A Hero for Her Heart (Truly Yours Digital Editions Book 885) (2 page)

“Daddy says this horse has good breeding. I don’t care.” She gave a one-shoulder shrug. “As long as he looks handsome riding in the parade.”

“He’s a beautiful animal.” And a Thoroughbred, a breed used for horse racing and known for skittish nerves. Come to think of it, if Paige were a horse, this is exactly what she’d be like. White ringed his eyes, and his nostrils flared with his breaths. “What’s his name?” Allie patted his muscled withers.

“Chester. He’s. . .” Paige groaned and fanned her face, showing off a French manicure and a sparkling diamond bracelet. “My stomach hurts.” Ever the drama queen, she rubbed her abdomen with jerky motions, and the horse tossed his head.

Allie positioned herself between Paige and Chester and began stroking his neck. How lucky she was that Paige had never gotten her way and married Luke.

Paige continued to fidget behind her. “Where’s Danny?”

“He’s with Shannon.” Allie willed herself to be patient. Was God okay with her praying for Paige to disappear?

“How is the little guy?” Either Paige had been miraculously healed of her ailment or didn’t have stomach pains to begin with.

“You mean Danny?” Allie kept her focus on the horse. For some odd reason, she was reluctant to discuss her nephew with Paige even though she’d handled his adoption for Luke and Cindy.

“Yes. Is he recovering? I mean, it’s got to be hard, losing both his parents and all. Especially Luke.”

Allie flashed a glance over her shoulder at Paige. Her tears at Luke’s funeral had been more than show. She’d never gotten over her high school crush on him. “Danny’s not so little anymore. And he’s doing well, thanks. I had him in grief counseling. . . .” She felt like a mare, protecting her foal. “I’m thinking of adopting Danny.”

Paige pressed her hand to her chest. “Adopting him?”

“Sure, why not?” Allie smiled. “It’ll make Danny feel more secure.”

“But you’re already his legal guardian, right? Why go through the courts to—”

“Yep, I’m Danny’s legal guardian.” She fought hard to keep pride out of her tone. “But I think adopting him might make him feel more secure.”

“I’m. . .” Paige took a deep breath and rubbed her stomach again. “I’m feeling queasy. I’m scared I might have heatstroke or something.”

“You should go get a drink of cold water.” Allie willed Paige to leave. She’d then be able to calm Chester without interference.

“Yes, I suppose you’re right. Besides, I need to change into my costume. I’ll be back.”

Was that a promise or a threat? Allie listened to Paige’s footsteps recede, then turned her full attention to the horse.

“You know, big guy,” she whispered, “with an owner like that, it’s no wonder you’re jittery. She makes me jittery, too.”

The white rings around his eyes slowly disappeared. She stroked his neck, and he whickered softly.

“Okay, fellow. I think you’re ready. Let’s do this.” She pulled her tools near, lifted his hoof, and placed it between her legs. She’d appreciate her hoof stand, but hadn’t felt like carrying it or bringing her truck with all her equipment to check a single shoe. Sure enough, there were nails missing. Fortunately, the hoof was fine, and the shoe wasn’t bent. She’d be able to make the repair.

She picked up several nails, placing them between her lips, then grabbed the hammer. After driving in the nail, she bent it back, and set the next one in place.

A shadow fell over her, and she glanced up into the coal black eyes of the tall pirate she’d run into earlier.

Two

Allie’s face heated. She dropped Chester’s hoof and rose, hammer in hand.

He flashed a beautiful smile. “So we meet again.”

The man made her feel discombobulated, something she rarely experienced. Allie found herself searching for a clever response. “Sorry I bashed into you earlier. I hope you didn’t lose too many of your jelly beans.”

He held up a bag of candy. “No, I still have some.” His gaze swept her and Chester. “You’re a blacksmith.”

“Farrier. And I’m glad it’s obvious. I’d hate to think I’m doing this with no experience.” She smiled and realized she was flirting, so she toned it down. “I guess I could also be considered a blacksmith, but I don’t do a lot of the heavier forging of iron or steel objects. I just shoe horses.”

His smiled broadened, and his black eyes snapped with the kind of interest that flattered her. “I’m Derrick Owens. I’m in town for business.”

“Allie Vahn.” She gave him a quick full-body glance. His jeans and polo shirt looked expensive. In fact, his persona screamed toned and well-to-do, which brought her back to reality. She’d had enough of spoiled men with a sense of entitlement like Michael.

The horse jerked his head, and she chided herself for allowing her attention to wander.

“I need to get back to work here.” Allie gestured at Chester.

“Definitely a pleasure to meet you again.” He nodded, gave her another hundred-watt smile, then sauntered away.

“I know where the term
butterflies in my stomach
comes from,” she murmured as she turned her concentration back to the shoe and drove in the last nail. Finally finished, she stood, stretched, and began to remove her chaps.

Philip Maynard appeared as if on cue. “You done there?” He thrust out his chest like a banty rooster. “We don’t have long now before—”

“I’m done.” Allie set her tools on the ground and unsnapped the leg straps of her leather chaps. “I’ll mail you a bill.” She skimmed the crowd with a detached air. The dark-haired stranger was nowhere in sight—and she had no good reason to feel disappointed. She did not need another man to deal with right now.

“I’ll get Paige.” With labored breaths, Philip ambled away.

“Whatever.” The horse shuffled nervously. Philip’s presence had disturbed him. Allie rubbed Chester in a soothing gesture. How had a simple day at the parade become so complicated? She had to get back to Danny.

She rested her head against Chester’s warm neck, breathing in the distinct pleasant odor of horse. “C’mon, Mayor, I’ve got to get going.”

“Allie.” Philip must have heard her thoughts. He was barreling toward her, waving frantically.

The horse twitched. Allie straightened and watched, open-mouthed. How could Philip move so fast? What a red-faced, sweaty mess to behold.

“We’ve got a huge problem,” he gasped when he reached her.

Paige wasn’t the only one on the verge of heatstroke. Allie stepped back and attempted to hand the horse’s reins to him, but he shook his head, shooing her away. “I don’t know what to do.”

Allie’s stomach clenched. The look in his eyes told her his problem was about to become hers. “Do about what?” Her tone was snarly, but she wasn’t about to apologize.

“Paige has worked herself into a fit. She’s sick to her stomach.”

“And?” The desperation in his eyes didn’t move her. “Someone can just fill in for her, can’t they?”

His eyebrows shot up, and he smiled. “Why, that’s brilliant. You can do it.”

“Oh no.” She shoved the reins at him. “No way. I’m here to watch the parade with Danny. Besides, I don’t have a costume.”

Philip Maynard’s slit-eyed perusal told her he was calculating the best way to get her to acquiesce. “How about I pay you
three
times your rate for hammering on that shoe? And you can wear Paige’s costume. You’re about the same size.”

Allie opened her mouth to say no, but the cost of Danny’s party and the mounting bills with late fees made her hold her tongue. Danny might enjoy seeing her ride in the parade, she reasoned. Or maybe not.

“I’ll do it under one condition.” She couldn’t believe her own words.

Philip breathed hard, watching her as if he was afraid of what she was going to ask.

“You write me a check for that amount and give it to me today.”

He nodded heartily. “You got it.”

She handed him Chester’s reins. “I’ll meet you back here shortly. I need to explain to Danny what’s going on.”

The mayor smiled. “I’ll have someone bring you Paige’s costume. Tell me where you’ll be.”

She did while mentally chiding herself for not bartering for more money. Finally, she turned to the horse, who tossed his head and shuffled uneasily. “Get over yourself, Chester. We’re about to become even better acquainted.”

❧

The sun warmed his skin as Derrick strode down Main Street toward his next goal. Walla Walla was a charming town. He’d been here on business before, but had never walked the streets. The parade, which he hadn’t intended to watch, would start soon. He was drawn by the simplicity of it all. When was the last time he’d seen a parade? He couldn’t remember. Today he’d intended to go for a drive and scour the outskirts of town for land that had potential for developers, then he’d contact the owners and see if they were interested in selling—a partial ruse. He groaned. He had a client interested in developing property, but land acquisition wasn’t Derrick’s actual purpose for coming to Walla Walla, and he was having trouble staying on task.

Derrick reached into his bag of jelly beans and popped one into his mouth. He’d lost some of the candy running into the petite auburn in front Bright’s, but the loss was well worth it if his hunch was right.

Allie. A farrier? He smiled at the memory of her holding the hoof of the large horse. Tiny as she was, she likely had a magic touch with the animals in order to do her job effectively.

Derrick rested his back against the rough bark of a tree and dug into his bag of candy. Allie had special eyes—green and expressive. She was different from any woman he’d ever met—in what way, he couldn’t exactly say. She had shown a flash of interest in him, too. He’d grown accustomed to that kind of attention from women and had used it to his advantage in the past. But Allie’s interest had died as quickly as it had come. The old Derrick would have turned on the charm to engage her again, but the new Derrick lost the desire to lead women on. Besides, he wasn’t here to find a girlfriend. He was here to get information and return to his own life and home.

Could his search be over already? If God was on his side, Allie and the boy held the answers he needed.

Derrick stuffed the last of the candies into his mouth and tossed the bag into a nearby trash receptacle. His cell phone rang, and he quickly snatched it from the holder on his belt, glanced at the number on the screen, and flipped it open.

“Hello, Dad.” Derrick spoke around the chewy candy that threatened to glue his jaw shut. He could practically see his father holding a pen over the leather-bound planner on his desk opened to his to-do list. Now his father could put a line through “Call Derrick.”

“Just checking in, son. Have you found any potential properties?”

“Not yet. I’ll keep hunting over the next day or so. Today the town is caught up in this onion festival parade. It’s rather charming the way—”

“Please keep me posted.” Dad harumphed. “I’m glad you’re taking the initiative to find more business for Owens Realty.”

Guilt rattled Derrick. His interest in land in Walla Walla gave him a legitimate excuse to be in town, but truth be told, finding property wasn’t his priority. He tapped his fingers against his thigh. Did the omission of certain information constitute a lie? Possibly. And untruths, whether white lies, outright lies, or stretching the truth, had a way of coming home to roost.

“Your mom said to tell you”—Dad cleared his throat— “that Sandy. . .er. . .Sandy is eating well.”

A euphemism that meant Derrick’s sister was having a good day and her will to live had given her temporary victory over the lymphoma that was killing her. Their father would not show his emotion, nor would he concede that his daughter was going to die.

“Good,” Derrick said, blinking back sudden tears. Sandy had little time left. He needed to find what he was looking for here. For her sake. He’d do anything for his sister.

After he signed off with his father, Derrick dialed Sandy’s cell.

“Derrick.” Her voice was stronger than he’d heard it in a while. “Have you got news?”

He stopped pacing and made way for a group of rowdy teens. “I think I do.”

“Really? Already? I prepared myself to accept this was a wild-goose chase.”

What if he was wrong? Last thing he wanted was to get her hopes up, only to squash them. “Today, just by chance, I ran into a boy who could be the one we’re looking for, but I can’t promise yet.”

“Wow. How do you know he’s my son if you just ran into him?”

“The family name is Vahn,” Derrick said. “Granted, they might not be the Vahns who adopted your son, but he’s got our eye and hair color.”

“Oh, Derrick, that would be an answer to prayer.” Sandy’s strained breathing made him short of breath. “Remember, I don’t want them to know who you are or who I am. I just want to be sure my son’s happy with the people who adopted him, okay? Promise me.”

Derrick was silent.

“I said you have to promise me.”

“Yes, fine.” Derrick kicked his booted foot against the hydrant. “I won’t let on.”

“Thank you.” Sandy sighed. “How can you forgive me, D-man? Giving away my baby and not telling anyone?”

“I didn’t let on how shocked I was at first. I was afraid my reaction would send you into a decline.”

She laughed. “I’m already declining.”

A hard knot formed in his throat. “That’s not funny, Sandy.”

“I think my prognosis gives me the right to laugh at whatever I please.”

Derrick had to smile. His sister’s humor in the face of death amazed him. “You were desperate, Sandy. Not in your right mind at the time you signed away your baby.”

“That’s putting it mildly.” She laughed softly. “More like a drug-induced alternate reality.”

“I know. I feel guilty because I didn’t come and rescue you back then.”

“I wouldn’t have let you. Believe me.” She paused. “It’s funny how coming to the Lord changes your perspective, isn’t it? You look at life so differently. The things that used to be important aren’t.”

“True.” Derrick nodded, but sometimes he worried the process of sanctification was taking too long in his own life. “You gave me all the info you had, right? That’s just the names of the parties involved and this one picture.”