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

she knew her mother was right.
    “I’ve been proud and stubborn, Lord.” But she had her reasons. She’d do anything to hide the extent of their family problems from outsiders. She wanted to protect Luke and hide what he’d done. Lying, keeping a second set of books. . .her own brother. But why had he done it? What could have driven a man who was otherwise so honest in his dealings to lead a double life? Worse, she had to admit she felt betrayed by the Lord. Why had He allowed so many bad things to happen?
    She clasped her hands and closed her eyes. “Lord, we need answers. If You’re really there, if You really do watch over us, please give me answers.”
    Forty minutes later Allie forced down bites of toast in the kitchen while she tried not to think about Derrick. Stop it! she told herself. Why was she dwelling on a virtual stranger? The phone rang and put a stop to her ridiculous train of thought. She snatched it off its cradle and barked, “Hello!”
    “Allie, it’s me. I forgot to tell you last night that I invited. . .so I. . .and he. . .then I. . .”
    “Shannon?” Allie pressed the phone closer to her ear. “I can barely hear you.”
    “Oh. . .won’t hold the cell to my ear. . .” Shannon said something else that Allie didn’t catch. “Just read. . .same as sticking your head. . .microwave. Brain cancer.”
    Allie huffed out a sigh. “Well why can’t you wait until we get to church?”
    “No! This is important!” Shannon’s voice came through loud and clear. “Did you hear the part about Derrick coming to church?”
    “What?” Heat burned her cheeks. Just when she’d been dreaming about him.
    “I invited him last night, but I forgot to tell you.”
    Allie ignored the footsteps coming into the kitchen and focused on the phone conversation.
    Shannon giggled. “I think he likes you, Allie. All that time we played Scrabble, he kept trying not to look at you. You know how I’m good at reading body language—”
    “Shannon! Why did you invite him to church? I’m not interested in a man right now, no matter what his body language says. You remember what I went through nine months ago with—” She turned to see her mother standing in the doorway.
    “Michael? Forget about him!” Shannon said. “You need to leave that in the past and move on.” The timbre of her voice had changed to the one she used for animals and small children, making Allie feel stupid. “Besides, Derrick coming to church is really not that big a deal. If anything, we’re being kind to someone who’s temporarily in town. What harm can come from it?”
    Ma cleared her throat, and Allie faced her, pointing at the phone.
    “Shannon, I’m not—”
    Ma pointed at Danny then at her watch.
    “I have to go,” Allie said.
    “Okay. I’ll talk to you at church.” Shannon’s voice was too cheerful.
    As she hung up, Allie could have sworn she heard her friend laugh, and a bolt of irritation raced up her spine. She switched her attention to her mom. “Let me brush my teeth real fast.”
    “Okay. I take it the hero will be at church today?”
    “I guess.” Allie shrugged. “Thanks to Shannon.”
    “He will?” Danny smiled widely. “Yay!”
    “Hurry, then. We’ll be waiting for you in the car.” Ma and Danny walked out of the kitchen into the utility room and then outside.
    As Allie hurried to the bathroom, she mentally scolded her friend. Shannon had arranged this on purpose. Now there were three people set on matchmaking. Her mother, Danny, and Shannon, and she wanted no part of it.
    ❧
    As Allie walked down the church aisle, her eyes burned and she glanced up at the wooden ceiling beams to hide her tears. Hard as she tried to please the Lord, to love Him, she was at odds with Him lately. Her anger caused her lack of faith in His goodness, and she couldn’t find a cure for it.
    I’m sorry, Lord.
    Trailing Ma and Danny, Allie shuffled into the pew four rows from the front and sat at the end next to Danny. Her