Seth scooped his son up and held him against his chest. Davy, say hello to Ms. White.
Davy stuck his finger in his mouth, then apparently decided she was okay and lunged toward her. Julies arms went out automatically to grasp him, and he threw his arms around her neck in a hug.
Sorry about that. Davys a born hugger.
Thats all right. She looked a little stunned. Hello, Davy. Its nice to meet you.
The words were conventional. Her expression wasnt, and it rocked him back on his heels.
He took a breath, trying to adjust his impressions of her once again. His brother wouldnt call her an ice maiden now. Julie had plenty of feelings.
The rest of that conversation flickered through his mind. No, he certainly wouldnt be expressing any interest in Julie White. He wanted someone safe, and what he read in Julies sea-green eyes wasnt safe at all.
MARTA PERRY
has written everything from Sunday school curriculum to travel articles to magazine stories in twenty years of writing, but she feels shes found her home in the stories she writes for Love Inspired.
Marta lives in rural Pennsylvania, but she and her husband spend part of each year at their second home in South Carolina. When shes not writing, shes probably visiting her children and her beautiful grandchildren, traveling or relaxing with a good book.
Marta loves hearing from readers and shell write back with a signed bookplate or bookmark. Write to her c/o Steeple Hill Books, 233 Broadway, Suite 1001, New York, NY 10279, e-mail her at marta@martaperry.com, or visit her on the Web at www.martaperry.com.
Hero Dad
Marta Perry
For God has not given us a spirit of fear,
but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.
2 Timothy 1:7
This story is dedicated to Herb and Barb Johnson,
with much love.
And, as always, to Brian.
Dear Reader,
Im so glad you decided to pick up this book, and I hope my story touches your heart. The Flanagan firefighter series is very dear to me, and I hope you enjoy reading about the firefighter heroes as much as I enjoy writing about them.
Julie and Seth both have burdens to carry, and I loved the fact that they could learn to share them with each other for the sake of a special little boy.
I owe special thanks to my daughter Lorie, for her photographic expertise, and to my grandson, Bjoern, for reminding me of what its like to be three years old.
I hope youll write and let me know how you liked this story. Address your letter to me at Steeple Hill Books, 233 Broadway, Suite 1001, New York, NY 10279, and Ill be happy to send you a signed bookplate or bookmark. You can visit me on the Web at www.martaperry.com or e-mail me at marta@martaperry.com.
Blessings,
Contents
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter One
She was not afraid. Julie Alexander paused in front of the trim brick firehouse, clutching her camera bag as if it were a lifeline. She wasnt afraid to go inside and risk confronting the man who had the power to break her heart.
No. The denial was instant and automatic. She didnt have to risk anything. As long as Seth Flanagan didnt know who she was, she had nothing to fear.
For God has not given us a spirit of fear The promise ought to be familiar to her. Shed had to rely on it often enough.
The red brick of the building in front of her looked mellow in the late September sunshine, like so many of the century-old brick buildings shed seen in this small Pennsylvania city. The bay doors stood open, revealing the red and chrome hoods of fire engines. As she moved, an orangey red leaf from one of the maples that lined the street fluttered past her shoulder. It clung for a moment to the camera bag and then dropped at her feet. Her mind automatically began to compose a picture.
But there would be no hiding behind the camera lens today, no matter how much she might wish it. She stepped over the leaf and into the cavernous interior of the firehouse.
Three men leaned against a fire truck, their strong bodies forming a frame around the gold letters on its side: Suffolk Fire Department. She picked out Seth Flanagan instantly from the photograph her private investigator had provided.
His face, relaxed and smiling, was turned toward one of the other men, who was obviously telling a story. They hadnt seen her yet, which gave her a moment to study him. He was tall, solidly built, with broad shoulders and deep auburn hair that might once have been red. That easy grin of his had probably been the first thing that had attracted her sister.
Though she hadnt moved, something alerted the men to her presence. Seth straightened, frowning a little as his gaze met hers. He started toward her.
Her heart jolted at that frown. If he knew who she was
No, he couldnt know. Lisa had been very clear, in that last letter of hers, that her two lives would never touch in any way. Her husband and his family would replace the birth family that had made her so unhappy.
She arranged a smile and stepped toward him. Hello. Im looking for Seth Flanagan.
Julie Alexander might know what her brother-in-law looked like, but photojournalist J. White certainly shouldnt.
Im Seth. He held out his hand, but the frown lingered in eyes that were so bright a golden brown that they looked like topaz. Youd be the photographer. The chief told us you were coming.
The way he said the words revealed the reason for the frown. It wasnt her personally he objected to. It was being expected to work with her.
Im very grateful to Chief Donovan for his cooperation. She chose her words carefully. Shed better make it clear that his cooperation wasnt optional. Hes told me that your family will be perfect for my photo article on firefighters.
You wanted a family of firefighters, and thats us. One of the other men approached.
Hair so dark it was almost black, eyes a deep Irish blue, as tall as Seth but not as broadthe coloring might be different, but the resemblance was still strong enough that shed have pegged them for brothers even if she hadnt known.
And you are? She held out her hand.
Ryan Flanagan. The smile he turned on her probably charmed every woman he met. Im the one the chief should have assigned to work with you.
She disengaged her hand. Im sure he had reasons for his choice. Aside from the fact that shed manipulated her requirements to be sure he picked Seth.
Yeah. Hes grooming my big brother for promotion. Ryan elbowed Seth and got a glare in return. Thinks hes got what it takes to move up.
Some emotion she couldnt identify flickered across Seths face for a second, and then it was gone. The chief just knows Im more reliable than you are, thats all.
But less fun. Ryan turned the grin on her again. So, J. White. What does the J. stand for?
Julie.
Pretty name.
She glanced at Seth, to find him watching his brothers flirting, a slight smile on his face. At a guess, that was a habitual posture for him, standing back, watching his brother show off. He didnt seem to need to be the center of attention. Solid, masculine, he was a man used to tough work and comfortable in his own skin.
Enough, Ryan. He brushed his brother off easily when he was ready. This is business, not romance central. Go polish a truck.
The man behind them snickered. Ryan shot a look toward him and then shrugged. Later, Julie. He gave her that charming smile once more and moved off.
The chief says itll take a couple of weeks for you to do this article of yours. Seths reluctance came through in the words. That seems like a long time to be tagging around after us.
You make me sound like a little sister who wants to play with the big boys.
His grin appeared again, relaxing his face. I already have one of those, thanks. Shes a paramedic with the department. Believe me, she outplays the big boys.
That would be Terry, she knew from the private investigators report. Id like to meet her.
You will if youre really doing this story on us.
Again she sensed his unwillingness. Shed better try to establish some sort of rapport with him if she wanted to get close enough for this to work.
I know it sounds as if my presence is going to be an imposition, but I promise, eventually youll forget Im even there. Thats when Ill get the pictures that will tell the story.
A family of firefighters. I know. He said the words with a certain air of resignation, as if he were used to being categorized that way.
Itll be a good story. Assuming she actually published it. For an instant she felt confused. This was the first time in her professional life that the story was just an excuse for another objective.
Well, the family has agreed, so I guess were in, but maybe youd better meet us before you decide whether were right for your project. My mother asked me to invite you to the house for supper tonight. Everyone wont be there, but enough of us.
Hes from a big family, Lisas letter had said. All noisy and in each others faces all the time. At first it drove me crazy, but now I love it.
Lisa hadnt needed to point out how different it was from the Alexander family. Shed known Julie would understand.
That sounds great. Seth couldnt know that she was cringing inwardly at the idea of meeting the Flanagans en masse.
Around six, okay? We eat early so my little boy can have supper with us.
Davy would be there. Her heart began to thump. She would see her sisters child.
Six is fine.
Seth patted the pockets of his uniform pants. Do you have something I can write the address on?
She pulled a notebook and pen from her bag. He bent closer, his head near hers as he scribbled an address in the book. She got a faint whiff of soap, saw the sprinkling of freckles on his skin, felt the sheer masculine magnetism of the man.
Okay. She tried to settle her jangling nerves. This first encounter was almost over and nothing bad had happened. The next one would be easier.
She closed the notebook on the address and took a step back. Ill see you at six, then.
She turned toward the door. Relief settled over her. She could escape.
Julie? Seths voice held a question, and she glanced back at him. Have we met before?
A sudden panic rippled along her nerves. No. It took an effort not to let the fear show in her voice. Im sure we havent.
He shrugged. You looked a little familiar to me when you smiled.
Maybe I remind you of someone you know. Not Lisa. She and Lisa had had different mothers, and no one had ever thought they looked at all alike. Until Seth looked at her and saw something.
That must be it. A phone rang somewhere behind Seth, and he turned toward the sound.
Ill see you later, she said quickly, and fled to the door.
She didnt breathe again until she was safely out on the sidewalk. Of all the missteps shed envisioned, she hadnt thought of this one.
What else hadnt she thought of? She slid into the car shed rented for the trip, mind whirling. Had she missed anything else that could give her identity away to Seth? Or, worse, anything that could betray Lisas secret to her father?
She gripped the wheel with both hands. Help me, Lord. Im walking a tightrope, and if I fall, an innocent child could pay the price.
All Im saying is that shes not what I expected. Seth lowered the evening newspaper to frown at his brother. Hed put the paper up as a defense against Ryans insistence on talking about Julie White, but it wasnt working.
Ryan picked up a couple of scattered magazines and stuffed them into the basket beside Moms rocking chair. Shed whirled in from the kitchen a moment ago, taken one look at the two of them, and issued cleanup orders.
How different? Ryan grinned. Prettier?
Maybe. I pictured a nosy battle-ax out to make us look stupid. Or a bleeding heart whod write a tear-jerker that we could never live down.
Julie White hadnt fit either stereotype. With her cool, detached manner and her delicate blond looks, she had upset his calculations on how to deal with her. He stifled an exasperated sigh. He had enough to do without babysitting the woman through this story she wanted to do.
Shes no battle-ax, thats for sure. Ryan dropped into the chair opposite him.
Seth lifted an eyebrow at his younger brother. Are you planning on asking her out? Ryan had turned into the playboy of the family in recent years, never sticking with one woman for more than a few dates.
I thought about it. Ryan shrugged. But shes not really my type.
You have a type? I thought you flirted with every female you met.
Ryan grinned and tossed one of the magazines at him. I like a little warmth. J. Whites a tad too cool and unfeeling for me. Ice maidens arent worth the effort.
Seth considered that. He wouldnt have said unfeeling exactly. His sense of the woman had been that she was keeping a strong clamp on her emotions.
Ryan tossed another magazine, always ready to irritate one of his brothers. So, why dont you ask her out? Youre the one whos ready to get married, not me.
For the hundredth time Seth regretted confiding that in Ryan, of all people. I didnt say I was ready to get married. Just that maybe I should think about it, for Davys sake.
An almost-three-year-old needed a mother, and it wasnt fair to expect Mom to play that role indefinitely. So he had started looking around for someone whod make a good mother, someone who wanted a marriage based on companionship and building a family together.
Not one based on romance. His mind veered away from thinking about Lisa. About how hed failed her.
He was almost grateful for the knock on the door. Behave yourself tonight. He frowned at Ryan, who grinned back, unrepentant. And put those magazines away before Mom comes back in.