Her Valentine Hero Read online

  “What do you think?” Dale scraped the end of the sauce with his last meatball, and put it into his mouth.

  Jon nodded. “You’re right. Slow but offensive. A yard at a time. Watch for interceptions. Keep the ball in my hand.” He let the game play fill his mind. Dale thought the kiss meant more than Neely claimed, and Jon hoped that he was right. “Thanks, pal.”

  “Anytime. A good woman is worth the wait. Slow and easy, but don’t drop the ball.”

  Jon chuckled. “I can do that.”

  Dale rose and lifted his tray. “I need to get back for my next class.” He grasped Jon’s shoulder with his free hand. “Anytime. Anytime.”

  Jon leaned back in the chair, and pushed the coagulated mac and cheese around on the plate. He usually loved the stuff. He made it at home from a box. This was home cooking to him. But he’d let it get cold. He didn’t want to do that to Neely. Instead of letting any more time pass, tossing around his conundrum, he would call her. Make plans for something. He’d pushed the exercise a long way. He knew it was time for something else.

  * * *

  Jon took a chance and pulled into Neely’s driveway. He hadn’t seen her since the kiss, and he didn’t know how she would react now. He’d thought to call but he wanted to see her in person. He sounded like Neely when she talked about wanting to see her sister’s face when they talked. Something about seeing a person’s body language and facial expression helped know what their words really meant. Though he was taking a chance, he had prayed she would welcome him.

  He lifted his shoulders, filling his lungs with air, and stepped from the car. At the door, he hesitated, then rang the bell and waited.

  The time ticked away, and a chill ran down his back. He knew it wasn’t the autumn breeze but concern. Then the knob turned.

  “Jon. Good to see you.” Mr. Andrews pulled back the door. “Come in.”

  He hesitated again before pushing himself forward. “Thanks, sir.” He stood in the foyer as Neely’s father closed the door, waiting for him to call to her.

  “Call me Fred, Jon. You’re not a boy any longer.”

  He nodded, glad her father noticed. Now he wished Neely would do the same.

  “I suppose you came to see Neely. She’s not here, but come in anyway. She should be back soon.” Fred beckoned him into the living room, and he followed, sensing the man was lonely. Anyway, he’d promised Neely he’d talk to her dad.

  Jon sank into the chair across from her dad’s recliner, but his mind was blank.

  “I think Neely’s checking on a job or something.” He slipped into the recliner. “She has an interview, I think.”

  His neck snapped up. “At the school?”

  “Something like that.” He lifted the footrest, stretched his legs in front of him and folded his hands across his belly. “I guess a job means she’s planning to stay in Ferndale awhile.”

  Jon shuffled words around in his head not sure what he should tell him. “I think that’s her plan.” Finally an idea sparked. “You enjoy having her back home, I suppose.” He studied Fred’s expression.

  “Yes.” Fred tilted his head upward as if contemplating his response. “Most of the time.”

  A chuckle rose in Jon’s throat, too late to control. “Families have their moments.”

  Fred’s eyes glinted as his mouth eased to a subtle grin. “I worry she’ll become her mother one day, and I try to ward that off. Know what I mean?”

  He understood, but he didn’t want to admit it.

  “Marion was a good woman, but it was her way or no way. I do things—even things I know aren’t best for me so Neely doesn’t think she’s in charge.” He shook his head. “But that girl is determined.”

  This time Jon laughed. “She is. I’ve known her long enough to recognize that attribute.”

  Her father slapped his leg. “I keep her on her toes, and it gives me a kick.” He dropped the footrest and leaned closer as if he feared she had sneaked in the back door and would hear him. “I watch her squirm, but then I feel bad, too. You know.”

  Jon had to agree with that. He had a difficult time putting anyone he cared about in a difficult position, but sometimes it seemed necessary to make them see the truth. He might have to go that route with Neely.

  Her father ran his fingers through his thinning gray-tinged hair. “But I love that girl.” He looked away a moment again as if in thought. “I don’t want her to stay here for me. That’s the real problem. She had a good job in Indianapolis. Now she’s here where good jobs are hard to find.”

  Jon watched Fred’s eyes search his as if for an answer. He didn’t have one, but now he knew the real problem that caused the tension between them. Though what could he do with it? If he told Neely, he would ruin the confidence her father had in him and probably cause more problems than solutions.

  Her dad flipped the footrest up. “I can’t control her life, either. If she finds work and is happy here, then I’ll assume that’s what’s meant to be.”

  “That’s a good philosophy, sir...Fred. I think that’s all you can do.” He wrapped the words in his heart, assuming what happened was meant to be. God was in control. Not him or not Neely or not her father. He had to trust in the Lord.

  A rattle from the foyer jerked their attention. Both turned toward the doorway as Neely stepped into the opening.

  “Hi.” Her gaze drifted from his to her father’s and back. “This is a surprise.”

  “It was for me, too.” He tried not to flinch—not even blink—but keep his eyes aimed at hers. She turned away first, and looked at her dad. “You and Jonny are having a good visit?”

  He chuckled. “Waiting for you, yes. You don’t think this young man came to visit with me, do you?”

  Jon flinched this time, although he’d spoken the truth, but it emphasized the man’s loneliness, and he wished he could help. “Do you like to walk, Fred?”

  Neely’s chin drew back when she heard him call her father by his first name.

  “Used to go for walks. Haven’t been, and now I have the warden keeping her eyes on me.” He turned away from her and gave Jon a subtle wink.

  “Dad, that’s not nice. I’m not a warden. I’m...” She tossed up her hands. “Never mind.” She pivoted, and marched down the hall.

  Jon wanted to follow her, but it was their battle. All he could do was try to give her discerning guidance dealing with her father.

  Fred scratched his head. “You see. She can’t even take a joke.”

  “I think she missed the wink.”

  Fred chuckled, then hoisted himself from the chair, and went to the doorway. “How did your interview go?” He waited and, not hearing a response, he shrugged. He lumbered back to the chair. “I probably should walk. I’ll be a doddering old man soon, older than my sixty-eight years.”

  “I’ll stop by when I can. We can walk together if you’d like.”

  Fred eyed him for a second. “I’m sure you have an ulterior motive but that’s a nice offer. I’ll take you up on it sometime.”

  “Great, and I’m sure Neely would enjoying walking with you, too. She’s trying to get exercise.”

  “Who wants to get exercise?” Neely stood in the doorway. She’d taken off her skirt and jacket and wore jeans and a sweatshirt.

  Jon admired her no matter what she wore. “Your dad was talking about walking, and I said you’d probably enjoy walking with him since you’re—”

  “Trying to get exercise.” She grinned. “I figured that out.” She wandered into the room, and plopped on the sofa. “And I need to exercise since I’ll be sitting a lot with the new job.”

  Jon bolted forward. “You got it.”

  She nodded. “Daddy, you’ll be happy to get rid of me for a whole day won’t you?”

  He shook his head. “Not reall
y. Too quiet. No one to fight with.”

  She flickered a grin as she crossed the room to kiss his cheek. “I’ll be at the high school in the front office.”

  Her dad slapped his leg. “Now she’ll be telling you what to do, Jon.”

  He grinned at Neely, hoping to waylay tension between them. When he saw her face, he realized his reaction wasn’t necessary. Neely must have thought about what had happened when she changed clothing. At this moment, she was in good spirits.

  “You two should go out and celebrate the job.”

  Jon turned and eyed Neely’s father. He saw a new sparkle in his eyes, and matchmaking was in the glint. He wanted to give the man a hug, but obviously that wasn’t appropriate. He searched Neely’s face, but she hadn’t caught on or else covered up her reaction well. “What do you say?”

  She turned her head his way. “Would you like to go, too, Daddy?”

  “Naw.” Fred waved her questions away. “I’m looking forward to yesterday’s leftovers. I loved the casserole. It was like your mother used to make.”

  Neely shifted her focus from her father to him. “Are you sure?”

  This time he smiled. “Never surer. Ferndale High has just hired a supreme clerk for the front office.”

  “Clerk?” She put her hand on her hip. “I’m taking over the attendance records. They thought I had better organizational abilities than the woman vying for the job from the middle school.”

  “I’m glad they recognized your abilities.” Jon’s heart clinched, recognizing her kissing abilities as supreme. “That is something to celebrate.” He stuck out his hand, and she slipped hers in as he guided her toward the front door. He wanted to call out a hooray to Fred, but he controlled himself. He was thrilled he had at least one person on his side.

  Chapter Eight

  Neely rang Ashley’s bell, waited with no response, and then opened the door. “It’s me, Ash.”

  A sound came from somewhere in the house, and she stepped inside. The living room was empty and the kitchen, but the noise sounded closer. She walked to the basement stairs and listened. The slosh of water and the clank of a metal door answered her question. “Ash, I’m here.”

  In a moment, her sister appeared at the bottom of the steps, wearing no makeup and her hair disheveled. She gave a wave and held up her index finger. “I’ll be up in a minute.”

  Neely strode to a cabinet and withdrew a glass. She turned on the tap, filled the tumbler with cold water, and then leaned against the counter and took a lengthy drink. What she wanted to talk about with Ashley was the day she kissed Jon. She wanted to know why she’d done it since she’d been determined not to get involved with her old nemesis. But the more she thought the more she realized she was the nemesis, not Jonny. He’d been kind all the time when she gave him a chance. She’d been the one who’d made snide comments and belittled him.

  But the desire to talk about it faded. The kiss would remain her secret. Hers and Jonny’s. Admitting it would just arouse speculation with Ashley, and Neely didn’t need anyone matchmaking or pushing her to give Jonny a chance. This was something she needed to handle without anyone confusing the issue.

  Every time she thought of that day, she winced at the strong urge she’d experienced to kiss him, and then it happened. She’d cut the kiss short, but that had been her willpower and not desire. His lips were warm and soft, giving but not demanding. She’d melted to a puddle in that moment, and only her strong will made her draw back. Then reality set in of what she’d done.

  She’d never forget the look on Jonny’s face. It had been unreadable, because so many emotions seemed to filter in his eyes. Sometimes she wondered if his crush, as he called it, had remained this whole time. But then she scoffed at the idea. What man would continue to have feelings for a woman who’d vanished from his life for years and had been a pain to him when she was around?

  When the basement door closed, she faced Ashley. “Hope I’m not interrupting your laundry day.”

  Her sister chuckled. “When you have a two-year-old, every day is laundry day.” She motioned toward the table. “Have a seat.” Her gaze drifted to her glass. “I have pop. Would you—”

  She lifted the tumbler. “Water is fine. I dropped by on a whim. I’ve been wanting to talk to you since our little tiff a while back. It’s been on my mind, and on homecoming, we couldn’t discuss it and I need to apolog—”

  “Forget it.” Ashley’s palm flashed upward. “Neither of us is perfect. We both make mistakes. I’m sorry, too.”

  Neely stepped forward and gave her sister a hug. “I also want to tell you about my job. I start Monday.”

  Ashley’s head drew back. “You got it? At the high school?” She filled a tumbler with cola.

  Her head bobbed yes as she told her sister about the job offer and what she would do at the high school. “It’s not what I would have looked for, but it’s convenient for now, and I think I can use a break from the corporate world. Everything is so unstable.”

  “Wise, and who knows if you want to stay here. You may get the urge to go back to your friends in Indiana.”

  The idea knotted in her chest. That had crossed her mind, but too many reasons incited her to stay in Michigan. “Right now that’s not a plan. I want to keep my eye on Dad, although I’ve bungled at that.”

  Ashley turned from the counter, holding a tumbler. “That’s still a problem?” She turned away and opened the refrigerator.

  “When I talked with Jonny, he told me that Dad should exercise. I’ve been trying to stop him from doing much of anything. In fact, Jonny offered to take walks with Dad. I could do that, but I worried about him getting too tired, and—”

  “You’re worried because he’s our dad. Think logically. Exercise is good for everyone in the proper doses.”

  Releasing a sigh, Neely nodded. “I realize that now. I didn’t believe a thing Jonny told me, so I looked up heart attack care on the internet, and he was right.”

  “He’s a PE teacher.” She rolled her eyes. “Obviously the guy knows about exercise and what’s good and what isn’t. Why don’t you trust him? He’s not an imbecile as you seemed to think.”

  Guilt rocked her. “I never thought he was an imbecile. Just a pest.”

  “Get over it.” She shook her head. “I think he’s a great guy. Any woman would be blessed to have him as a friend. Even a husband.”

  “I know.” The truth swept through her.

  “And now you’ll be working in the same building with him. You’ll have to show respect. He’s a teacher and a coach. He’s admired by all the sport fans in the area, I’m sure. He’s led the Eagles to victory many times, and the basketball team won a big trophy last year for something. I don’t know a thing about basketball.”

  “Neither do I.” And she should if she planned to be Jonny’s friend.

  Ashley took a sip of her drink as a distant look grew in her eyes. “I’d better check on Joey. He’s sleeping longer than usual.” She rose, and strode through the doorway.

  Certain from her distracted look that Joey wasn’t the only thing on Ashley’s mind, she pondered what it might be. Memories of Adam, maybe? Comparing her again to their mother? Whatever, Ashley had something on her mind.

  She slipped through the doorway. “He’s fine. I’ll let him sleep. He did get up extra early today. My morning quiet didn’t quite happen.” Ashley grinned, and settled back into the chair.

  “What’s on your mind?”

  A frown grew on her face. “What do you mean?”

  “You were distracted for a moment. I know you, Ash. Something’s bothering you.”

  She saw her sister’s face flicker, and knew she’d been right.

  “Fine. I don’t want to start another argument so I hesitate to tell you.” She lowered her eyes and studied the moisture on
the outside of her glass.

  “Tell me what?” But she already knew.

  “Erik called me, and he’s coming over to meet Joey tonight.”

  Neely tried to camouflage her utter disgust. “Maybe he’s changed. I could be wrong.” But she knew she wasn’t.

  Her eyes widening announced Ashley’s surprise. “Thanks for admitting that. I don’t want Erik’s attention to me to cause troubles between us.”

  “Me, neither.” She studied her sister’s glowing face as she looked forward to Erik’s visit, but she couldn’t believe what he said anymore, and she wondered if he were using Ashley in the attempt to make her jealous. Erik would do most anything to get what he wanted. From his actions, he obviously wanted her back in his life.

  * * *

  Jon sidled a look at Fred as they headed around the periphery of the park. Though the weather was cool, the energy they’d burned as they walked made it perfect. He hadn’t said anything about Neely to her father. He didn’t want to arouse his curiosity about what kind of interest he had in the man’s daughter. At this point, Jon wasn’t sure, either—unless he listened to his heart.

  “Did I tell you my daughter had a rebirth?”

  Confused, Jon eyed Fred. “No. What happened?”

  “She must have listened to you—she doesn’t listen to anyone usually—and she went to her computer to check things out. Probably to prove you wrong. It didn’t work. She came to me with a hangdog expression, and told me what she’d read.”

  Jon grinned at her father’s joy in seeing her eat crow. “She really admitted I was right.”

  He gave him an arched brow. “I wouldn’t go that far, but she told me what she’d read, and guess what.”

  “What?”

  “She said going up the stairs was good for me so I was smart to keep my bedroom upstairs.” He chuckled. “I thought it was a good idea, too, since I didn’t plan to use the guest room on the first floor. Marion and I shared our room for years. It’s still home to me. I hadn’t planned to budge.”

  Hearing reference to Fred’s wife always gave him a start. He knew from Neely that her mother held an iron fist over her father, but from what he’d just heard, he loved her just the same. “Stairs are good for you and so is walking.”