TRUE HERO: A Romantic Suspense Novel (True Hearts Series Book 1)

by Susan Owensby

  Shayla abruptly stood up, looking between Shane and me for a few moments before the biggest shit-eating grin formed on her face. That was it. The moment we both knew we were fucked.

  “Mom, listen. I love you and Dad more than you know…” I began to say.

  “Hush, Jonah. We have some news to share with you and your brother,” Mom said as she took Shayla’s hand in her own, giving it a loving but gentle squeeze of reassurance. “Shayla honey would you like to go first?” Mom asked with eyes now as bright as her smile.

  I began to squirm in my chair. This couldn’t be good. What the hell was she about to say? I watched Shayla, who beamed at Shane and me. Then I tilted my head to the side and looked her over. Oh hell! Holy crap! I covered my face with my hands and rubbed vigorously, letting a deep moan escape. Shane sat there, just fucking sat there, glancing between all of us, without any clue.

  “Congrats Sis, when are you due?” I managed to muster up enough enthusiasm to please my mother instead of the weariness I truly felt.

  “Thank you, Jonah! I knew I could count on you to be supportive. Baby number two should be here in about six months and we are thrilled!” Ok, she was glowing, not beaming. How could I be anything but happy for her? Another nephew or niece to spoil? Hell yeah! I jumped up and walked around the desk, sweeping her up in a big but gentle bear hug.

  Turning around I noticed Shane sitting there with his mouth gaping open. “What the hell Shane? Get up and congratulate our beautiful sis!” I said with a low growl.

  Shane shook himself and got up slowly but the smile on his face said it all. He was clearly thinking about another little one to spoil in the family. “Shayla, I couldn’t be happier for you and Alex. There is just one demand that I have.”

  Shayla eyed him, her eyebrows drawing down into a frown. “And what would that be my dear Bubby?” she said with all the sarcasm she could muster. She knew damn well he hated being called that.

  “Well, Sis, if the baby is a boy, I insist you name him after me. Shane is a mighty fine name. Hell, you can even use Shane if it’s a girl, too!” he proudly stated, ducking just in time, avoiding her slap on the shoulder. We all had a good laugh at his commentary and then looked towards Mom for her news. I had a feeling, deep in my gut it wouldn’t be as joyful.

  “Ok boys, have a seat again. That was part one. Now it’s time for part two,” Mom said with a serious expression.

  Taking our seats, we noticed that Shayla did not join us. Instead she silently made her way to the door and let herself out. Crap. We were screwed. I could tell Shane knew it too by the way he stared at the door that had already closed.

  “It’s time boys. Time to step up and take over Bradford Securities. Ahhhh….” She held up her had to stop our complaining.

  “Your sister has worked here for eight years, all while having a child. She would like to stay home with her kids once this one is born. She has earned this. Shayla will stay on a few more months to get you up to speed on the ins and outs of running the company daily.” Looking at us she sighed and said, “Go ahead and voice your bitches, gripes and complaints. But be very careful what you say.”

  “I already have job. I cannot just up and quit, Mom. My job is important to the entire community.” Red faced, he turned to me, “Jonah, you are the oldest and this is your responsibility!”

  “Who the hell are you to tell me what my responsibilities are Shane?” I spoke through gritted teeth. He was way overstepping and I was more than happy to inform him of that fact.

  As we bickered back and forth, neither of us noticed our mom calmly and quietly got up from the desk with a newspaper in her hand. We never even saw the swing coming. WHAP! WHAP! Right upside our heads. We sat stunned while Mom glared back and forth, raising the newspaper again. This time we both managed to duck, knowing it was going to sting.

  “How dare you!” her disappointment evident. “Your father was on his deathbed and here you two are bickering about who bares the responsibly to take over for him? Shayla has done more than her fair share, too!”

  Mom huffed and puffed and was just about to whack us again when Shane jumped up and ran around the desk to escape her. What a pussy! WHAP! “Damn, Mom that one hurt!” I yelled, feeling chastised like a ten-year-old.

  “Shane, sit down now!” Mom demanded. “I am sick of hearing you bicker back and forth about whose responsibility it is. I guess you both expect me to do it? Is that it? Me? Who will take care of your father and make sure that he fully recovers? Help him to live many more years with us? Right? Guess what my dear selfish sons, we decided that you both will run the business together!” She dropped the newspaper and wagged her finger between us. “Yes, that’s right, together. Your father worked hard to build this business and to leave you with a legacy. I will be damned if I watch it go down the drain because you are being petty. Grow the hell up!”

  Holy shit! Mom cursed. She only cursed when she was so angry she could skin a bear with her teeth. We were done. There would be no talking her out of this. Nope. And I felt damn guilty at that moment. I actually wanted to do this. I just didn’t like Shane telling me that it was my job. Shane looked defeated. I started to laugh and laugh, then Shane joined in. Mom stared at us both, mouth agape as if we had lost our freaking minds. Maybe we had. But that was how we became co-directors of Bradford Security.

  They say everything happened for a reason. That seemed to be the case in this scenario. Shane and I put our heads together and closed the private celebrity security division. It just wasn’t right for us as a team. We decided to go into corporate security. Surveillance, systems, monitoring and investigative work for several police departments.

  Now things felt as if they were just the way they were supposed to be. The job was good, great as a matter of fact. But something was missing in my life. I was pretty sure I knew what it was. There was this beautiful brunette, with a stunning smile, the kind that knocked me on my ass when she flashed it my way. And she had the most adorable freckles that I had ever seen. Freckles? Adorable? When did I start thinking anything was adorable? I had it bad, I knew it.

  There was something off with her though. Something almost sad and most certainly scared. Most people thought she was just shy, but my instincts told me it was something more. A wary vibe radiated off her whenever I was around. With the scar on my face, I couldn’t really blame her for staying at least twenty feet away from me, but my gut told me it was something else. Now, I needed to figure out what that was. Turning around, I flipped open my laptop. “Ok, Ms. Ally Black, it’s time I find out who you really are, since you won’t give me the damn time of day.”

  Chapter Four

  Ally

  With only one day off a week, there was precious little time to get everything done for the entire week. First, I kind of ran around in a manic mode cleaning our tiny place that we had called home for quite some time now. It was not much, but we were comfortable. Next, I had to make a list of errands. Giving me a sense of control, routine was my best friend and companion now. As I made my list of groceries for the week, I made note that Sam had a party this week in class and I signed up to bring cookies. “I want you to make a million of your chocolate chip cookies, so everyone will like me.”

  “Hey buddy, everyone already likes you, silly boy,” I replied.

  “Well I just want to make sure, Mom,” he said with the brightest smile.

  I couldn’t help but laugh. “Ok, a million cookies it is then.” I laughed now as I recalled my promise of a million cookies.

  Adding the final cookie ingredients to the list, I grabbed my purse and the keys to my run-down car and prayed it would start. Glancing at the list in my hand, I mentally mapped my day – rent to the landlord, utility company, then grocery shopping.

  Mr. Murphy, the landlord chattered about his bad hip. Sometimes he could be a little cranky but I never minded since he let me pay the rent in cash each month. The locally owned mom-and-pop store where I shopped for groceries also accepted utility
payments at customer service. Everything was paid in cash to leave the smallest trail possible.

  Grabbing a grocery cart, I headed over to the produce section looking over what was on sale and consulting my list. I had to be careful this week because I needed to save up enough money to get Sam signed up for Little League Baseball. He would be so surprised. My little guy deserved a treat after being such a trooper over the past few years. Thankfully, I was a thrifty shopper. Like I knew, if I bought the bananas that were going dark the store would take more than half off the price. The overripe bananas were perfect for banana bread with pecans. It was another sneaky way of getting something sort of good into Sam. I grabbed plenty of apples and oranges before heading off to the other parts of the store grabbing things off my list along the way.

  As I looked down at the last few items on my list, I turned a corner and slammed into another cart with a clang so hard that it forced the cart back into my stomach and ribs. An oomph emitted from me upon impact, leaving me a bit stunned. When I looked up, I expected both of us to trip over our apologies simultaneously. Just as I was about to say it, the big man, with dark stringy hair, said, “Hey, bitch! Watch where the hell you’re going!” He slammed into my cart again, almost overturning it as he made his way past me. I grabbed it in time and just stood there. Shocked. Surprised. My ribs throbbed.

  The hairs on the back of my neck stood up as I looked over to the direction he had walked. He stood there staring at me with a sneer on his face. Someone grabbed onto my elbow at just that moment, causing me to shriek. I tried to pull away. I need to run! I had to get away! Then I heard this soft, gravelly voice, “Ally you’re ok. What happened? Ally? Ally! Look at me. Breathe, Freckles, breathe.” I looked up from the hand on my arm and was shocked to see it belonged to Jonah Bradford. “Jonah, what are you doing here?” I was confused and still a little dazed.

  “Ally, I am shopping just like you, babe. I heard a crash and when I came around the corner I realized it was you. Are you ok? You look frightened? What happened just now?”

  Stammering, I turned back to where the man had been leering at me but he was gone. Just gone. I walked, no ran over to where he had been. Looking down all the aisles, I saw he was nowhere to be found.

  Jonah followed me. “Ally, what’s wrong? Who are you looking for?”

  “Did you see that man that rammed his cart into mine really hard? Long stringy dark hair, about six foot tall? Mean looking smile?”

  “No, when I came over there was only one other lady in the aisle. Tell me what happened,” he demanded in a soft voice.

  “Are you sure you didn’t see him?” I nearly begged him. I needed reassurance that I wasn’t losing my mind, that the suspicious man wasn’t all in my head.

  “Freckles, I wouldn’t lie to you.”

  Ok, Ally get it together. You are making something out of nothing and in front of Mr. Dreamy Eyes, no less. The Jonah Bradford, aka man of my dreams.

  “It was a simple clash of grocery carts at the grocery store, no big deal, nothing else. But thank you for your concern Mr. Bradford,” I answered in as calm of a voice as I could possibly fake.

  “From where I’m standing, Ally, it most certainly wasn’t nothing. You’re shaking, sweating and pale. Something just scared the hell out of you and I want to know what it was. Who was that? Let me help you, please, Freckles?”

  Deep breaths, Ally. Get a hold of yourself. I couldn’t let him find out. Get. It. Together. I. Was. OK. It was just one of my demons that occasionally creeped up on me. They made me feel like I was being followed. Sometimes when that happened, I would lock myself and Sam away for a few days, only peeking out the windows amidst paranoia. But the last time I did that was a long time ago. I really thought I was over this imaginary fear. Tightening my ponytail, I absentmindedly rubbed my ribs where the cart had struck me. Pushing my cart, I headed to the checkout line, mindful of Jonah trailing behind me. Breathe in, breathe out.

  “Ally? Are you going to talk to me and tell me what happened?” Jonah asked, genuine concern lacing his voice.

  “It was nothing, just a simple bump of carts in the supermarket.” I tried for a simple laugh but it came out flat. “Seriously, I’m just fine Mr. Bradford.”

  “Enough Ally! Enough with calling me Mr. Bradford. My father is Mr. Bradford. I have been coming into the diner for three years and you avoid me at all costs. I am not your enemy. Please let me help you,” he replied in a huff.

  “I’m sorry. It really was nothing. Thank you for your help and the offer but I am fine. I must hurry to check out so I can pick up my son from the bus stop on time,” I rambled as I rushed to check out.

  Jonah went back to grab his own cart. Please keep shopping. I couldn’t keep up my brave front much longer, not when he was showing me such kindness. No such luck. He checked out right behind me.

  “You cannot get rid of me that easily, Ally. I am going to follow you out to the parking lot to make sure you get going on your way with no further trouble,” Jonah said matter-of-factly.

  “Seriously, I’m fine. Thank you again, Jonah. Enjoy the rest of your day,” I called over my shoulder as I finally escaped to the door.

  As I rolled out to the parking lot, I swore I could feel someone watching me. Looking all around, I saw a neighbor and a regular or two from the diner and then I saw Jonah. Gah, why did Jonah have to see me like that? I always acted like a freak in front of him. He had to think I was a crazy person. I had to stop this. Stop Ally. Throwing bags of groceries in the trunk I grabbed my keys, slid into the driver’s side and took off for home.

  When I got home, I had just enough time to get everything put away before racing out the door to meet Sam at the bus stop. Because I only got to do this twice a week, I always brought a surprise for him. Today’s was a fresh caramel apple. As I waited for the bus that could be heard in the distance, I thought back over my afternoon and what happened at the store.

  We were one hundred percent fine. I had covered our tracks the best I could. It just had to be some cranky ass man that got up on the wrong side of the bed. Yep, that had to be it. Letting out a big sigh, I relaxed when I saw Sam waving from the bus window. There. That right there was why I lived and breathed. Why I kept going day in and day out. My beautiful boy.

  Sam jumped down from the last high step on the bus and ran as fast as his legs would carry him. I braced for impact. Boom! The biggest, most loving hug in the world hit me. My life would never be the same if anything happened to my little man. I gave him his surprise and he bit a chunk off right away.

  “Mmmmmmmmmmm this is soooooooooooo good Mom.” He crunched, and munched the caramel covered treat as we walked. “Thank you.” At least, I think that was what he said.

  Later that evening as I tucked him into bed and read part of his favorite book, The Littles, I watched his eyes start to droop. Sleep was eminent. Whispering softly as I bent down to kiss his cheek, I said, “I will love you forever and ever, my brave little man.”

  Closing the door softly, I sighed in relief that the day was done. Feeling a sense of accomplishment that I had completed everything on my list for that week. Now for some much needed me time. As I poured myself a glass of wine, I decided it was warm enough to sit on the porch swing and enjoy the rest of the evening under the stars. Armed with a cushion from the couch to make the swing more comfortable, I set my glass of wine down and sank down onto the swing. With a gentle push of my foot, the swing swayed back and forth. A deep breath of the fresh air helped me relax as I stretched my back. I took a sip of my wine and boom out of nowhere Mr. Dreamy Eyes popped into my head. What was he doing now? Was he stargazing like me?

  I looked up at the stars as if they held the answers to my thoughts. It had been so long since I had felt even a twitch of attraction. But for three years I had secretly pined for this man. Gahhh! I wanted him! Dammit I did! But, no man wanted me with the baggage I carried. It wouldn’t be fair to him. I had learned so much about him from Frannie, Frank and a bunch
of customers from the diner over the years.

  Whenever I heard him talk or even just laugh, goosebumps broke out all over my arms and a funny tingle ran down my spine. Apparently, there was a town-wide bet on how long it would take for me to give in and go on a date with him. I was totally shocked when Bella told me about it. It was not going happen. When I told Bella that, she said I was an ass for passing up that “perfect piece of man meat” and she would give anything for one date with him. That girl always made me laugh. “Take him Bella, and do as you please. He is not my type.” When I told her that, she just stared at me dumbfounded, while I shrugged as if was no big deal. But really? Inside I dreamed of the things I would have liked to do to him over and over. Bella the beautiful is what I called her. Tall, beautiful long blonde hair with warm smiling brown eyes and double dimples when she smiled. Men would basically fall at her feet and grovel for her to wait on them. I just watched and would sometimes wish I could have been born with half of her beauty.

  Gahhh, could it work? Should I give it a chance? I wanted to. I really wanted it to. And why did he call me Freckles instead of Ally? Did he think they were ugly? I knew I wasn’t the most attractive woman in town. Why was he interested in me? Listing my attributes or lack thereof, I tried to see what might have piqued his interest. I was a little thick around the hips and chest. I wore too much make-up for my own tastes as part of my armor, so I really didn’t believe he was attracted to me. He was just being friendly to the shy awkward waitress at his favorite place to eat, just being kind.

  The woman in me screamed for me to jump at any chance with him. But, I wouldn’t. There was too much at risk. No sense bringing anything to his door that was dangerous. Taking another sip of my wine, I turned on my tablet to read about make believe romance. That was about as close as I would ever get again.

  The next morning, I woke up a little earlier than usual. Something had woken me from deep slumber but I was not sure what it was. I tiptoed to check on Sam and found him sleeping peacefully. Had I been dreaming? Did I hear something? Shaking my head, I was being paranoid again. Maybe I needed to get in touch with my underground contact and move on. We had been here three years, which was too long according them. Maybe I was getting too comfortable and sloppy. Ah hell, I was being ridiculous, not to mention slightly neurotic over a buggy incident that could have happened any time at any store. Maybe Frannie was right. I needed a girl’s night out of the house and away from work, just for a few hours. Bella from work was a good friend, even though she was a few years younger than me. She had asked me many times to come out and have a drink with her. Which reminded me, I also needed to ask Bella if she could switch shifts so that I could take Sam to sign up for Little League this coming Saturday. I had nearly enough saved. He would love it.