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

by Candice Miller Speare

  As she pulled into the driveway, Allie’s hands shook. She saw Jake’s mother, Mary, waiting in the car and drew a jagged breath. She wanted to expose Paige for who she was—even to Mary—shout it from the rooftops, but the Vahn family would fall into disgrace as well. Luke was the married man with a son.

  “Hey, Allie.” Mary pointed at the tire as Allie got out of the truck. “Your tire is low on air.”

  Allie sighed. One more thing to worry about. “Thanks, and thank you for bringing Danny home. We appreciate it.”

  “Anytime,” Mary said. Danny exited the car and waved good-bye.

  After they went inside, Danny headed straight to the fridge. “Aunt Allie, is Mr. Derrick coming over again?”

  “Wash your hands before you eat.” Poor kid. “I’m really not sure, sweetheart.” But I’d love to know. “So tell me, how was VBS?”

  “Good.” Danny shrugged, dried his hands, and returned to the refrigerator. His forlorn look made her face heat with anger all over again. Yet another man in and out of Danny’s life. She felt at a loss. Should she speak to him about Derrick? Or about missing his parents on his birthday? Or should she let it go? Maybe he needed more grief counseling. Come to think of it, maybe Allie did, too.

  “What are you hunting for in the fridge?” She came up behind him and ruffled his dark hair.

  “I don’t know.” He took out a carton of milk and looked up. “Can you call him? Mr. Derrick, I mean.”

  “How about I make you a peanut butter and jelly sandwich?”

  “Okay, but. . .” Danny wouldn’t be sidetracked. He poured himself a tall glass of milk. “Can I call him then?”

  Now what, Lord? Allie assembled his sandwich. “I don’t think you should be calling Mr. Derrick, hon.” She cut the crusts off the bread, quartered it, and set the snack in front of him at the table.

  “But he likes me.” Danny took a hearty bite. “I could tell because—”

  “You’re talking with food in your mouth again.” She grabbed a napkin and brushed at his face the way Derrick had done to her at Bright’s. How long before she’d get Derrick out of her mind? “What were you going to say about Mr. Derrick?” Pathetic! Pumping her nephew for a few crumbs of information.

  “He’s fun. He calls me Spiderman, just like you and Granny.” Danny’s brows scrunched together. Yikes! Did he copy that facial expression from Derrick? She couldn’t recall if Danny had ever pulled such a face. “I think he likes you, too.” He covered his mouth and giggled. “He looks at you a lot.”

  “Danny!” Allie’s pulse did double-time. “People look at people when they speak.” Here she was again, mining for hope. “It’s only polite.”

  He swallowed another bite and shook his head. “He was staring at you.”

  Allie heard the sound of a car in the driveway, jumped up, and went to the window. “Oh, Granny is home.” All the excitement seeped out of her. She had the heartbreaking task of having to tell her mother what she’d learned from Paige this afternoon.

  Seventeen

  On Tuesday, with his cell phone clutched tight in the palm of his hand, Derrick paced the upstairs hall. His parents had come out of Sandy’s room and walked straight past him without a word. A moment later Leanne emerged. One look at her told him no words were necessary.

  Sandy was gone—at her going-home party, dancing on streets of gold with Jesus. No more sickness and pain and sorrow.

  But what about him?

  He ducked into his room, closed the door, and dropped onto a leather sofa. Memories of their youth came rushing back. Sandy the tomboy. How many times had he bandaged her up before his parents got home, hiding that Sandy had done something dangerous—like taking flight with her pogo stick from the high porch? Climbing a tree to the top, hanging upside down, then falling?

  “Lucky you’ve still got a brain,” he’d told her. And Sandy quipped, “I’m smarter than you any day, D-man.” And she was.

  Derrick buried his face in his hands and wept. If only Sandy and Danny could’ve met, just once.

  “Why, Lord?” Derrick stood, slammed his fist against the wall, then drew a breath. He went to the window and pushed aside the curtain. The hearse. They had come for her. He would not see her again until he, too, went to heaven.

  ❧

  Allie zipped her suitcase closed, grabbed the handle, and shut her bedroom door. “Ma?”

  “I’m right here, hon.” Ma stood at the bottom of the staircase holding two brown bags.

  Allie descended the stairs, smiling. Her mom was one of a kind. “You’re sending us off with lunch?”

  “Sure, you’ve got a long ride. In this bag I’ve got a sandwich for you.” She waved her right hand. “This one’s for Shannon. Tell her it’s that weird, healthy stuff she likes.”

  “That’s sweet.” Allie laughed and gave her a hug. “Thanks.” She stepped back. “But I still don’t know how you and Shannon talked me into this. I’m going to lose a lot of money by not working.”

  “Tending to the spiritual is far more important for you right now,” Ma said as they walked to the front door and Allie pulled it open. “It’s only four days. You’ll come back refreshed and renewed.”

  “What if you need me for something? What if there’s an emergency? I won’t be able to call you. There isn’t any wireless or cell phone access on top of that mountain.”

  “Stop it! There is a phone at the monastery if there’s an emergency.” Ma gave her a light shove and followed her onto the porch. Then she stopped and pointed. “Oh my, are you going in Shannon’s truck? Will that green thing make it?”

  “My truck’s got a flat, remember?” Allie smiled down at Shannon and waved. “Don’t worry, Ma, it’s only a three-hour drive.”

  “I won’t worry, I’ll pray.” She gave her one last hug. “I’ll get your flat fixed while you’re gone.”

  With her bright smile, Shannon waved to Ma and blew a kiss.

  Allie hurried toward the truck before she had a chance to change her mind. Three days. No communication.

  She opened the rusted back door, and the tired hinges moaned a protest. Would the truck make it there and back? Allie sighed and tossed her suitcase atop a mess of random items.

  “Isn’t this exciting?” Shannon asked.

  “Um. . .” Allie hopped into the passenger seat, set down the lunch bags and her purse, and shrugged. “I’m kind of worried that we’ll be incommunicado for four days.”

  “Of course you’re worried.” Shannon pulled away from the curb, smiling. “You’re Allie.”

  “Hmm.” She couldn’t argue the point. Shannon knew her too well. “Question. How will you not talk for hours everyday?”

  “You know, I asked myself that very same question.” A serious expression crossed her face. “But Ray—I’m talking to him about taking guitar lessons when I move to the Tri-Cities—he told me the atmosphere in a monastery is so sacred I won’t want to disturb the peace.”

  “So, this Ray—sounds like he knows you well.” Allie laughed. “Any romantic interest?”

  “No-o-o.” Shannon wagged her head. “He’s another—”

  “Friend.” Allie finished the sentence for her and sighed. “I envy you that. Michael started out as my friend, ended up a boyfriend, and now I avoid him like the plague. I guess I can’t handle the friend thing with a guy, especially one I’ve dated.”

  “No way you could be friends with Michael now.” Shannon turned onto Highway 11 toward Pendleton, Oregon. “He’s jealous of Derrick. I saw that right away at Danny’s party.”

  “I don’t know why he’d be jealous of Derrick. It was over between Michael and me long before Derrick was in the picture.”

  “Aha! So he is in the picture.”

  A sinking feeling hit the pit of her stomach. “No. It’s more like Derrick walked off into the sunset and disappeared. He hasn’t phoned, even about the property.” Allie snapped her fingers. “Gone. Just like that.”

  “Doesn’t sound like Derrick.�
�� Shannon slid her gaze her way. “You’re falling in love with him, aren’t you?”

  “No!” Allie’s breath caught in her lungs. “I heeded your advice about slowing down. Now everything is at a standstill, and I think it’s best I stay away from him.”

  “That’s not what I told you to do! I told you to take it slow, that I felt there was more to Derrick than meets the eye.”

  “Apparently you were right.” Allie gave a nonchalant shrug. “I haven’t heard from him since Sunday.” She stared out the side window and sighed. “Not that I care, but he came into Danny’s life, and Danny misses him.”

  “You don’t care?” Shannon waved her index finger. “And before you bear false witness, remember that we’re going on a monastic retreat.”

  Allie couldn’t suppress a burst of laughter. “What if I do care? Derrick doesn’t.”

  “Yeah, sure he doesn’t.” Shannon smirked. “Something must’ve happened for him not to call. When we get back home, why don’t you call the real estate office?”

  “No way.” Allie shook her head. “When Michael pulled his disappearing act, I did the calling, innocent that I was. I ended up finding him with that other woman. I’ve decided if a man is interested, he can pursue me.”

  “Michael was engaged to you. Derrick isn’t obligated.”

  “Exactly.” In her mind’s eye, Allie saw Paige and her brother together and shuddered. “For all I know, Derrick Owens could be married.”

  “Uh-uh.” Shannon wagged her head. “No way is Derrick married. I would’ve picked up on that.” She sighed and looked thoughtful for a moment. “But there is something; I just can’t pinpoint what he’s hiding.” She placed her hand over her heart. “I feel it in here.”

  Allie couldn’t take another second of this conversation. Why waste time analyzing a relationship that didn’t exist? “Ma packed you a lunch.” She tapped the brown bag. “That crazy food you like to eat. Probably bean sprouts and hummus with fried tofu or something.”

  Shannon laughed. “Not quite, but she’s a darling. She knows what I like.” Her expression suddenly grew serious. “And don’t think I’m not aware that you intentionally changed the subject.”

  Allie nodded. “I think we can both use this retreat.”

  Perhaps she’d be able to forgive Paige and Luke and. . .

  Please, Lord, help me put Derrick out of my mind, too.

  Eighteen

  By midday Thursday the last of the funeral guests were gone, and the temporary staff had finished cleaning up the dining room where Mom and Dad had graciously received condolences from their friends as well as Sandy’s. Derrick now stood alone in the kitchen with Hank, who stared out the window over the sink.

  “The service was nice,” Hank murmured.

  “Yes,” Derrick said. “Pastor Clark gave a wonderful message.”

  Hank turned and leaned back against the counter. “It was exactly what she wanted. So many people got up to speak about her. It was a celebration of her life.”

  “I’m having trouble celebrating,” Derrick said softly.

  “I know. Me, too.”

  “The only thing that helps is knowing her pain is over. But I still want to ask God why. She had such a hard life, and when she finally got it all together, this happens.”

  Hank nodded. “I gotta admit I have the same questions.”

  “Life will never be the same.” Derrick pulled out a stool and sat at the island.

  “You got that right.” Hank joined him and rested his hands on the granite. “Kinda makes you think about the future, too, doesn’t it? Like maybe we should grab it by the horns and just go for it. Be real. Take chances for love. Not hold back.”

  “Hank, you’re not thinking of anyone in particular, are you?”

  The big man who had always been in charge of himself, his emotions, his kitchen, blushed.

  Derrick grinned. “That’s what I thought. A certain nurse named Leanne would be my guess.”

  “I’m not saying.”

  “Yeah, you don’t need to.” Derrick sighed. “I always thought that’s what I was doing. Taking life by the horns. Living day to day. But I wasn’t loving. I used people. I didn’t know what love really was until I met the Lord.”

  The two sat quietly for several minutes, then Hank broke the silence.“It’s going to be quiet around here, I think. Too quiet. I don’t imagine you’ll be living in the guest cottage much longer. I need someone to care for.” He went to the massive stainless steel refrigerator and peered at the leftovers. “I didn’t have an appetite before, but now I’m getting it back.” He glanced over his shoulder. “How about you?”

  Derrick nodded. “Yeah, the knots in my stomach are starting to come undone.”

  “Your sister would have wanted us to enjoy the food. You know how she liked to eat. Especially things like this.” He took a package from the fridge and brought it to the island.

  Derrick leaned forward. “Spring rolls? Philadelphia rolls? I didn’t see these earlier.”

  “I didn’t put them out earlier. I hoped we’d have a chance to talk, and I know how much you like them and how much she liked them. It’ll be our little celebration.” He retrieved some paper towels and gave Derrick two. “One for your plate, the other for hands. Totally informal. For her.”

  “Sandy was a fireball, wasn’t she?”

  “Yes, and if she can hear us now, she’s having a good laugh.” Hank stopped cleaning and looked him in the eye. “I’m sure you already know, but Sandy loved you with her whole heart and soul.”

  Nodding, Derrick swallowed past the dryness in his throat. “I know, Sandy always wanted the best for me, and near the end she gave me guidance.” He couldn’t tell Hank all that lay on his heart. “I’m going to heed her advice.”

  “Is this about her son?”

  Derrick felt the blood drain from his face. “How do you know? Does my father know?”

  “I don’t think your dad knows, but Sandy called me to her room the day before she passed away.” Hank’s watery gaze searched his face. “Your secrets are safe with me.”

  “I don’t doubt that for a second.” Derrick took a deep breath. “But if Sandy told you, do you think she mentioned anything to Mom and Dad?” Worry stirred in the pit of his stomach. Sandy had wanted Derrick to tell Allie the truth. But what if Dad beats me to the punch? Dad, short on patience and long on agenda, might contact the Vahns first. Knowing his father, he might even threaten to take Danny. Without an opportunity for Derrick to explain himself to Allie, she’d believe he was an outright liar.

  ❧

  For the third time Thursday evening, Derrick dialed Allie’s cell, only to hear an automatic message. Why would she have shut off her phone? Maybe she was out shoeing horses. He snapped off his phone without leaving a message, then dialed their landline.

  “Hello?” Betsy picked up on the first ring.

  “Hi, Betsy, this is—”

  “Derrick! How are you, and where’ve you been?” There was a smile in her voice, and it hit hard how much trust she’d put in him.

  “My sister passed away,” he said. “The funeral was today.” Sandy’s death registered anew, bringing with it a tidal wave of raw emotion.

  “Oh, Derrick. . .” A long silence ensued. He heard her sniff and thanked God again that Sandy’s son belonged to a sensitive, caring family. “I don’t know what else to say except I’m sorry.”

  “Thank you.” Derrick’s eyes burned. Would the tears ever stop? “I know you’ve been through your own losses.”

  “Yes, too many.” Betsy’s voice cracked. “I’d tell Allie to call you back, but she won’t be home until Saturday.”

  “Away.” A myriad of thoughts darted through his mind. Where’d she go and with who?

  “She’s with Shannon at a retreat in a monastery.”

  “Um, a monastery, you said?” Derrick frowned. The way his luck was running, Allie would become a nun.

  “Yes, it’s lovely. I’ve been there on
ce. Peace and quiet and meditating on God’s Word. Thing is, no talking allowed, so she’s keeping her phone turned off. Besides, they can’t get a cell signal up in the mountains.”

  Now there was an interesting concept. Overprotective Allie with no cell phone, unable to check for messages from Danny. Exhaustion fell on him like a wet blanket. He needed to get it all out there, tell her the truth. “So I guess I won’t be able to speak with her until Saturday.”

  “Yes, she’ll be back in the afternoon.” She paused. “Do you have questions about the land? Is this an emergency? Or did you want to tell her about your sister?”

  The land was the furthest thing from his mind. “No emergency. And it’s not about the land, either. I did want to tell her about my sister.” There he went again, avoiding the truth. Yes, he wanted Allie to know about Sandy, but that was not his priority.

  “Hang on for a moment, please, Derrick.”

  He heard Danny’s voice in the background.

  Betsy inhaled. “Derrick, I must go. And again, I’m sorry. I’ll have Allie call you the second she gets in.”

  “I would appreciate that—” She’d already hung up. Danny must have gotten into some kind of mischief she had to straighten out.

  Derrick clipped his cell back to the holder on his waist and turned to see his father in the doorway. How much had he overheard?

  Nineteen

  As Shannon rounded the corner onto Frog Hollow Road, Allie smiled. “There’s no place like home.”

  “True,” Shannon said. “But the time away was worth it. I can’t believe it’s just Saturday. I feel like I’ve had a month’s worth of weekends. I feel renewed and invigorated.”

  “Absolutely. I feel like I’m ready for anything now. Like I can face the giants.” Allie dug into her purse and pulled out her cell. “I have no voice mails. I assume everything is okay at home. And then there is that one voice mail from Derrick just saying hello. He said I didn’t have to call back, so I’m not going to.”

  “You could, you know.”