A Hero for Her Heart (Truly Yours Digital Editions Book 885) by Nancy Toback, Candice Miller Speare

the stairs to her room. She sent up a silent prayer for peace and took care not to slam her door.
    ❧
    That evening Derrick paced the parlor, reliving his conversation with Allie.
    “Will you be joining your parents for dinner?” Hank, the chef and all-around housekeeper, as well as one of Derrick’s confidants, stood at a discreet distance.
    Who could eat? “Hey, Hank. No thanks. Maybe later.”
    “If you need to talk, you let me know.”
    Derrick nodded. “Will do.” He needed to be alone with his thoughts. Hank disappeared before he could offer an apology for his rudeness, and he added another regret to his growing list, but he couldn’t bear to speak with anyone right now.
    “Oh Lord, give me wisdom.” Derrick went past the back staircase, bypassing the dining room unseen, and quietly walked down the hall. Lord, help me sort this out.
    He dropped into a comfortable leather chair in the library and closed his eyes. He hated having to make choices, but this is where he’d found himself—in the belly of the whale. He could disappoint his father, although that was nothing new, or he could shortchange Allie and her family. Or. . .
    He could confess all to his parents in the hopes that they’d understand. But that would mean betraying his sister. Going back on his word. Then there was Allie.
    Derrick massaged his aching forehead. He lived in a different reality than Allie. He had no money worries, didn’t believe money in and of itself was evil, and was grateful for the blessing now that he’d come to know God.
    “Derrick?” His father strode into the library. “I thought I heard you. I’d like to talk to you before dinner.”
    He acknowledged his dad with a nod.
    His father sat across from him on the sofa. “Have you seen Sandy?”
    “Earlier today, just briefly.” He held tight to his reserve. No emotions allowed.
    Dad shifted in his chair. “Have you seen Lynn lately?”
    Strange question and out of left field. “Lynn?” Derrick shook his head. “I haven’t seen her in months.”
    A frown formed a V in the middle of Dad’s forehead. “You stopped dating her?”
    Sad. But if he’d taken the time to talk regularly, his dad would’ve known. “Yes, we broke it off. A mutual decision.”
    “Ah. I see. She couldn’t take the other women in your life, no doubt.”
    Derrick focused harder on his father. He barely knew the man. He’d grown up watching him come and go and bark into the phone incessantly, happy when his dad tossed him a few crumbs of attention, wishing for so much more. But Sandy—Dad’s negligence was hardest on her. He often wondered if Sandy’s daredevil antics were to get attention from the man she called “Daddy dear.”
    “I want to discuss keeping the business in the family.”
    “It is in the family.” Derrick tugged at his tie. Where was this leading? “It’s you and me.”
    “Yes, and therein lies the problem.” Dad stood and paced the room. “Your mother mentioned that the Victors recently had a grandson.”
    Understanding hit like a sledgehammer. “Are you suggesting I get married and have children just to carry on the Owens name?”
    “You’re thirty-two going on twelve.” Dad scowled. “Aimless. Don’t you feel it’s your duty to—”
    “Duty?” Derrick slapped his hand on the arm of the chair and stood. “I’m not going to be the king of England. Do you think I’d marry a woman I don’t love so I can give you heirs to the business?” Even as he said the words, his thoughts went straight to Danny. This confirmed Derrick’s feelings. He’d never be able to tell his father he already had a grandson. Worse, that meant he couldn’t be honest with Allie. Sandy was right. Dad would never leave the Vahns in peace, especially now that Danny’s adoptive parents were dead. Where did that leave the Vahns legally?
    Dad crossed the room and stood directly in front of him. Odd that they could be so physically similar and yet completely opposite in