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

by Susan Owensby

  “Ally dear, go to the bathroom now and wash up. The shower is hot and ready. Make sure to fix your hair and put on a bit of makeup. I said a bit. Now go! We ain’t got all day ya know, time is a ticking!” Frannie said in firm, but kind voice.

  “Frannie? I …umm…we need to…the van…?” I was stumbling over my words terribly. It was time to talk. To tell the people who loved us and cared about us the truth. It was the getting started that was the hard part. I had kept in hidden for so long and buried so deeply, I was having trouble knowing exactly where to start.

  “Hush right this minute, Ally. I love you and Samuel. I will protect you with my life. I am a champion marksman and I can take that scum bag out in a nanosecond. Never doubt that. Now, I said get that butt of yours in that bathroom, clean up and you will feel 150% better, I promise.” Hell, I really was scared of her now, so off I went to do as I was told. Grams? You really did send her to us didn’t you! Shit she can be as stern as you used to be and I love you even more for it.

  “Wait Frannie. Why in the wo…” I never got another word out because she popped me on butt with a hand towel that made me yelp and move faster. Damn woman could be mean.

  I had to admit, it felt wonderful taking my time in the shower, putting on just a hint of makeup and I noticed a new bottle of perfume on the sink.

  “Hmm, where did that come from?” I said out loud to myself.

  “Frannie, where did this perfume come from?” I asked smelling it and falling in love.

  There was a hint of lavender, one of my favorites. Subtle and just right, not overpowering. I sighed out loud. Lavender had a beautiful way of making me relax and feel calm. Looking in the mirror at my hair, I decided not to straighten it. They had all seen my curls and bit of frizz, so I went with a soft twist at my neck, letting tendrils fall where they wanted. I never could stand hair in my face, hence it being all one length. Noticing my roots and length, it was time to make an appointment for a cut and color at the local beauty shop. The last thing I needed was my strawberry blonde to standout. I had two weeks tops, before everyone would really start to notice.

  Coming out in a light blue satin robe Frannie had bought just after the storm. I realized I was getting hungry. Since Jonah had left, I guessed I was on my own for dinner. Being alone for the first time in so long seemed appealing one second, but then loneliness wrapped itself around my heart.

  I thought I needed some alone time, but now I realized how much I loved having everyone around. Especially Jonah. Deciding right then and there that I would tell Jonah everything and let the chips fall where they would, I wondered when he would be back. I just hoped he could forgive me for all the lies. My heart gave another twist. I would also have to tell Frannie and Frank. Would they forgive me too? Making my way to the refrigerator, I said a little prayer for courage and strength.

  “Hold it right there! Do not take another step. Turn around and get your gimpy self into the living room and hurry it up, Mom.” Sam tried to sound all gruff and assertive, but it came out nasally and totally adorable. I just laughed and followed him. Maybe he wanted to snuggle some before he left. That sounded good to me.

  When I turned the corner to the living room, I stopped and just gawked at what was laid before me on the bed. This couldn’t be real. Could it? Mentally shaking myself and trying to figure out what was going on, I looked from Frannie to Sam, questioning them with my eyes. Sam had his bag in his hand and Frannie had her purse on her arm.

  Then she said, “We love you, Ally. Tonight, is your night. Tonight, is Jonah’s night. What you see on the bed are gifts that he and I picked out for you today. You need to get out of the house. Remember that date you missed with him? Well, it’s tonight. Get dressed. Stare at how beautiful you are in the mirror for a minute or two. But be ready in no more than thirty minutes.” She hugged me as she finished her orders. Sam smiled and did the same. I couldn’t say anything with the butterflies fluttering like mad in my stomach. Then, they were gone.

  I walked to the bed to behold the beautiful things upon it. It had been years upon years since I owned any nice clothing at all. And whoever picked this out, whether it was Jonah or Frannie, they knew what I liked. I was never a fancy girl. I liked pretty but comfortable. I wasn’t a frump, but I loved the clean, classy look, nothing over the top.

  The simple, but stunning sundress was a perfect soft, seafoam green and there was a beautiful cream colored shawl for my shoulders. Perfectly beautiful, classy and totally me. Simple would always be more beautiful than anything else. Grams taught me what colors worked best with my hair color, freckles and skin tone, as she had the same.

  I love you Grams! If you could see me right now I know you would be proud. I sniffled a bit and looked at the clock, knowing it was time to get dressed. There were two boxes on the bed and the curiosity was too much to contain. Opening the biggest, I found house slippers!!! Well, one house slipper anyway considering I was still wearing a special boot for my sprained ankle. It was the most perfect soft, cream colored satin house slipper I had ever seen. Not that I had ever owned any house slippers before. Chuckling, I grabbed the smaller box and opened it and just sat there staring.

  Inside the box was a delicate gold bangle bracelet. It was perfect. Simple. And again, totally me. I couldn’t contain my excitement and started to get dressed. When I was nude, standing in the living room I realized, I didn’t own any underwear. I never wore underwear. Grams always thought I was crazy but I hated them. They always found a way to give me the worst wedgies and the need to dig at it constantly, drove me crazy. So, I swore them off. Shit! I couldn’t wear a dress without underwear! Oh well, no one would know.

  Now for the second problem. If I wore a bra the straps would show and look ridiculous. Story of my life. If I didn’t wear a bra, I was not sure if the top was see through or not. No undies and no bra. Holy shit. I might as where a sign round my neck that said, “OPEN FOR BUSINESS.”

  Literally smacking my head, I decided that if I wore the shawl it would cover my boobs. Settled now, I dressed and waited for Jonah to pick me up.

  Chapter Twenty

  Jonah

  Never in my life had I been this fucking nervous about a date. I had to get it together or I would make an ass out of myself. With my luck, though, it was bound to happen. Groaning, I put my hands on top of my head, gritted my teeth and tried to focus on my breathing.

  Shit! Shake if off man. Shake. It. Off.

  This woman had me so twisted up inside that I couldn’t even think straight. Tonight, must be perfect. Shayla and I worked our asses off running around town getting this or that in place. Calling in favors left and right. I fucking hated to, but I had to call Shane to help pull it all together. Yeah, he teased me and laughed his ass off, but he jumped in and made some things happen that Shayla and I couldn’t. Shane didn’t mind reminding me over and over how much I owed him for all his help. What an asshole.

  When Frannie called me earlier about the stalker in the brown van, I freaked and nearly ruined everything. Shane calmed me down then assured me he was on it. After he left, I called one of my guys and had him shadow Frank, Frannie and Sam for the evening. Feeling like we were secure for now, I strapped my nine millimeter to my right ankle and a knife to the left just in case. Wanting to look casual, I planned to wear jeans, a t-shirt and my leather jacket, but my sister wasn’t having any of it. All I could do was groan, as she went through my closet throwing shit everywhere. The entire room looked like a tornado had gone through it, but she promised to clean it up.

  So, what was I going to wear per my stern baby sis’s instructions? She proceeded to pick out a charcoal-grey, button-down, silk dress shirt that she put so much starch on while ironing it that I swore the damn itchy thing could walk on its own. Shoes? For the love of god! I only had five pair but I swear it took her thirty minutes to pick a pair out. And the whole time she bitched about my poor choice of, clothing, shoes, every freaking thing.

  I was ready to growl at her b
ut when she smiled at me, all I saw was the little girl that I protected and teased growing up. And with her beautiful round belly with my new niece growing in? I just sucked it up and hugged her. “Thank you,” I murmured to her. Calling around to make sure things were ready, I threw on my leather jacket, grabbed my keys and headed toward Ally’s for our long-awaited date.

  When I pulled up her driveway, I had to sit there for a second to cool my nerves. Suck it up, soldier. Getting out of the car, I went to pick up my girl. She opened the door as soon as I stepped on the porch. When I opened the screen door for her, she literally stopped me in my tracks, taking my breath away. Stunning was the only word that came to mind. This woman would be the death of me. How would I go the entire evening without pouncing on her like a starving lion? I looked up and prayed for strength, while groaning out loud because my jeans were already starting to feel a bit snug.

  Looking down at her, I saw her eyebrows were drawn down. I immediately asked, “What’s wrong, Freckles?”

  “You groaned, Jonah. I can’t look that bad,” she said with a serious pout.

  What the fuck had I been thinking? Swearing under my breath, I stalked toward her and said, “Baby, there is nothing bad about you. Everything is so perfect. You are so beautiful and I groaned because I have no idea how I am going to keep my hands off you tonight,” I blurted out then stepped forward and grabbed her crutches.

  “Jonah, what are you doing? I need those!”

  She yelped when I grabbed her around the waist, picking her up and said, “You. Are. Stunning.” I leaned down and slowly licked her delectable mouth from one corner to the other. She sucked in her breath with surprise, opening her mouth to me in perfect timing. As our tongues danced, she wrapped her arms around me and I tightened my hold on her. I had no idea how long we stood there kissing, but it wasn’t long enough.

  We had a schedule to keep, so I gently nipped her lip and pulled back. When she opened her eyes, they were dilated with passion and she was breathing hard. Fucckkkk… She would be the death of me.

  Sucking in a deep breath, I whispered, “We have to go.” I couldn’t be certain, but I could have sworn she looked disappointed.

  Setting her down gently, I picked up her crutches and handed them back so we could walk to my car. I helped her in and noticed that she was wearing the shawl we bought her today and was clinging to it like a lifeline.

  “Are you cold baby?” I asked reaching for my jacket on the backseat.

  “No! umm, no. I am in no way cold after that kiss. Thank you very much,” she stammered and gave me that to-die-for smile.

  I just laughed as I closed the door and went to my side. Then off we went on our “official date.”

  “Where are we going Jonah?” Ally asked with curiosity.

  “That is a surprise and soon I have to pull off the road and put a blindfold on you,” I said.

  I heard her suck in a breath and I quickly looked at her. She was staring at me. I thought at first, she was frightened, but her face was flushed and she gripped her shawl even tighter. Hmm? My baby wants to be blindfolded. I’ll be dammed. Feeling my jeans getting more uncomfortable, I adjusted my position in the seat. Turning to her, I said, “If you do not stop looking at me like that, I will pull over right now and take you in this car. And that is not how I planned this, dammit. Have mercy, will you?”

  She fucking laughed so hard, she turned red. I thought about what I said and how I said it, and laughed with her. We were just about to our exit on the other side of town, so I pulled over and put the car in park. Turning to her, I reached over touching her face gently and rubbed my thumb across her bottom lip. As I stared into her eyes, I picked up one of my seldom used silk ties. Her wet tongue flicked out and licked my thumb quickly. Then she closed her mouth around my thumb and started to gently suck. She slid closer to me and as she did, she slipped my thumb further into her mouth, sucking it harder. She started flicking it with her tongue. I gasped. As she continued to suck, she let go of her shawl and I could clearly see why she had been holding it closed. Son of a bitch!

  She wasn’t wearing a bra. I moaned imagining her mouth on another part of me that screamed for the same attention. She stared at me with soulful eyes. When I couldn’t help myself anymore, I reached for one of her beautiful, lush breasts. She suddenly let go of my thumb and licked her lips. Smiling, she turned around in the blink of an eye and said, “Blindfold me, Jonah. Now! We have a schedule to keep, mister.”

  I sat there so stunned and unable to speak for a minute. She looked over her shoulder and said in a low, almost growl, “Come on, Jonah. Let’s get this show on the road.”

  I did as I was told and blindfolded her. She buckled back up and off we went.

  When we arrived at our first stop, I knew there was no way she would be able to walk with the crutches. Getting out and going around to her side of car, I opened the door and took her small hands in mine, pulling her closer to the edge. Bending down, I lifted her up in both arms and kicked the door shut with my foot. Ally held onto my neck and leaned in to rest her head on my shoulder.

  “Where are we, Jonah? It seems like you have been walking forever.” She said a bit impatiently after a bit.

  “Baby, we are almost there. Just a few more minutes and I can take the blindfold off.”

  As I walked around the last obstacle, I set her down on the ground keeping my hands around her for support. Leaning in, I whispered close to her ear, “Are you ready for your first surprise, Ally?”

  “Umm duh! I have been waiting for this it seems like forever,” she rushed out.

  I couldn’t help but laugh at her excitement and it warmed me through and through. Using one hand as support, I used the other to loosen the necktie. When it fell, she opened her eyes quickly and took in the sight before her. I waited quietly for her response. And waited some more. Shit. Did I get it wrong?

  Just then she let go of a huge “wooooohooooo” and fist pumped the air. “This was your idea, Jonah? Really? Come on let’s go! Now, now, now…,” She jumped at me, so I had no choice but to carry her and we just started laughing.

  “You really brought me to a carnival? For real? But, wait. There isn’t anyone else here? Will we get in trouble, Jonah?” She eyed me like we were about to get arrested and I just smiled.

  “No baby, I rented a couple of the rides for the night. They do not, however have a roller coaster. But as you can see there is a mighty fine Ferris wheel, the famous sizzler ride and a tilt-a-world. We can ride them all until your heart is content. Then we will have dinner.”

  “Hell yeah! Let’s go for the tilt-a-world first. Come on mister, move your butt now!” she hollered as she pointed to the ride. Laughing, the man I hired met us over there. Good lord, good thing I had a strong stomach because she made me ride it three times in a row. My beautiful, freckle-faced girl whooped and hollered and laughed the whole time. The sizzler about did me in the second time and I told her I needed a break for a few. She just called me a wussy and rode it two more times by herself.

  The weather was just warm enough that it was perfect. As it was getting dark, we rode the Ferris Wheel several times, necking like a couple of teens. It was nearly dark and time for dinner. The waiter flagged my attention as we got off our last ride for the evening.

  “Who was that waving at you?” she asked with windblown hair going every direction and not a care in the world marring her features. I had never seen her this free and truly happy before. It was an amazing sight and one I would remember for many years to come.

  “That means dinner is ready m’lady. Would you care to join me for a bite to eat?” I asked as she sat on the step of the Ferris wheel.

  “Well, I hate to tell you this, but if it doesn’t involve cotton candy and popcorn, then I’m sorry, my answer will have to be no sir.” She batted her eyelashes and turned away in pretense.

  Once I scooped her up again, I told her, “Baby, just you wait and see what we are having for dinner. Have a little faith
in me.” Yes, I could hear the song in my head as cheesy as it sounded. Lord, this woman was turning me into a pile of mush.

  As we walked up to our unconventional dining table, I held her as she took in the full scene. Her beautiful green eyes were lit up by the flickers of over a hundred flameless candles. They were scattered throughout and around the carousel, which boasted horses in all sizes and colors, from emerald greens touched with gold, to blues kissed with white and yellow edged in orange. The seat on the carousel that was usually reserved for older people to sit on for the ride, was set with a table, white linens, sparkling silverware and wine glasses. Centering the table was a beautifully displayed vase of Gerber daisies in every color of the rainbow.

  I looked at Ally as she took each piece in with her hand to her heart.

  “Oh Jonah, this is so beautiful. No one in my life has ever done something like this just for me. Is this real? Really, real? I’m not dreaming?” She looked at everything again and then back at me.

  “Baby, I had a little help pulling all of this together but, yes this, everything you see before you, is for you. You stole my heart three years ago, and I wanted to show you just how much you mean to me,” I said in a pleading voice, wanting her to believe it as the truth.

  “Are you hungry?” I asked and just then her stomach growled and we both knew it was time to eat.

  “What are we having for dinner? I am starved!” she asked enthusiastically.

  As I set her down in the curved seat on the carousel, I waved for our meal to be brought over. Three waiters came with a variety of plates covered with silver domes. When the last of the food and drink was set on the table, I walked away with the waiters. I gave them a hefty tip and slipped some to the man at the rides. I asked them all in no uncertain terms to beat it. The night was mine.