Her Valentine Hero

by Gail Gaymer Martin

  When Jon triggered the green light, Joey eyed him a moment and raced on ahead with Jon’s sports car right behind him. As Jon raced around the truck, his brrring sound effect was nearly covered by Joey’s giggles.

  Neely curled her legs beneath her, a smile stretching her cheeks and warming her heart. Jon had proven himself over and over as a man who loved kids and would be a great father. Her pulse skipped and danced through her heart.

  Joey rubbed his eyes with his fist, and Neely glanced at her watch. Ashley had asked her to entertain him while she went to the movies with Erik. So far, the noose hadn’t tightened enough to do any damage, but Neely suspected it would happen eventually. Jon’s calming effect had stopped her worries, and instead of feeling the angst she’d experienced for so long, she’d learned to hand her worry over to the Lord. Finally she’d found peace. The truth would strike Ashley when the time was right, and Neely’s main prayer was that Ashley would not be hurt. Her sister deserved good things after all she’d been through losing Adam.

  Her gaze lowered to Joey, and she grinned seeing Jon the only one pushing his car along the plastic highway. “Having fun?”

  He looked up and grinned. “Do I look like it?”

  She nodded, then tilted her head toward Joey who had gone into his own little trance. “I think it’s sleepy time.”

  Joey’s hand slipped off the truck, and he pressed his palms against the floor and rose. When she opened her arms to him, he didn’t resist, and she lifted him against her chest. “Want to put on your jammies?”

  He nodded, and she gave him a hug. One thing she loved about Joey was, despite his energy, he admitted when he’d had enough and wanted a nap or knew it was bedtime. “I’ll be back in a minute.”

  She carried him into the guest room, slipped him into his pajamas, led him into the bathroom, and then tucked him into the bed along with his favorite stuffed toy. She left the hall light on and the door ajar, then returned to the living room. When she spotted Jon still sitting on the floor, she smiled. “Would you like a set of cars and trucks for your birthday?”

  He loaded the last piece of roadway into the box and rose. “I’ll think about that. But I’d prefer a sports car I can fit in. Is that in your budget?” He opened his arms, and she stepped into his embrace. Before she could answer the question, his lips touched hers, as if they’d been together forever.

  When she caught her breath, she sighed. “Wish I could buy you a car. Even a toy one. Christmas took a bite out of my salary. Did you know a secretary’s paycheck looks pitiful?”

  His smile faded. “I know. You deserve more, but that’s how it is. I suppose looking for another job is on your mind.” His body tensed, but he didn’t let her go. “Are you thinking about going back to Indian—”

  “Not at this point.” His face told her what he feared. “I might start looking around here. I have good credentials, and if I don’t get my résumé out there, I won’t know what’s available.”

  He nodded, his tension lessening as he released her.

  She crossed to the sofa and patted the cushion, hoping they had time to talk. She’d grown closer than she ever thought possible, and only occasionally did the memory of a pesky kid enter her mind. But instead of a vivid image, he morphed into the handsome man who gazed at her as he stood beside the Christmas tree.

  “Time is flying. We’ll be back to work in a few more days.” He settled on the sofa and slipped his arm behind her on the cushion. “This has been the best Christmas vacation I’ve had in years, Neely.”

  She nodded. “When I worked in Indianapolis, I only had a few days, and I’d make a quick trip here for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and then return to my friends and the holiday parties. I know I’ve settled in, because that seems like a long time ago—nice memories but ones I don’t really miss.”

  “Honestly?” His eyes searched hers.

  She tilted her head and brushed his lips with hers. “Promise.” She slipped her hand in his. “Did anyone ever tell you you’ll make a wonderful father?”

  “Me?” He pressed his free hand against his chest. “I don’t really have much involvement with kids except the teens at school, and then I’m not sure about fatherhood and dealing with teens.”

  She chuckled, imagining what it might be like dealing with the multitude of teen issues she’d gone through growing up. “I think about the age ten you could send them off to boarding school and invite them back a few years later.”

  Slipping his arm around her shoulders, Jon drew her close his gaze sweeping her face. He brushed strands of hair from her cheek and cupped her chin in his palm. “Sometimes I imagine a daughter that looks just like you.”

  Her heart spiraled as words failed her. But she didn’t need words. His mouth touched hers drawing her away from the world of problems and leaving her floating on a cloud of dreams. When he eased back, his lips still close to hers, she caught her breath. “Jon, I...”

  A grin stole to his face. “When you first came home, I had too much to prove to you. I wanted to rid you of those horrible memories of the past and prove I was a man. All that seems foolish now, and I’ve learned something important.”

  She could only guess what he’d learned. She studied his face. No tension. No regret. Only a faint grin hanging on the curve of his mouth. “What?”

  His smile deepened. “I asked you to call me Jon, and for so long you refused, and what I learned is...” He shook his head and chuckled. “I learned that I miss hearing you call me Jonny.”

  Surprised, she tilted her head. “Really?”

  He nodded. “But I’ll take Jon rather than not hear your voice at all.”

  Every worry she’d felt, every boulder she put in their way as a stumbling block to falling in love, tumbled away. His muscles flexed against her shoulder. His eyes searched hers, and she drank in the sweetness of his presence. “I’ll take your request under advisement.”

  His smile grew and he kissed her again, deeper and warmer than anything she’d experienced. Ashley had defined love, and for once, Neely faced what true love felt like. The one boulder still remaining in her life was being chipped away. If God could forgive sins and told His children to forgive as He forgave, she prayed that Jon could do just that.

  Tonight when she turned out the light for bed, she would pray in earnest that He give her the courage to tell Jon what had stood in their way for so long.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Jon leaned against the doorjamb, watching his sister and Neely carry in another tray of snacks from the kitchen. Rainie loved to entertain, and since Ty had moved into their new home, the one she would live in once they were married, she had turned into a decorator and hostess. Each change in the decor meant another party to celebrate, but tonight nothing new had been added, except a new year that would make itself known in another hour.

  Neely caught his eye and tilted her head toward the latest addition to the buffet table. He eased his way through the group of noisy friends to the spread. “What’s the latest?”

  She gestured to the fare. “Stuffed mushrooms fresh from the oven, and another batch of saucy meatballs.” She knew he loved those, but his stomach let him know he’d already eaten too many. Neely had made the “secret” sauce, but he’d wormed the secret out of her and still couldn’t believe what she’d used—a cup of ketchup and a can of diet cola.

  With the delicious sauce in mind, he pulled a toothpick from the holder and speared one of the meatballs. Before it dripped, he popped it into his mouth. Unbelievable.

  She caught him in the act and grinned. “I knew I’d entice you.”

  Neely did and in so many ways—her laughter, her kisses, and her simple presence in his life. The more time they spent together, the more he believed she had been a gift from God—the plans God promised from Jeremiah: Plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you hope and a future.

  Though he’d accepted their friendship immediately as part of God’s plan, Neely had taken her time. Even now she held something back, but he’d put it in the Lord’s hands. It was the only way he could deal with it now that his heart and head knew he loved her with the kind of depth the Lord spoke about in the Bible. Many scriptures focused on faith, hope and love, but he knew the greatest of these was love.

  As he watched Neely, a frown grew on her face. She slipped her hand into her pocket and pulled out her cell phone. He knew why. Her dad had agreed to care for Joey while Ashley went to a party with Erik while Neely and he had plans to be with Rainie and Ty. Her face darkened, and she glanced his way. Seeing her concern, he drew closer, his heartbeat sending a warning.

  “We’ll be there in a minute.” She clicked off and looked at him, tension filling her face. “It’s Ashley. Erik is drunk and he’s—” She closed her eyes and shook her head. “I’ll explain on the way.”

  He didn’t need more than that. Accident? Stranded? Whatever it was they would leave the party to help Ashley.

  With a limited explanation to Rainie, he pulled away from her as she begged them to stay. “It’s only twenty minutes before midnight.”

  “I’ll explain later.” He drew his arm away. “Please.”

  Rainie let him go; concern etched her face. He hated walking away without giving her a better understanding of why they had to leave so close to midnight, but too many ears were nearby, and many of the guests knew Erik.

  As soon as they pulled away, Jon asked for details.

  “Erik drank so much that Ashley suggested they leave the party.” She shook her head, her look frantic. “She drove him to her house, because she didn’t want to be stuck at his.”

  He slipped his hand over hers and gave it a squeeze. “That was smart. So we’re going to drive him home?”

  “I guess, but it’s worse.” Tears rolled down her cheeks. “Erik took her suggestion as a sexual offer. After they were inside, he got rough with her. I don’t suppose he realized it being drunk, but he tore the buttons off her dress and—” She covered her face with her hands. “I wanted him to tighten the noose, but not like this.”

  Heat tore through him as he gripped the steering wheel. “Whether he realized it or not, Erik’s heading into the mire if that’s what drinking does to him.” His heart raced, picturing Ashley in the horrible encounter. “How did she get away from him?”

  “She grabbed her cell phone—I don’t know how—and locked herself in the bathroom. I could hear Erik beating on the door.”

  “Dearest Lord, keep her safe.” He stepped on the gas, forcing his foot to keep within a reasonable speed but definitely going over the speed limit. Just before he turned onto Ashley’s street he heard a siren. Lights flashed behind him. “Stupid.” He pulled to the curb and stopped.

  Neely released a moan. “Jon, I’m so sorry that—”

  “It’s New Year’s Eve. I should have known they’d be out in full force.” He dug into his pocket for his wallet. “I’m more upset because we need to be there.”

  The officer appeared at the car window, and Jon handed him his wallet and gave him a quick explanation.

  He lowered his head and eyed him through the window. “You’re the coach at Ferndale High.”

  His stomach knotted. That wasn’t important. Ashley was. “Yes, sir.”

  He returned Jon’s wallet. “You lead the way.”

  “Thanks.” He handed his wallet to Neely and released a pent-up breath. “Here goes.” He rolled away from the curb, the officer following. Erik’s car sat in the driveway and they both pulled up in front.

  Neely darted from the car, and Jon grasped her arm. “Slow down.” They reached the door together. Neely tried the knob. It opened.

  Grateful Erik hadn’t locked it, Jon stepped inside first and Neely moved aside to let the officer enter before her. Erik’s voice sounded from the back, his fist whacking against something. He could hear Ashley’s muffled voice but couldn’t make out the words.

  When Erik saw them, his glazed eyes widened, and he blurted a curse.

  “Stand away from the door.” The officer’s voice overpowered Erik’s slurred retort.

  Erik looked bewildered, his eyes shifting from Jon to the police. He faced the doorway, swaying, his confusion evident. “You called the police, you b—”

  “She didn’t, Erik. She should have, but she called Neely.”

  The officer grasped Erik’s arm, but he jerked away, stumbling backward until the wall stopped him. He slipped down the wall to the floor. Jon stood back as the young man unsnapped the handcuffs from his belt, pushed Erik’s head downward as he pulled his arms behind him and attached the cuffs.

  Tears filled Neely’s eyes as she pressed her cheek against the door. “You can come out, Ash. Everything’s okay.”

  When the door opened, Ashley stood motionless, her hand covering her face, her dress hanging askew. Neely opened her arms, and Ashley fell into her embrace. The sisters rocked from side to side, calming each other. “Ash, I wanted to protect you from this, but—”

  “It was me. I didn’t want to believe you. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have blamed you for what happened. You told me in confidence, and—”

  “Don’t be sorry, Ash.” Neely held her close swaying as a mother would a child. “I knew you’d see the truth. It just took time.”

  Jon sensed this was a conversation he shouldn’t have heard. It fell into his mind like puzzle pieces that needed to be put together, and he feared the picture wasn’t one Neely wanted him to see.

  He stepped away and spoke to the officer who gave him Erik’s car keys. They waited in the living room to see if Ashley would go home with Neely, but she refused, saying she was fine and insisting she needed to be alone. They left reluctantly.

  New Year’s Eve hadn’t ended as planned, but it had begun a new year for Neely and Ashley, one Jon sensed would bring them closer together, and if he ever learned what Ashley meant when she said she shouldn’t have blamed Neely for what happened, he prayed it would be a blessed new year for Neely and him, too.

  * * *

  Ashley’s words rang in Neely’s head. I shouldn’t have blamed you for what happened. She suspected Jon had heard her, and though she’d found reasons to avoid admitting her involvement with Erik, she knew the time had come.

  She’d excused herself from Jon to make hot chocolate after the horrible ordeal, and alone she reviewed all that had happened. The policeman left with Erik, and Jon followed in Erik’s sports car while she drove Jon’s SUV. As she drove, she’d come to grips with the situation. Tonight she promised herself she would talk to Jon.

  When she and Jon arrived home, the house was quiet, her dad and Joey asleep. She turned on the Christmas lights and calmed. The problem with Erik had been resolved before he hurt her sister any more than he already had. She assumed the police would keep him overnight and he’d be free to chase other women—his father’s wealth and prestige would influence that—but Ashley would come away intact, hurt maybe, but no permanent damage.

  “Are you okay?”

  Hearing Jon’s voice, she turned from the stove and looked into his concerned eyes. “Sorry. I’m thinking.”

  He nodded and stepped behind her, slipping his arms around her waist. “I know this has been difficult for you.”

  She only shrugged, having too much to say. The hot chocolate was hotter than it needed to be. She pulled out the mugs and poured the cocoa into them. She handed one to Jon and carried the other to the living room.

  When they had settled, the lights of the tree their only illumination, she blew on the liquid and took a sip, then set it on the lamp table. “Thank you.” She studied his gentle face, grateful for his presence. “Once again you were here when I needed you. That’
s how you are.”

  His tender smile washed over her. “It’s where I’m supposed to be, Neely. Do you understand that?”

  “I think I do.” The meaning of his words felt like a promise. “You said it was difficult, and that’s true, because I feel guilty. You know how I wanted Erik to show his true colors, but I didn’t want it to be this way.”

  “Maybe it had to be this way. Think about it. Ashley might have talked herself out of blaming him again if he’d taken a gentle approach. You know his maneuvering techniques. Tonight what he did can’t be excused away, except for drinking, and I know your sister doesn’t appreciate that, either.”

  “She’s devastated, and not because of what he did, as much as she’d forgiven him so many times before. Now she knows the truth.”

  A chill swept up her spine and she took a sip of the hot chocolate, but the icy feeling remained. She knew why. Ashley knew the truth about Erik. Now Jonny needed to know. Her eyes met his, and she patted the cushion beside her. “Sit with me, Jonny.” The familiar name comforted her.

  He grinned. “I like hearing Jonny again. It’s comfortable.” He grasped his chocolate and shifted beside her on the sofa. He sipped the drink and set the mug on the small cube her dad used as a coffee table.

  He brushed her shoulder, and she leaned forward, letting him encircle her in his arm. Resting her head on his chest, she pulled the story out of hiding. Now was the time. “I need to tell you something, Jonny. Something that will probably disappoint you but something you need to know.”

  His arm tensed a moment but relaxed as quickly. “Nothing about you will disappoint me, Neely. Nothing.”

  Having been a good friend—more than a friend—these past months, she doubted him. “I made a confession to Ashley that she turned against me so it’s difficult to tell you because you mean so much to me.”

  His fingers played along her arm, brushing her with a soothing calm. “I’m listening.”

  “It’s about my relationship with Erik.” She’d expected him to flinch, react in some way. Her pulse tripped, and she fought a ragged breath wanting to tear from her lungs. Without organizing her thoughts, she plowed into the story. “Erik was the rich boy in town, and he was mine. Country clubs. Fancy home. Promises of a life different than I’d had. I didn’t weigh the value. I just plowed in, naive and stupid. Absolutely dimwitted.”