Heroes Never Die Read Online Free PDF Page B

stairs in her matching black heels with sophisticated ease.
    On her way to the family room she glanced toward the cherry mantelpiece in the formal living room and noticed her mother’s picture.  The resemblance between herself and her mother was becoming more apparent to her, and she wondered whether it was difficult for her dad to look at her face without being reminded of her mother’s tragic death.  He kept his grief hidden, recalling only fond memories, but there had been times when she caught him staring at her mother’s picture with tears spilling from his eyes.  If the striking resemblance was a hurtful reminder, he never said, and Stephanie loved him too much to cause him more pain by asking.
    Robert stood to his feet when Stephanie approached him.  “How do I look?” she asked as she held out her arms and turned in a circle so that he could admire her.
    Robert looked her over front and back.  “You look beautiful, sweetheart.”
    “Are you sure?  I’m a little nervous, this being my first date and all.  Do you think Brian will like this dress?”
    “I think when Brian sees you he will feel like the luckiest man in the world.”
    Stephanie was pleased.  “Thanks, Dad.  I knew I could count on you for a rave review.”
    The doorbell rang and Stephanie glided to the door to answer it.  “Hi, Brian,” she said in a spirited tone.  “Come in.”  Stephanie noticed his boyish grin right away.  She liked how his trendy jacket matched his dress shirt and khakis, and how his leather double-strapped loafers were polished to a glossy shine.  His woodsy cologne was not overpowering.  He had definitely put some thought into their first date.  He wants to make a good first impression, too.
    “You look sensational,” Brian said as he brought out a rose from behind his back.  “This is for you.”
    “Thank you.”  She lifted the yellow rose to her nose.  It smelled sweet and fragrant like her favorite perfume.  “How thoughtful of you.”  She took his arm and led him to the family room.  “Why don’t you visit with Dad while I put this in a vase.”  She went to the kitchen and filled a small crystal vase with tap water.  He’s certainly trying to make me feel special, she thought as she put the rose into the vase.  She smelled the rose again, taking a deep breath as she did.  She suddenly felt mellow inside.  Was it the fragrant rose, she wondered, or was it the thought of spending the evening with Brian?
    Stephanie heard a burst of laughter coming from the family room and it made her smile.  Brian already gets along with Dad.  That’s very important to me.  She walked back into the family room, and both men instantly stood to their feet.
    Brian stepped toward her.  “Are you ready to go,” he asked as he slipped his arm around her back and headed toward the door.
    Stephanie was not in a hurry.  “Don’t you want to stay and visit for a while?”
    “I’d love to, but we have reservations.”
    Her eyes lit up with excitement.  “Reservations?  Where are we going?”
    “It’s a surprise.  Do you like surprises?”
    “I love surprises.”
    “You kids have a good time tonight.”  Robert gently nudged Stephanie toward the door.
    Stephanie began to have second thoughts about leaving her dad.  “Are you sure you’ll be okay tonight?”
    “For the hundredth time, yes, now go,” he ordered as he kissed her cheek and pushed her toward the door.
    Halfway down the sidewalk, Stephanie came to a halt.  Something was wrong.  “Did you notice anything strange about Dad’s behavior?”
    “Like what?”
    “He seemed to be in a big hurry to push us out the door.  Do you think there’s something wrong?”
    “Nah,” Brian shrugged.  “He just wants us to have a good time, and I have no intention of letting him down.”
    Stephanie melted when she saw his mischievous grin.  “I don’t want to disappoint him, either.  Let’s go.”
    Brian drove to the historic