Chapter 30
Chapter Thirty
F rankie heard Jack’s voice before she saw him. Wasn’t hard. There was a tone and timbre to his voice that carried. Not in a bad way. But it made sense that he’d sound like that. He was an actor. He’d probably trained in order to get his voice to have that kind of presence.
She looked toward the office, wondering if he was coming in. Willa seemed to be thinking the same thing.
Her question was answered a moment later when Jack, Harper, Joyce, and Beryl walked out from the hall. He nodded at Frankie. “Hey, man.”
“Hi, Jack. Are you joining the party?”
He tucked a bag under his arm so he could hold his hands up. “No way, man. I don’t want to bring down all this feminine energy. I was just hoping I could score some of those brownies.”
“You totally can,” Willa said. “I’ll wrap a couple up for you.”
“Sweet.” Jack put his hands together in prayer position and bowed. “Thank you. As I was telling Joycie, it’s been a while since I had her baking and I don’t mind saying it out loud but, man, I miss it.”
“Very understandable,” Willa said, laughing. She grabbed the plate off the coffee table and took it to the kitchen.
Jack stood at the back of the couch. Frankie was seated on the section perpendicular to where he was. He held up the bag he’d brought in with him. “I wanted to show you how the throw was coming along. Make sure you liked it and everything, you know.”
“You already started it?” She was surprised.
“Dude, what else have I got to do?” Laughing, he set the bag on the back of the couch and dug into it, pulling out his work.
Frankie sucked in a breath as she saw his knitting. It was beautiful and intricate and so much nicer than she’d expected. Not only that, he had nearly a foot of the throw completed already. She didn’t know if that was normal or super-fast, but it seemed super-fast. All she’d done so far today was prep the canvas for his dad’s portrait. “You can’t really be making that for me.”
He nodded. “You bet, man. You like it?” He held it up as best he could on the needles, trying to space it out on the long, connecting cord between them so she could see it.
She gaped. “It’s beautiful. I can’t believe you know how to do that.” It really was something that this big man’s man was capable of this kind of craft. “Harper, have you seen this?”
“No.” She came over with Joyce and Beryl to have a look. They all complimented the work, touching it and saying how soft the yarn was, how pretty the colors were, how intricate the knitting was, but most of all, what a wonderful job he was doing.
Joyce shook her head. “I’m not much of a knitter. My crocheting is better, but that’s top-notch work, love. Top-notch.”
“It’s brilliant,” Beryl agreed. “Maybe when you finish with this, you could make something for Ruthie.”
Furrows lined Jack’s forehead. “Who’s Ruthie?”
“Mitch’s granddaughter,” Beryl said.
“Kyle’s daughter,” Joyce explained further. “Kyle’s come home, and he’s brought his baby daughter with him. They’re living with Mitch now.”
“He didn’t say a word, man.” Jack shrugged. “Understandable, considering what we were jawing about. But I’d love to knit something for her.”
Joyce seemed pleased with that. “He’d love it, I’m sure.”
He grinned at Frankie. “I might need more yarn.”
“No problem,” she said. At some point, she’d probably need another trip to the art supply store.
“Actually, I could order it and have it sent here. No need for you to waste gas, man.” He held up the throw again. “I’m glad you like it.”
“Jack, I love it. I already know it’s going to be something I’ll treasure for a long time to come.” It made her itch to get to work on Arlington’s painting. She’d make good progress tomorrow for certain.
His smile said he was happy with her response. “Cool, cool.”
Willa came over with a foil-wrapped package. “Here you go. Three brownies ready to travel.”
“Sweet. That is super cool, thanks.” He put the throw back in the bag, then took the brownies. “You need anything for your classroom yet?”
“Not yet, but I’m sure I’ll have some things on my list soon. I’m waiting for the supplies email.”
“You just let me know.” He headed for the breezeway. “You ladies have a righteous evening.” He made a little bow, then left as they said goodbye.
As the sound of the door opening and closing reached them, Beryl took a deep breath. “Jackson Marsh. In the flesh. Imagine that. I should have moved to Florida a long time ago.”
They all laughed.
“You want to see the rest of the house?” Harper asked. “I promise Teddy’s not going to pop out of a closet or anything.”
“Yes, please,” Beryl said.
Harper looked at Frankie and Willa. “You don’t mind if I show them the upstairs?”
“Go right ahead,” Frankie said as Willa nodded.
Archie had apparently had enough of the tour. He climbed onto his blanket and settled in.
Harper took Joyce and Beryl up. They returned about ten minutes later, this time getting off the elevator.
Their wine glasses were empty. Harper brought the bottles over as they returned to their seats on the couch.
Beryl leaned toward Frankie. “I do hope I get to see your finished portrait. I saw the watercolor you did of the Sojourner . You’re very good.”
“Thank you. I’ll be sure you get to see it.”
“Do you paint a lot of famous people?” Beryl looked utterly sincere.
Frankie laughed. “No, this is my first really big portrait commission. I’m excited to do it, but it’s also a little intimidating.”
“I’m sure it is,” Beryl said.
Frankie figured turnabout was fair play. “Did you ever bake anything for the Queen?”
Beryl’s eyes widened, then she laughed. “Oh, now, you’re taking the mick. She had her own royal bakers, you cheeky thing.”
Frankie chuckled. “Well, you’re good enough.”
“Behave.” But Beryl smiled even as she sipped her wine. After a moment, she said, “I’m baking for Jack tomorrow, as it happens. Some chocolate chip banana bread. Would you like a loaf of that? It’d be no trouble to make extra. I’ll already be making one for him and one for Mitch and Kyle.”
Frankie did try to watch her waistline, but with Lucas and Joyce in her circle of friends, that was hard to do. At least she was doing yoga now. She couldn’t resist Beryl’s offer. “That would be amazing. It sounds wonderful.”
Beryl nodded. “It’s as good as done.”
“I can’t wait to see you and Joyce on Lucas’s show tomorrow.”
Beryl gasped. “I’d completely forgotten about that. I don’t know how, but I did. Joyce, the show is on tomorrow. I don’t know if I can stand it.”
“You’ll be fine,” Joyce said. “But it is a bit nerve-wracking, innit? All those strangers watching us. If anyone actually does. Maybe no one will.”
Willa stopped eating the brownie in her hand. “I don’t think you have to worry about that. Lucas has a big following. People are definitely going to see it.”
Beryl swallowed, then quickly took a sip of wine. “I don’t know about this. I’ve never been one for the limelight.”
“You’ll be fine,” Frankie said. But she understood how Beryl was feeling. She’d had some of those same nerves when she’d made her first presentation to an entire auditorium of students. “Just remember that most of the people watching are already on your side because they like Lucas and so they’re eager for whatever he has in store for them. Also, it’s impossible not to like you and Joyce. You’re both lovely people. And Americans tend to adore anything British anyway.”
A hint of relief crept over Beryl’s face. She let out a little sigh. “I do hope you’re right.”