“I’m sorry,” Derrick said, “this should’ve been cleared with you first. I won’t come.”
“What? No, it’s fine.” Her heart hammered as hard as the day she’d nearly been thrown from Chester. “Danny invited you. But I want you there, too.” Allie clamped her hand over her big mouth. What had possessed her? Heat traveled from her neck, into her cheeks, stinging the tips of her ears.
“Are you sure?” The softness of his voice seemed to suggest a deeper question. But she could be hearing what she wanted to hear.
She summoned her most casual tone. “Of course Danny wants you there or he wouldn’t have called.”
“As long as you’re okay with it, I—”
“Of course. It feels like you’re a friend of the family already.”
“Thanks for that. So. . .any gift ideas? I’m not up on the latest for nine-year-olds.”
“Hmm, I’m getting him a handheld game system. How about you get him a game to go with that?”
“Easy enough,” Derrick said, and the background noises suggested she should make a graceful exit.
Allie cleared her throat. “I guess—”
“I’ve got to—”
They spoke at the same time.
“Sorry.” Derrick laughed. “You first.”
“I was just going to say I have an appointment, and I guess I’d better go.”
“Sure thing. I’m about to head out to a meeting with a client who might be interested in your property.”
“Oh, that’s great,” Allie lied.
They exchanged good-byes, and Allie snapped her phone closed. “What’s wrong with me?” She rested her head against the steering wheel. Derrick ended the call with business, taking all the wind out of her sails. Not that you’re in the market for a man, she reminded herself.
Allie shifted the truck into DRIVE and headed toward her next appointment, her stomach aching and a dull throb in her head. Even if she couldn’t save herself from her foolish emotions, she had Danny’s feelings to consider. The poor kid had attached himself to any father figure she’d brought home. Derrick Owens had been in town to find land for a developer. She had Danny and Ma to consider. Time would tell if Derrick became anything else.
“Lord, if Derrick’s got a fatal flaw, please reveal it to me. If he’s nothing more than a real estate agent selling our land, please intervene and don’t let us all get attached to him.” Her prayer was heartfelt. Ever since Pastor prayed for her at the picnic, she’d found herself more expectant about God’s answers. Slow but sure, she was beginning to give her life back to the Lord. To trust Him.
Trust. She didn’t trust men, either, and she was surprised Derrick had wormed his way into her life so easily. Were she and Derrick two ships passing in the night? Allie sighed. She’d have to get it out on paper. She would have to write a poem.
❧
Good phone conversation or bad? Derrick frowned. Today Allie had shifted emotional gears fast enough to make his head spin.
Laura ran up to him and grabbed his arm. “Mr. Owens, your dad wants you in his office. . .ASAP.” His secretary’s whispered command startled him from his deep thoughts.
Derrick nodded, then rounded the corner and strode down the long foyer to the end of the hall. Now what? Surely he’d be called to task for not giving a full account of his whereabouts. His mind raced, and he dismissed one lie after the other.
Well, Dad, I was at a picnic with the woman of my dreams. Spending time with my nephew.
Yeah, Derrick. That would definitely work.
He tapped lightly on the cherrywood door before entering. He turned the brass knob and approached his father’s ornately carved desk on cat’s feet. “You wanted to see me?”
His father continued to study the computer screen. “I’ve been waiting to hear about your trip to Walla Walla.” He turned finally and looked up. “Land? Ring a bell?”
“I found a likely prospect.” Allie’s property. Danny’s home. Derrick took a seat in front of his father’s desk. “It’s farmland—”
“Good, good.” Dad steepled his fingers, and his eyes narrowed. “Are we looking at a steal or a deal?”
He had once admired the real estate tycoon. Now the idiom made his skin crawl. Derrick shrugged.
“Don’t disappoint me, son.” He pushed back from the desk and stood. “I want to see something in writing.” His face turned as crimson as Walla Walla’s illustrious mayor’s.
Derrick caught himself lifting his hands in a gesture of surrender, a motion he’d used so often through the years to placate his father. He purposefully lowered his arms. No more. “Nothing is settled. I’ve got to go back, do a bit more research before I—”
“For crying out loud!” His father paced like a caged lion. “First your sister, now you.” He rapped his hand on the desktop. “Are you both going to turn out to be losers?”
Dad’s words were harsher than normal and cut deeply. “I’m doing my job. I don’t want to lose business by being careless.” Derrick sprang from his chair. “I don’t care what you think of me, but Sandy is no loser. She’s a great kid. A little mixed up, but—”
“She’s no kid.” Dad sliced the air with his meaty hand. “And sure enough, neither are you.” Breathing heavily, he clamped his hands behind his back. “What were you doing in Walla Walla all that time? Womanizing again?”
Derrick stood head-to-head with him, his face heating. Dad’s attack today was worse than normal. He sent a silent prayer to the Lord for help. “I don’t do that stuff anymore, Dad. And you know it.”
“Sure, sure, you got religion.” He wagged his head. “A zebra doesn’t change his stripes.”
Derrick’s phone buzzed, indicating a text message. He glanced at the screen and put the phone back on his belt. “I have to go. That’s my secretary. I’m needed.” He turned and walked toward the door. Understanding hit. His father was stifling his grief about Sandy dying and taking it out on Derrick. He turned. “I’ll keep you appraised of the Walla Walla details.”
“I expect results that benefit us. None of this Christian namby-pamby stuff.” Dad sat again at his desk. “And we’ll speak again shortly.”
The “results” would mean taking advantage of the Vahns. He’d taken advantage of desperate sellers before, raising his percentage by a few points with the promise of getting it done quickly. Could he do it again?
Eleven
What a day. Allie headed up the highway toward home, the worst part of her day divided equally between playing keep-away with Eddieboy’s teeth and her visit with Raymond, who’d told her in no uncertain terms that he was done with the Vahns’ farrier service.
“A woman, ’specially one your size, couldn’t possibly be a farrier. Your brother, now we’re talkin’ a horse of a different color.”
But when Allie pulled into her driveway and saw Michael’s BMW parked in front of the house, Eddieboy’s teeth and Raymond’s scolding looked inviting. She didn’t want a showdown with Michael, especially at her house. But if she disappeared, Ma and Danny would be worried and hunt her down.
On a deep sigh, she parked her truck next to her office and went to the barn to clean her tools, taking her slow, sweet time about it. Would Michael ever give up? Her pulse quickened with anger as she loaded her tools back into her truck.
By the time she was walking toward the house, she was ready to take someone down. She stomped through the yard to the back entrance, stopped at the sound of Michael’s voice, and inhaled deeply to gather her emotions, reminding herself that anger profits little. She stepped into the kitchen, and there Michael sat at the table, working on a 3-D puzzle with Danny and Ma, eating ice cream. Michael made a snide remark, and Danny laughed.
Allie dropped her keys on the counter, and once again fury rose from deep inside her. Michael was using Danny again to get to her. She approached the table short of breath.
Michael looked up and smiled. “Hey, Al. I came by to bring Danny a birthday present.” He motioned at the p
uzzle.
“I invited Mr. Michael to my birthday party.” Danny smiled.
Anger constricted Allie’s chest, and she could hardly breathe. Before she said something she’d regret, she needed to escape and gather her thoughts. “I’ll be back,” she managed. “I have to change my clothes and shower.”
She crossed the linoleum, heels of her boots thudding hard, feeling everyone’s eyes on her back, and ran up the stairs to her room. She sent up a silent prayer for peace and took care not to slam her door.
❧
That evening Derrick paced the parlor, reliving his conversation with Allie.
“Will you be joining your parents for dinner?” Hank, the chef and all-around housekeeper, as well as one of Derrick’s confidants, stood at a discreet distance.
Who could eat? “Hey, Hank. No thanks. Maybe later.”
“If you need to talk, you let me know.”
Derrick nodded. “Will do.” He needed to be alone with his thoughts. Hank disappeared before he could offer an apology for his rudeness, and he added another regret to his growing list, but he couldn’t bear to speak with anyone right now.
“Oh Lord, give me wisdom.” Derrick went past the back staircase, bypassing the dining room unseen, and quietly walked down the hall. Lord, help me sort this out.
He dropped into a comfortable leather chair in the library and closed his eyes. He hated having to make choices, but this is where he’d found himself—in the belly of the whale. He could disappoint his father, although that was nothing new, or he could shortchange Allie and her family. Or. . .
He could confess all to his parents in the hopes that they’d understand. But that would mean betraying his sister. Going back on his word. Then there was Allie.
Derrick massaged his aching forehead. He lived in a different reality than Allie. He had no money worries, didn’t believe money in and of itself was evil, and was grateful for the blessing now that he’d come to know God.
“Derrick?” His father strode into the library. “I thought I heard you. I’d like to talk to you before dinner.”
He acknowledged his dad with a nod.
His father sat across from him on the sofa. “Have you seen Sandy?”
“Earlier today, just briefly.” He held tight to his reserve. No emotions allowed.
Dad shifted in his chair. “Have you seen Lynn lately?”
Strange question and out of left field. “Lynn?” Derrick shook his head. “I haven’t seen her in months.”
A frown formed a V in the middle of Dad’s forehead. “You stopped dating her?”
Sad. But if he’d taken the time to talk regularly, his dad would’ve known. “Yes, we broke it off. A mutual decision.”
“Ah. I see. She couldn’t take the other women in your life, no doubt.”
Derrick focused harder on his father. He barely knew the man. He’d grown up watching him come and go and bark into the phone incessantly, happy when his dad tossed him a few crumbs of attention, wishing for so much more. But Sandy—Dad’s negligence was hardest on her. He often wondered if Sandy’s daredevil antics were to get attention from the man she called “Daddy dear.”
“I want to discuss keeping the business in the family.”
“It is in the family.” Derrick tugged at his tie. Where was this leading? “It’s you and me.”
“Yes, and therein lies the problem.” Dad stood and paced the room. “Your mother mentioned that the Victors recently had a grandson.”
Understanding hit like a sledgehammer. “Are you suggesting I get married and have children just to carry on the Owens name?”
“You’re thirty-two going on twelve.” Dad scowled. “Aimless. Don’t you feel it’s your duty to—”
“Duty?” Derrick slapped his hand on the arm of the chair and stood. “I’m not going to be the king of England. Do you think I’d marry a woman I don’t love so I can give you heirs to the business?” Even as he said the words, his thoughts went straight to Danny. This confirmed Derrick’s feelings. He’d never be able to tell his father he already had a grandson. Worse, that meant he couldn’t be honest with Allie. Sandy was right. Dad would never leave the Vahns in peace, especially now that Danny’s adoptive parents were dead. Where did that leave the Vahns legally?
Dad crossed the room and stood directly in front of him. Odd that they could be so physically similar and yet completely opposite in character. Strangers, in a way. “Sometimes we need to do things that aren’t comfortable because it’s best for the family.”
Where had Dad been when he and Sandy were young and needed him desperately? “I’m not listening to this. It’s archaic at the very least, and it’s demeaning.” In the past his parents had hinted at their hopes that he’d marry and have children, but he couldn’t remember a conversation that had been this blunt.
Dad blinked, and his eyes reddened. He ran his hand over the back of his head. “Family is everything, you know.”
It might be too late, Dad. Derrick took a deep breath. “I understand that family is important.” He’d seen that connection between Allie and her mom and Danny, and at least he’d experienced it with Sandy in the last few years after she’d returned home.
“Try to understand.” Dad strolled to the arched window and stared out into the night. “Sandy. . .” He squared his shoulders and cleared his throat. “Whatever. We forgive and forget. But she can’t give your mother and me. . .”
Derrick saw his father through new eyes. The hotshot real estate mogul had turned into a fragile, vulnerable man in a blinding flash.
“Dad.” Derrick strode toward him and rested his hand on his shoulder. Why hadn’t he noticed his father disappearing before his eyes? Dad’s independence and big personality had clouded his vision.
“Well then.” Dad backed up. Derrick dropped his arm. “I’m glad we had this talk, son.”
No. There was so much more to say—but Derrick stood speechless and watched his father leave the room.
❧
Allie awoke to the sound of knocking on her bedroom door. The room was dark, her hair damp and partially wrapped in a towel, and she was on top of her covers wearing a bathrobe.
“What?” She blinked and focused on her clock. Eleven-twenty. And this was. . .Tuesday night.
“Allie, it’s Mom. I’d like to talk to you.”
Allie switched on the lamp on the nightstand, tossed the towel on the floor, and sat on the edge of the bed. “Okay. Come in.”
Ma entered and lingered in the doorway. “Were you asleep?”
“Yes. I guess I laid down for just a second and dropped off. I’m sorry.” Sour memories came rushing back. “Is Michael still here?”
Ma shook her head and settled on the edge of the bed. “No, he left.”
“Good.” The word slipped out of her mouth before she could think straight.
“We need to talk.” Ma smiled. “Are you up to it?”
“What about?” Allie combed her hair with her fingers. She would have to wash it again just to work out the tangles.
“Tell me what you’re thinking.”
Allie blinked. “Thinking? About what?”
“Your actions tonight were. . .rude.”
Allie sat back, and the anger she felt when she’d seen Michael’s car returned with a vengeance. “I’m rude? How can you say that? I walk into my own house after a hard day’s work and find Michael sitting at the kitchen table as if everything is peachy. And you and Danny laughing and doing a puzzle with him. Gee, what’s wrong with that picture?”
Ma’s eyes flashed. “This is not just your house. Two other people live here who have feelings, too.”
Allie’s fury grew. “Michael was my fiancé. He cheated on me.”
“Michael didn’t come just to see you. He came by to give Danny a birthday present.”
Allie shook her head like she’d been sucker punched. “Ma, that’s pathetic.” Her mother was sometimes naive when it came to people’s motives. “I know you choose to see t
he best in people, but even you have to realize Michael’s using Danny as a portal back to me.”
“Then blame me.” Ma shrugged. “I’m the one who invited him to stay awhile. I felt sorry for—”
“I thought you understood what Michael put me through.” It was one thing for Ma to feel sorry for every repentant soul and quite another to invite Michael back into their lives.
“I do, but I felt bad for him.”
“Are you implying that I should go back with him?”
“That’s not what I said. Not at all.”
Allie pulled in two long breaths. This was going to turn into a talk on forgiveness, and she had forgiven Michael, but she didn’t want him to be a part of their lives. Next subject. “Why did you let Danny invite Michael to his party?”
“I didn’t. Danny blurted that out. I couldn’t very well say no, even though I didn’t think it was appropriate given the circumstances.”
“Did you know that Danny also invited Derrick to his party?”
“Did he?” Ma smiled. “I had no idea. How did you find out?”
“Derrick told me.”
She chose to ignore her mom’s blatant show of pleasure at the prospect of having the hero attend Danny’s party. “I know we’ve spoiled Danny a bit. He’s the center of our lives, but we can’t let him run things around here, either.”
“Danny meant well.” Ma sighed and stood. “He’s a sweet, sensitive kid. I sometimes look into his dark eyes and think. . .” She crossed her arms over her midsection. “Ever wonder what his biological parents were like?” She moved toward the door. “We could ask, I suppose, but Cindy said the records were closed.”
I wonder all the time, Allie mused, but she’d save that conversation for another day. “All right, we’ll make the best of it, but don’t blame me if things go haywire with Michael at the party.”
“You’re bigger than that, sweetheart.” Ma opened the bedroom door then turned. “So Danny really invited Derrick to his party?”
Allie grabbed a pillow and held it high over her head. “Another word about Derrick and—”
A Hero for Her Heart (Truly Yours Digital Editions Book 885) Page 8
