Free A Hero for Her Heart (Truly Yours Digital Editions Book 885) by Nancy Toback, Candice Miller Speare Page B

understand your need to be alone.” His voice was low, like he was confiding secrets. “When I want to be alone, I hike into the bare hills around the Tri-Cities. I sit and stare out over the Columbia River. I also ski.”
    “Shannon and I are going on a spiritual retreat next week. At a monastery. We have to spend part of our time in silence.”
    Derrick chuckled. “That will be hard for Shannon.”
    “Yes it will,” Allie agreed, then she shuffled her feet on the floor. “I write poetry.”
    “Poetry?” Derrick’s raised brows told her he was surprised. “Really?”
    The heat of a blush inched up her face. “It’s silly really, but writing poetry helps get my feelings out.”
    “Not silly at all.” Derrick clamped his hands behind his back and looked her in the eye.
    “Mr. Derrick!” Danny yelled from the back of the barn. “Come and see my hiding place.”
    Allie’s heart pounded hard, and she was relieved by Danny’s interruption. “You go on. I’ll feed the horses. He’ll enjoy showing you his treasures. Danny is so much like Luke, even though he was adopted. From a little boy, Luke would stash things in hiding places. Anyway, when you’re done, tell Danny to bring you to my office.”
    Derrick headed toward the back of the barn, and despite her efforts to resist, she drank in his retreating form. He looked capable and strong, like he would protect the people he loved. For a dangerous moment, she found herself longing that Derrick Owens would fall in love with her.

Nine
    Sunday evening Derrick hovered in the doorway to Sandy’s bedroom, trying to muster the courage to face his sister. This was his “appointment” that he’d mentioned to Allie and her family. He needed to tell Sandy everything he’d discovered.
    The decor was so like her. Creamy yellow walls, bright white curtains open wide to let in the light. The room glowed, even in the dark of night.
    He clutched the bouquet of flowers in his hand and stepped through the door. His mother rose from a blue cushioned chair next to Sandy’s bed and came toward him. It seemed Mom had aged overnight, and he hoped his face didn’t give away his concern. Dark roots were visible through her usually perfect blond hair. Lines carved around her eyes and mouth had appeared during the last month.
    “Mom.” He gave her a peck on the cheek.
    “So glad you’re here,” she said. “Sandy ordered me to wake her when you arrived.”
    His sister looked pale and thin under her covers. “Please don’t. I can come back later.”
    “I think we should do what she asked.”
    Because we don’t have much longer to do it, Derrick completed his mother’s thought while he fought tears. His mother wouldn’t cry. His parents never did, at least not publicly. They regarded stoicism as admirable, to be worked at and sought after like some people worked at getting fit. His father alleged that displays of emotion made one vulnerable. Something others could use as tools to manipulate.
    Derrick sighed. He agreed in part, but there was a time and place for emotional expression. To allow loved ones to know how much they were cared for. He’d seen and felt it this past weekend in Allie, Betsy, Danny, and even goofy Shannon. Allie was the one who withheld the most, but even she showed depth of emotion with her poetry, her horses, and her love for her family.
    “Mom is right,” Sandy’s weak voice came from the bed. “You’d better do what I ask.”
    “You’re not asleep; you’re just pretending.” Derrick crossed the room, smiling. “And what are you going to do if I don’t do what you ask?”
    “Don’t mess with me, D-man. You know I have ways of getting even.”
    The light banter helped relieve the knot of dread in his stomach. No matter how ill, Sandy’s sense of humor remained.
    She pointed to the flowers. “Wow. A girl has to be dying for her brother to pay attention to her.”
    “Sandy!” Mom hissed. “What a horrible thing to say.”
    Sandy