CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
“And then the princess dropped her sword. There was no more pain or suffering. Her broad smile lifted to the sky in thanks of those who fought before her. She’d slayed the dragon and saved the prince. The kingdom was secured once again,” Frankie finishes reading and closes the book.
Ronnie sighs happily from under her mountain of blankets. My little girl gazes at her more-than-a-nanny with enough adoration to make my heart swell. The redhead gazes right back at her with equal affection, if not more. The bond they share is truly something to behold.
Which is why I’m standing in the hallway, watching them like a stalker.
If they’re aware of me spying, I haven’t been called out.
The dogs are quiet and sprawled on the floor.
Tux is curled up on Ronnie’s pillow, feeling right at home.
His demonic green eyes narrow at me as if I’m the intruder.
That little shit can fuck off. Those girls were mine first. I’m not going anywhere.
After finding Frankie at that warehouse earlier, I haven’t let her out of my sight. The fear of losing her sunk in its claws, spreading a poison capable of destroying me. My unresolved abandonment issues shook me to my core. But I fought against the darkness and won.
Doubt drifts away in the breeze from the overhead fan.
Whatever Frankie did today was unfinished business like she said.
We’re leaving it at that for now. I’m choosing to trust her.
That hasn’t steered me wrong. All that’s left to do tonight is confess my feelings.
By the sounds of things, that’s a popular choice this evening.
“Are you ready to be my mommy now? You’ve already taken my sadness away.” Ronnie’s voice is heavy from the pull of sleep.
Frankie sweeps hair off my daughter’s forehead before dropping a kiss there. “We need to talk to your dad about that.”
“He says it’s okay,” my little girl insists and I almost laugh.
The redhead hums thoughtfully. “When did he say that?”
“I dunno, but we’re gonna live happily ever after.”
“Just like that?”
Ronnie nods. “And ride off into the sunset. You gotta hold on tight. I don’t want you to fall off. Giddy-up, new mommy!”
A flicker of hesitation crosses Frankie’s expression and she glances at the framed picture on the nightstand. “Do you think your real mom would approve?”
“Uh-huh, I can have two. One is up in heaven and the other is down here. That’s you,” she whispers. “But both of you are in my heart.”
The redhead’s bottom lip begins to wobble. “It’s tough to argue with a perfect explanation.”
“More happy tears?”
“This”—she motions to her flushed face—“didn’t happen until I met you.”
Ronnie’s tired eyes blow wide open. “Wow, does that make me special?”
An agreeable noise comes from her. “The only exception, remember?”
“Your little loophole,” she breathes.
“Which is the only reason I’m co-hosting your birthday party. How many other kids will be there?” Frankie cringes while waiting for the answer.
“I invited my whole class!” Ronnie giggles.
“It’s going to be the end of me,” the redhead groans.
“Don’t worry, Mommy. I’ll protect you from the meanies!”
“Same, kiddo. Forever and always. Okay, time for bed.” Frankie slides a finger down Ronnie’s nose, swooping off the end and landing with a tap on her chin.
My daughter is quick to repeat the motions on her adopted mom. “Love you lots.”
“I love you more than my wildest dreams imagined.”
“What? How is that possible?”
“No clue, but you conquered the odds.”
“Do you love Daddy too?”
“Yeah,” she whispers softly. “I love your daddy very much.”
Ronnie’s squeal wakes the dogs who look at me to confirm or deny danger. It’s my heart that’s at risk of exploding. This conversation is the cure my broken soul didn’t realize it needed.
“He loves you bigger than the whole galaxy!” My daughter flings her arms wide, startling the cat.
Frankie drops her jaw. “That’s too big. Are you sure?”
“Positive. Go ask him!”
“I’ll think about it, but only if you fall asleep really fast.” After giving Ronnie a hug, Frankie stands and flicks off the lamp. “See you in the morning. It’s the start of whatever comes next.”
“Mhmm,” my little girl mumbles, already drifting off.
Frankie tiptoes from the room to where I’m waiting for her in the hallway. “Enjoy the show?”
“Immensely.” I hook one of her belt loops and tug until her chest is flush against mine. “You love me, menace?”
She bites her lip and nods. “But don’t get too excited. I have no idea how to love someone properly.”
“Not true. I just witnessed a very emotional display. Ronnie saw something in you from the start. It was your ability to form an inseparable connection and love her unconditionally when no one ever taught you how.” Which reminds me that we might be disturbing her.
Without releasing Frankie, I shuffle us to the kitchen and lean against the counter.
The woman in my arms exhales the weight of needless worry, trusting me to support her. “She’s easy to fall for.”
I tighten my hold. “What about me?”
“Took a bit more persuading,” she quips. “But you get bonus points for raising a really great kid.”
“I’ve done the best I can. You’re going to help me finish the job.”
“That’s what it’s looking like,” she sighs and loops her arms around my neck, stretching to give me a soft kiss.
My gaze feasts on her, finding it almost hard to believe we’re here in this place. “History almost had me convinced that it was repeating itself, but you were coming back to me.”
She clucks her tongue. “Told you that you’re stuck with me, honey. You’d be wise to believe it.”
“Three of the people meant to love me the most have left. But now there’s you,” I rasp.
“I’m not going anywhere. Do you trust me?”
“Yes.”
“Is there room for me in here?” She taps the space above my heart.
My hand rests over hers on that spot, feeling the beat begin to race. “You’ve given me a reason to have faith in love again. It flutters just for you, little menace.”
“Fucking butterflies,” she laughs.
I tuck some hair behind her ear, about to do something I’ve never done to a grown woman. There’s a ledge straight ahead, beckoning me to take the leap. My thumb coasts down the slope of her nose, lifting off the tip, and ending with a bump to her chin.
“I love you.” My voice cracks like a pubescent teenager. “All that other fluffy shit too.”
Her inhale catches, but then she’s repeating the action back to me. “You make the fluffy shit appealing.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“You should,” she coos and escapes the cage of my embrace. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to pet Greta seventy-five times.”
My eyebrows lift. “And why’s that?”
“Didn’t have the chance earlier and I’ve received a stern reminder from the boss.” She tips her head toward Ronnie’s room.
An idea forms, slanting my mouth into a smirk. “That’s actually where I was headed.”
“Convenient.” Frankie takes my hand in hers, leading us to the foyer to get bundled up.
I zip her coat slowly, sad to see her curves covered. But they’ll be in my grasp soon. Until then, we huddle close while stepping outside to face the elements.
Quiet nickers greet us when we enter the barn.
Frankie goes straight for her horse’s stall.
The metal latch slides free, bouncing an echo off the wood.
She pushes the door open wide enough for her ample assets to squeeze through.
After yanking off her gloves, she begins gliding her palms along Greta’s neck.
“Didn’t think you were serious about petting her,” I murmur while resting along a beam.
“A few things you should know about me, stud.” Frankie’s gaze flicks to me. “I don’t break promises, go back on my word, or cut corners. Ronnie’s wrath is something I never want to deserve.”
I grunt and scrub over my beard. “That’s very honest of you.”
“Don’t act so surprised.” She appears to contemplate something for a moment. “Do you think I’m a thief?”
“Not anymore.” I chuckle when she glares. “You’re recovering.”
“Did I steal your heart?”
“Can’t steal what’s freely given.”
Her nod is slow and calculated. “Am I allowed to be Ronnie’s mom if I’m not married to you?”
My gut clenches. “You can be whoever you want to be, menace. Labels are just that. We’ll figure it out as we go.”
Frankie’s swallow is audible. “I don’t want you to think I’m trying to replace your wife.”
“I don’t think that. Besides, it’s not possible. I’ll always love Nina, but she’s my past. Memories are all I have left of her. You’re my future. Whether we get married or not, I want you by my side.”
Her consistent strokes along Greta’s neck come to an abrupt halt. “You want to get remarried?”
My eyes rove over her as if she’s not buried in layers. “I didn’t want to until you arrived on the scene.”
“Awww, you love me.” Giddiness bounces from her voice.
“Sure do,” I reply. “I also love open communication in a relationship.”
“That’s probably important,” she agrees.
I allow my unwavering stare to delve deeper. “Are you ever going to tell me what happened in that warehouse?”
Her gaze slides off mine. “I got closure.”
“For what?”
She shrugs. “A part of my past that really stung, but I refused to admit it.”
A tightness knots in my chest. “I don’t like secrets, menace.”
“It’s not mine to tell. Can you respect that?”
I blow out a heavy exhale through clenched teeth. My boots carry me to the gap in the stall door where I extend my arms overhead, bracing against the top board. Frankie’s attention burns into my change of position. A slow heat crawls over me as she shamelessly ogles.
“Like what you see, menace?”
“You’re really fucking hot,” she blurts. “It’s horrible for my concentration.”
“Good thing I’m not paying you to keep track of my daughter,” I drawl with extra sarcasm.
“That reminds me,” she murmurs. “You should probably stop paying me. It’s kinda icky in our situation.”
“There’s nothing icky about our situation.” I resent the very notion.
Her eyes roll. “As if I was cashing those checks. I’ll keep testing your credit card’s spending limit, though.”
“Please do,” I laugh while mentally tallying how many times she’s pet her horse by this point. “But it’s gonna cost you.”
“Oh yeah?”
“I’ll need an answer. A real one this time. What’s something you’ve always wanted to do, but haven’t had the chance?”
Her smile is wistful, capturing the whimsy of the question. “Love someone enough to surrender my soul.”
A rough cough scrapes from me. “Damn, I think you’ve been watching too much reality television.”
She huffs. “Jerk.”
“Your jerk,” I retort.
“Seventy-five. I’m done.” Frankie swipes along Greta’s neck once more. “Your turn.”
“I’m interested in petting your pussy, not your horse.”
She shakes her head while brushing her palms together. “The question, stud. What’s something you’ve always wanted to do?”
The truth rushes forward in an uncontrollable surge. “Grow old with the woman I love.”
Her gaze leaps to mine while her breath hitches. She walks forward until our boots bump. “Here’s to hoping that can be arranged.”
I cup her cheek in my palm. “Will you let me make love to you?”
She leans into my touch. “Gosh, that’s really romantic.”
“Do you hate it?”
Frankie leaves me hanging for too many seconds. “Not even a little bit, but let’s try it to confirm.”