Her Valentine Hero Read online

  Fred picked up his cup and faced him again. “I suppose I have to leave that up to you and Neely.” He searched Jon’s face. “But I can pray, can’t I?”

  “That you can, Fred. That will accomplish more than anything else.” He sat facing him, paralyzed.

  Fred stepped toward the doorway. “You’re right, Jon. Very right.”

  Watching him step into the hallway, Jon took a deep breath, but Fred turned to face him. “Ever play checkers?” Fred beckoned him to follow.

  “Sure have.” He walked behind him into the dining room.

  “Good. Since our walk was cut short, how about a game?”

  He glanced at his watch. Nearly five which meant Neely would be home soon. “Sounds great.”

  Fred gave him a smile and headed out of the room, he assumed for the checkers, while he sank into the nearest chair, hoping the older man’s prayers were given a positive answer by the Lord.

  * * *

  Neely hit the End Call button on her cell phone and leaned her back against the driver’s seat. Ashley had phoned just as she’d left the school. The rain had turned to snow, and she slipped back outside, found a scraper in the trunk, and brushed off the flakes that began to cover her windows. Finished, she tossed the scraper into the backseat and settled inside, appreciating the warmth of her heater.

  She and Ashley hadn’t talked since the recent date with Erik. Her sister bubbled about the great dinner they had and how wonderful Erik had been. The praise curdled her stomach, and Neely had all she could do but to bite her tongue so she didn’t make a nasty comment.

  Erik knew how to take time to win her over, and then he’d become the Erik she’d learned to face years earlier. He had a knack for maneuvering women to trust him, especially ones who were naive. She and Ashley were both inexperienced when it came to worldly men. Ashley fell in love with Adam in high school just as she’d fallen for Erik. They were young and totally inexperienced.

  She learned about life after she got out on her own, but Ashley had married young, and Adam had been her only love. But what could she say? Ashley had already been resentful and accused her of being jealous, and unless she told her the whole story, her sister wouldn’t trust her warning. She wished she had the courage to be truthful.

  The truth would set her free in a lot of ways. The Bible told her that, too. Though its meaning was different, it still said exactly what she’d faced. If she confessed her lack of virginity to Jonny, it could open doors that she longed to explore. Jonny cared about her and she sensed he cared a lot. She could no longer deny she cared a lot for him, but she feared telling him about her relationship with Erik would undo their friendship, and that was worth too much to lose.

  With the thoughts of Ashley and Jonny setting her on the brink of uncertainty, she started the car. As her car rolled down the street, she spotted Jonny’s SUV parked in front of the house. She couldn’t believe he walked with her dad in the rain and snow, but he was there so they had done something.

  She parked inside the garage and entered the back door. Voices came from the front of the house. She slipped off her snowy shoes and dropped her purse on a kitchen chair, then hung her jacket on a chair back and found them in the dining room. “Checkers.”

  Jonny looked at her over his shoulder. “My jacket’s in the dryer, although it’s been dry for a while, I’m sure. The weather ended our walk.”

  A look flittered across his face arousing her curiosity. She sidled closer and looked at him directly. He kept his eyes on the checkerboard as if a Kingship would win him a gold medal. “Who’s winning?”

  Her father lifted his focus from the board. “Who do you think? Me. I’m the checker champ.”

  She grinned at his boisterous proclamation. Her father’s attitude always improved when Jonny was around to help entertain him. He missed his old cronies, and the awareness triggered her need to get him over to the senior center where he could enjoy some camaraderie.

  She slipped onto a chair where she could watch the game, admiring Jonny’s wonderful ways with her dad. He appeared to enjoy his company too, and she had a difficult time believing it was an act. Jonny’s spirit escalated when he was making others happy. Her admiration grew each time she watched him be the kind of man any woman would be proud to call her husband.

  Though the thought encouraged her, the need to tell him the truth dragged her down. Honesty was the best policy. How often had she heard it? Ashley said this very thing. Telling Ashley would be a hairbreadth less horrible than admitting the truth to Jonny. Ashley respected her too, and she prayed Ashley would understand. She kept the idea in mind, knowing she needed to deal with it and make it happen.

  “Gotcha.” Her father’s rousing announcement cut through her concentration.

  Jonny chuckled and shook his head. “You sure did, Fred. I didn’t see it coming.”

  Neely studied his face to see if he’d let her father win, but she suspected he was telling the truth. The truth. The word dug into her conscience.

  “Enough for me.” Her father pushed back his chair and rose. “I’ll let you two have some privacy.” He gave Jonny a look that caused Neely to ponder what it meant.

  She waited until her dad left the room. “What was that all about?”

  Jonny chuckled. “Does your dad always make sense?”

  Not always, but she sensed he was being evasive. “I smelled coffee in the kitchen. Do you want a cup?”

  “I had some earlier. Thanks anyway.”

  She lifted his empty cup and carried it into the kitchen, her mind skittering with questions. As she rinsed the cup, Jonny walked into the kitchen. When she turned, he grinned. “Do you mind if I get my jacket?” He gave a toss of his head. “It’s in the dryer.”

  “Permission granted.”

  He ambled into the laundry room and came out with the jacket over his arm. “I should be on—”

  “Don’t run off.” The words shot from her mouth.

  He eyed her a moment, then dropped his jacket on a chair back. “I thought you’d be busy getting dinner.”

  Her pulse tripped, gazing into his eyes. “I’m not in a rush.” She motioned him to sit, and she pulled out a chair and joined him. “I heard from Ashley, but before I tell you about that, I have something else that’s important.”

  The important reference must have captured his interest. His head shot up and his eyes captured hers.

  “The last time you were here you left when the topic of Erik came up. I sensed that you were tired of my preoccupation with him, and I need to tell you that it’s not what it seems.” Her stomach knotted as the admission spewed from her.

  “Neely, you don’t owe me anything. I’m sorry if I seemed—”

  “You have every right to be tired of it. I’m tired of it, and I think I’ve made sense out of the problem.”

  His head raised again as interest grew on his face.

  “I’m not interested in Erik. I’m not jealous of his relationship with Ashley. Even she accused me of that. I know Erik too well, and I learned more about him after I’d broken off and moved away. I realized he is a master at manipulation and hiding his licentious ways. He cheated on me, and I’m guessing that’s what ended his marriage.”

  He flinched, and she suspected he knew the truth. Though she waited a moment, he didn’t respond. “You know that’s true, don’t you?”

  His body tensed. “I don’t like to spread gossip, Neely.”

  “I don’t either. That’s why I’m asking the truth.”

  He looked away, and that answered her question.

  “It is true. I see it in your face.” The drumming of her heart told her the truth when she looked into his eyes. Now she faced what to do about it.

  “My face tells you that much?

  “It does.” She grinned, and relaxed when s
he saw him smile back. “So I’m concerned about Ashley. That’s all it is. She’s vulnerable now, Jonny. This is the first man she’s been with since Adam died. She’s taking a chance, and he’s playing up to her with every ploy he has, telling her how much he likes kids and showing her a good time without expectations. That will change.”

  Jonny’s gaze intensified, and she realized her admission gave away too much. But she’d said it and now she would suffer the consequences. If he asked her, she wouldn’t lie to him.

  He studied her too long, and she held her breath.

  Finally he broke the connection. “I understand, and you’re in a spot since she thinks you’re jealous.”

  “That’s right.”

  He reached across the space and rested his hand on hers. “All you can do for the moment is to pray that the Lord protect her, and give Erik rope. If he’s the same Erik, he’ll hang himself. Count on it. Ashley’s not stupid, Neely. She might be naive, but when it comes to being a parent and a woman who enjoyed a blessed marriage, she won’t fall for his line. Give her time.”

  Neely rotated her hand beneath his and wove her fingers through his. “You couldn’t have said anything better. I have to be patient and pray that he hangs himself before Ashley’s hurt.”

  He rose and drew her upward. She loved being in his arms, feeling protected and secure. His broad shoulders and taut muscles flexed against her arms. Warmth over his concern eased her fears. She wrapped her arms around his back and gazed into his eyes, more willing than ever to feel his lips on hers. He studied her face, his gaze lingering on her lips, and then drew back. “Patience and prayer is something we all need.”

  Disappointment rocked her, but before she could take the initiative to act, her dad’s footsteps sounded in the hallway. She stepped away as he entered.

  He paused and blinked. “I’d say this was bad timing.”

  She looked at Jonny, and they burst into laughter. The levity released her stress and reminded her that good things took time. Johnny said it, and he was right. She’d scared him with her wavering behavior, and now if she wanted to move forward, he needed time to trust her. For once she faced what she needed to do, and as she’d realized earlier that day, the truth would set her free.

  Chapter Eleven

  Neely sat on her sister’s living room floor in the midst of miniature cars and trucks while Joey carried on a conversation that partially made sense. When Ashley came from the kitchen with drinks, she shifted toward her. “What’s ‘kirka’?”

  Ashley chuckled. “What’s wrong? You don’t understand perfectly good English?” She moved her finger in a circle.

  She grinned. “It makes sense now.” She helped Joey place his vehicles nose to nose in a wide circle. What she wanted to do was ask about Ashley’s latest date with Erik, but Joey had intervened with his toys as soon as she walked through the doorway. She hadn’t seen him in a few days, and she couldn’t resist his cute grin.

  “Joey.” Ashley’s voice cut through his continuing blather. “Let Auntie Neely get off the floor and enjoy her drink.”

  He studied his mother a minute before he pointed to her pop can. “Drink?” His eyes widened, and she lifted the can and gave him a sip.

  Joey turned away, preoccupied by his trucks, and Neely hoisted herself from the floor, and settled on the sofa beside a stack of Joey’s books. Ashley read to him each day. She was doing a great job raising her son.

  Neely took a long swallow, and settled against the cushion. “Are you doing okay?”

  She nodded. “Great. I have another company asking me to do some work at home for them, which is perfect, and I had a great date with Erik.” She lowered her head a moment then lifted it with a frown.

  Neely’s pulse skipped wondering if Erik had done something already.

  Ashley ran her finger over the arm of the chair. “I feel somewhat guilty having a good time with a man. I suppose that’s natural.” She looked up her eyes searching Neely’s.

  “Erik’s the first man you’ve dated since Adam. I think feeling strange about it would be normal.” She studied her but didn’t read anything else in her sister’s expression. “Erik treats you well? No hanky-panky?”

  Her eyes widened. “Nothing like that. He’s been a total gentleman. I can’t picture him trying anything, Neely. You should know. He was always good with you, wasn’t he?”

  Neely’s blood ran cold, and she look away, struggling with how to respond. Ashley had opened the door for the truth, but saying it aloud weighed heavy in her chest.

  Ashley’s expression wavered between confusion and certainty.

  “Not always, Ash. He was at first, and then he did what he’s good at—maneuvering with promises.”

  “What?” Disbelief filled her face. “You aren’t maneuverable, though.”

  Neely shrank beneath her look. “I was then. Not anymore.”

  Ashley looked dazed. “I don’t understand.” Her fingers fiddled with the locket around her neck, one Neely recalled Adam had given her before he left for the Middle East.

  Her sister’s questioning look put her on shaky ground, and biting her lip to control a rising sob, Neely dug deep and shared her story. As the words left her, relief buoyed the heavy weight of the past and her spirit lifted.

  But Ashley’s expression pinched as her eyes narrowed. “I can’t believe this. You’re blaming Erik, and you just admitted the mistake was yours. You thought giving yourself would keep him from dating other girls.”

  Neely fell back against the cushion. “I was vulnerable. Yes, the mistake was believing that Erik loved me, and that my giving in to him proved my love for him. That’s what he demanded.” She leaned closed to Ashley’s face, her pulse racing. “Do you hear me? Demanded.”

  Ashley jumped up and the spun around. “I can’t believe this. He’s the nicest guy. He loves Joey, and he even asked us to Thanksgiving dinner at his house. He’s never stepped out of line once.”

  “Thanksgiving?” She closed her eyes. Erik didn’t love kids and Ashley would see that eventually, and Thanksgiving dinner. Her thoughts spiraled. A family day. Erik knew that would grind her, and Ashley had given no thought to their dad. What would dinner be like for him?

  “Dad won’t mind.” Ashley’s comment cut through the silence.

  She rose and walked past Ashley. “I hope you’re right, Ash. I suppose people can change, but he’s divorced too, and—” She clamped her jaw. Don’t say it. Don’t tell her. She thought of all Jonny had said. Give Erik rope, and he’ll hang himself. She’d pray for that.

  * * *

  Neely stood in front of the mirror deciding between her hunter green sweater and the camel-colored cowl neck. She choice the latter and slipped it over her head. With her dark hair, she tended to wear gray and maroon, but the camel seemed to brighten her face. Depressed as she had been, she needed something to help her look more cheery.

  Her dad accepted Ashley and Joey’s absence from their quiet Thanksgiving dinner. Just the two of them. She couldn’t call it festive, but at his request, she’d made her mother’s sausage bread stuffing, and he relished every bite. She’d heard over and over that it was almost as good as Mom’s.

  Jonny had felt sorry for them, she was sure, when he invited the two of them to his parents’ house for dinner. Rainie welcomed her, too, but it didn’t seem right. Maybe she would be invited as Rainie’s best high school friend, but Neely’s father was another story. She didn’t want to put him in that position. When he heard about it later that evening from Ashley who cajoled her in front of their dad for being a martyr—those were Ashley’s words—her dad fell silent. Later when Ashley left, after sharing the wonderful day she’d had with Erik, her dad had said he would have happily stayed home while she went to Jonny’s family dinner. She wanted to wring her sister’s neck for bringing it up.


  “You were invited, too, Dad,” she’d told him, trying to make sense out of her refusal. They would have been kind and welcomed both of them, but she didn’t want to feel beholden. She liked Jonny’s parents and they’d always been kind, but she’d felt like the homeless people they’d helped when she was a teen.

  She shook her head, wishing the topic hadn’t fallen back into her mind. The whole day had depressed her. Now she’d accepted having dinner at Ty’s new house—“leftover night” they called it—where they would snack on the day-old Thanksgiving fare and play games. Even this made her feel like a traitor to her dad.

  She smoothed the cowl neckline, enjoying the way it fell in almost a square around her neck, and headed downstairs.

  When she entered the living room, the TV blared as her dad looked up from the paper and grinned. “Now, don’t worry about me. I can see that look on your face.”

  She shook her head. Everyone seemed to read her mind. “I wrote the telephone number on the pad in the kitchen if you need me.” She took a step toward him and then paused. “Should I fill a plate of leftovers for you? That’s easy, and you can pop it in the microwave.”

  “Neely, I lived alone a long time after your mother past, and you’ve only been here three months. I can make it on my own for a few hours.” He reached for her hand and gave it a squeeze. “Now have a nice time. I like that boy, you know.”

  “I know. You and Jonny get along great.” She slipped her hand from his, knowing that soon he’d be recommending she propose to Jonny.

  Before he said anything, car lights flashed across the wall. “He’s here.” She stepped to the closet and pulled out her coat. Before slipping it on, she gave her dad a peck on the cheek. “Don’t wait up for me.”

  He shook his head, a grin growing on his face. “Like old times.”

  The doorbell rang, and as she opened it, she remembered how her dad always waited up for her. Never her mother.

  Jonny stood on the porch, snowflakes caught in his hair. He shivered. “Ready?”