Chapter 12
Frankie raced up the porch steps and yanked open the front door, running inside. ”John!” Her voice echoed through the main room, but it was empty.
”John?” she called out again, running to the bedroom, but there was only silence. She chewed a fingernail, her stomach churning, as she rushed outside.
John”s truck was in the driveway, so he had to be nearby. He could have taken Angus on a walk, or…
She froze with a sharp gasp. She knew where he was.
She rounded the cabin and found the small path that led to his favorite spot, the dell. He was there—he had to be.
Angus”s cheerful woof greeted her before she reached the opening in the trees. She burst through and found her target slumped in a chair, head down. John shot to his feet as she shouted his name.
”Frankie!” He took a few steps toward her, then stopped. Confusion knitting his brow. ”What are you doing here? You”re supposed to be on a plane.”
”I forgot to tell you something,” she huffed out, trying to catch her breath. ”I have a few ideas about that foundation.”
His eyes narrowed and his jaw tightened, but he didn”t say a word. His wary gaze traced over her face.
She gulped as she moved toward him, then stopped abruptly, leaving five feet between them. ”You see,” she started as she wrung her hands. ”I realized you will need someone with considerable experience in environmental causes. Someone who can really get things done.”
His lips quirked. ”Yeah? Do you have anyone in mind?”
”Well, yes actually. I do.” She moved closer until they were only inches apart. ”I think I would be perfect for it. Not only because of my experience and connections, but because I love this land.” She held his gaze, holding her breath.
It”s now or never, Frankie.
”And because I”m in love with you. The thought of being apart from you makes me sick and I can”t bear it.”
His eyes widened with a silent gasp and in the blink of an eye, she was swept up in his arms. He twirled her as his lips found hers, his tongue twining, staking his claim.
John slowed, setting her on her feet. He leaned back, his eyes glowing. ”I fell in love with you the moment I found you hunched over that steering wheel, half frozen to death.” He kissed her again, hauling her even closer. ”You realize I”ll never let you go after this, right? You”re stuck with me.”
Frankie giggled. ”I was hoping you”d say that. And maybe give me a job?”
”Done! You start first thing tomorrow morning. As for now, we have some catching up to do…in bed.” She spluttered and laughed as he tossed her over his shoulder and stalked toward the cabin with long strides. Angus danced around his feet, barking excitedly at their antics.
Frankie laughed. She had chosen to follow her heart and hit the jackpot, and she knew Sharon would never let her live it down. She was okay with that.