“I hope so,” Derrick said.
“Let me help you carry those to your truck.”
The two men walked in silence out the door to the driveway.
“Will you fight for her?” Hank asked.
“What?” Derrick stacked the suitcases in the back of the Silverado.
“That young lady you like so much. . .Allie. Seems to me she might be worth fighting for.”
Derrick shrugged. “She hasn’t called me. Danny has, but nothing from Allie. I can’t go back to Walla Walla on just my nephew’s invitation. I need her permission.”
“She won’t call you. From what you’ve told me, Allie doesn’t seem that sort.” Hank slapped him on the back. “If I were you, I’d go see her. Tell her what you’ve done in the name of love.”
❧
Derrick stopped at a light and pondered Hank’s words. How about a happy medium? He’d call Shannon, get her opinion. By now she had spoken to Allie, and she’d know whether or not a visit from him would disturb the Vahns.
He dialed.
“The Quaint Shop, good afternoon.”
“Shannon, it’s Derrick.” He infused his voice with cheer he didn’t feel.
“Derrick! I was going to call you, but my pastor’s wife pulled me aside after our prayer meeting.”
She paused, and he heard murmuring in the background. “Shannon, you there?”
“Yes, sorry, a customer asked a question. Anyway, Portia, that’s Pastor’s wife, told me that I give out too much unsolicited advice. How embarrassing. Portia said she knows I mean well, but I have to allow God to do the work.”
“Um, let’s back up a sec. What does that have to do with me?” Derrick took an exit onto the highway toward Walla Walla. Is that where he wanted to go?
“If I keep talking right now, I’ll end up giving you my advice.”
“Shannon? I’m the one who asked you to speak with Allie. Therefore your advice wouldn’t be unsolicited.” He went on to tell her what had transpired with his father. “I want to tell Allie that I’m going to help them fight if they have to.”
Another long silence. “Shannon?”
“Yes. I’m thinking.”
Shannon was nice, but one of the most confusing people he’d ever talked to. “I’m on my way to Walla Walla, but I’m wondering if I should turn around and head home. I don’t want to upset Allie or Betsy. If there’s a chance that I’ll make things even worse by going over there, I don’t want to come.”
“I’ve decided I’ll tell you exactly what I think. You must come. Allie has some appointments. Call me when you get into town, and I’ll confirm where she is and give you directions. I don’t think you’ll make things worse.” There was a smile in Shannon’s voice, and a tiny flicker of hope came alive inside him.
Twenty-five
“Stop that!” Allie ducked to avoid Eddieboy’s third attempt to chomp her arm as she walked past his head.
He snorted.
“Yeah, yeah, whatever. Carnivore.” She checked his hoof one more time. “Frank needs a serious talking to. If this keeps up, your foot is going to rot away.” For some reason she felt sorry for the little pony, despite his rotten disposition. If he’d been better cared for, he’d have half a chance to bloom.
The barn door squeaked open. “Frank!” Allie yelled. “You and I need a word. I know Eddieboy is cranky. So are you, but you can’t allow him to continue this way.”
She heard footsteps, but no response. “Do you want me to call the ASPCA?”
Allie put the pony’s foot down and stood to face Frank. “Oh no,” she whispered and ducked quickly behind Eddieboy’s neck. “It’s Derrick. I don’t know what to say to him after all this.” She smoothed back her hair. After any encounter with Eddieboy, she looked like a tornado victim.
Derrick glanced around, noticed her peering at him over the pony’s mane, and held up his hand. “Don’t run away,” he said softly.
She straightened and lifted her chin. “What are you doing here?”
“Looking for you.” He took several steps toward her.
“How did you find me?”
“Shannon told me you’d be here.”
Why had she bothered to ask? Shannon had just called her twenty minutes ago to ask her if she wanted to go out to dinner. The traitor. “What do you want?” Allie sounded rude, but she still wasn’t sure how she felt about anything right now. She was too numb. “Did you come here to try to sweet-talk me?”
“No.” He moved toward her again and stopped a couple of feet away. “I’m here to tell you I’m on your side. I’ll hire a lawyer myself if my father insists on this ridiculous fight.”
Of all the things he could have said, that wasn’t what she expected. “What exactly do you mean?”
Derrick shoved his hands in his jean pockets. “I told my father I won’t be working for him anymore. And I won’t be living on his property.” He shrugged. “I guess I disowned myself.”
Eddieboy took another swipe at her, and she shoved his nose away. “You walked away from your family?”
“I did. I don’t expect you to let me back into your life, but I want you to know that I’ll do whatever it takes to see that Danny stays with you and your mother.”
Allie stared, struggling to process his words. “You disowned yourself?”
“Yes.” Derrick took a deep breath. “I’ll call you if I hear anything. If you hear anything, get served with papers, or whatever, you call me, okay?”
She let his words sink in. “Yes, fine.” Derrick hadn’t tried to charm her like Michael always had.
He took his hands from his pockets and extended them toward her, but suddenly dropped them to his side. “Please hug Danny for me?” he asked as he backed away.
She nodded. Her mind was computing very slowly. “Right. Sure. Will do.” He came to tell me this in person when he could have called. That took courage.
“I’ve got one more stop to make,” he said. “I need to tell your mother the same thing. I owe it to her.”
“She’s at Shannon’s shop,” Allie volunteered. “Danny’s at the sitter’s.” Now he risked Ma’s cold shoulder.
“Right. She’s working then.”
She nodded like her head was on a spring.
He opened his mouth and snapped it shut. After a moment’s hesitation, he turned and walked from the barn.
Allie watched the door shut. Derrick had walked away from his family because he cared enough to fight so that Danny could stay with her and Ma. Did someone who wasn’t trustworthy do something like that? The Bible said there was no greater love than if a man laid down his life for his friend.
“Derrick?” Allie whispered, willing her feet to move.
The slam of his vehicle door met her ears.
“Derrick!” she yelled. Eddieboy jumped. “Oh, get over yourself,” she told the pony. She left him tied in the barn aisle and ran outside.
“Derrick, wait!” As she watched the retreating taillights, she jumped up and down, waving her hands in the air to get his attention, but he didn’t see her.
❧
Derrick felt his cell phone vibrating on his belt, but couldn’t bring himself to answer. Right now it was best he didn’t speak to anybody. He needed a few minutes. The hope he’d had for reconciliation with Allie had died. He hadn’t been able to find the words to ask her forgiveness, perhaps because he didn’t feel deserving.
He drove toward Shannon’s shop as quickly as the speed limit would allow, prepared to tell Betsy everything. Get it all out, then leave the Vahns alone.
Lord, I want to do the right thing, no matter what the cost.
He parked, then walked toward The Quaint Shop, dreading the look of disappointment on Betsy’s face when she saw him.
As he pulled open the door, he lingered at the front of the store for a moment, but the cowbell had alerted Shannon and Betsy to his presence. They turned, and both greeted him with bright smiles. Why?
Moving toward them slowly,
Derrick tilted his head. “Good afternoon, ladies.”
“I already told Betsy everything,” Shannon blurted out. “Figured it would save you time.”
Betsy came from behind the counter and hurried over to him. “Did you talk to Allie yet?”
“Well, I tried.” Derrick shrugged.
“And?” Shannon clasped her hands like she anticipated good news.
“Allie was dealing with that scraggly pony.” No. Truth was she used the creature as a diversion. “She didn’t say much.”
Shannon and Betsy exchanged glances.
“I’m going to call her.” Shannon turned, then searched under the mess on her counter. “Where’s that stupid phone?”
Much as she meant well, he couldn’t expect Shannon to run interference for him. “No, don’t call her.”
Betsy and Shannon stared at him, eyes round with sympathy.
“It’s okay, really.” He backed away. “Allie has to make decisions for herself.”
The front door banged open with a crash. Shannon and Betsy’s eyes widened, and Derrick turned.
Allie stood in the doorway.
“I have something to say.” She stared at him, her auburn hair as wild as the day he’d dragged her from Chester’s back.
His breath caught in his lungs. The silence that followed was deafening.
She took a step toward him. “Derrick.”
He couldn’t decode the look on her beautiful face. “Yes?”
Allie ran at him and flung her arms around his neck. “Derrick,” she whispered into his shoulder.
He held her close and swung her around in a circle. When he finally put her down, he gently kissed her cheek.
She backed up. “I know what you did was for your sister’s sake.” She clutched the lapels of his shirt. “You never meant to hurt anyone. You were trying to protect everyone, including my family.”
“I would never hurt you on purpose. Never,” he whispered into her hair. “I want to love you for the rest of my life.” He kissed her soundly.
The sound of applause came from behind him, followed by a whistle. Derrick lifted his head and laughed. “I forgot we had an audience.”
Allie peered around Derrick and winked at her mother and Shannon, then looked back into his eyes, smiling.
Derrick’s cell phone vibrated again, and he decided he’d better pick up this time.
“That better be important.” Allie kissed him before joining the other two women at the counter.
He glanced at the screen and was hit with a pang of worry. “It’s my mom.” She rarely called, and when she did, it wasn’t good news.
“Hey, Mom. What’s up? Something wrong?”
“Not a thing.” Her voice was cool, as if she’d returned to the woman she’d been before Sandy died. “I know about Danny. I know what your father has tried to do. I want you to go to Danny’s family and tell them they will have no further trouble from us.”
Stunned silent, he waited for more.
“I love your father, but I’ve learned over the years the only way to deal with him is to let him experience the consequences of his actions. After you left, I told him I would move into a hotel if he insisted on threatening the Vahn family. We want to see Danny, of course, but I will appeal to Allie and her mother myself. The Vahns need no longer fear legal recourse.”
“Mom, thank you.” Derrick smiled. “I’m right here with them.”
Allie, Shannon, and Betsy stared at him.
“Pass on the message. I’ll deal with your father.” She paused. “And I think it’s time you tell that young woman how you really feel.”
“How did you know?”
“I know you confide in Hank. I cornered him in the kitchen and threatened to dent his pots and pans.”
Derrick laughed. “So Hank caved.”
“Of course he did. You know how he loves his cookware. Now, dear. You call me soon. Let me know how things are going with your young lady. And tell Betsy and Allie the next Owens they talk to besides you will be me. Ask them. . .” She paused. “Ask them to please consider allowing me to see my grandson.”
Epilogue
Allie stood at her vanity mirror and adjusted her pearl necklace.
“Allie, you look beautiful beyond words.” Shannon joined her at the window and fussed with her bridal veil. “A princess, that’s what you look like.”
Tears filled Allie’s eyes, and she fanned her face. “Don’t make me cry. I don’t know how to redo my makeup like that professional artist.”
“Okay, I won’t.” Shannon laughed and hugged her. “I’ve imagined my own wedding day, but never dreamt of anything this lovely.” She stepped back and sighed. “Wait till Derrick sees you.”
“Derrick.” Allie smiled. “At the mention of his name, my heart pounds harder than the first time we met.”
Hands clasped to her heart, Shannon exhaled heavily. “Oh how romantic.”
“Tell me I’m not dreaming.”
“You’re not.”
Allie reached out and smoothed the satin collar of Shannon’s lavender dress. “You’re so special. No girl could ask for a better friend or maid of honor.”
“Now I’m going to cry. . .again.” Shannon grabbed a tissue and dabbed at her eyes. “I hardly ever wear makeup. Talk about not knowing how to fix my face.”
Allie grabbed her hand and walked her to the mirror. “This is how you should dress all the time. You’re too gorgeous to hide under baggy clothes.”
Shannon tilted her head and smoothed her hands down the sides of her gown. “Only under duress.” She shot Allie a telling look, and they both laughed. “I can’t see myself changing my style, but if it’ll catch me a winner like Derrick, maybe I would.”
“God’s got someone extra special for you, too.” Allie flounced to the window and looked out. “People are filling the chairs.”
Shannon came to her side. “So they are. Look at your mom and Mrs. Owens. They’re like best friends already.”
“Mrs. Owens said Sandy was responsible for all this.” Allie’s eyes blurred. “She said, ‘Death brings rebirth.’ ”
❧
On the back porch of Allie’s house, Derrick glanced at the flower-adorned gazebo where he and Allie would be married. Danny stood next to him in a black tux much like Derrick’s.
“You nervous, Uncle Derrick?”
“You betcha. Have you got the rings?” Derrick stepped back and scanned his nephew. “You’re one handsome kid.”
“Grandma Owens says I look like you.” Danny appraised himself in the mirror. “That’s probably good because you got Aunt Allie to marry you. It means you’re handsome.”
Derrick laughed. “Hey, you’re right. I’m the one who got the best of the deal. Now check your pocket again for the rings.”
“I got ’em.”
“Okay then, are we ready?” Derrick felt his heart pounding through his shirt. He swallowed past the lump in his throat and put his hand on Danny’s shoulder. “Did I ever tell you you’re my hero?”
Danny stared up at him, frowning. “What do you mean? What did I do?”
“You always believed in me, and that’s one of the best things a hero can do for someone. It gave me the courage to face your Aunt Allie.”
“I’m only a kid,” Danny said, “but even I knew you liked her. You were always staring at her.”
“I know,” Derrick headed for the gazebo. “She might’ve stared at me a couple of times, too, you know.”
“Yeah, maybe,” Danny conceded and walked tall beside Derrick, passing family and friends that had come to celebrate with them.
Derrick sent up a silent prayer of gratitude to God for restoring his family, for Allie, and for giving Allie and him the greatest kid on earth. And he thanked God for his sister. She would be so proud today.
He stood with the pastor beside the gazebo, Danny at his side. The wedding march commenced, and he set his sights to the back door of the house. Allie emerged with Derrick’s dad, th
eir arms looped. His father’s chest was puffed out with pride. He was growing to love Allie like a daughter.
She looked like a princess in a white satin ball gown. Tears rose in his eyes as she walked toward him, smiling.
His mom and Betsy held on to each other. They’d foregone the traditional bride and groom sides and stood side by side.
After Allie reached him, Derrick took her hands in his, and they faced one another, repeating their vows after the minister.
“To love, honor, and cherish. . .as long as we both shall live.”
“You may now kiss your beautiful bride.”
He lifted the veil, leaned down, and kissed her soundly on her welcoming lips. When he was done, the attendees cheered.
“Derrick?” Allie whispered in his ear.
“Yes?”
“You are the hero of my heart.”
About the Authors
CANDICE SPEARE lives in an old farmhouse in Maryland with Winston the African gray parrot and Jack the dog. You may contact her by visiting her Web site: www.candicemillerspeaare.com.
NANCY TOBACK was born and raised in Manhattan and now resides in sunny Florida. Her passion for writing fiction began way back in grammar school. If there’s spare time after being wife, mother, grandmother, writer, and avid reader, Nancy is a watercolorist and charcoal artist and enjoys gourmet cooking.
A note from the Authors:
We love to hear from our readers! You may correspond with us by writing:
Candice Speare and Nancy Toback
Author Relations
PO Box 721
Uhrichsville, OH 44683
Dedication
We’d like to acknowledge the following people who helped us: Bryon and Dawn Miller, who willingly answered any and all questions about Walla Walla, and John and Diana Blessing, who helped us with Washington facts.
If any of our readers wish to learn more about Walla Walla or things we’ve mentioned, here are some Web sites:
http://www.brightscandies.com/index.html
A Hero for Her Heart (Truly Yours Digital Editions Book 885) Page 16
