Chapter 20

20

Frankie's family all knew the good news within an hour. It was time to tell Mitch's. He came over to her house after they were done with work and they FaceTimed with his, announcing to one and all that they were officially a couple.

"About time," said one of his sons.

Yes, it was, but Frankie knew she wouldn't have been ready for a lasting love relationship any sooner. "It's also the right time," she said to Mitch after they ended the visit.

He hesitated a moment, rubbed the side of his nose, a sure sign he was working up to saying something.

"What?" she prompted.

"It's stupid," he said, brushing away whatever he'd been about to say.

"Tell me."

He shrugged, embarrassed. "I made a promise to Ike."

"What? When?"

"Not when he was alive. After. I mentally vowed I'd watch out for you, always have your back. Not that you needed it. You've done fine."

"I needed the emotional support," she said, "and you gave it. You've always been there for me."

"I liked Ike. A lot." He smiled. "And I liked you. More and more as I watched how strong you were after he died, how determined to keep moving on."

"Only in some areas," she said.

"I know there were times you were hurting, but seeing how you could set that aside to focus on the people you care about, the things you care about—your shop, this town—how could I not fall completely for you? You are an amazing woman."

"Amazing, huh?" That was a little over the top, but she liked how the compliment felt anyway.

"Yeah, amazing," he said, and kissed her.

One kiss wasn't enough, so of course, she came back for seconds. And thirds. It felt so good to be wrapped in strong arms, to feel sensations she never thought she'd feel again and, even more, to feel a connection so strong she knew nothing would break it. To be loved was truly the greatest gift of all.

"We are definitely getting a ring come Valentine's Day," he informed her. "And don't make me wait forever while you plan a wedding."

"I don't need a big wedding," she said. "Been there, done that."

"Then what are we waiting for?" he asked.

"Good question. I don't know."

"Okay, ring for New Year's, and we go to Vegas for Valentine's Day." He saw her frown. "No, forget that. We get married here and invite our families."

She beamed. "Yes! Chocolate and champagne for all."

Adele was on board with the idea when she took Frankie and Stef and Natalie out to lunch to celebrate the next day. She insisted on hosting the wedding.

"Red and white roses everywhere," Natalie said dreamily.

"And a heart-shaped cake," Stef said, smiling. "I'll take care of the cake. I am going to be maid of honor, right? Or is it matron? Divorced matron? Whatever."

"You and Natalie both," Frankie said, smiling at her daughter. "We're not having a big wedding, so you two won't have many duties."

"Other than throwing a big shower and inviting all of Carol," said Natalie.

"I don't think either of our places are big enough to hold everyone who'll want to come to that," Stef said. "We might have to see about renting a room at Sips. Or the VFW hall."

"Maybe that will be big enough," Natalie joked.

"I'm so happy this is happening for you," Adele said to Frankie.

"Same here. After all my balking and stumbling around... Well, I know it's right." Frankie turned to her sister. "I bet you won't be far behind."

"It's still too soon to tell, but we do have a date tonight. Hamburgers with his son."

"I'm surprised he's introducing you to his son already," said Frankie.

"Only as a friend of Santa's."

"That should be interesting," said Adele. "By the way, I had a dream last night."

"Oh no," groaned the other three in unison.

"It was a good one," Adele said. "We were all on a cruise ship, and our men were with us. It was someplace tropical, but we were all wearing Santa hats. Then suddenly, we were jumping overboard and swimming to some island, and Santa was there, waiting for us and waving. What do you think it means?"

"That we all go on a cruise," said Stef. "Christmas in July!"

"I like the sound of that," said Frankie.

"Me, too," said Natalie. "We'll start saving now. Except it will have to be Alaska since I won't be able to fly come July."

"We can pretend we're at the North Pole," quipped Stef.

"So, that confirms it. We're supposed to take a family cruise," said Adele. "For Mario's and my honeymoon."

Frankie laughed.

"Oh yeah, he'll be all over that," said Stef.

"He'll do whatever I want," Adele said.

"Poor man," said Stef.

"I don't know about the cruise, but I do think Mom's dream means that we're all going to be happy in the new year," Frankie said.

Stef didn't have to wait for the new year. She was already happy.

"We're going to Frank's Good and Fast," Corky informed her after Griff introduced them. Corky took her hand as they walked her from her door to Griff's car.

"That sounds great," she said, smiling down at him. "Thanks for letting me join you."

"They have Grinch milkshakes," Corky informed her.

"Green chocolate chip mint," Griff explained.

"I love Grinch milkshakes," Stef said to the boy. "And candy canes." She produced one from her coat pocket for Corky, who happily snatched it.

"Not until after dinner, little dude," Griff said to him, and Corky's lower lip jutted out.

Griff held out a hand. "I'll keep it for you until then."

Way to go , Stef chided herself. "I should have asked," she said to Griff.

"It's fine," he assured her. "That was nice of you. What do you say?" he prompted his son.

Corky started jumping his way to the car. "Thank you!"

"He's so cute," Stef said to Griff. Just the kind of little boy she'd loved to have had. First she'd fallen for the man, and now she was falling for the son. What if this didn't work out? She already knew. She'd be crushed.

Where had that come from? She had no reason to be thinking so negatively.

"Did Santa bring you?" Corky asked her once they were in the car.

Her heart rate went from a walk to a trot. "Umm."

"We talked about this," Griff said sternly. "Santa doesn't bring mommies. You know that. You got toys instead."

"But I really wanted a mommy," Corky grumbled.

"How about friends?" Stef suggested. "You don't even have to ask Santa for that. They just come. May I be your friend?"

"Okay," Corky said. "I like friends."

Frank's Good and Fast was packed with teens, young families and a few seniors sharing Franktastic meals, which consisted of two very basic hamburgers, two small drinks and two small orders of fries, all for a senior friendly price.

"Everything looks so good," Stef said to Corky as they waited in line to order. "What should I have?"

"A Grinch milkshake," Corky said with a decisive nod of his head.

"All right. I guess I'd better have a Grinch milkshake," she said to Griff.

"What else would you like?" he asked.

"I think I need a Franktastic burger," she decided. "You can't have a burger without the good stuff, like lettuce, tomatoes, pickles. And onions, of course." That would make her breath smell good. "Maybe not the onions."

"I'm having onions," said Griff. "Don't make me be the only one stinking up the car later."

She laughed. "Onions it is."

"I want chicken nuggets!" Corky announced, jumping up and down like he'd grown springs on his feet.

"Okay," said Griff. "There's an empty booth. You two go and grab it."

"Come on, Stef," said Corky, taking her hand and hauling her through the crowd.

She laughed. This little boy was adorable. She wanted him.

And she wanted his dad.

Come on, Santa, forget what Griff said and come through for me.

Maybe he would. They ate their meal in between having straw wars, shooting the wrappers at each other. After dinner, they drove around town to look at all the houses still decked out in their Christmas lights.

"I'm glad people don't take their lights down right after Christmas," Stef said. "They're so pretty. I always hate to see them go."

"If they stayed, you'd take them for granted," Griff said.

"Maybe."

"Look at Frosty," cried Corky, who was getting nice and sticky enjoying his candy cane. He pointed to a giant inflatable snowman.

"He for sure doesn't stay around very long, does he, Corky?" Stef said.

"No. He had to go. But he'll be back again someday," Corky said. Then, a moment later, he added, "I wish my mommy would come back."

And just like that, the happy atmosphere in the car started to evaporate. Griff's easy smile faded, and Stef felt like a movie extra who'd been told she wasn't needed.

They drove around more, but no matter how pretty the lights, her oohs and ahs and comments felt forced, and it was impossible to recapture the magic they'd been feeling.

"You know, I've got some things I need to do early tomorrow," she lied. "Maybe we should call it a night."

Griff nodded and turned the car back out of the housing development they'd been in and onto the main street.

The ride back to her place was silent. Corky had run out of steam and was asleep. So was Stef's brain because she couldn't think of a thing to say.

They pulled up in front of her place, and Griff parked the car and cleared his throat. "I'm sorry I clammed up. Sometimes..."

She laid a hand on his arm. "I understand. I really do." This man wasn't ready for a relationship. She managed a smile for him, then kissed his cheek. "Thanks for the burger." Then she left the car and ran up the walk. She slipped inside her condo without looking back and shut the door behind her.

Frankie and Mitch spent the evening cuddling on her couch, watching Die Hard —you had to over the holidays. It was the perfect way to end the day. Later, as he was leaving, he suggested she start thinking about what kind of honeymoon she wanted.

"Maybe someplace tropical," she said.

"Just me and you and a bikini. Bikini optional," he added with a grin.

Enjoying a tropical paradise with Mitch sounded wonderful.

Frankie was turning into her mother, because that night she, too, had a dream. This one wasn't a pleasant dream of cruise ships and Santa hats. Or even tropical islands. And Elinor had inserted herself into the dream.

They were at sea, all right, but they weren't on a big ship. Instead, the three of them were in a tiny life raft, floating in the middle of nowhere in shark-infested waters somewhere in the tropics. The sun was blazing, and they were sunburned and scraggly-looking with cracked lips. And Elinor was hysterical.

"Go ahead, feed me to the sharks," she screeched. "You don't care about me. All you care about is yourself! And Mitch. You didn't even want him until I had him."

"That's not true," Frankie protested. "I do care about you."

"No, you don't!" Elinor stood up, and their raft began to wobble like a floating bouncy house. "I'm going to jump. Nobody will care if I get eaten by sharks."

"Mitch, do something," Frankie cried.

He shrugged. "I can't. Only you can save her."

"It's too late," Elinor wailed, and jumped into the water with a great splash.

Frankie woke up just as a shark was swimming toward poor Elinor.

Okay, she really had to do something before Elinor got eaten by sharks.

Natalie was enjoying her usual Saturday home with her family, so it was Frankie, Elinor and Adele minding the shop. If Elinor's attitude was any indication, the sharks had already been nibbling on her. Frankie was glad to have her mother with them as a buffer. Not only was Elinor's expression glum, but any sympathy she might have felt for her widowed employer had vanished, and she kept looking at Frankie with judgy eyes. As if Frankie had deliberately set out to ruin her life.

"I didn't," she said to her mother after sending Elinor upstairs to start setting out Valentine decorations in their changing seasons section. "I mean, I knew I would, but... Darn it all, if she'd only given William a chance, we wouldn't be in this mess."

"William is a dear," said Adele, "but you put him next to Mitch, and he fades. Mitch is the kind of man who makes women salivate. Add to that the fact that he's just plain nice, and it's no wonder she preferred him to William."

"But William is also nice. And can't you see him and Elinor curled up side by side in front of a roaring fire, reading books? If she'd wound up with Mitch, she'd have been hiking the Cascades. Does Elinor strike you as a hiker?"

"No, but neither do you."

"Very funny. I've hiked with Mitch."

"Hmm. I thought I heard you complaining about your feet hurting the whole time the last time you two went hiking."

"My boots were pinching. Anyway, that's not the point. Elinor needs her eyes opened. I don't want her going into the new year miserable."

"Frankiestein rides again," Adele said with a shake of her head.

"Not this time. I had a dream, Mom," Frankie said, and recapped the dream for her mother. "I know it meant I have to save her."

"Or tell her not to go near the water."

"Funny."

"You can't force her to fall in love with someone she's not interested in," said Adele.

True. And so far William had not managed to make himself interesting. But then, how hard had he tried?

"He needs to get proactive. And make himself interesting. He just comes in here and...buys things."

"Good for business," said Adele.

"But he can't be so timid." Frankie was sure William could be interesting. All he needed was a little coaching.

Elinor came back down. "I have all the Valentine merchandise arranged," she said to Frankie. No smile. She was like a black cloud roving all over the store.

"Thank you," said Frankie.

"What else do you want me to do?" Elinor asked, and her tone of voice added, You bitch .

Cheer up? Frankie decided to buy a little love. "I think it's time for a morning pick-me-up. Would you mind going to The Coffee Stop and getting some lattes?" She fished a twenty from the petty cash drawer. "I'll take eggnog if they have any left. And Mom will want a caramel. Extra—"

Elinor cut her off with a snapped, "Caramel. I know."

"Okay," Frankie said, handing the bill to Elinor. "And get whatever you want for yourself."

"I don't want anything," Elinor said curtly.

"So much for buying her affection," Adele said after Elinor left. "You'll be lucky if she doesn't slip poison in yours."

"I don't care about buying her affection." Although that would have been nice. Frankie hated having people mad at her. "I want her to be happy."

"She'll get there eventually," Adele said.

Sooner than eventually would be good. How was Frankie going to get Elinor and William together?

New Year's Eve was right around the corner. Did William have plans? Maybe he would like some suggestions.

The shop was quiet save for one of their regular customers browsing the merchandise upstairs. Adele could handle the cash register. It was the perfect time to slip over to Carol Reads and give love a helping hand. Frankie needed something to read anyway.

She took off her apron and went to the back room to fetch her coat and charge card.

"Where are you going?" Adele demanded when she came back out.

"I have a quick errand to run," Frankie replied.

"Where?" Adele was looking at her suspiciously.

"I need a book."

"Since when? You haven't read a book in ages."

"So, it's time."

"You are up to something," Adele accused. "Are you about to start meddling in people's lives again?"

"I just want something to read. Sheesh. Keep an eye on things here while I'm gone."

"I'll keep an eye on things here, but who's going to keep an eye on you?" said Adele.

Frankie ignored the remark.

It was starting to snow, the sloppy, wet kind that would be just dry enough to stick and then turn icy and slippery as temperatures dropped and people and cars compressed it. So, Frankie was hardly surprised to see there weren't many people in the bookstore when she entered.

An older man stood in the history section, perusing a book. A woman and her little girl were hustling toward the door with their purchase. William was still at the register, frowning at the flurry outside the window.

He smiled at the sight of Frankie. "Frankie, this is a nice surprise."

"I'm looking for something to read," she said. Well, duh.

"Anything in particular?"

It had been so long since she'd read a book. After Ike died, she'd found it hard to concentrate. Words blurred and swam on the page.

"Bedtime reading," she decided, "so nothing scary."

"Do you like to read the same kind of books as your mother?" he asked.

"Maybe more general fiction."

"I have something you might like. It's by a new author, Karissa Newcomb." He left his post and picked a book off the sale table. The cover art showed a fountain in a Mediterranean courtyard. The publisher had added some shimmer and sparkle to the water, and Frankie could vaguely make out a hidden image of a woman's face.

She took it and read, "The Woman in the Fountain."

"It's quite lovely for a first book. I think you'll like it," he said.

"Then I'll take it," she said, and followed him back to the register.

"Are you all ready for the new year?" she asked as he rang up her sale.

"I think so," he replied.

She handed over her charge card. "Have you got any plans for New Year's Eve? I bet you're going to some fancy literary soiree."

"That sounds like fun, but no."

"You could do something here at the bookstore. An afternoon wine and cheese party to kick off the evening," Frankie suggested. "That would be fun."

He considered. "I never thought of doing something like that."

"I bet a lot of your regulars would come."

"Would you come?"

"Of course. I'd even close my shop early so my staff could as well."

"They probably all have plans by now," he said.

"Not so far as I know. Elinor's been a little down lately. I think she could use some cheering up," Frankie added.

"Oh?"

"Think about it," Frankie said. Should she say more? Yes. Smart as he was, when it came to love William was a slow learner. "You know, William, I think Elinor needs a hero in her life."

William looked more scared than encouraged.

"Not like a superhero, just a take-charge kind of man who's not afraid to say how he feels. Someone who would do anything for the woman he loves, who's not afraid to really pursue her. I don't think that kind of man exists only in books. Do you? I mean, I found one like that."

He nodded thoughtfully.

"Anyway, I'd sure like to see her find someone in the new year."

He gave Frankie back her charge card and put the receipt in the bag along with the book. Said nothing. Who knew whether she'd gotten through to him or not?

"I guess I'd better brave the cold and get back to the store," she said. "Do think about hosting something here. I think it could be a lot of fun."

"I will," he said.

"Good." And maybe, just maybe Elinor would come, and they'd start talking about books and drinking wine, and magic would happen.

Adele had her latte by the time Frankie returned and was perched behind the register, reading her latest novel. "Looks like the stuff's starting to stick," she greeted Frankie as she walked in. "Snowmageddon again."

"I didn't think we had any predicted for today," said Frankie as she slipped off her coat.

"Surprise."

"And not a good one. Shoppers are going to run for home and stay there."

"Maybe you should close early," Adele suggested.

"I'll stay open a little longer," Frankie said, and went to stow her coat and her book.

Adele handed Frankie her latte when she came back to put on her apron. "I'll stay long enough to make sure you haven't been poisoned," she joked.

"Not funny."

"How are things at the bookstore?" Adele asked.

Frankie smiled. "Good," she said. "I think I managed to motivate William."

Adele shook her head. "We shall see."

The snow kept falling, and by two in the afternoon Adele had had enough. "I'm leaving. I hate driving in this stuff, and I don't trust my snow tires."

Frankie didn't trust Adele's driving. "I think you should definitely go home," she said.

"You should, too."

"I'll stay a little longer. I can always get a ride home with Mitch."

"You should let Elinor leave."

"Where is she now?"

"I put her to work dusting the Christmas villages."

Which were at the back of the shop. Which meant Elinor hadn't seen the snow piling up yet. But once she did, she'd probably want to go, and Frankie wouldn't blame her.

Although Elinor was used to snow. They'd stay open a while longer.

"Whatever you were concocting, it looks like it didn't work. Don't make that poor girl stay here all day when business is dead."

"I won't," Frankie said.

Business wasn't the only thing that was dead. So was Frankie's hope that the seeds she'd sown in the bookstore would grow into action and William would come over with a party invitation. William's brain was not fertile.

Maybe he hadn't gotten the message. Maybe he needed a stronger one.

As soon as Adele left, Frankie grabbed her phone and brought up the number for Carol Reads, then called it.

William answered right away in his usual quiet, friendly voice.

Frankie plunged right in. "William, it's Frankie. Have you thought any more about my suggestion?"

"Well, yes, actually, I have been thinking about it."

"Good. Then I think you should close up for a few minutes and hustle on over here while my staff is still around." What was left of it. "You have to give people some notice when you're planning a party."

"I was going to put a sign in the window," William said.

Frankie opted for blunt. "Elinor might not see the sign. And that's so impersonal. This is the perfect opportunity for you to show her more of who you are."

There was a long silence.

"Oh, honestly, William, I can tell you like her. Anyone with eyes can. Get over here and do something about it," Frankie commanded, exasperated.

"I don't know if she's interested in me," he said, sounding panicked.

"No, you don't, because you've never actually invited her to something. William, opportunity will knock, but it won't stand at your door forever. I think Elinor is a really sweet woman, don't you?"

"I do," he said, finally with some muscle behind his words.

"Well, then, I suggest you not delay. We're going to be closing very soon."

"All right. Thanks for the heads-up," he said. "I'll see you in a bit."

A bit? Forty-five minutes later, Frankie gave up. She couldn't risk Elinor's neck trying to save her heart. She texted Mitch that she was leaving.

Frankie and Elinor were on their way out the door when William finally hurried up to them. With his skinny frame inside a dark peacoat and a red scarf wrapped around his neck, he could have passed for one of the red-ribboned streetlights along Main Street. He was carrying a book-shaped package wrapped in red foil. That package was probably the reason he'd taken so long coming over.

"Elinor, I'm glad I caught you," he said, holding it out to her. "I meant to give this to you before Christmas."

If he had, he obviously hadn't worked up the nerve. It made a great excuse to talk to her though. Good job, William.

Elinor took it, looking surprised. "Thank you, William."

"It's a special issue of The Greatest Gift . That's the story the movie It's a Wonderful Life was based on."

"I'm afraid I don't have anything for you," she said.

"I didn't expect anything. I just wanted you to have it."

Good, good, now ask her out.

"Well, I'll be sure to read it," Elinor said. "I do like to read."

So do you. Tell her!

"Frankie," called Mitch.

Frankie turned to see him coming their way.

Elinor saw him, too. Frankie could tell by how deep the pink in her cheeks had suddenly gotten. "I have to go," she told William.

Of course, her humiliation was still too raw. The last thing she'd want would be to stand on a snowy sidewalk and make small talk with the man she'd made a fool of herself over.

Elinor didn't go the extra few feet to the crosswalk, which would have put her in Mitch's path. Instead, she rushed out into the street, not looking. Not seeing the car sliding toward her.