Page 66 of Sipping Seduction
“Is it your calf or your knees? I didn’t get a good look, but it seemed like you scraped the heck out of them when you fell.”
“Neither.” I took cautious steps toward her as I placed my hand over my heart. “It hurts the most right here.”
Frannie shook her head. “You’re more stubborn than a beaver trying to build a dam in the middle of a raging river. You know that right?”
“I do. You’re a saint for putting up with me. Everyone thinks so.”
The fight seeped out of her. “We all have our burdens to bear. I guess you’re mine.”
Hope that there was still a chance to set things right between us filled my chest. “I love you, Frannie. I can’t remember a time before I started loving you. When I think about what it would be like to live without you, it doesn’t seem like a life worth living at all.”
Her lashes fluttered against her cheeks then she lifted her gaze to meet mine. “Well, at least we agree on one thing. What do you plan to do about that? You know I can’t stand by without helping you. I’ve tried, and it’s been eating me alive.”
“It’s going to take me some time,” I admitted. “But I’m willing to try. I’ll do anything to hold on to the life we’ve started building together.”
Frannie moved closer and set her palm on the front of my chest. “What do you have on?”
I look down at the shirt I hadn’t been able to button all the way and the tie sloppily draped around my neck. “I thought dressing up might make a better impression, but I couldn’t seem to tie my tie. Do you think you could help me with it?”
“You want me to tie your tie? Is that your way of showing me you’re ready to start letting me help you?” She straightened my shirt and buttoned the top two buttons.
“I thought we could start with the tie and maybe move on to something bigger. Baby steps and all that.” I cupped her chin in my hand and lifted her head so I could look into her eyes. “Will you ever be able to forgive me for what I put you through? Do you think you could give me a second chance?”
Frannie slowly knotted the tie around my neck in a perfect Windsor square. “You're not going to get rid of me that easily. I mean, if public humiliation and breaking my heart in front of everyone in town is all you've got… you're going to have to try a lot harder than that.”
“How about a do-over? The fall festival is coming up. I could take the stage and make a public profession of love in front of everyone if that will make up for it. Or better yet, I could tell you I love you over the PA system at school. There's nothing more humiliating than baring your heart and soul in front of a couple hundred elementary school students.” I’d do anything she wanted to earn another chance. I didn’t care what it cost—Frannie was worth it.
“I thought you knew me better than that, Evan. I don't need public declarations or huge grand gestures. All I need is you.”
“Then I guess you don't need this.” I turned around and picked up the small box I'd left on the coffee table.
“Wait a minute. I said I didn't need huge public demonstrations. Gifts in small boxes shared between the two of us are always welcome.”
I bit back my smile and handed her the box.
She slid her finger under the edge of the paper and pulled it free. “This isn't another surprise from the Kink Closet, is it?”
“Not this time, moon pie.” My breath caught in my chest as I waited for her to pull off the lid.
Once she’d opened the box, she looked up at me with tears welling in her lower lids. “Do you have any idea how long I’ve been looking for this? Where did you find him?”
Her fingers wrapped around the small pepper shaker, the perfect match to the little cupcake girl saltshaker she'd held on to for so many years.
“That antique shop in Bordent. The one where we found the diary. You were so preoccupied, you didn't even check to see if they had a match.” I’d gotten so used to checking every thrift store and antique store I passed, I’d automatically searched the shelves for the smiling little pepper shaker while she’d pored over the diary.
Frannie’s forehead creased. “You're right. How did you buy that without me noticing?”
“I went back a few days later. I also got contact info for the woman who brought in the diary. Turns out she lives way out in Nevada. If you're still interested in trying to find out more information about Cornelia, we could start there.”
“Yes. I need to know how her story ends. I don’t think I’ll be at peace until I find out what happened to her.”
That was my girl. “I promise we’ll get to the bottom of her story. Ruby’s taking a trip to Vegas soon. I’ll see if she can track down the woman who had the diary.”
“Thank you, Evan.” Frannie set the pepper shaker back in the box and looked up at me, her eyes full of questions. “Are you sure this is what you want?”
“If you mean staying in Beaver Bluff, the answer is yes. If you mean spending every day for the rest of my life showing you how much I love you, the answer is yes. I've wasted so much time. Whatever comes next, as long as we face it together, we can do anything. I'm even willing to talk to the doctor about finally doing that surgery on my leg.”
Frannie’s eyes sparkled with unshed tears. “I'll be with you every step of the way. You just have to promise not to shut me out. I love you, Evan. I love you for the man you've always been and for the man you are now. And you've always been enough for me, just the way you are.”
