Her Valentine Hero. Gail Martin Gaymer

Jonny’s arrival to take her to Rainie and Ty’s engagement party. She wished she would have talked with him first about pretending she was his date. She’d never had a chance, and when she saw him at the gym, others were around and it didn’t seem the right place.

      The more she planned to ask him, the more her sister’s comments stopped her. Using him as a battering ram—her sister’s words—made her flinch, and though she thought Ashley’s analogy was a poor one, she still got the idea. She wanted to use him as a buffer between her and Erik. The problem might not arise, but if so, she hoped Jonny would understand.

      How did she expect anyone to understand without knowing the details? The question nudged her so often, but being honest about the situation meant soiling her reputation and making her vulnerable. She couldn’t handle that.

      She checked her dress in the long mirror. The A-line style in deep teal hung in soft folds and camouflaged her less-than-perfect figure, although she’d already lost a few pounds at the gym. She’d come home to be a support to her dad and sister, but she faced her other motive. She wanted to remake herself as well as her body. Though she disagreed with Ashley again on being like her mother, she had to admit that she did tend to run from problems. Her issues with Erik and her mother had been prime examples, but now she’d returned and had to deal with the same conflict unless Erik had changed. She could only hope.

      The doorbell rang, and she looked down from the upper window. Jonny’s car had rolled into the driveway while she’d been preoccupied. Her dad’s voice sounded from the foyer, followed by Jonny’s greeting. She grasped her small handbag and hurried down the steps. Before she reached the bottom, she faltered, her heartbeat skipping as she eyed Jonny in a dark-colored suit with a white shirt and conservative dark tie.

      He took her breath away. She hadn’t realized the width of his shoulders until now. As she opened her mouth to compliment him, Jonny cut her off with his own comment.

      “You look beautiful, Neely.” He reached for her hand as she left the last step, and squeezed her fingers. “I’ll bring her home safe and sound, Mr. Andrews.”

      Her father chuckled, and rested his hand on Jonny’s shoulder. “I know I can trust you, Jon. You’re a good man.”

      She grinned at her dad, agreeing that Jonny had grown into a wonderful man. The more the truth hit her the worse she felt using him as protection. She hoped it didn’t come to that.

      “Daddy, I want you to stay downstairs until I get back. You have everything you need down here, and when I get home, I’ll be with you when you walk upstairs.”

      Her father shook his head as if she were a blithering idiot. “What can I do with this girl, Jon? She thinks I’m an invalid.”

      “She loves you, Mr. Andrews.”

      She grinned at Jonny who’d backed toward the door, grateful he hadn’t agreed that she’d been overreacting. She drew closer and kissed her father’s cheek. “Do as I say, Daddy, and I’ll be home no later than midnight—probably earlier.” She eyed Jonny for validation, but he only grinned.

      “Good night, sir.” He turned the knob, and pulled the door open, then held it for her to step outside.

      Neely gave a final wave at her dad standing in the doorway as he’d done when she was a teenager. She grinned, thinking about those years when she felt protected and supported. This time it was her turn to protect her father, a kind of reversal of roles she’d never anticipated but one she accepted.

      Jonny opened the passenger door of his car, and she slipped inside, admiring his tall frame as he rounded the hood to the driver side. When he settled beside her, a woodsy scent enveloped her, and she drew it in, admiring the man who wore it.

      “Your dad looks pretty good.” He started the car, and shifted into Reverse.

      “You should have seen him a few weeks ago.” She shook her head with the memory. “I think it was the fear in his eyes that bothered me the most. I’ve never seen Daddy vulnerable, but that’s exactly what he was.”

      “Severe illnesses remind us of our finite nature.” He guided the car onto the street and pulled away. “Heart attacks, accidents, diseases can attack us at any time. Even when we’re fit.”

      She agreed, sorry that the topic came up. No one wanted to think of life ending so soon. But it did, and that meant each person had to be ready. She closed her eyes, wishing she didn’t feel the weight of her sins.

      “Speaking of fit.”

      Jonny’s voice drew her back. “You’re looking great, Neely. I’ve noticed the weight you lost although you’ve always looked good.”

      She grinned, using his compliment to give a lift to her spirit. “Thanks, but that would be in the eye of the beholder, as they say. I behold pounds.”

      “You’re too hard on yourself.”

      Maybe she was.

      “If the weather stays this nice, we should take advantage it and enjoy the outdoors. Wilson Park has an in-line skating rink. I use it sometimes for running.”

      “Fresh air and sunshine. Sounds good.”

      “Next week. I’ll call you.”

      She nodded, asking herself why she had gotten herself so involved in Jonny. She needed motivation to exercise and doing it with someone added fun to the job, but Jonny? Sometimes she thought of herself as a fly caught in a spider web and tempting fate. She gazed at him again, and grinned. Jonny was the best-looking web weaver she’d ever run into.

      When they reached the steak house, Jonny slipped from behind the wheel and was at her door before she could unhook her seat belt. When she stepped onto the asphalt, he closed and locked the door, and clasped her arm as they headed to the entrance. Though he had no idea that she’d considered asking him to pretend the outing was a date, he gave the illusion with his attentiveness. Grateful she hadn’t asked, she accepted the attention as they went inside.

      The maître d’ guided them to the banquet room, and when they stepped inside, a good feeling washed over her. She and Rainie had dreamed of the day when they would walk down the aisle, each promising to ask the other to be their maid or matron of honor. In a few months, she would fulfill her part of the promise. Rainie’s part of the promise seemed like a faraway dream.

      “Neely.” Rainie stood with a group of women and waved her over.

      She slipped her arm from Jonny’s grasp. “Your sister calls.”

      He gave a nod, and headed for Ty without looking back.

      She stood a moment to watch him cross the room, part of her wondering how it might be to really be on a date with Jonny.

      When she turned toward Rainie, someone caught her arm. Glancing over her shoulder, she cringed and then pulled herself together before facing him. “Erik, how are you?”

      “Neely.” He stared at her, his jaw loose as if it had a broken hinge. “Wow! You’re the last person in the world I expected to run into.”

      His gaze swept over her, and her discomfort increased. Words were lost in the jumble of thoughts running through her head. He’d grown more handsome. His boyish features had matured and strengthened. His sandy-colored hair had darkened to saddle brown, worn in a typical executive style with a fresh-cut look. He wore a sport coat with his shirt open at the neck and had the air of a man who’d just come from a business meeting.

      Erik’s eyes searched hers. “You look healthy.”

      Did he mean fat? Flushed? She probably was. Her face burned, as their past reeled into her mind. “Thanks. You look well, too, Erik.” Though her pulse raged, she managed to keep an even tone. Why did he have to approach her when she was alone?

      A waitress shifted beside Erik with a tray. “Would you like a drink?”

      Erik grasped a wineglass while she eyed the tray for a soft drink. “Is