Her Valentine Hero Read online

  While she waited for a break to cut in, Jonny slipped his arm around her waist, and gave her a gorgeous smile. Her heart flew to her throat. She hadn’t asked him to protect her, but that’s what he was doing.

  Erik didn’t miss the move. His face flickered with question as tension tightened his jaw. “What are you two doing together?”

  She had no idea what to say, and searched Jonny’s face waiting for him to reply, but he didn’t. He only grinned.

  Neely grinned, too, waiting.

  Erik’s gaze dropped to Jonny’s arm around her waist, and when he looked up, he managed a chuckle tinged with sarcasm. “I assume you’ve let bygones be bygones.”

  Jonny arched his brow. “We’re not kids anymore, Erik. We put childish behaviors behind us.”

  Neely wondered if Erik recognized the scripture reference. He’d never talked about faith. She was a believer, and she cringed again, knowing that she’d allowed him to manipulate her into ignoring her morals and upbringing for his pleasure.

  Erik appeared to have gotten grip of his emotions. He gave her a wink, and lifted his wineglass. “It’s good to see you again, Neely. Let’s toast a new beginning.”

  She studied him wanting to walk away, but this wasn’t the time for a confrontation. She lifted her soda glass while Erik held his drink posed until Jonny joined the toast. They clinked their glasses together, and when Erik lowered his, he captured her gaze with a coy grin. “I’ll let you two enjoy yourselves, and, Neely, tell your sister I’m sorry about her loss. She’s way too attractive to be alone, isn’t she? That’s too bad.”

  His comment seemed a little glib. She flinched as he turned away, but Jonny’s hold on her waist soothed her, and when she turned her focus to him, the sight of his beautiful eyes washed away the tension.

  Jonny chucked her chin. “That’s over. Let’s have some fun.”

  She tiptoed up, and kissed his cheek. “Thank you.”

  As they walked toward Rainie, Jonny almost gave the impression that this was a date, and she didn’t care. His protective nature nestled around her, and tonight she tried to forget the old Jonny. As Erik had said, she would toast a new Jonny and a new beginning.

  * * *

  Jon listened to girl talk between his sister and Neely for a few minutes, and then ambled away, unnoticed. He stood closer to the hall entrance and surveyed the crowd, seeing a few high school friends of Rainie’s but also people he really didn’t know. He spotted Erik who seemed to be charming a young woman Jon didn’t recognize. He wondered if Neely fell for the new-beginning toast. He wanted to gag, but what right did he have to interfere? Dreams didn’t count in the scheme of things. To be a winner meant developing a game plan by setting up plays, and then moving into action. He taught his boys how to play on the field, and now he wondered if the same skills could be used in relationships.

  The whole situation plagued him. The best parts of the evening were Neely’s kiss on his check and Erik’s expression when he slipped his arm around Neely’s waist. He would have never had the courage except he knew she wanted nothing to do with Erik. He figured a flash of possession might thwart his obvious plans to hook Neely back into his arms.

  He still wasn’t sure what caused her to be turned off by Erik, but whatever it was, he was glad.

  An appetizer table he hadn’t noticed earlier appeared, and he wandered closer, eyeing the tidbits of food that were on the menu. Shrimp, cheeses, crackers, a series of chaffing dishes that promised tiny kabobs of meat, mushrooms with filling, and some he couldn’t make out, but the scent of herbs and spices rose from the table. He forked a couple of unknowns on the plate and carried it and his soft drink to a small empty table.

  He savored one of the mystery items, thinking he’d go back and try another—maybe even learn its name, and as he reached for a meatball in sauce, a hand swept a sausage wrapped in a dough from his plate. He recognized the bracelet and grinned. “You’re welcome, Neely.”

  She settled into the chair beside him, and took a bite of the appetizer. “Yummy.” She licked her lips, and then slipped his napkin from beneath the plate to wipe her fingers. “Thanks.” She motioned to the table. “I suppose I could get my own.”

  “Here, finish mine.” He slid the plate in front of her. “I’ll load up another plate for both of us.”

  She chuckled and delved into the stuffed mushroom. He hurried back and selected hors d’oeuvres for two plates, checked to make sure Erik was still preoccupied and carried the dishes back to the table. Erik’s country-club comment bothered him. He didn’t understand how that reference had entered the conversation. Neely had never seemed interested in all of that.

  He set the plates on the table and returned to his chair. “What was that reference to country-club crowd?”

  She drew in a deep breath and shook her head. “That was one of Erik’s encouragers.”

  “Encouragers?” He let the word bounce in his mind. “Encouragers for what?”

  “For a girl to be his wife. He thought everyone valued having membership in a country club. That was far from my mind.”

  He chuckled. “Very far. You were down to earth. Always giving.”

  “Me?” A grin brightened her face. “Look what you just did. You gave me your plate, and then went to fill two more. I don’t know why I’m surprised, I remember, as much as you irked me year ago, you were always thoughtful. Helpful, really.”

  “So were you. You’ve always focused on the needs of others. I’ve seen you give a needy woman a piece of clothing you were wearing.”

  Her eyes capture his. “I what?” She shook her head. “I don’t remember that? “

  Maybe he’d admitted too much. “I helped you and Rainie take the canned goods you’d collected to a food kitchen in Detroit somewhere. It was October. I remember there was a chilly breeze, and...” He caught himself again, letting his sentence fade.

  “October? Come on. How would you remember that?”

  Her eyes grew as large as the pumpkin on her shirt that day. He’d done it. Too much information. He might as well tell her he could remember everything she wore back then. “When you gave the woman your sweater, underneath you were wearing a knit shirt that had a big pumpkin on it, and—”

  “Jonny, I can’t believe you remembered that crazy pumpkin top.” Her gaping mouth drew into a smile. “I think I blocked that gaudy thing from my memory.”

  But he hadn’t. When she’d hoisted the carton of food from the trunk, the sunlight hit her auburn hair and streaked it with gold, the color of leaves at the height of autumn. It had taken his breath away. He’d just turned fourteen, and Neely had become his first secret love.

  Neely shook her head as a soft chuckle escaped her. “Why would you remember something like that?”

  Talk about reality, the truth smacked him in the head. “Because I had the biggest crush on you.”

  Her hand flew up, and flipped the edge of the plate. Two appetizers skipped to the table. She dropped them back on the plate, though her eyes never left him. “What are you saying? You had a crush on me?” She burst into a laugh. “You were a pesky kid.”

  To her maybe, but to him, he was a man in love.

  She lifted her hand and pressed his arm. “I’m sorry. I’m sure, at the time, you thought you were in love. I guess I did that, too. I remember picturing me in the arms of Leonardo DiCaprio.” She lifted her brows. “Sometimes I can still picture that.”

  A faint chuckle tittered from her as if she were a teenager again.

  She broke eye contact and smiled. “So you had a crush on me.”

  Not had—have. He managed to return the grin as he picked up his drink. His tongue adhered to the roof of his mouth as if he’d eaten glue. She’d already taken his confession as a joke, and he needed to let it go for now. In time, he hoped she would see who he was from h
is actions. A man’s actions had to mean more than his age. He gazed at her, his mind going back. “Another thing I remember.”

  “You remember more?”

  “Not really.” He let it drop. He’d said too much already. “Want to mingle?” He started to rise but she grabbed the hem of his jacket and tugged.

  “No, I want to know what you remember.”

  Her lighthearted tone urged him on, and though he knew he could be digging his own demise, he decided to be open. He could be Jonny for now if that’s what it took. “The country-club comment reminded me of this.”

  She frowned at first before brightening again. “Go ahead.”

  “I remember once you said, ‘Who needs sterling silver and fine china. I like paper plates and plastic forks. No dishes to wash.’ You wrinkled your nose and laughed. I remember.”

  “Were you memorizing my conversations with your sister?” She arched an eyebrow, and he couldn’t tell if she were teasing or upset.

  “Crushes do that. Can’t you remember everything about Leonardo DiCaprio’s face when he stood on the bow of the Titanic with Kate Winslet?”

  Her expression turned to a grin. “I guess you’re right.” She reached over, and rested her hand on his again. “I think we should mingle, but first, I want to thank you again for coming to my aid with Erik. He really bothers me.”

  Her expression validated what she’d said. Erik ground him, too. “What was that comment about Ashley?”

  “That’s what I’d like to know.” This time she did frown.

  So did he, because he could only guess that Ashley could become the pawn of another of Erik’s manipulations to get what he wanted.

  He didn’t like it at all.

  Chapter Five

  Neely opened the back door and stopped, seeing her father with his nose in the refrigerator. She eyed the clock. “It’s a little early for dinner, Dad. Are you hungry?”

  “Can’t I eat a snack if I want to?”

  His head remained behind the fridge door, and when he straightened, he backed away with a hunk of cheese and piece of ham. “I thought I’d have a sandwich.”

  The clock read three-thirty. Neely shook her head. “Then that will be your dinner, I guess.”

  “Dinner? I said it’s a snack.”

  She jammed her fists into her waist. “A snack is an apple or a cookie, not a sandwich. That’s dinner.”

  “Who said?” He ignored her by facing the counter as he built a sandwich.

  “Your doctor. He said you needed to eat healthy and take off a little weight.”

  Her dad waved his hand over his shoulder. “Pooh. What does he know?”

  Her shoulders slumped. “You frustrate me, Dad.” She walked to his side, and touched his arm. “I don’t want to see you sick again. You need to take care of yourself.”

  He gave her a half glance. “I am. I’m making a sandwich.”

  Her hand slipped from his arm, and she shook her head. “Fine.” She headed toward the doorway, and then paused. Having a tiff with her dad would serve no purpose. “I had a nice visit with Ashley. We talked about going out to dinner tonight. Want to join us?”

  “No. I’m happy at home.”

  That was his problem. Since her mother died, he had lost motivation to live. He ate wrong, got no exercise, and stared at the TV. But his determination was stronger than hers and getting him to make changes seemed hopeless. She needed someone to prompt him to alter his choices, but it had to be someone he’d listen to. Apparently that person wasn’t her.

  “Would you like to take a ride to Ash’s to see Joey? He’s getting cuter every day.”

  He took a bite of his sandwich, and didn’t respond.

  She guessed his answer. No. Not even Joey excited him. Though she didn’t want to stir up trouble, she knew she had to do something. “Dad.”

  The telephone’s ring stopped her. Maybe it was for the best. She crossed the room and grabbed the receiver. Jonny’s voice caught her by surprise.

  “How about running at the park today? You can’t count on another September day being so warm.”

  Neely glanced at her father and figured he’d be glad to get rid of her for a couple of hours.

  “What time?”

  “I’ll pick you up at four.

  “That works. I’ll be ready.” But she detested the excitement she felt.

  “How about dinner afterward?”

  Her pulse did a double flip, and then she remembered. “I made plans to eat out with Ashley, but you’d be welcome. She’d love to see you.” And maybe this could be the beginning of something wonderful for her sister, and that way, her pulse would tick at a normal rate. She’d never mess around with her sister’s boyfriend.

  “Are you positive?”

  She chuckled. “Yes, and you could meet Joey, too. He’s a charmer.”

  “If you’re sure.”

  She assured him, and then hung up. “I’m going for a run at Wilson Park, Dad, but I’ll be home to change before dinner. Think about it, please. Dinner with Ash and Joey would get you out of this house.”

  He shook his head, and brushed her words away. “Stop worrying about me. You’re worse than your mother.” He grinned. “Besides, I already had dinner, remember?”

  * * *

  Neely braced her hands on her knees and caught her breath. Her legs burned from running, but the fresh air and sunshine made it worthwhile. She tilted her head upward and looked at Jonny who didn’t seem to be winded at all. “How many times did we run around the in-line skating track?”

  “Too many.” He motioned toward the car. “We can walk to the car from here—no more running.

  She chuckled at his playful comment, still rattled by her good feeling with him. “I had a great time today.”

  “So did I. We can do this anytime.” He rested his hand on her shoulder. “You’re glowing, you know.”

  “Do you mean sweat or a red face?”

  He leaned back and laughed. “A real glow, healthy pink cheeks.”

  The way he looked at her sent her pulse charging up her arm, and she cautioned her wayward thoughts. Ogling Rainie’s younger brother made no sense. She would be a cradle snatcher. And worse yet, how could she tell him the truth about her relationship with Erik? She couldn’t get involved with that mistake between them. He deserved a pure, wholesome wife. Jonny would always be...Jonny.

  Though she told herself it was for the best, part of her fought the reality. She jerked her mind back to her resent plan. Jonny and Ashley. “What did you have in mind for dinner? I like to get my thoughts primed.”

  He chucked and shrugged. “It’s your pick. Howe’s Bayou has a mean po’boy.”

  “Crispy French bread filled with meat or fish.” She shook her head and grinned. “Fatten me up, will you?”

  He slipped his arm around her shoulder, and squeezed. “Okay no po’boy. They have salads.”

  “Is it quiet there? Good for talking?”

  He drew back and eyed her. “I thought we were eating.”

  She’d bungled. He and Ashley needed time to get to know each other if anything might happen, but playing matchmaker was against Ashley’s wishes and probably not on Jonny’s agenda, either. She faced it. The matchmaking idea had become her own self-defense against her crazy emotions. “I suppose you’re right.” She managed a playful expression. “Can we stop by and pick up Ashley on the way back to my house?” Then he could drop her off home after dinner. Her plan had taken a turn, but a good one.

  He nodded, his mind seemingly focused on something else.

  She pulled out her cell phone to warn Ashley of the new plan and to her surprise, Jonny headed in the right direction, as if he knew where Ashley lived. When he turned down the street, she pointed, but he’d already
aimed the nose the car into the driveway. A frown tugged at her forehead but she managed to grin it away. Why he knew where Ashley lived was none of her business, and except for the tug of her heart, it didn’t matter.

  Before she could step outside, Ashley waved from the doorway, and Jonny hurried from the car and headed toward the porch. When Ashley appeared with Joey, Jonny grasped the car seat and Joey’s hand while Ashley carried the diaper bag and another tote.

  Neely’s chest tightened seeing him grinning at Joey who was carrying on a conversation as if he’d known Jonny forever. Watching the scene warmed around her heart. Maybe her matchmaking idea had been part of God’s plan. Jonny would make a great father.

  Ashley opened the back door and tossed in the bags. “This worked out well. Can you believe Dad called and offered to watch Joey while we go to dinner?”

  Neely’s head jerked toward her. “That is news.” Her father’s “stop worrying about me. You’re worse than your mother” softened. Her dad wanted it to be his idea and not hers. She had to learn to hint and not suggest. Two determined minds could make a positive after all. “I’m glad he suggested it. Dad needs to find a purpose again, Ash. He doesn’t have Mom prodding him, and when I do, he resents it.”

  “It’s a learning curve, I suppose.”

  Jonny had shifted Ashley out of the way and attached the car seat. He hooked Joey in while Ashley rounded the car, and slipped in the other side.

  Jonny gave a final tug on the seat belts. “You look safe enough, buddy.” He gave Joey a grin, and closed the door.

  Neely sat with her heart in her throat. She’d love to see Ashley find a man like Jonny, but a sense of possession sneaked into her thoughts. Jonny had brightened her world lately, and how would she handle it if he and Ashley did connect? She drew in a breath. She’d set this up and she would have to deal with it.