Heart of a Hero (New Beginnings Book 4) Read online

  The sound of her anguish made him feel so helpless. He stroked her back and cradled her as though she would break at any moment. Somehow he would catch this robbery gang.

  * * *

  “Why is Joey here?” Andy asked Lisa when they entered the women’s shelter.

  “To help serve Thanksgiving dinner like us.”

  “But he’s in trouble. He broke the law.”

  Lisa stepped away from the entrance and to the side so no one would hear their conversation. “Andy, David told me he was bringing Joey to help here and then have dinner with us at Kelli’s. Mitch will be here, too. Joey will have to face his crime through the juvenile system. He isn’t getting off scot-free.”

  “But—but Joey’s probably the one who slipped me the drug. He’ll probably try something here.”

  “David’s trying to help him.”

  “Why?”

  “Because it’s the right thing to do. We should try and help, too.”

  His lips puckered into a pout. “I don’t like this.”

  “Maybe Joey needs the right friend to show him the way.”

  “Well, that’s not gonna be me,” Andy muttered while walking away.

  Lisa started to follow her son across the dining room toward the kitchen when Mitch entered. She stopped to speak to her employee. “Are you okay after the robbery yesterday?”

  “Yeah. Having a gun waved in your face can make a person definitely look at his life. How about you?”

  “All I wanted to do was hold Andy last night.” And be held by David again. “I’m glad you could make it, Mitch.”

  “I wanted to be with my brother for Thanksgiving, and this was the only way. I’m all he has now.”

  “How long has your father been gone?”

  “A few months. I’m nineteen, but I don’t think the court is gonna let me be Joey’s guardian after what happened.”

  After David took Joey to the police station, the state stepped in. Joey had spent the first few days in juvenile detention until a judge made a tentative ruling to be reviewed later. The state had custody of him now, and he had been sent to Stone’s Refuge. “For the time being he’s in a good place. The fifth cottage at the refuge is for boys who need more guidance. Thankfully there was a place for Joey.”

  “Yeah, but he ain’t too happy.”

  “I didn’t think he would be. He needs help, but he doesn’t see it that way.”

  Mitch looked toward his younger brother. “When I called him last night, he spent most of the time complaining about the program he has to complete before the court will even consider who’ll be his guardian.”

  “It’s based on a relationship-healing model. I’ve heard good things about the Seven Steps to Healing.”

  “I don’t know how much he’ll cooperate.”

  Lisa began walking toward the kitchen area with Mitch next to her. “If he wants things to change, he’ll need to.”

  “He’s hardheaded.” Mitch shook his head. “The house parent had him mucking out the horses’ stalls yesterday afternoon because he started a fight and was put in detention at school. I was like Joey. I know it doesn’t get you anyplace, all that anger lashing out, but he doesn’t.”

  “And he’s not listening to you either?”

  “No. He doesn’t understand why I’m working so hard and not making much money. I told him until I graduate from high school I’m limited in what I can do—legally. I’m finishing up high school this semester. I have plans to go on to college—someday.”

  “Good for you.” Lisa stepped into the large kitchen. “Be patient. I’m sure it will work out in the end.”

  “I’ll try. What should I do here today?” Mitch asked, scanning the people all busy at various stations.

  “I just got here, and I haven’t asked. Let’s find Kelli. She runs the shelter.”

  Kelli stood in front of a counter with the cabinet open, removing dinner plates from the shelf. After forming several stacks, she sidled to another cupboard and took down glasses.

  “Kelli, this is Mitch, Joey’s brother. We both want to know how we can help.”

  “Mitch, how about you grab Joey, Andy and Abbey and get them to set the tables? My daughter is around here somewhere.” Kelli peered around the teenager. “Ah, there’s Abbey. I was afraid she’d skipped out.” She gestured toward her daughter across the room, lounging against the wall, arms folded over her chest.

  After Mitch left to gather his helpers, Lisa asked, “How about me?”

  “Help my brother decorate the pumpkin cupcakes. I’ve got all you’ll need set up at the table over there. Your main job will be to keep David from eating any. Tell him I have a pumpkin cheesecake at home for later tonight. That ought to satisfy him for the time being.” Kelli waved her hand toward the area. “Most everything else is almost done. David just finished carving the turkeys. I’ve just finished whipping up the mashed potatoes. All I have to do is take the bean casseroles and dressing out of the ovens, and we’ll be ready.”

  “Isn’t there anything else I can do?” Lisa glanced at the table off to the side that Kelli indicated. Two chairs sat side by side—only a foot apart. She’d seen David less than twenty-four hours ago at the robbery scene at The Ultimate Pizzeria. That whole few hours were a blur to her, even when he’d insisted on taking her home and making sure Hannah came to stay with her. But the one thing she did remember was the feel of his arms about her. For a short while she’d felt secured and comforted. But now this was reality—one where her past still hung between them.

  “I thought you and David had settled your differences.”

  “We’re working on it.”

  Kelli leaned close and whispered, “When it comes to my brother, I’ve decided he’s clueless about women.”

  “It’s complicated.” As my life has been lately.

  Lisa approached the workplace and took a chair, scooting it to the end, several feet away from where David would sit. She could still remember smelling his lime-scented aftershave the other night and how her pulse quickened. How he had comforted her after the robbers. She was falling in love and saw no future with David. With the other aromas, pumpkin, dressing, turkey, spicing the air, she should be safe, but just in case, this three-foot separation should take care of it.

  In front of her were about four dozen cupcakes and a large bowl of butter cream frosting. In a smaller one there were candy corns to place on top of the iced desserts. As she picked up a knife, David emerged from a walk-in refrigerator to her left side and took his seat.

  “How are you doing, Lisa? Did you get any sleep last night?”

  She connected with his serious look. “Better today than yesterday, but no sleep.”

  “I can imagine. I’m going to get that robbery gang. They’ve become bolder. They’ll make a mistake, and I’ll be there to get them.”

  The vehement tone in his voice convinced Lisa if anyone could, it would be David. She could still feel and remember his arms about her while he whispered words of comfort. For that brief time he’d held her, she’d felt totally safe. His solace the day before had made her yearn for more, but after what had happened when she told him about her past, she didn’t think that was possible.

  “Thanks for coming.” He grinned, a dimple in his cheek appearing. “I would have been in hot water with my sister if you hadn’t. And frankly, I have enough to deal with concerning Joey. I think I’ve bit off more than I can handle.”

  “I was surprised by that.”

  “So was I. I picked Joey up at the refuge to spend the day with us, and the whole way he glared out the windshield, not saying one word. I understand he asked Roman when he would get out of ‘prison,’ which is his word for the refuge.” David iced one cupcake, then picked up another.

  “He’s lucky he got into the drug program at the refuge and didn’t go to juvenile detention. The only reason he isn’t is you pulled a few strings and know Peter and Roman. Maybe you should give him an idea of what a real prison is like. If h
e continues on the path he’s been taking, that’s where he’ll end up. That or dead.”

  “That’s a wonderful idea! That’s what I’m gonna do. I even know a group he can visit to hear from prisoners about what goes on inside.”

  “Why did you take Joey on? Andy was so upset when he heard he was going to be here. I had to threaten him with grounding if he didn’t come.”

  “I’m sorry. I’ll talk with Andy. And as for the reason, I’m not sure I can put it into words.” David scooped some more frosting onto his butter knife and lathered another cupcake with it. “Something’s lacking in my life. I guess you could say I’m searching.”

  “I used to feel that way.”

  “Used to? What changed for you?”

  “I found a purpose. If you don’t have a purpose, you just go through the motions of living.”

  “What’s your purpose?”

  “To live a life in Christ, which means staying off drugs.”

  “So, your faith has stopped you from relapsing?”

  She nodded, finishing her thirteenth cupcake. “That and not letting Andy down like that ever again.”

  “You make it sound easy, but I’ve dealt with enough addicts to know it isn’t.”

  “And you’re right. I didn’t come to this place in my life easily. I did have a relapse in my first few months in rehab, and I ended up in the hospital. My ex-boyfriend beat me up, and if Hannah and Jacob hadn’t found me, no telling if I’d have been here right now. It was snowing and I was in an alley, going in and out of consciousness. I could have frozen to death if they hadn’t come when they did on Christmas Eve.”

  “You think bringing Joey to church will help?”

  “It won’t hurt. I’ll pray that he’ll be open to hearing what the Lord says. But truthfully he might have to hit rock bottom before he’s ready to listen to anyone.”

  “You hit rock bottom?” His gaze captured hers, genuine interest in the depth of his eyes.

  That look sparked hope in Lisa. “Yes. I’d lost my son and knew I couldn’t stay with my boyfriend. I didn’t have a job and no means of support. Hannah and Jacob got me into a homeless shelter run by their church. They gave me hope.”

  David looked at her long and hard. Before he could say anything, though, shouting from the dining room warned Lisa of trouble brewing with Andy yelling at Joey. She pushed to her feet and hurried toward the sound. She heard David’s chair scraping across the tiles behind her.

  “You can’t do anything right! That’s not how to set a table.” Andy stood nose-to-nose with Joey, both boys’ hands fisted at their sides.

  “Who in the world wants to set a table anyway?” Joey thrust out his chest, almost bumping into Andy.

  Lisa was halfway across the room when Mitch stepped in between the boys. “I do for my job. Here let me show you.” The older teen moved to the nearest table and started putting out the dishes.

  Joey snorted and spun around, fleeing the room.

  David sighed next to her. “I’d better make sure he doesn’t run away. Can you finish the cupcakes?”

  “Yes. Go. I need to speak with Andy.”

  As David left the dining room, Lisa faced her son whose features had hardened into a fierce frown. “Andy, are you all right?” It wasn’t like her son not to be patient, caring of others. He often taught the younger kids at the refuge various jobs.

  “He doesn’t belong here. He needs to be…” His anger choked off his words, his cheeks flushed cherry red.

  “You need to work on forgiving Joey. He needs your help, hon. He’s in a lot of pain, but he won’t admit that. His father left him and Mitch. He has trouble in school. According to you, not many friends, and the ones he has aren’t good for him. He needs a friend like you.” The second she said it she wished she could take it back because she wasn’t sure she really wanted Andy and Joey to be friends. Forgiving was one thing, but befriending was another.

  His eyes huge, Andy worked his mouth, but nothing came out.

  “I didn’t say forgiving Joey would be easy, just something you need to think about doing. I’ve done a lot of things wrong in my life, and thankfully the Lord forgave me, no questions asked. He expects the same from us.” As she spoke, she realized that even if David never forgave her, the Lord had. It was time she forgave herself.

  “I don’t know that I can, Mom.”

  She started to draw him into a hug, but her son shrugged away.

  “I’ve got work to do, especially because Joey left.” Andy evaded her and took his dishes and utensils to a table at the other end of the room.

  Lord, give me the patience to show Andy the way.

  * * *

  David found Joey outside on the street, his hands rammed into his pockets, hunkered against the side of the building. The wind whipped down the street, stirring the fallen leaves in a swirl. The chill bit right through David. Like Joey he hadn’t retrieved his coat before leaving the shelter.

  Joey took one look at David and pivoted away, but the teen went only a few feet. “I ain’t talking.”

  “Then listen. You have a choice here. You can either go through the program at the refuge or go to the juvenile detention center. If you think the refuge is a prison, then remember what the detention center was like.”

  “Yeah, right. I can’t do a thing. What can be worse? I have to go through some stupid program about building good relationships. Ain’t nothing wrong with my life. I get along just fine with the people I want to.”

  “The way you’re heading, your life will end one of two ways—dying young or ending up in prison.”

  Joey straightened to his full height, but in the process shivered from the piercing cold, defeating the purpose of the defiant gesture. “We’ll all die one day.”

  “We can talk inside.”

  Joey raised his chin a notch. “What’s the matter? Is a little cold too much for ya?”

  “Then we’ll talk out here. Why were you on the basketball team?”

  Joey batted his eyes rapidly, as though he were surprised by the question, before he managed to mask his expression behind a stoic facade. He shrugged. “You tell me.”

  “I think you like to play the game. You’re good at it when you keep your mind on it.”

  He glared at David. “You took care of that. I’m off the team. Remember?”

  The hostility flowed off the teen, striking David. In his profession he’d dealt with these kinds of intense emotions often, but this was personal, and he wasn’t going to let this child push him away. He’d committed himself to helping Joey—somehow. “You’re welcome back when you apologize to your teammates and have given up drugs—selling and taking.”

  “Yeah, well, don’t hold your breath. I don’t need y’all.” Joey folded his arms across his chest and tried to cover up a shudder.

  But I need you. That thought came unbidden into David’s mind and stunned him. Was Joey his purpose? Was helping Joey going to heal him? He didn’t have answers, just knew he had to do this.

  “I used to think I didn’t need anyone either. Life gets awfully lonely without people in it.”

  “I have friends. I just don’t need you and the others on the team.”

  One of his so-called friends when questioned gave him up for spiking Andy’s sports drink. David intended to show Joey the difference between a good and a bad friend. First, he was going to take Joey to church Sunday. Second, he was going to give him a tour of a prison and then a part of town where druggies hung out. He wanted Joey to see what became of people on drugs after a while.

  “That’s your choice. We’re there for you if you change your mind, though.”

  Joey tossed his head toward the shelter’s entrance. “Yeah, that looked like Andy was on my side in there.”

  “Do you blame him? You doctored his drink with an antidepressant.”

  “I was doing him a favor. Showing him what a good time he could have. He’s such a nerd.”

  “At least now you aren’t denying you di
d it.” A strong gust pierced any warmth David had managed to generate.

  Joey’s shoulders hunched forward, his teeth chattering. “What good would that do? Sam said I did it, and y’all believed him.”

  “Are you telling me you didn’t?”

  “Would you believe me if I did?”

  “Depends.”

  Joey stared at David for a long moment.

  The front door opened, the sound drawing David’s gaze away. Lisa exited the shelter, his coat in her hand along with Joey’s. Seeing her lifted David’s spirits like a ray of light penetrating the darkness.

  “I thought you two could use these.” She handed him his, then gave Joey his jacket.

  The child snatched it and quickly donned it while David slipped into his. In the short time he had been outside he hadn’t realized how cold he’d become until the warmth encased him. But when he glanced back at Joey, the teen still shivered.

  “We need to serve the ladies and their children soon. Are you two coming in to help?” Lisa asked, concern in her eyes when she looked at Joey, obviously chilled, his face pasty white with a tinge of blue on his lips. “We need you two.” She directed the last sentence at Joey.

  “Oh, I guess I can help.” The teen pushed between them and hurried toward the door.

  “Thank you. I wasn’t sure if I could get him back inside. You gave him an out.”

  “Glad to help. I’m gathering your conversation didn’t go well.”

  “Nope, but I didn’t expect Joey to all of a sudden become my new best bud.”

  She chuckled, lightening the serious mood. “Let’s go in. Maybe helping others will end up helping him.”

  “Anything is possible.”

  “Yes, there’s always hope.”

  Hope. He’d lost that a long time ago. Was that what he needed? Hope that he would get his life back together. Hope that he would wake up each day and have a reason to drive his life. Hope that people could really change.

  Chapter Eight

  Sitting in Kelli’s den, sated after a wonderful Thanksgiving meal, Lisa cupped her mug of hot chocolate and listened as each person said what they were thankful for. Joey had refused to say anything while Andy across the room from his ex-teammate had announced he was thankful for not being hurt by the antidepressant given to him the previous weekend. Both boys glared at each other. The silence in the room had grown until David coughed and asked if anyone wanted refills on their drink.