Heroes Never Die Read Online Free Page A

like him, too.”
    “Oh, brother,” he groaned as he shook his head.
    Stephanie wrinkled her nose.  “Is it that obvious?”
    “I can hear your heart throbbing from here.  And to think I’ll have to go through this all over again when he calls you tomorrow.”
    “You made your point.  I promise not to say another word about him until tomorrow.”  But her mind continued to swirl with thoughts of Brian.  The more she tried to bridle it, the worse it became.  “Daddy?”
    “Yes, Stephanie.”
    “Is it tomorrow yet?”
    Stephanie’s dad burst with robust laughter.  Hearing the voice she dearly loved made her feel warm and secure.  It felt good to be home.
    Known informally as Robert, Stephanie’s dad helped her into the car and then climbed into the driver’s side and headed for home.  For the first time that evening, Stephanie was quiet.  She rested her head against the window and watched as the stately buildings floated by her view.  The Capitol impressed her as much now as it had when she was a child.
    When her dad turned onto their street in Chevy Chase, Maryland, Stephanie perked up.  The giant maple trees that lined the quiet street waved hello to her, and the grand homes with manicured lawns seemed to be calling, “Welcome back, Stephanie.”  She looked down the block and spotted her home with excitement.  The harmonious southern colonial with slender white columns curtsied her arrival with a warm salute.  Her heart swelled with sentimental contentment.  She was anxious to go inside.
    Stephanie’s dad pulled up to the door on the wrap-around driveway and parked the car.  He popped the trunk release, and they both carried Stephanie’s Italian leather luggage inside.  When she walked through the doorway, she dropped the luggage and stood still for a moment to consume the warmth of her home.  Then she threw her arms around her dad.  “I’m so glad to be home,” she said, gratefully.  “I really missed you.”
    “I missed you too, sweetheart.  This old house hasn’t been the same without you.”
    They carried her luggage up the stairs to her bedroom.  An antique-white étagère holding her favorite childhood dolls and stuffed animals greeted her as she stood in the doorway.  Her beautifully decorated room painted in soft shades of violet with white eyelet curtains and bedding summoned the weary traveler to enter and rest.  Giving in to the long day, she went over to her bed and dropped onto it.
    “We have a lot to catch up on,” her dad said.  “Feel like talking?”
    “To tell you the truth, Dad,” sensing he already knew about her broken engagement with Kyle, “I have something I need to tell you, but it’s too late to hash it out tonight.  Besides, you have to be up for work in the morning.  So why don’t I make a nice dinner tomorrow, and then we can spend the rest of the evening talking?”
    “That sounds like a winner.  I’ll be extra quiet in the morning so you can sleep in.  I need to call the hospital to check on a patient, and then I’ll be back to tuck you in.”
    “Okay,” she said with a kittenish laugh.  She dressed for bed and snuggled between the softness of her covers.  As her thoughts retraced the pleasurable events of the evening, a picture of Brian’s handsome face flooded her mind.  Now she had his phone call to look forward to.  Everything seemed to be going her way.  Without a struggle, she fell asleep.
     
    Chapter Two:
    Stephanie decided on a meal that would make a cardiologist cringe: a rolled roast, mashed potatoes and gravy, glazed carrots, peas, date muffins, and for dessert, chocolate iced double-fudge brownies.  She thought back to the time when her mom had made a similar meal and how the pleasing aroma filled the house.  When they were all together dinner seemed more like an occasion to be celebrated, and she wanted tonight’s meal to be just as special.
    She finished setting the table with her mom’s china and checked