Her Only Hero

by Marta Perry

  “I guess she didn’t approve of ordinary middle-class people like the Flanagans.” He gave her that lopsided grin.

  “I’ve never noticed anything ordinary about the Flanagans.” She managed a smile, eager to move away from the subject of her mother.

  “That’s because there were so many of us.” He glanced past her, attention diverted. “Look at that.”

  She took one look and fell in love. A child’s dresser sat crookedly in the grass. The triple mirror was cracked and the white paint chipped, but it had beautifully turned legs and a curved top.

  “It’s darling.” She touched the roses carved around the mirror. “But in terrible shape.”

  “There’s a matching chair.” Ryan picked up the child’s chair, turning it in his capable hands. “A spindle is missing and the glue’s dried out, but it’s nothing that can’t be fixed. Wouldn’t Mandy love this?”

  She glanced at the price. “Probably, but I can’t afford to buy anything more than I have to get today. Anyway, I don’t have the time to fix it up just now.”

  Ryan didn’t seem to be paying attention. He lifted one hand, and a stout elderly woman approached, jingling the change in the white denim apron she wore. She’d probably been watching them, eagle-eyed, scenting a buyer.

  “Help you folks with something?”

  “Ryan, I don’t want to buy that today.” What part of no didn’t the man understand?

  “I’m interested in the little dresser.” He did a great job of ignoring her. “If you think you can do a bit better on the price.”

  The woman gave a show of reluctance. “That was my mother’s when she was a little girl. I bet I could get more than that for it from an antique shop.”

  “Maybe so, but I’m here now.” Ryan gave her the smile that had been melting feminine hearts all his life.

  “And I know a little girl who’d love it as much as your mother did.”

  She wavered. “Well—”

  “Tell you what.” Ryan pulled some bills from his wallet. “You throw in the chair, and I’ll meet your price on the dresser.”

  “Guess you got a deal.” She snatched the money, and it disappeared into her apron pocket. She glanced from Ryan to Laura. “Hope your little girl likes it.”

  “She will,” Ryan said confidently.

  The woman trudged off toward a couple who lingered over a cast-iron bedstead, and he turned to her with a grin. “I got a deal.”

  “I told you I couldn’t buy it today.”

  “You didn’t. I did. And I’ll fix it up for her.” He caught her hand. “Come on, Laura. Admit that you’re pleased about it.”

  He looked like a kid who’d succeeded in robbing the cookie jar. She couldn’t help but succumb.

  “All right. I’m pleased. You did a nice thing.” She closed her fingers around his.

  He put his other hand atop their clasped fingers, holding it warmly. That warmth traveled right up her arm and blossomed in her heart.

  She looked up at him, knowing he’d be able to read the feelings in her face but unable to resist. The dense blue of his eyes darkened, and his breath rasped. If they hadn’t been standing in the middle of a field they’d have been in each other’s arms.

  She took a step back. It wasn’t just her. Ryan felt that dangerous attraction, too. And he was holding back, just as she was.

  Laura ought to be happy with the results of the sale, Ryan figured. She’d found just the right shelves for the third-floor room, and at a great price, too.

  Ryan glanced across at her as the truck bumped down the lane to the farm. At the moment she scribbled in a notebook, frowning a little. Maybe she was adding up all the things she still had to do. Or how much she’d spent.

  And he’d bought a child’s dresser and chair. He still couldn’t explain to himself why he’d done it. He’d just felt drawn to the piece, as if it had been sitting in the grass waiting for him.

  He wanted to do something that would bring that shy smile to Mandy’s face. Mandy needed to know that someone besides her mother would go out of the way to make her happy.

  Laura had revealed more than she’d intended to, probably, the night she’d told him about her husband’s reactions to Mandy’s birth. He’d wanted a boy. He’d wanted a perfect child.

  Ryan discovered he was gripping the wheel so tightly that his knuckles were white. If the man weren’t dead, he’d like to give him an attitude adjustment.

  Sorry. I got carried away. But surely God understood a bit of righteous anger on behalf of one of His little ones.

  How could Mandy’s father have looked at that precious child and not loved her? Even a stranger like him—

  Well, maybe it was better not to explore too fully his feelings for Laura and her child.

  Still, he could certainly understand Laura’s protectiveness toward Mandy. Over-protectiveness, he’d thought at times. He’d wanted to say something, but he hadn’t. And he wouldn’t.

  For one thing, he didn’t have that right, not unless he was ready to make a far more serious commitment than he ever had in his life.

  And for another, Laura just plain wouldn’t tolerate anyone’s interference where her daughter was concerned. He’d rather take on a five-alarm blaze than face that maternal instinct.

  “Here we are,” he announced unnecessarily, pulling up under the willow tree. “Looks like a welcoming committee is waiting for us.”

  Nolie stood by the door, holding Mandy’s hand. When he turned the engine off, she let go. Mandy raced across the lawn and into Laura’s arms. Laura’s cheek pressed against her daughter’s, and their dark hair mingled.

  Ridiculous to have a lump in his throat. Especially when Nolie was watching him with a knowing look that reminded him too much of his mother.

  “Hey, how about a hug for me, too?” He knew enough signs to get that across.

  Mandy grinned and launched herself at him. His throat tightened again at the feel of those little arms around his neck. Her father had been an idiot. He could have had this, and he hadn’t wanted it.

  Nolie approached at a more reasonable pace, one of the dogs dancing around her.

  “How was Mandy while we were gone? Did she seem upset at all?” Laura seemed to realize how that sounded, and she shook her head with a rueful smile. “Sorry. I know you took good care of her.”

  “She was fine. We played with the puppies and had lunch. After lunch Mandy helped feed the horses. Then we read some stories.” Nolie gave Mandy a quick hug. “Mandy’s really a good helper. She can come to visit any time.”

  Mandy grinned, pride brightening her face.

  “How was the sale?” Nolie asked. “Did you find what you wanted?”

  Laura gestured toward the bed of the truck. “As you can see. The shelves will be perfect once they’re painted.”

  “I see you got something that wasn’t on the list.” Nolie peered into the truck bed, smiling. “That’s the trouble with sales. Every time I go to one, I end up buying something I just have to have.”

  “I didn’t buy it,” Laura said quickly. “Ryan was the one who couldn’t resist.”

  “Right. I’m the sucker.” He hoisted Mandy up so that she could see into the truck. “See, Mandy? I bought that for your room. A dresser and chair just like grownup ladies have.”

  Mandy pointed to her chest, eyebrows lifting.

  “That’s right, sweetheart.” Laura touched her daughter’s cheek to get her attention. “Ryan bought it for you, and he’s going to fix it up so it’ll be really pretty.”

  Mandy just looked at him for a moment. Then she threw her arms around his neck again. This time he knew it wasn’t his neck she was squeezing. It was his heart.

  He set her down carefully, ruffling her hair and trying not to look at that thought. He couldn’t actually love Laura’s child. If he did—well, that way lay responsibility for another human being’s life. He wasn’t ready for that. He wasn’t capable of that.

  “Maybe we ought to get this stuff
back to your house. I’d like to return the truck before dark.”

  Laura nodded, but Mandy shook her head so that her hearing aid cords bounced against her neck.

  “Puppies,” she announced, tugging at Laura’s hand.

  Nolie laughed. “I don’t think you’re going to get away without Laura looking at the puppies again. It’ll only take a minute.”

  “Right.” Laura clasped her daughter’s hand. “Let’s go see the puppies one more time.”

  He started to go after them, but before he could take a step, Nolie grabbed his arm.

  “Hang on a sec, Ryan. I want to talk to you about something.”

  He nodded. Mandy glanced back over her shoulder at him, and he waved to her before turning to his sister-in-law. “What’s up?”

  The words came out lightly, but then he saw her expression and his heart clenched. “What is it? What’s wrong? Is it Gabe?” His brother hadn’t had a seizure in months, but they all knew it could happen any time.

  “No, nothing like that.” Nolie took a breath. “It’s Mandy.”

  “Mandy,” he repeated, mind churning. “Did something go wrong today you don’t want to tell Laura about?”

  “Not exactly.”

  He lifted his eyebrows at her reluctance. “Come on, Nolie. You’re well-known for your plain speaking. Spit it out, whatever it is.”

  “It’s none of my business.” She gave a rueful smile.

  “But I guess that’s not going to stop me. Mandy seemed to feel comfortable with me. Comfortable enough to talk to me about the implant.”

  He still didn’t understand what had put that concern in her eyes. “That’s good, isn’t it? She probably wanted a little reassurance.”

  “It wasn’t exactly good. What Mandy said is that she’s afraid of the implant. She doesn’t want it.”

  He sucked in a breath. “Are you sure? I mean—”

  “My signing skills are equal to understanding that.” Nolie’s blue eyes were troubled. “I did try to reassure her, but I don’t think it did much good. I’m not the one she needs to be hearing it from.”

  “No.” His heart sank. “Laura’s trying so hard to do the best thing for her. I guess she thinks Mandy is as positive about the procedure as she is.”

  “Kids sometimes hide their feelings from the people they’re closest to. But Laura has to be told.”

  “Right.”

  “And you have to be the one to tell her.”

  “Contrary to my reputation for irresponsibility, I actually figured that one out.”

  Nolie patted his cheek. “You’re not irresponsible, Ryan. Just a little evasive.”

  Evasive when it came to commitment, she meant. Nolie, as usual, had hit the nail on the head.

  This was one emotional encounter he couldn’t evade. Laura had to be told about Mandy’s fears, and he had to be the one to tell her.

  And given her feelings about people interfering in her life, it wasn’t going to be a pleasant experience.

  Chapter Ten

  “Watch your step.” The warning came out of Laura’s mouth involuntarily as they heaved the last of the shelf units up the steps to the third floor.

  “I never would have thought of that if you hadn’t told me.” Ryan didn’t sound as breathless as she did, even though his muscles bunched as he maneuvered the awkward piece through the narrow doorway at the top of the stairs.

  Her breath came out with a whoosh of relief as they slid the heavy shelves against the nearest wall. She stood back to admire her purchase.

  “That’s the last one. It’s a good thing because I couldn’t have managed any more.” She ran her hand along the dusty cherry shelf. “They’re going to be perfect, aren’t they?”

  “Definitely. I told you this was going to be your lucky day at the sale.”

  “Thanks, Ryan. I couldn’t have done this without your help.”

  Her own words startled her. She didn’t normally say that, even think it.

  But it was true. No matter how much she wanted to do everything on her own, sometimes she needed help. Maybe her friendship with Ryan and his family had made it easier to accept that.

  “Hey, no problem. I enjoyed it, except for the heavy loading part.” Ryan wiped his forehead with his sleeve and stood looking around the room. “I wouldn’t have believed it, but this space is really shaping up. The shelves will finish it off perfectly.”

  She nodded. “Except for that wall.” She knocked her fist in frustration at the partition which still stood, mocking her. “The contractor promised me he’d be here days ago. I’ll have to call him again.”

  “Promises are easy. Living up to them is the tough part. Your dad may have been the last contractor in Suffolk who actually showed up when he promised.”

  “He’s always been a man of his word.” She had to smile, remembering how often her father had been called in to fix another contractor’s botched job or finish something someone else had left undone. “If I’d had my choice, I’d have taken over the business when he retired.”

  “Why didn’t you? You’d have been great.”

  “My mother wouldn’t hear of that.” She grimaced. “It wasn’t the life she imagined for her daughter.”

  Ryan leaned against the wall, his long body relaxing. He always seemed able to relax at a moment’s notice. Maybe that was a firefighter characteristic.

  “Didn’t you and your father outnumber her?” He sounded genuinely interested in how her family had worked. Or not worked, in this case.

  “Somehow it never turned out that way.” She remembered only too well the tears, the palpitations, the sick headaches that resulted whenever something had threatened the plans her mother made. “I guess we were in the habit of giving in to her.”

  “It’s not good for people always to get their way.” He grinned. “And that’s coming from someone who’s tried it, believe me.”

  His insight startled her. Would her mother have been a better person if she and her father had stood up to her on occasion? She’d never thought of it that way. Maybe so, but it was too late to change anything now.

  “Well, it’s getting late.” She glanced at her watch.

  “I’d better let you go. I know you want to take the truck back to the farm before dark.”

  Ryan pushed away from the wall in an easy, fluid movement. “It’s not that late. How about if I go pick up a pizza for our supper?”

  Was there a polite way of saying she was bushed and would rather have a bowl of cereal and collapse on the couch? Probably not.

  He seemed to sense her hesitation. “Come on. You owe me supper after all that heavy labor. What do you and Mandy like on your pizza?”

  He started down the steps, apparently taking her acceptance for granted.

  “Plain for us, please.”

  She descended a little more slowly, hearing the thumping of his steps. The front door slammed behind him.

  Funny. Given that Ryan seemed to be trying as hard as she was not to give in to the attraction between them, she’d expected him to make an excuse to leave as soon as possible. That probably would have been the smartest thing, for both of them.

  Well, they’d cope. Maybe it would get easier to pretend that she didn’t want anything but friendship.

  Her mind switched back to Mandy. Could she get Mandy bathed and into her pajamas before Ryan returned with the pizza? Her little girl had had a full day, too.

  As it happened, she actually had time to clean herself up, too; she was toweling her damp hair when Ryan reappeared, balancing two flat white pizza boxes.

  “Two?” Her eyebrows lifted. “Looks like an awful lot of pizza for three people.”

  “Hey, I’m hungry after all that manual labor. I’ll eat my share.” He slid the boxes onto the cherry drop-leaf table in the corner of her living room next to the tiny galley kitchen. “Dig in, ladies.”

  Mandy, looking ready for bed in her princess pajamas, waited until she saw which chair Ryan was going to take and then
slipped onto the one next to him. Ryan handed her a slice of pizza.

  She watched gravely as he took his. She mimicked his motions as he scooped up a slice, curving it so that no cheese escaped.

  It looked as if her little daughter had fallen for Ryan, as females of all ages did. Laura frowned as she took a bite of her slice. That sort of attachment was something she’d hoped to avoid. She didn’t want Mandy to learn to love someone who might walk out of their lives at any moment.

  “Something wrong with the pizza?” Ryan’s eyes were questioning.

  “It’s fine.” She took another bite, enjoying the burst of cheese and tomato on her tongue. “Just thinking.”

  He nodded, accepting that, and turned to tease Mandy about the smear of tomato on her chin. Something in her eased at the gentle way he had of making Mandy smile. Ryan was one of the good guys. He’d never intentionally hurt them.

  But Ryan’s easy banter seemed a little strained as they ate, as if some concern hid itself behind his laughter. Something about the arson investigation? If so, she couldn’t assume he’d tell her.

  She glanced at Mandy to find her daughter drooping over her plate. She reached over to remove it before cheese adorned the pajamas.

  “You go brush your teeth and get into bed, sweetheart. I’ll be there in a minute to tuck you in.”

  Mandy nodded, sliding off her chair. She hesitated, looking up at Ryan, and then went up on tiptoe to kiss his cheek. Before he could react, she scampered off toward the bathroom.

  “You’ve made a conquest,” she said lightly. She began folding up the boxes.

  Ryan took them from her. “I think it’s the other way around. Do you mind if we talk for a minute?”

  “Of course not.” A frisson of apprehension flicked her nerves at the gravity of his tone. “What is it?”

  He frowned down at the boxes as if he’d never seen them before stuffing them into the kitchen trash can. He walked back to her, planting both hands on the table as if to brace himself for something unpleasant.