Her Valentine Hero. Gail Gaymer Martin

wink sent prickles down her arm, and a witty retaliation failed her.

      He started his backward walk toward his team. “So what about joining me?”

      His easy spirit and charm made her head spin while curiosity got the better of her. “Sounds nice, Jonny. I’m staying at my dad’s. You remember where it is?”

      “How could I forget?” His backward jog picked up. “Give me a couple hours. Let’s call it dinner.”

      He darted off, and she watched him go, still trying to turn that good-looking man into Rainie’s brother who’d been the bane of her teen years. And if that didn’t confuse her, her heartbeat, flitting like a bird in spring, did.

      * * *

      Jon strode along the sidewalk beside Neely, amazed that she’d agreed to have dinner with him. When they were growing up, she avoided him every chance she had. But he couldn’t blame her. He was four years younger than she, and obnoxious. Boys who’d just learned about girls and had to deal with the first twitches of testosterone failed to make wise decisions when it came to falling in love. Neely had hung in his mind forever. And today, Neely, the woman, tightened the noose without knowing. He’d thought about her all these years, never suspecting the Lord would bring her back into his life. But here she was.

      In his peripheral vision, he drank in her profile, the tilt of her well-shaped nose, the fullness of her lips, the rounded shape of her cheek molding into her defined jaw. His hopes lifted knowing he would see her around town—maybe even back on the track—but he wanted so much more, and most important, he needed to test the waters. “Are you looking forward to seeing Erik at Rainie and Ty’s engagement party?”

      Her eyes darkened. “Erik? You mean Erik Cross? Don’t tell me he’s still in town.” A look of panic filled her face.

      Though her expression heightened his confidence, it confused him. “Erik joined his dad’s company after college so he’s still in the area.” He studied her, trying to make sense out of what had just happened. Panic didn’t seem appropriate. “Sorry I mentioned him. I didn’t realize you had bad—”

      Her distraught look remained. “Maybe you didn’t know—you were so young—but I broke off our relationship.” She shrugged. “He started talking marriage, and I realized I had a whole life in front of me.”

      He’d known about her breakup with Erik. Rainie and she had talked about it, and he’d overheard some of their conversations, but Neely had been the one to end it so why did it still hold a sting? Her attitude turned him upside down. It didn’t quite make sense. To him real love meant he would have a whole world in front of him to be with the woman he loved. “You two were a thing back in high school.”

      “I know. We broke up just before he left for college.”

      Her comment seemed an afterthought, yet he struggled with her strained expression. “Sorry, Neely. I knew you weren’t together because I knew you hadn’t married him. But I didn’t know you had bad feelings.”

      She shook her head. “I need to get over it.” She averted her eyes and kicked at a stone on the sidewalk. “Where is this restaurant, anyway?”

      “Right up ahead.” He pointed to the purple-and-green-striped awning a block away. “It’s called Pronto.” He slipped his hand to her shoulder, wanting to ease her edginess. “Can we forget my earlier reference and cheer up?”

      She tilted her head toward him. “I am cheery, but I’m not happy to hear Erik’s coming to the party. Why was he invited?”

      “He’s a friend of Ty’s.”

      She drew up her shoulders. “I’ll just steer clear of him. I’m not in the mood for auld lang syne.” Her lips curved to a faint grin. “You know what I mean?”

      He agreed, but he really didn’t know what she meant unless her reference hinted at Erik’s problem. Cheating on his wife had ended Erik’s marriage. Maybe it ended Neely’s relationship with him, too.

      They walked the rest of the way in silence, and he was grateful when they’d reached the restaurant. He opened the door, wishing he could start their visit again. “How about over there?” He motioned to the empty table.

      She nodded and followed his direction without comment, and once seated, she studied the menu while he studied her. Being with Neely seemed like a dream. Years ago he’d been Rainie’s brother. Today he’d become an equal. At least an equal in his mind. “Does having dinner with me seem strange?” He lowered his menu to the table.

      Her head jerked upward as color tinted her face. “You must have read my mind.”

      He wished he could. “No, but I’m a good guesser.”

      A grin flickered on her lips. “I’m trying to acclimate myself to the situation. If it weren’t for your gorgeous eyes, I’d think you were an imposter.”

      Her resolute gaze nearly caused his undoing. “I hope that’s a compliment.”

      “It is.” She turned her attention to the menu.

      Aware that he’d reaped a compliment from Steely Neely sent his pulse racing. But then reality brought it to a halt. A compliment was only that. He wanted so much more. “Rainie said you’re home to stay.”

      She inched her head upward as if in thought. “Not sure about the ‘to stay’ part, but right now I’m home without other plans. I was laid off from Zigman’s, and with the economy so bad, I read the writing on the wall. The layoff would be permanent.”

      “You didn’t read the writing well enough, I’m afraid.” He hated being the bearer of bad news, but she needed to know.

      She tilted her head as if puzzled.

      “Michigan’s economy is rotten, too.”

      “I know. It’s the pits.” Her face shadowed. “It doesn’t matter, I guess. I really came back for Dad and my sister. It’s been tough for Ashley.”

      Those feelings were ones he understood. “Losing a husband with a newborn baby is something I can’t even wrap my mind around.” Neely’s expression deepened his sadness.

      “Jonny.” She gave his arm a pat. “Thanks for caring.”

      Her hand didn’t move, and the warmth radiated to his chest. He looked into her eyes, wishing he could resolve her problems for her.

      Something seemed to distract her, and she sat a moment in silence. Finally her face brightened. “Enough about me. Tell me about you.”

      “What do you want to know?”

      “I don’t remember your being involved in sports. What made you go into coaching?”

      He picked up on her evasion. Talking about him got her off the hook. “Remember what you said. You were older than I was so you probably wouldn’t have known what I enjoyed.” He twisted the knife a bit. He could play the age game, too.

      “I’m not that old.” She arched a brow.

      He arched his back. “And I’m not that young.”

      Her face broke into a full smile. “You got me.” She rested her cheek on her fist and studied him.

      “And I remember a lot of things about you...even at my very young age.” He gave the knife another playful thrust.

      She didn’t flinch. “Go on. You’ve captured my interest. What do you remember?” She leaned closer and grasped his hand. “This is fun, Jonny.”

      Fun for her, but serious for him. He wasn’t that boy any longer, not by a long shot. He was a man—a football coach with respect from his team and the community—not an irritating kid. And he wanted her to know it. “How about calling me Jon?”

      She drew back, releasing his hand. “Jon? That sounds weird.”