known a long time couldn’t be trusted.

  ❧

  As the pastor wound up his sermon and asked the boys’ group to come forward for the special ceremony, deep sadness washed over Derrick. Sandy should be here. She should see this boy who was her blood. He had to find an opportunity to snap a picture of Danny to show his sister. Though Allie and her mother obviously loved the boy, he had to get close enough to check if he was being raised in a good environment. Just to ease Sandy’s mind and, if he was truthful, his own.

  He couldn’t resist turning his head to observe Allie and her mother. Betsy was tall and blond with brown eyes, so different in looks than petite Allie with her auburn hair and green eyes.

  Allie met his gaze, and Derrick turned toward the front and looked at Danny. So many details pointed toward Danny being his nephew, like his age, birth date, last name, and the mention of a Paige Maynard that Derrick had heard yesterday. But Danny’s eyes cinched it for Derrick. Black like his own and Sandy’s, a trait they’d inherited from their father.

  Derrick tugged at his tie. A part of him wanted to talk to Paige—the woman who had taken advantage of Sandy when she was only nineteen. But as much as he resented the lawyer and wanted to give her a piece of his mind, he reminded himself he had to keep his promise. Talking to Paige might lead to Allie discovering who he was and his relationship to Danny.

  The pastor asked for the parents of the boys to come up.

  Derrick’s heart felt
like it was cracking. Danny’s parents were gone. His biological mother was slipping away, too. He fisted his hands and forced himself not to stand and take part in the ceremony.

  But Allie ran up to stand beside Danny. Her face shone with love. Derrick couldn’t pull his gaze from her. Something he’d never felt before put his senses on high alert. This feeling. . .it wasn’t familiar to him. He’d dated many women, beautiful women. But Allie. Perhaps he was looking at her heart, far past the physical, warm and inviting.

  She caught him staring, but he made no attempt to hide that he was watching her. Their gazes entwined, just for a moment, and his heart thundered in his chest. He had to get out of town. Fast. Before anyone discovered the truth. And before he lost his heart to a woman he could never have.

  Danny left his friends to hug Shannon, then high-fived Derrick before running from the church.

  “That kid’s like lightning,” Derrick said, glancing over at Shannon. “Thanks for inviting me to the service.”

  “I’m so glad you were able to make it. Danny is something else.” Shannon’s eyes searched his face and lingered. “Isn’t he?”

  Had she seen a resemblance between himself and Danny? “Yes, he’s a great kid.”

  “I’ve often wondered about his real family. They have to be awesome.” Shannon half smiled and patted his arm. “I’ve got to run. Will we see you again?”

  “I don’t know,” Derrick said. At least that was the total truth.

  “Okay.” Shannon turned abruptly and ran smack into Allie. “Hey, Al. You know what the Bible says, right? ‘In all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.’ ”

  Allie fidgeted with her purse strap. “What are you talking about?”

  Shannon glanced from Allie to Derrick. “Just keep it in mind.”

  Danny bounded back into the church whooping and made a beeline for them.

  “Shh,” Allie motioned with her index finger on her lips. “This is a church.”

  Smiling, Danny bounced on the balls of his feet. “When are we leaving?”

  “Shortly.” Allie combed her fingers through Danny’s dark hair. “I was so proud of you today.”

  “Thanks, Aunt Allie, but I’m really hungry. Can we go—”

  “Allie, I’ll see you in a little while.” Shannon pointed her thumb over her shoulder. “You should invite Derrick to the picnic today.”

  Allie opened her mouth to speak, but her mother spoke first.

  “What a great idea, Shannon.” Betsy’s eyes were warm. “The boys’ club is coming over for a barbecue and potluck. You come, too. It’ll be my thank-you for rescuing Allie.”

  Allie’s head snapped toward her mother, and her brows lifted.

  “Cool! Please come.” Danny nodded enthusiastically and tugged on Derrick’s arm.

  How could he refuse the boy? “All right, then. I’ll see you there,” he said, which earned him an unreadable glance from Allie.

  Seven

  Derrick pulled his gray Silverado into the Vahns’ driveway and sat behind the steering wheel, strumming his fingers on the dashboard. He shouldn’t be here. He was getting too emotionally involved—and not just with Danny.

  Even if an argument could be made for coercion when it came to Danny’s adoption, that point was moot now. Sandy only wanted to know her son was safe and happy. She didn’t want his life interrupted. Yet here Derrick sat in front of the Vahns’ house, wanting to spend time not only with his nephew, but also with Danny’s aunt, both of whom he’d be better off never seeing again. No way could he have a relationship with Allie. Wishing that things could be different only made the situation more difficult. He hardened his resolve to get a picture of Danny. That done, he’d walk out of his life—and Allie’s—forever.

  As Derrick strode up the gravel path to the house, he couldn’t help but view the property with a real estate agent’s eye. It was habit after years in the business. Despite the obvious efforts of the two women to keep things up, the property had a run-down air. The gardens were neat and tidy, but all the buildings needed a coat of paint, including the house. The land around the house was pretty. Flat fields with clumps of trees here and there. Some of the outbuildings in the back were falling down, but the barn remained in good shape.

  He scanned the old, single-pane glass windows. From his periphery, he thought he saw Allie staring out one of the upstairs windows, but when he looked again, she’d gone.

  No more stalling. Derrick rang the bell, and Danny was at the screen in two seconds flat. “Mr. Derrick!” He swung open the door with a warm, welcoming smile.

  “Danny.” Derrick gave the boy a quick hug and was rewarded with the feel of his nephew’s arms around his neck, a bittersweet experience that he tucked away to cherish as a memory.

  They stood in a tile foyer, and a long hallway spread out in front of them with a wide staircase on the right. To his left through an arched opening was a formal living room. Derrick surreptitiously studied the old farmhouse, which he judged to have been built in the early 1900s. Everything was neat and tidy and so clean. He would find no dust balls in the corners. But the furniture was dated and the sofa threadbare. Old water stains marred the ceilings. Signs of decay would be evident, even to someone without a practiced eye.

  Derrick walked farther into the room, and his breath caught in his chest. There, on top of a spinet piano amidst an array of framed photos, was the same picture Sandy had given him of her son with his new parents. Only this one was larger and framed with gold.

  “Come on,” Danny said, tugging at Derrick’s arm. “Let’s go outside through the kitchen.”

  Derrick ripped his gaze from the picture to follow Danny. As they started up the hall, Betsy entered through a doorway at the other end where he could see a kitchen. She strode toward them, carrying a piece of paper.

  “Derrick! I’m so glad you made it. Allie is upstairs. She’ll be down in a minute.” She held up the paper. “I’ve made a sign for the front telling everyone to go around back and join us. That way we don’t have to keep answering the door.”

  “Yes, good. . .good idea.” He had to get his bearings. He felt overwhelmed and couldn’t think straight. If only Sandy were strong enough to be with him now.

  Betsy taped the sign to the door, then turned to her grandson. “Danny, Pastor John is heating the grill. You go out and make sure he has everything he needs. I’ll be out in a minute.”

  “You come, too, Mr. Derrick,” Danny said as he bolted down the wood-floored hall and disappeared into the kitchen.

  “Be right there.” Derrick kept in step with Betsy’s slower pace.

  “This house is old,” Betsy said, her tone apologetic. “It needs more work than we’ve been able to do.”

  She must’ve noticed him checking things out. “Oh, was I gaping? If so, I’m sorry. I love old houses and tend to imagine renovations here and there.”

  “That’s fine. I understand.” She sighed as they walked. “My husband never had time to do much. He was too busy with the family blacksmith business. Nor did we have the money to do a lot of renovation. We still don’t.”

  “A lot of people find themselves in situations like that.” Derrick wanted to kick himself for whatever she’d read on his face that had her making excuses for the condition of the house. Perhaps his facial expressions were too like his father’s. A man who tended to look down on those who weren’t in his social stratum.

  The front door banged open. Betsy whirled around, and Derrick glanced over his shoulder.

  Michael, the man he’d met at the parade, walked into the foyer.

  “Oh,” Betsy whispered. “I’d forgotten Michael was coming. Let me introduce you.”

  “We’ve already met. At the parade.” Derrick couldn’t help the irritable tone of his voice. He hadn’t liked Michael at first glance and didn’t like him any better now. But he was worried the reason was jealousy, and Derrick hated that emotion.

  Be
tsy must have noticed. She sent him a fast glance. “Oh. Well then, please excuse me. I need to say hello.”

  Derrick let her go and made a quick exit into the kitchen. Since Paige was Michael’s sister, there was always the possibility he would mention Derrick to her. And despite the passing of almost nine years, she might recognize his name and tell Allie or her mother. He could only imagine the hurt in Allie’s eyes if she discovered he had misrepresented himself to her, Betsy, and Danny.

  In the kitchen he skirted a large oak table covered with bowls and platters of food to reach the mudroom. There he exited the house onto a cement slab that served as a back porch. Under a large maple tree, Danny and the pastor were working on the grill, and Danny waved but was immediately distracted by one of his friends. People stood or sat in groups talking. No one paid much attention to him. This was a perfect time to snap a few pictures and just observe. He walked over to another maple, partially hiding himself, and held his phone up until he could see Danny on the display screen, then snapped. He took two more, glanced up, and noticed the spectacular view of the Blue Mountains in the distance so took a few shots of them, too.

  “Taking pictures?”

  Derrick jumped, almost dropping his phone. Shannon stood at his elbow.

  “I love the scenery here,” he said quickly.

  “So it would seem.” Shannon tilted her head.

  “I don’t have a view like this at home.” Derrick opened the viewer on his phone and showed her the pictures he’d taken of the mountains. All the while his mind screamed, Liar!

  ❧

  Allie stayed upstairs as long as she could. Lack of sleep caught up with her, and she wasn’t in the mood to see anyone, yet she had to go face a houseful. She’d watched Derrick arrive and then Michael. Their joint presence alone was enough to make her feign sickness. But she couldn’t do that to Danny or Ma. And she had to start the burgers.

  She ran down the stairs to the kitchen and took a platter of raw burgers from the refrigerator. A shadow fell over her, and she turned and saw Michael.

  “You’re avoiding me.” Michael crossed his arms like he expected an explanation. “I saw you hide behind your truck before the parade.”