A Hero for Her Heart (Truly Yours Digital Editions Book 885) Read Free

smiled and realized she was flirting, so she toned it down. “I guess I could also be considered a blacksmith, but I don’t do a lot of the heavier forging of iron or steel objects. I just shoe horses.”
    His smiled broadened, and his black eyes snapped with the kind of interest that flattered her. “I’m Derrick Owens. I’m in town for business.”
    “Allie Vahn.” She gave him a quick full-body glance. His jeans and polo shirt looked expensive. In fact, his persona screamed toned and well-to-do, which brought her back to reality. She’d had enough of spoiled men with a sense of entitlement like Michael.
    The horse jerked his head, and she chided herself for allowing her attention to wander.
    “I need to get back to work here.” Allie gestured at Chester.
    “Definitely a pleasure to meet you again.” He nodded, gave her another hundred-watt smile, then sauntered away.
    “I know where the term butterflies in my stomach comes from,” she murmured as she turned her concentration back to the shoe and drove in the last nail. Finally finished, she stood, stretched, and began to remove her chaps.
    Philip Maynard appeared as if on cue. “You done there?” He thrust out his chest like a banty rooster. “We don’t have long now before—”
    “I’m done.” Allie set her tools on the ground and unsnapped the leg straps of her leather chaps. “I’ll mail you a bill.” She skimmed the crowd with a detached air. The dark-haired stranger was nowhere in sight—and she had no good reason to feel disappointed. She did not need another man to deal with right now.
    “I’ll get Paige.” With labored breaths, Philip ambled away.
    “Whatever.” The horse shuffled nervously. Philip’s presence had disturbed him. Allie rubbed Chester in a soothing gesture. How had a simple day at the parade become so complicated? She had to get back to Danny.
    She rested her head against Chester’s warm neck, breathing in the distinct pleasant odor of horse. “C’mon, Mayor, I’ve got to get going.”
    “Allie.” Philip must have heard her thoughts. He was barreling toward her, waving frantically.
    The horse twitched. Allie straightened and watched, open-mouthed. How could Philip move so fast? What a red-faced, sweaty mess to behold.
    “We’ve got a huge problem,” he gasped when he reached her.
    Paige wasn’t the only one on the verge of heatstroke. Allie stepped back and attempted to hand the horse’s reins to him, but he shook his head, shooing her away. “I don’t know what to do.”
    Allie’s stomach clenched. The look in his eyes told her his problem was about to become hers. “Do about what?” Her tone was snarly, but she wasn’t about to apologize.
    “Paige has worked herself into a fit. She’s sick to her stomach.”
    “And?” The desperation in his eyes didn’t move her. “Someone can just fill in for her, can’t they?”
    His eyebrows shot up, and he smiled. “Why, that’s brilliant. You can do it.”
    “Oh no.” She shoved the reins at him. “No way. I’m here to watch the parade with Danny. Besides, I don’t have a costume.”
    Philip Maynard’s slit-eyed perusal told her he was calculating the best way to get her to acquiesce. “How about I pay you three times your rate for hammering on that shoe? And you can wear Paige’s costume. You’re about the same size.”
    Allie opened her mouth to say no, but the cost of Danny’s party and the mounting bills with late fees made her hold her tongue. Danny might enjoy seeing her ride in the parade, she reasoned. Or maybe not.
    “I’ll do it under one condition.” She couldn’t believe her own words.
    Philip breathed hard, watching her as if he was afraid of what she was going to ask.
    “You write me a check for that amount and give it to me today.”
    He nodded heartily. “You got it.”
    She handed him Chester’s reins. “I’ll meet you back here shortly. I need to explain to Danny what’s going on.”
    The mayor smiled. “I’ll have