Her Only Hero Read Online Free PDF Page A

shield dropped into
place and she gave him
    a polite, meaningless smile.
    “I guess
all I can do is say thanks.”
    She turned away. He stood watching as she picked up a box and
began loading debris into it.
    Laura had her game face back on now. But he’d seen behind it,
and that glimpse into her shook him. A man would have to be crazy to get
involved with someone who was carrying that load of grief.
    Not that he was even thinking about doing such a thing.
    Laura was still wondering what she was doing when she arrived at
the Flanagan house for dinner a few evenings later. She was usually quite good
at getting out of things she didn’t want to do. Unfortunately she’d found that
Siobhan Flanagan was very difficult to keep saying no to.
    Maybe it was because Siobhan had been her church-school teacher,
back when she’d still had a child’s faith, thinking that every problem could be
solved by prayer. She was swept with a sudden wave of longing to be back in
that church-school room, sitting in the child-size chair and hearing Bible
stories told in Siobhan’s soft, loving voice.
    A person could never go back, although the Flanagans seemed to
be doing a good job of keeping their lives just the way they’d been.
    She held Mandy’s hand as they started up the walk to the
welcoming brick house. Everything about the neighborhood—the mature trees, the
old-fashioned flowerbeds brimming with tulips and irises, the comfortable old
two-story homes—said that here was a place where people found safety and
serenity.
    She smiled at her daughter as they reached the steps that led to
the wide front porch. Pansies crowded pots on either side of the stairs, and a
cushion-piled porch swing creaked a little in the breeze.
    “Mrs. Flanagan has pretty flowers, doesn’t she?”
    Mandy nodded, her small face tense, and Laura’s throat clenched.
She was taking her daughter into the sort of situation she usually avoided,
just because she couldn’t say no to Siobhan.
    “We don’t have to stay long, okay? We can go home right after
supper if you want to.”
    “Okay.”
    She smiled, touching Mandy’s cheek. “Good talking, Mandy.” Mandy
didn’t verbalize very often since her hearing had worsened, so it was an
occasion for praise when she did.
    She squeezed her daughter’s hand, and together they approached
the door. It was flung open before she could knock. Three children crowded
around them, making Mandy shrink against her.
    “They’re here, they’re here!” The oldest, a girl who must be
about six or so, caught Mandy’s hand and pulled her inside. “Grammy, they’re
here.”
    Flanagans. Obviously they were all three Flanagans, with the
same reddish-gold hair and blue eyes. If only they weren’t quite so friendly—it
was like being surrounded by a bunch of puppies, all trying to jump on her.
    “Enough shouting.” Siobhan grabbed the smallest boy and held him
close. “You sound like a bunch of hooligans. Welcome, Laura. Mandy. We’re glad
you’re here.”
    “Thank you for inviting us.” How soon would it be polite to
leave?
    “These two monsters are Mary Kate’s.” She touched the oldest
girl and the boy who looked about Mandy’s age. “Shawna and Michael.” She
squeezed the smaller boy. “And this is Seth’s little boy, Davy.”
    The front door opened into a large, comfortable, slightly shabby
living room. The adults all seemed to be gathered around the fireplace. All of
them were looking at her.
    Siobhan led her forward and began introducing them. Mandy stayed
close behind her, clutching her hand tightly. Most of them she knew already,
but she hadn’t met Brendan’s wife or Seth’s fiancée. She nodded, smiled, and
decided that there were way too many Flanagans.
    One was missing, though. She’d recognized the moment she entered
the room that Ryan wasn’t here. On duty, maybe? Before she could be sure
whether she felt relief or disappointment, he came striding in from what was
probably the kitchen.
    She