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

by Candice Miller Speare

  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.”

&nbs
p; “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.”

  “Yes. It was a closed, private adoption. I signed a bunch of papers. I was given the picture of my son and his birth parents, but nothing more. I promised the lawyer, Paige, that I’d never attempt to contact the parents. It all happened right after he was born, and I was in a fog—worse than normal.” Her voice grew raspy. “Knowing what I do now, I think they gave me more money than they should have. Of course, I promptly squandered it on drugs. It’s been almost nine years, and the first three of those are like a nightmare sequence. . . . I can’t even remember everywhere I lived up until I returned home.” Her voice had weakened during their conversation. “D-man. . .I don’t think I have much time left.”

  “I won’t let you down, sis.” Derrick released a jagged breath. “You take care, okay?”

  “I will. And I’m praying God will guide you in the direction you need to go. I’m just so glad this all worked out the way it did with you having business in Walla Walla.”

  Derrick swallowed hard and severed their connection. He couldn’t even be totally truthful with his sister. Would his newly found Savior bless his overall efforts, despite what he had to do to get there?

  God, please forgive me.

  ❧

  Allie sat in formation with the women’s club members. A hot, brisk breeze blew against her face and moved the skirts of her pioneer costume. She felt baked in the sun. A good thing she’d remembered to slather on sunscreen this morning. The leader of the group told her they’d be riding in a perfect diamond formation, with Allie at the back point of the diamond and the rest of the group in front of her.

  The parade began, led by the local VFW. Behind that was a float ordered by Philip to be built by the historical society, complete with a papier-mâché replica of an onion and a huge banner bearing the town’s name. Several members of the historical society were on board, dressed in overalls and jeans, holding garden tools. The mayor trailed in a blue convertible, followed by two cars filled with town dignitaries.

  Although Chester walked quietly, she sensed the Thoroughbred’s tension. Allie relaxed her position, heels down, back straight, hands resting lightly on the saddle horn.

  From the side of her eye, she thought she caught a glimpse of Derrick, the pirate. Then the folks on the float in front of her brought out a banner. As it unfurled, Chester danced a few nervous steps. She leaned and spoke to him gently while stroking his neck.

  The banner snapped in the wind, the white material undulating like a wave of water. Chester reared, eyes wide with fright. The women gave her wide berth. The leader of the group was hollering, which only added to Chester’s discomfort.

  Heart beating wildly, Allie fought to control the horse. She finally got all four hooves back on the pavement and took a breath.

  The banner snapped again, and the panicked animal squealed.

  “Chester!” Allie screamed. His hooves slid on the pavement. He was about to fall. She loosened the reins. Chester reared, ears back, eyes rimmed white.

  Allie weighed her options while Chester snorted and danced. She could ride the crazy Thoroughbred through the streets of Walla Walla until he threw her or slipped on the pavement and fell, possibly crushing her. Or she could try to jump from his back now, risking broken bones or—

  Chester’s muscles tensed.

  Allie released her feet from the stirrups and prepared to leap.

  Three

  With no time to think, Derrick snatched the tiny farrier from the horse by her waist. She was heavier than she appeared, and her long dress wrapped around his legs, making it difficult to walk. As he carried her away from the horse, Allie squeezed his neck in a viselike grip. He held her closer and longer than necessary, guilty for liking the feel of her next to him.

  Allie’s grasp tightened, and the subsequent lack of air to his lungs quickly diminished his pleasure. He set her feet on the sidewalk, then peeled her arms from around his neck.

  “You’re okay now,” he said, massaging his windpipe. “You can relax.”

  Her eyes jerked open, and she stared at him. “You!”

  He pointed to himself. “Me?”

  With her breathing still rapid and her face white, she continued to stare at him. He checked to see if he had a piece of a jelly bean stuck in his front teeth. After a long pause, she appeared to collect her composure, though her face remained ashen and her hands shook. “Sorry. I owe you a huge thanks.”

  Derrick nodded, then assured the bystanders she was okay.

  Allie scanned the streets, wide-eyed. “Where is Chester. . .the horse?” she asked. “That Philip Maynard—what was he thinking, putting that animal in this parade? Poor thing.”

  Derrick made a quick mental note about the name Maynard, then put his hand on the small of her back and moved her away from the road. “The ‘poor thing’ took off around the float, but some people up ahead caught him. And it appears the parade is moving on without you.”

  “Good.” Her gaze raked the crowd. “I’ve got to find my nephew. I hope he isn’t worried.” She brushed past him and headed for Second Avenue.

  Derrick followed her. They didn’t go far before he caught sight of the boy who spotted Allie and grinned widely.

  “Aunt Allie!” He ran to her, slamming into her legs. Only Derrick’s quick grasp of her shoulders kept her from falling backward. When she regained her balance, he released her.

  “Aunt Allie, you were like a rodeo rider! Wow!”

  She smiled and pulled him close. “I’ll probably feel like a rodeo rider tomorrow. All bruised and battered.”

  Derrick glanced from Allie to Danny, whose black eyes looked so much like his own. Aunt and nephew. Where were his parents?

  “You guys. . .” A blond walked up to them, denim skirt swirling around her ankles. She carried a large black bag, which she set next to Allie. “Your tools, Ms. Farrier.” Then she looked over Allie’s shoulder. “I’d say you’re a hero, mister.”

  Derrick shook his head, about to protest, but Allie turned and faced him. “Without you my landing would have been awfully hard. I might have even broken a few bones.”

  “All in a hero’s day’s work.”

  Allie laughed and motioned toward the blond. “This is my friend, Shannon O’Brien. Shannon, this is Derrick. . .” She frowned. “Owen?”

  “Derrick Owens,” he said, acknowledging Shannon. He dropped his gaze to Danny, who had been staring at him with a wrinkled forehead.

  The boy traced an invisible line down his own face, perfectly matching the placement of Derrick’s scar. “Did you get hurt bad?”

  Allie offered an apologetic smile. “Danny honey, it’s not polite to make comments like that.”

  “It’s okay.” Derrick pointed to his cheek. “I got hurt a long time ago. It’s a scar.
Do you have any scars?”

  The boy nodded. “On my leg. I fell out of a tree. I was pretending to be Spiderman.”

  “So I’m not the only hero around here then.”

  Danny shrugged. “I’m a hero when I wear my Spiderman costume, I guess.”

  Derrick laughed. Could this be his sister’s boy?

  Shannon reached over and hugged Allie. “I certainly hope old man Maynard paid you well for your services. He owes you after that ride.”

  Old man Maynard? Derrick’s heart thumped. There was that name again.

  “Yes, he’s going to pay me very well.” Allie tilted her chin. “We’re going to have a real shindig for Danny’s birthday.”

  “Good. You probably deserve twice what he’s giving you.” Shannon’s gaze snapped to Derrick again. “You’re a real, live hero, Derrick Owens, and they’re in short supply around here. You new in town?”

  A hero? If they knew why he was here, they might not think so. Derrick masked his discomfort with a smile. “I’m checking out a few opportunities in the area for the contracting company I work for.”

  Shannon’s eyes lit up. “Are you looking to buy land? Allie might be selling her land.”

  “Really?” He glanced at Allie.

  “Not a for-sure thing.” Her smile had faded, and she was frowning at her friend.

  Shannon patted Allie’s arm. “Just remember that God opens doors when you least expect it.” She stepped back. “Well, I’ll let Allie explain if she wants to. I need to scoot. I have to get back to my shop to relieve my temporary help.”

  “Thanks for watching Danny,” Allie called after her.

  “Anytime. I’ll see you after dinner tonight.” Shannon waved over her shoulder and swirled away in her flowing denim skirt.

  Allie took a breath as if she was going to say something, but before she could speak, an overweight man, red in the face, trundled down the sidewalk at a clip that surprised Derrick given his size.

  “Allie!” His chest heaved with his breaths. “Are you okay? I thought you were going to get killed.”

  Allie scowled. “And I’d have you to thank for it, Mayor.”