The Hero by Robyn Carr Read Free Book Online Page B

here.”
    “Whoa,” Spencer said, nearly jumping out of his chair. “It’s a whole new you!”
    “That’s darling,” Sarah said, smiling. “Good cut—you look like a young Meg Ryan. It must’ve been hard to part with that long hair.”
    “Nah, I was ready to let that go. It’s more trouble than you can imagine.” But she often found herself reaching for that long braid, running a hand down the back of her neck.
    “Pull up a chair, we have time. I was just watching Cooper down on the beach.”
    Rawley came out onto the deck. “If you want to leave Mercy with me, I’ll show her how we catch the fish. After Cooper gets done on the beach and comes up, we’ll go out on the dock. I’ll make sure she has a life vest.”
    “I don’t want you to be stuck babysitting, Rawley,” Devon said.
    “Let her go,” Spencer said. “I know how to run the bar if anyone shows up. Austin’s down there already, trying to empty the bay of fish.”
    “And I think Landon’s coming in,” Sarah said. “He’ll help.”
    “She can’t swim, Rawley,” Devon said nervously.
    “She’s not gonna swim. She’s gonna fish. And she’s not gonna eat worms, either. I hope.” He reached for her hand and she looked up at his grizzled face and beamed. “Wanna catch some fish?” he asked her. And she nodded enthusiastically.
    Sarah got up, draining her cup once she was standing. “I’m going to run upstairs and change—I’ve been out on the bay this morning. I’ll be back in a minute. Help yourself to coffee. Then we’ll make a run on Carrie’s catered delights at the open house.” And with that she was gone.
    Neither Spencer nor Devon said anything until Rawley and Mercy were down the stairs and Sarah had closed the door to Cooper’s upstairs apartment. It was Spencer who said, “Rumor has it you’re thinking of sticking around awhile.”
    Devon looked at him sharply. “There’s rumors about me already?”
    He chuckled. “Not the scary kind, like that you dabble in witchcraft or eat puppies for breakfast. Rawley mentioned you were thinking about looking for work around here.”
    “Oh. Right. Of course. Well, it all depends. I’m unknown here. If there were jobs, I’m sure people who have lived here a long time would have them.”
    “You’d think so, wouldn’t you? I’m from out of town. I came here for a job.”
    “Really? What job?” Her interest was immediately piqued.
    “I’m the new Athletic Director and coach at the high school.” Then he laughed. “Really, though, I’m a gym teacher in charge of gym teachers.”
    She sighed audibly. “A dream job,” she said. “Is your wife athletic?”
    He glanced away. “My wife passed away a few months ago. That’s why I wanted to move. Austin and I needed a fresh start.”
    “I’m so sorry,” she said. “My gosh, I barely meet you and I put my foot in my mouth.”
    “No harm done. And no, she wasn’t particularly athletic. She liked boating and a little waterskiing, but that was it. And I have to give her a lot of credit—she came to all the games I coached. Not sure she had fun,” he added with a laugh. “But she was there.”
    “You must miss her so much,” she said.
    “There are tough days. I try to take comfort in her relief. She fought a battle with cancer.... I’m glad that’s over for her....”
    Devon swallowed hard. Yet another reminder that as bad as she thought her life to be on some days, here was a brave man who had weathered the ultimate storm—parting with a loved one who had suffered.
    “And why Thunder Point? Just the job?” she asked.
    “Not just the job, but I’m real happy about that. It’s a surprise, really. I was looking for something in Oregon because Cooper’s here.”
    “Ah, you’re good friends....”
    “We’re getting there. Cooper’s a pretty okay guy. He’s also Austin’s father.”
    “I thought you were Austin’s father.”
    He took a breath. “Well, it’s complicated, but here goes. We were