Read A Hero for Her Heart (Truly Yours Digital Editions Book 885) for Free Online

She’d had this discussion with her mom too many times. Exhaustion washed over her, and Allie got to her feet, ready to escape to the quiet of her bedroom.
    “It’s like you’re trying to make up for Michael’s transgressions and Luke’s by being perfect.” Ma tapped her finger on the table to emphasize her words. “You want to rescue Danny and me by yourself, and that’s admirable, Allie, but you can’t. Your stubbornness is not going to pay the bills. You have to learn to be humble. To ask for help. From me and from others. I’m ready to go to the pastor to get his advice.”
    Allie swiped angrily at the tears in her eyes. “I don’t want people to know.”
    “I understand, I really do. But if we lose everything, they’ll find out, and then we’ll look foolish. I’ve been trying to tolerate your obstinacy, but I’m not going to let us go under.”
    The firm set of Ma’s chin told her she was losing the battle, and she fought tears.
    “How about a change of topic?” Ma, ever the peacemaker, smiled. “Remember that tomorrow Danny’s boys’ group gets their safety badges at church. And the picnic here afterward.”
    “I remember.” A smile came to Allie’s face. “I’m so proud of him. He’s come so far in a year.”
    “Yes.” Ma raised an eyebrow. “We should all be doing so well.”
    Allie ignored the jab.
    Ma stood. “I’m going to finish making salads for tomorrow.”
    Allie stood, too, and couldn’t stop the groan that came to her lips. “I’ll stay and help you instead of going to Shannon’s for our Scrabble game.”
    Ma shook her head. “No, ma’am, you won’t. That’s your weekly ritual. You go take a hot shower. That’ll help the stiffness. Then go on and play Scrabble.” Ma reached out and squeezed her arm. “Honey, you never allowed yourself to grieve. You became stoic and just kept working. So did I. Too many losses in such a short time. For both of us. Now we need to move on with our lives.”
    Move on? To what? Still, Allie nodded her agreement. “Yes, I do know.” She wanted nothing more than to protect her mother and Danny, but instead she was acting like a petulant child, mad at everyone around her and mad at God.
    ❧
    Derrick grabbed the phone directory from a drawer in the hotel bed stand and leaned back against a stack of pillows he’d jammed behind his head. The luxurious room in the Marcus Whitman Hotel provided everything, including a wireless connection, but he preferred the yellow pages. He thumbed through the book until he reached the listing for churches. Since coming to the Lord, he rarely missed services, and then only due to circumstances beyond his control. Now he felt a special need to worship. More so because his good intentions were keeping him from being totally up front with anyone.
    Oh Lord, I’m doing this for Sandy. She wants to know her son is safe.
    The town’s churches were limited, and he couldn’t decide which to attend. He shut the phone book, got to his knees on the plush maroon and beige carpet, and bowed his head.
    “Lord, I need Your guidance. Lead me in Your ways. Show me a church to attend. And I know You despise a lying tongue. I ask Your forgiveness for omission of truth. I want to keep Sandy’s secret and remain a godly man. Only by Your grace and mercy. Amen.”
    Derrick stood. One niggling concern taunted him. What if someone recognized his last name and put him together with Sandy? Although that probably wasn’t likely since eight years had passed between the adoption and now. His stomach growled a protest, and he glanced at the clock. Five thirty. Time for dinner. He headed downstairs to The Marc Restaurant, which the hotel attendant had promised was one of the best in town. Once he’d been seated and served, and after one bite of the succulent steak, Derrick reminded himself to thank the attendant for his recommendation. He adjusted the cloth napkin on his lap and tried to put his thoughts in order.
    Okay, what