Her Valentine Hero Read online

  “He’s a friend of Ty’s.”

  She drew up her shoulders. “I’ll just steer clear of him. I’m not in the mood for auld lang syne.” Her lips curved to a faint grin. “You know what I mean?”

  He agreed, but he really didn’t know what she meant unless her reference hinted at Erik’s problem. Cheating on his wife had ended Erik’s marriage. Maybe it ended Neely’s relationship with him, too.

  They walked the rest of the way in silence, and he was grateful when they’d reached the restaurant. He opened the door, wishing he could start their visit again. “How about over there?” He motioned to the empty table.

  She nodded and followed his direction without comment, and once seated, she studied the menu while he studied her. Being with Neely seemed like a dream. Years ago he’d been Rainie’s brother. Today he’d become an equal. At least an equal in his mind. “Does having dinner with me seem strange?” He lowered his menu to the table.

  Her head jerked upward as color tinted her face. “You must have read my mind.”

  He wished he could. “No, but I’m a good guesser.”

  A grin flickered on her lips. “I’m trying to acclimate myself to the situation. If it weren’t for your gorgeous eyes, I’d think you were an imposter.”

  Her resolute gaze nearly caused his undoing. “I hope that’s a compliment.”

  “It is.” She turned her attention to the menu.

  Aware that he’d reaped a compliment from Steely Neely sent his pulse racing. But then reality brought it to a halt. A compliment was only that. He wanted so much more. “Rainie said you’re home to stay.”

  She inched her head upward as if in thought. “Not sure about the ‘to stay’ part, but right now I’m home without other plans. I was laid off from Zigman’s, and with the economy so bad, I read the writing on the wall. The layoff would be permanent.”

  “You didn’t read the writing well enough, I’m afraid.” He hated being the bearer of bad news, but she needed to know.

  She tilted her head as if puzzled.

  “Michigan’s economy is rotten, too.”

  “I know. It’s the pits.” Her face shadowed. “It doesn’t matter, I guess. I really came back for Dad and my sister. It’s been tough for Ashley.”

  Those feelings were ones he understood. “Losing a husband with a newborn baby is something I can’t even wrap my mind around.” Neely’s expression deepened his sadness.

  “Jonny.” She gave his arm a pat. “Thanks for caring.”

  Her hand didn’t move, and the warmth radiated to his chest. He looked into her eyes, wishing he could resolve her problems for her.

  Something seemed to distract her, and she sat a moment in silence. Finally her face brightened. “Enough about me. Tell me about you.”

  “What do you want to know?”

  “I don’t remember your being involved in sports. What made you go into coaching?”

  He picked up on her evasion. Talking about him got her off the hook. “Remember what you said. You were older than I was so you probably wouldn’t have known what I enjoyed.” He twisted the knife a bit. He could play the age game, too.

  “I’m not that old.” She arched a brow.

  He arched his back. “And I’m not that young.”

  Her face broke into a full smile. “You got me.” She rested her cheek on her fist and studied him.

  “And I remember a lot of things about you...even at my very young age.” He gave the knife another playful thrust.

  She didn’t flinch. “Go on. You’ve captured my interest. What do you remember?” She leaned closer and grasped his hand. “This is fun, Jonny.”

  Fun for her, but serious for him. He wasn’t that boy any longer, not by a long shot. He was a man—a football coach with respect from his team and the community—not an irritating kid. And he wanted her to know it. “How about calling me Jon?”

  She drew back, releasing his hand. “Jon? That sounds weird.” She shook her head. “I’ll work on it. That’s all I can promise.”

  Wishing he hadn’t jumped at her, he managed a smile. “That’s good enough.” He grasped the menu, and raked his eyes over the choices, needing time to get his thoughts together.

  The tension faded from her face. “No matter what I call you, you’ll always be Jonny to me.” She rested her hand on his again. “And no more digs.”

  Relief. He nodded, but his attention had shot to the touch of her hand. Heat from her fingers swam up his arm and into his chest. “Sounds good to me.”

  Her gaze drifted to the tabletop a moment as a fresh frown sneaked to her lips.

  “Neely?”

  Her head jerked up, and it took a minute for her eyes to clear. “One more question, and I even hate to ask it.”

  His pulse skipped as he waited.

  She looked away. “This is about Erik.”

  He figured.

  “I’d feel better knowing he’s married. He is, isn’t he?”

  Jon’s chest constricted, but the truth needed to be heard. “He was married but not anymore. Erik’s divorced.”

  Her frown deepened. “Divorced?”

  He nodded, and slipped his hand from beneath hers to grasp the menu. “We’d better order. I have some errands to run tonight.” He could have told her the truth about Erik, but he avoided anything that reeked of gossip, and he saw in her eyes she wanted details.

  Neely glanced at her watch before she perused the menu, though her questioning gaze flashed toward him more than once.

  He didn’t bite. “I’m ready to order. Are you? They have a great Mediterranean platter—grilled chicken, peppers, hummus, orzo or how about Chicken Quesadillas?”

  She lowered her eyes to the menu, then closed it, but he could see food wasn’t on her mind. Erik was, and she longed to dig deeper. If she learned any more, it wouldn’t be from him. He had no interest in discussing Erik’s dirty laundry. None at all. His attention remained on her—the girl he’d always sensed was his soul mate.

  Chapter Two

  Neely stood in the bridal salon dressing room, her gaze on the icy-green silk chiffon fabric shirred at the bodice and falling in soft draping to her feet. She craned over her shoulder to look in the mirror at the back of the gown. In the past week, she’d lost a couple pounds, but that didn’t make a dent in where she wanted to be. Running the track at the school had become a problem between the football team and the band. By the time football season was over, she’d have to run in snow.

  She gave another glance at the gown from behind, pleased that her additional pounds didn’t show from that view. Jonny had mentioned the new fitness center, and if it weren’t for the money, she would rush over and sign up, but first she wanted to see what she could manage on her own. So far, she’d pretty much failed.

  “Can I come in?” Rainie’s voice swept in from behind the curtain.

  “Sure.” She turned to face the doorway. None of her friends in Indianapolis knew her as well as Rainie. “I love the dress. You made a great choice.” She raised her arms at her side, and swished the skirt with a sway. “What do you think?”

  Rainie pressed her hand to her heart. “It’s gorgeous, and you look amazing.” She motioned for her to twirl around.

  Neely did as she asked, feeling the soft fabric brush against her legs. She hadn’t been in a gown since the senior prom when Erik was at her side. The breakup occurred during the summer before college. She hadn’t planned it. It just happened despite her guilt. The image that clung in her mind was his persistence for getting her in his bed. Prove your love. His words still rang in her head. She’d been strong until her senior year when they were preparing for college. He would head for an Ivy League university and she, to a nearby community college for two years. She’d thought giving in would keep him faithful, but sh
e’d been wrong. He’d cheated on her anyway.

  Coming home and hearing Erik’s name had dredged up the bad feelings and her guilt. Now she had to work at disposing of them and forgiving herself for her pitiful decision. One thing she’d learned about maturing. Strength and wisdom came with age and experience. At least it had for her, all except one thing. Though she knew the Lord forgave her for her mistake, she hadn’t forgiven herself. But that was years ago, and now she’d learned even more about herself and about men in general. She had her fill of them. Nothing would make her change her—

  “Hell-o.”

  The singsong greeting jarred her thoughts. She gave Rainie a guilty smile. “I was on a little time travel.”

  Rainie tilted her head. “Any place interesting?”

  “Not really.” She didn’t want to get into her mental mess even if Rainie was her best friend and her confidant. Her intimate relationship with Erik was the one thing she’d never shared.

  “Come on. What were you thinking?”

  Her friend’s persistence could drive her loco. “High school. The prom.” She ran her hands along the soft fabric. “That’s the last time I wore a formal.”

  Rainie’s grin sank. “You and Erik.” She shook her head. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to bring that up, but then that should be water over the dam as they say.” Her grin returned.

  “Lots of water.” She managed to grin back. “Jonny told me Erik’s divorced.”

  “Right. He is.” Her eyes widened. “When did you see Jon?”

  Neely’s pulse skipped. “You call him Jon, too.”

  “What else? Now that he’s six foot two and built like an athlete, Jonny doesn’t fit him.” She curled up her nose. “Don’t you think?”

  “I suppose, but he’ll always be Jonny to me.” Her chest tingled, and the reaction jarred her. She pushed the feeling away and gazed down at the gown.

  Rainie nodded. “I’m so glad you like the choice. Do you think the bridesmaids will?”

  Neely ran her hand down the bodice of the silky fabric. “What’s not to like? I think it will flatter most figures.”

  “I thought so, too.”

  She turned toward Rainie. “Why didn’t you tell me what a great-looking guy Jonny turned out to be?” Another sensation trilled along her skin, like a wisp of hair she tried to brush from her face but could never find.

  Her eyes widened. “He’s my brother. Why would I tell you about his looks? I don’t think about it.” She drew back. “Anyway you always called him a pest and ignored him, so why would I mention him?”

  Jonny had said the same, and she still didn’t have an answer that made sense. Rather than trying to sort it out, she eyed herself in the mirror again. “I can take the gown off, can’t I? We both love the style.” She turned her back to Rainie, and motioned her to unzip the dress.

  When she stepped out of it, Rainie hung it on the hanger and then faced her. “The bridesmaid dresses are just like yours except they’ll be a deeper shade of spring green.”

  “Sounds pretty.” Neely stepped into her jeans and pulled them up.

  Rainie eyed her a moment. “You still didn’t answer my question about Jon. When did you see—”

  Neely waved her words away. “On the high school track.” As she dressed, she gave her a short summary, anxious to change the topic.

  “And you had dinner?” Rainie’s eyebrows touched her hairline. “That’s interesting.”

  Her expression roused Neely’s curiosity. “Why?”

  “I think you’re the first girl he’s taken to dinner in a long time.”

  She waited for more, but Rainie just looked at her. “Doesn’t he date?”

  “A guy that good-looking would, but he never seemed to get serious about any of them until a year or so ago, and then I expected to hear wedding bells.”

  Her chest constricted, picturing Jonny with a wife.

  “He dated Jeannie longer than anyone else.”

  Neely drew air into her depleted lungs. “Jeannie? Anyone I’d know?”

  “I suppose you do. Jeannie Hunt.”

  “Jeannie Hunt?” The question shot out of her like a bark. “The cutesy little cheerleader from the tenth grade?”

  “The same.”

  That knocked the wind out of her. Now that she thought about it, Jonny hadn’t told her anything about himself when they’d talked. She faced the mirror again, eyeing her dark hair, a face that could be lost in a crowd, and a figure that she hid beneath loose fitting apparel like her jogging pants. Jeannie had been a petite blond with curves in the right places and a face that could have been on a Barbie doll. She spun around again. “What happened between them?”

  Rainie shrugged. “I don’t know. He stopped talking about her, and when I asked, he just blew it off.” Rainie slid the curtain aside, and stepped into the alteration room as if the subject had ended.

  Neely’s mind was stuck with the image of Jonny and the Barbie doll.

  Rainie spun around. “Before we leave, would you like a peek at my wedding dress?”

  Though her thoughts lingered on other things, she couldn’t ignore Rainie’s excitement. “I’d love to see it.”

  Rainie darted away, and as she vanished through the doorway, Neely kept fixating on Jonny. He’d grown into a hunk—a really nice hunk—but what did that have to do with her? No way could she turn her relationship with him into a romance no matter how good-looking or sweet he’d become.

  When Rainie returned, Neely slammed the door on her pondering. Seeing her friend’s glinting eyes made her focus on the moment. A saleswoman appeared behind her, carrying the wedding dress.

  Neely’s heart stood still. The soft white gown floated in the woman’s arms, organza flanges and tulle swirls of fabric skirt sweeping into a cathedral train. “You’ll be the most beautiful bride in the world.”

  Tears flooded Rainie’s eyes, and she wrapped her arm around her friend’s shoulders. “One day I’ll be your matron of honor, and then it will be your turn to be the most beautiful bride in the world.”

  The idea warmed her, and she closed her eyes, envisioning her father—healthy and happy—walking her down the aisle. Ahead of her, she gazed at the groom, his eyes tethered to hers, and her heart stopped. She drew in an urgent breath.

  “Neely, what’s wrong?”

  She gathered her wits. “Nothing. I only hope my dad is still alive to see that day.”

  “Oh, sweetie.” Rainie folder her into an embrace, but Neely struggled to clear her mind of the vision she had seen beside the altar. It was Jonny’s spectacular blue eyes that drew her down the aisle.

  * * *

  Jon peddled faster, his thoughts keeping up with the bike’s speed. Exercise provided therapeutic release to his struggling emotions. He’d always prayed Neely would come back in his life now that age and success were on his side. But he never expected the Lord to answer his far-fetched request.

  He gripped the metallic bar, and in a moment eyed his pulse rate. Excellent. He upped the resistance and dug in to the pedals giving the bike another five minutes to deepen the burn. The old motto, no pain no gain, flashed through his thoughts but not nearly as often as Neely’s image. Since he’d talked with her, his emotions roller-coastered through his chest until he wanted to rip up the tracks.

  With her back in Ferndale his hope rose again. Maybe her return was part of God’s plan. Knowing Erik was out of the picture cheered him, too. Now he needed to spend time with her so she could know Jon Turner the man, not Jonny Turner the boy who hung out in the shadows and tripped her up with his attempts to watch her every move. He ran errands for her and Rainie just to spend time with Neely.

  In his early twenties, he finally understood what about her mesmerized him. First, she was pretty, like sunshine on dew. He cringed at the poeti
c thought, but that’s what she was like—fresh and open to newness. Even when she put him down, her smile softened the blow, and it felt more playful than serious. And sometimes he had deserved it.

  But it wasn’t her good looks that interested him. Lots of girls were pretty. Neely showed a depth of spirit that captured him. He admired her determination and her self-reliance. Most of all her generosity. She’d demonstrated the same trait by leaving her life in Indianapolis to come home to her family who needed her.

  Slowing the pedals, he let his muscles cool as his mind reverted back to his plan. Somehow he had to get her back into his life. If she bought a gym membership, he could see her here. If not, maybe the church could be their connection. Or maybe a charitable activity. Even as a teenager, Neely involved herself in more charity events than he could count. The idea sent his pulse surging far beyond what registered on the heart rate monitor. He grinned as he slowed, and then stopped. Now to put his plan to work.

  While he showered and slipped back into street clothes, he devised his approach. If he wanted to involve Neely in an activity that connected them, he needed a plan, short range and long range.

  Plan A would involve fun times. Time to talk. Since exercising seemed one of her goals, he could begin there. When he stepped from the locker room, he eyed the desk, and Cindy flashed him a grin.

  He sauntered over, hoping to look casual. “I have a question.”

  “Anything you want, Jon.”

  Calling him by his first name tickled him. No one at the center seemed to know who he was, but Cindy always did. “An old friend of mine moved home for a while, and I told her about the fitness center. I wondered if she’d joined.”

  She tilted her head. “A friend?”

  He shrugged. “She’s my sister’s friend. Neely Andrews. Do you know if she’s a member?”

  She studied him a minute as if he’d asked for Neely’s address or phone number.

  “I’ve known her for years. I’m just curious.”

  Without a comment, she opened a file on her computer. “She joined three days ago. She hit us on a good day. We were running a special.”