A Hero for Tonight Read Online Free PDF Page A

asked, pulling open the door.
    “I’m so glad you’re still here. I’m sorry, I lost my cell phone. I think it may have fallen out on the wagon ride. I know it’s a bother, but well, it’s one of those new expensive ones and…” The woman glanced past her and the blue eyes widened.
    From behind Krista, Shane had appeared. The frown and grouchy face from earlier miraculously replaced by a warm smile.
    “Come on in,” he invited, pressing past Krista.
    She stumbled slightly as he brushed against her to open the door wider.
    “It’s supposed to snow tonight. I know it will be ruined, but I didn’t know what else to do.” The other woman sounded on the verge of tears.
    Krista felt bad, but it would be impossible to even begin to know where to look. Shutting the door, she turned around. “It’s dark now. The best I can offer is that I’ll look first thing in the morning and let you know immediately if I find it.”
    “No point waiting until tomorrow,” Shane offered quickly. “We’ve got plenty of flashlights; we’ll find it.”
    Krista’s mouth dropped open. Five minutes ago, he was on her about getting out of here. It wasn’t as if this was life or death and had to be tonight. It was just a cell phone, for goodness’ sakes.
    “My parents bought the phone for us before we moved. I know they didn’t put insurance on it.” The blonde glanced at Krista. “I’m sorry to be such a bother.”
    “No problem at all,” Shane said. “If your cell is out there all night, it’ll be ruined for sure. These days, it’s a safety factor to make sure you have your phone with you all the time.”
    Krista bit her bottom lip. He’s acting as if the woman’s daughter was lost instead of her cell phone.
    “My parents have probably already called and wondered why we aren’t answering. I was so confident not getting a land line, but now I feel, well, so vulnerable.” Her big blue eyes lifted to Shane’s face in appeal.
    Krista wanted to hurl. Was the woman seriously upset? Or was this a ploy to get Shane’s attention?
    “I’ll grab my coat.” He hurried to the back of the store.
    The woman held out her hand. “I’m Melissa Steeple and this is Brittany. I know you and your husband probably want to get home. I’m so sorry for this burden.”
    Krista shook her hand. “Shane is definitely not my husband.” She almost added that she was more than welcome to him, until she saw the way the woman’s eyes lit up at her announcement. Instead, she waved her arm toward the coffeemaker. “There’s a bit of cider or coffee still warm. Would either of you like something hot to drink?”
    The little girl glanced up at her mother with a shy smile.
    Krista grinned. “How about you and I get some cider while your mom goes with Deputy Donovan and looks for her phone?”
    “Oh, I couldn’t impose. Really, she’ll be fine with me.”
    “It’s no problem. I mean, I understand if you don’t want to leave her with a stranger.” Krista shrugged. “But seriously, Shane is the deputy sheriff, he can vouch for me.”
    Melissa’s face reddened slightly. “I didn’t mean I don’t trust you. I just well, I feel like I’m bothering you enough.”
    “Melissa, you will quickly find out that in this town, we all help each other. Come on, Brittany. Let’s get a cookie while your mom finds the phone.”
    Brittany scampered alongside her as Shane came out of the backroom with enough flashlights to light a runway. Krista’s gaze met his, but she didn’t bother to comment that finding a phone, if it was even in the orchard, was going to be as hard as the proverbial needle in a haystack.
    “We won’t be long,” he muttered without even looking at her before turning to Melissa with a bright smile. “Why don’t you give me your number, and I’ll put it in my phone. Then we can call it while we ride the path we took earlier.”
    Smooth, Donovan. Krista shook her head. Shane now had the phone number for the young mom, who