He loved her, but he’d broken his word to her, and although he hated himself for hurting the woman he adored, he couldn’t give up the comforts of his life as a bachelor. For instance, the fact that his house was a mess. It was his mess, though, and he knew where things were. Dovie wouldn’t tolerate the unsightly stack of magazines by his recliner or the pile of laundry beside his bed.
Marriage meant more than making a commitment to her, he’d thought; it meant he’d be forced to alter his entire life. At sixty such a drastic change didn’t come easy.
Things had looked hopeless—and grew even worse when he made the mistake of taking Tammy Lee Kollenborn out one evening. That was the night he’d known he could never love anyone but Dovie. Afterward, when Dovie had gone away on a short cruise, he’d been terrified she’d meet another man. It seemed inevitable that he was going to lose her, and the knowledge was destroying him.
The solution had come from an unexpected source. From the man he’d assumed would be the least understanding. Reverend Wade McMillen. Frank owed him big time. The local preacher had suggested that Frank and Dovie get married but maintain separate households, the same as they were already doing. Then they could both have what they wanted. What they needed. Dovie had the commitment she craved, the wedding band on her finger. And Frank was free to eat baked beans out of a can in front of the television, wearing nothing but his underwear, if he so desired.
“Dovie,” he whispered softly, watching a silk slip float down over her breasts and hips. “Come here, love.”
“Don’t you use that tone of voice with me, Frank Hennessey. I’m running late as it is.”
“Dovie,” he coaxed and sat up. He held out his arms to her. “How about a good-morning hug?”
“Not now.”
“No?” Frank was surprised. Dovie rarely refused him anything, especially when it came to what she called “the delights of the flesh.” He’d never met a woman like her. Dovie was a lady to the core, but when it came to lovemaking, she was both lusty and generous.
“It won’t stop with a hug and you know it,” she chastised.
He did know it and he sighed deeply.
Dovie disappeared into her closet.
“Where are you going now?” he called.
“Out of sight, out of mind,” she called back, giggling.
Frank tucked his hands behind his head and closed his eyes. He didn’t bother to tell her it didn’t work that way, at least not with him. The time they’d been apart, he’d done nothing but think of her. Thoughts of Dovie had tormented him day and night, until he was sure he’d lost his mind.
“Do that again,” he said, savoring these moments in bed.
“Do what?” came her muffled question.
“Giggle.”
“That’s a silly thing to ask.” But she did.
Frank loved the sound of it. He had to smile every time he heard her giggle. Or laugh. Or just heard her, period.
Dovie reappeared a minute later in a royal-blue dress that buttoned up the front and belted at the waist. She braced one hand on the bed post as she slipped into her pumps.
“I’m going to do something with my hair and then I’m heading for church.”
“No hug?”
One outraged glance answered the question. Frank laughed.
“I’m driving out to see Savannah, Laredo and the baby after church,” she said.
“Do you mind if I tag along?” he asked.
Apparently his question caught her by surprise because she abruptly stopped brushing her hair and met his gaze. Her eyes softened. “You want to see the baby?”
Frank nodded. “That surprises you?”
“Yes. Do you like babies?”
“Actually I’m quite fond of children.” It was his one regret in life. He’d give anything to have met Dovie as a young man and had children with her. She would have been a wonderful mother, just as she was a fabulous wife. “I would have liked kids of my own,” he confessed with a hint of sadness.
She continued to stare at him and he noticed a sheen in her eyes—as though she was about to weep.
“Dovie?” he asked gently. “What’s wrong?”
“Oh, damn,” she said, sniffling. “I’m going to ruin my makeup and I don’t have time to fuss with it now.”
Frank climbed out of bed and reached for his robe. “What is it, Dovie?” he asked again.
“I always wanted children,” she whispered. “So badly.”
“I assumed you and Marvin decided not to have a family,” he said. They’d never discussed the subject, and it seemed strange to be doing so now.
“We couldn’t have children,” Dovie said. “Marvin…had the mumps as a teenager. I never complained, but…”
“Couldn’t you have adopted?”
“Marvin wouldn’t hear of it. I asked him to reconsider many times, and he refused. As much as I wanted to be a mother, I couldn’t bring a child into our home when my husband felt the way he did.”
“I’m so sorry, Dovie.”
She attempted a smile. “It was a long time ago. I don’t even know why I’m crying. But when you said how much you regretted not having children, I realized…why I love you so much.”
The hug he’d been longing to collect all morning was now given with spontaneity. Frank held her tight and closed his eyes.
“Perhaps Savannah and Laredo will allow us to be substitute grandparents for Laura Rose,” he whispered.
“I was thinking the same thing,” Dovie said. She cradled his face and smiled, her eyes bright with unshed tears. “I love you, Frank Hennessey.”
“I wish we’d met years ago,” he said, voicing his earlier thoughts.
“We met at exactly the right time,” she told him. “Any sooner and I would’ve been married.”
“Any later, and you might’ve been with that judge you met on the cruise. The Canadian guy.”
“Perhaps,” she admitted, but skeptically. She dabbed at her eyes. “Frank, I really must rush. You know how compulsive I am about being on time.”
Frank checked his watch and knew if he hurried, he’d have time to dress and join her.
“I’ll go with you,” he said.
“Any reason?” she asked.
“Several reasons—but if I take the time to list them, we’ll be walking in during the middle of Wade’s sermon.”
TRAVIS WAITED UNTIL JEREMY and Emma had left for school on Monday morning before he approached Nell, who was in the barn. “Ruth said I’d find you here,” he said, feeling a bit awkward.
She was busy tending a newborn calf, but glanced up and smiled when he entered the barn. Kneeling in the straw, feeding the animal with a large baby bottle, she explained that the calf was one of twins and had been rejected by its mother. Once again Travis found himself admiring her compassionate capable nature.
They exchanged a few pleasantries as she worked, and when she’d finished, he opened the stall gate for her.
“Thanks,”