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

Copyright

ISBN 978-1-60260-701-9

epub ISBN 978-1-62416-539-9

mobi ISBN 978-1-62416-538-2

Copyright © 2010 by Candice Speare and Nancy Toback. All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, is forbidden without the permission of Truly Yours, an imprint of Barbour Publishing, Inc., PO Box 721, Uhrichsville, Ohio 44683.

All scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. niv®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

Our mission is to publish and distribute inspirational products offering exceptional value and biblical encouragement to the masses.

One

Sweat beaded on Allie’s forehead as she adjusted her truck’s air conditioner, but it didn’t make a dent in the July heat. She headed onto a side street to avoid the Saturday morning crowds gathered for the parade to begin a series of events leading up to the Walla Walla Sweet Onion Festival scheduled for the following weekend.

“Excited?” She shot a glance at her eight-year-old nephew in the passenger seat. His black cotton T-shirt enhanced his bronze skin, and a familiar question crossed her mind.
What did his biological parents look like?

“Yep.” Smiling, Danny strained against the seat belt, dark eyes wide.

She winked at him, then backed her truck into a spot off the main drag. After she parked, she patted sweat off her brow and blew a damp piece of hair from her face. “Ready, Spiderman?”

Nodding, he unbuckled his seat belt. “We’re going to Bright’s before the parade, right?”

Allie leaned across the seat to kiss his forehead, but he backed away in mock horror. “Aunt Allie. I’m too old to be kissed in public.”

“Oh, that’s right.” She sat back and sighed. “You’re practically grown up. I’m sorry.”

“That’s okay,” he said seriously. “But you need to try to remember.”

“I’ll try.” Allie smiled. “Yes, we’re going to Bright’s. That’s why I got us here before the parade starts.”

The parade was the brainchild of Philip Maynard, mayor of Walla Walla and a member of the Walla Walla Valley Chamber of Commerce, whose close family owned nearby onion farms. Although Philip wasn’t a farmer himself—he owned a law firm—he wanted to ensure that people didn’t forget the onion farmers. Whatever Philip’s agenda, her nephew would enjoy the event.

Danny scrambled from the truck, slammed the door, and stood on the sidewalk waiting for her. She watched a car pass, then hopped to the ground and locked the doors. A fine layer of dust covered her red Chevy truck. With a sigh she ran her fingers over the white magnetic sign on the driver’s door, wiping the dust off the black letters that spelled out V
AHN’S
F
ARRIER
S
ERVICES
—the business she’d learned from her father and shared with her brother Luke before he died.

“Come on, Aunt Allie. I’m hungry.” Danny bounced from foot to foot.

“Bottomless pit,” she joked as she walked around the truck to join her nephew. His appetite was enormous lately, digging into their already slim grocery budget, but she wouldn’t complain. It was preferable to the months he’d refused to eat after his parents died.

She suddenly caught sight of Michael Maynard, the mayor’s son, in his BMW, and she jumped back behind her truck, dragging Danny with her. What a coincidence that Michael was passing by just when she’d arrived. Or was it?

Danny tugged on her arm. “What’s wrong?”

She put a finger to her lips. “Shh. I know I’m acting like a kid. But I’m hiding from someone.”

“Who?” He stretched his neck around the truck. “Mr. Michael?”

“Yes.” She yanked him back by the shirtsleeve. “And the whole point is to stay hidden.”

“Why?” Danny sucked in his cheeks, narrowed his eyes, and studied her. That was Danny—sharp beyond his years. He crossed his arms. “I thought Michael was your friend.”

Friend? Michael had been her fiancé until he’d cheated with another woman nine months ago. Now he wanted to date Allie again, which was out of the question. She would never be able to trust him, and fending off his advances got tiring.

She peered around the truck. Michael’s car was gone. “Um, he is my friend, but I don’t feel like talking to him today.”

“Aunt Allie, that isn’t right, is it? Can’t I talk to him even if you don’t?”

Allie bit her lip. She had good cause to avoid Michael, but no reason to drag the eight-year-old into the fray.

“You’re right, Danny.” Leave it to a kid to point out adult idiosyncrasies. “I might be twenty-eight, but no one said I was mature. Next time we see him, feel free to do whatever you’d like.” She tucked a stray piece of Danny’s black hair behind his ear. “Let’s go. I want some of those mint truffles. And I know what you want.”

“Gummi animals.” They spoke simultaneously and laughed. Allie leaned down to kiss his dirt-smeared face, caught herself, and gave his hand a squeeze instead.

Above them wisps of marshmallow clouds scuttled across the blue sky, driven by hot wind. The sun bore down on her back as they headed for Bright’s Candies.

“Hey, Allie!” Out of the side of her eye, she caught a glimpse of her friend Shannon a half block away waving her arms. Allie smiled. Who could miss her in a long denim skirt, tie-dyed, bell-sleeved blouse, and waist-length, blond braid?

“I’ve got our seats!” Shannon shouted. “Main and Second.”

Nodding her understanding, Allie pointed in the direction of Bright’s. Shannon gave a thumbs-up and disappeared into the crowd.

Allie smiled to herself. She loved Walla Walla with its rich history, old buildings, and forever friends.

Danny and Allie walked past the wrought-iron fence, which corralled tiny tables and chairs in front of Bright’s windows. The gleaming glass door swung open without notice.

Allie slammed into a hard chest and gasped. A plastic bag landed on her feet, and jelly beans scattered around her sneakers.

She reeled back and looked up. If there were still such things as pirates, the tall man in jeans and black polo shirt fit the bill, minus the eye patch. His black collar-length hair glinted blue in the summer sun. A razor-thin scar ran down his tanned face—from the top of his cheekbone to the corner of his mouth. His dark gaze latched onto hers.

Handsome,
Allie admitted to herself.

The man looked down at Danny. He blinked, and his lips curved in a smile. Her perception of a pirate vanished. In its place was a man whose eyes emanated warmth. He suddenly turned his attention back to her.

“I’m sorry.” Allie ripped her gaze from his and pointed at the sidewalk. “I made you drop your—”

“No problem.” He stepped back and held the door open for them.

As she and Danny walked through the opening, she felt the man’s eyes on them, but refused to turn around. She hadn’t the time or desire for flirtation.

Allie placed her order at the counter while Danny moved toward Bright’s chocolate city display, a massive concoction under glass made from chocolate and jelly beans. As she watched the perky teen behind the counter fill her requests, a voice from behind called her name. She recognized the distinctive baritone before she turned to see Philip Maynard’s familiar and mostly bald head bobbing like a buoy amid the sea of waiting customers.

“I finally found you,” he bellowed as he skirted others to reach her. The buttons on his short-sleeved dress shirt strained dangerously against his portly stomach. “I’ve got a blacksmith-type emergency.”

An emergency. Of course. She just happened to be handy, which was why he didn’t call his regular farrier.

“Hello, little man.” Philip ruffled Danny’s hair.

Danny wrinkled his nose and jabbed his finger in Allie’s hip, an obvious attempt to remind her that this was
their
day.

Allie drew a deep breath, about to say, Thanks, but no thanks.

“I’ll pay double your fee.” Philip, always a sharp politician, had apparently read the hesitation on her face before she denied his request.

Double the fee? Yes, he probably knew she was strapped for cash. She had confided in his son, Michael-the-Cheat, and he must’ve relayed the info to his dad. Danny’s adoptive parents, Luke and Cindy, had died with a will and a boatload of hidden debt against the business, which left her with guardianship and no money. Bottom line, she shouldn’t turn down any job.

But. . . Allie pulled Danny closer. Today was different. She had no intention of working. “Sorry, Philip, but Danny and I are here to have fun.”

“I know, I know, but the shoe on my Paige’s horse is loose. She’s part of this woman’s club, and their group is riding in the parade in honor of the brave pioneer women who traveled the Oregon Trail—that was
my
idea.” He paused, waiting for her appreciation.

Allie studied his red face. The Oregon Trail? Yes, that was a large part of local history, but this parade was supposed to be part of the onion festival. The connection between the two events eluded her, but she nodded anyway.

The mayor cleared his throat. “We can’t have a spot missing from the formation.” He dabbed his creased brow with a handkerchief. “Paige is on the verge of a meltdown.”

Allie wasn’t surprised. She’d known Paige, Michael’s only sister, most of their lives. She was prone to emotional depths and heights that often left those around her dizzy. Even in a steady relationship with Allie’s brother years ago, Paige had been a drama queen. And her hissy fits had only grown worse as she aged. How she’d ever gotten a law degree was beyond Allie’s comprehension.

“Listen, Allie, all you have to do is hammer the shoe back on.” Philip patted her arm. “I know you won’t let us down.”

Danny continued jabbing his finger into her hip. Allie gave him a warning glare and handed him his bag of gummi candy. That would keep his finger busy on something other than bruising.

Philip Maynard cleared his throat again. “Could mean more business for you, Allie.”

Right. She recognized his words for what they were. An empty promise to use her services in the future.

Just hammer the shoe back on? Allie eyed Philip’s hopeful face. Who knew why the shoe was loose? It could be bent. Or maybe the hoof had grown out. “You know, if I were your regular farrier, this wouldn’t have happened.” She always made it a point to know what her clients had planned for their horses, then ensured the animals were ready.

Philip’s eyebrows twitched. “Could’ve sworn I told my secretary to give you a call.” He wagged his head as if to blame the woman. “Why, just last week—”

“I’ll do it.” Allie saved him the embarrassment of expounding on his lie. Bills were stacking up. Danny’s birthday was next week. The extra cash would be a blessing. Bottom line, she was in no position to refuse Philip’s request.

Allie glanced down and offered Danny an apologetic smile, then looked at Philip’s crimson face. “You want me to
hammer
the shoe back on the horse’s hoof? What if I can’t?”

“Why, I’m sure you can. You have your tools with you, right?” He dabbed again at the sweat running down his temples.

“Yes. In the truck. But if there’s more wrong than just a missing nail, I won’t be able to help you today.”

Philip smiled. “Go get your tools, girl. I need you. Paige will have the horse at the market area at Main and Fourth.” He whirled around, his portly body vibrating with tension as he pressed his way to the door.

“Aunt Allie, you promised.” Danny’s tone was whiny, and Allie felt a brief spurt of irritation, which she quickly squelched.

“I’m sorry, sweetie.” She leaned close to his ear. “There’s a reason I’m taking this job. A special event that’s coming up. . .”

Danny’s brow furrowed in concentration, then a big grin lit his face. “My birthday!”

“Yep.” She high-fived him. “How about I get you settled with Shannon? That way you won’t miss anything, and I’ll be back as soon as possible.”

Twenty minutes later, clad in her work chaps, Allie took the reins of a nervous chestnut gelding from Paige Maynard, who stood in a cloud of Chanel wearing a shorts outfit no doubt from the most expensive department store in the area.