Her Old-Fashioned Husband by Laylah Roberts Page A

Frankie has always internalized everything. She doesn’t like to talk about her feelings or he r needs, as I’m sure you know. Y ou have to coax them out of her. Often she ends up acting out just to get the attention she needs, that she can’t ask for.”
    Tom nodded he knew all this.
    “Do you remember what she was like before our parents died?” Heath asked.
    Tom nodded. He remembered the little girl who used to follow them around, annoy them, get into trouble. “She was always getting into trouble.”
    “She was fearless.” Heath grinned. “Always trying to catch up to her brothers. Mom used to despair that she had five boys, Frankie was such a tomboy. And she adored my father more than all of us. He was her hero, and she was his little shadow. He spent far more time with her than any of us. I’m not saying that because I resent it, he gave us plenty of time and love, but Frankie was his darling.
    “ By the time she came along, the ranch was doing really well and he had the time free to spend with her. Frankie was open, happy, whatever she felt, you knew, because she’d be sure to tell you. After our parents died she fell became very withdrawn. She sort of pulled into herself. My point is that while she’ll never be that same little girl again, it tears me up inside each time I see her stressing, worrying. ” Heath frowned. “ Frankie still finds it hard to deal with her feelings and I’m terrified she’s going to end up doing something stupid. Hints of the fearless girl are still there, but she can get into much more trouble as an adult than a little girl when she had four brothers and her parents watching her back.”
    Tom ran his hand over his forehead. “She needs to deal with the pain of losing her parents.”
    “I think so. I’m sorry, I thought I had helped with all this, but lately I see glimpses of that lost teenager, and her disappearing last night, driving here when she was supposed to be at your home, safely in bed, it makes me fear deeply for her safety and her happiness. I failed her and you.”
    “No.” Tom shook his head. “You did the best you could.”
    “But I should have told you this before,” Heath said with deep regret. “I was hoping Frankie would open up with you . It’s only in the last few months I’ve seen her misery grow.”
    “ It’s tied up with the fact that we’ve been trying unsuccessfully to get pregnant ,” Tom told him. “She’s a bit obsessed with having a baby and it’s so painful for her each time it happens, if you’re right she’s not dealing with the sadness as we would. She’s crying out for help, I know it. It seems like my reassurances aren’t helping, I need to show her I’m going nowhere. We need some time together, just the two of us. And w e’re going to give up trying to get pregnant for a while.”
    Heath nodded. “Good idea. It’s too much pressure on both of you and it’s not like there’s any rush. I mean, look how old I am. Positively ancient and I’m having another child.”
    Jaron wasn’t Heath’s son by blood, although he was his son of his heart.
    “Can’t be easy on her, with Bryony and Ava both pregnant,” Heath continued. “Maybe what you both need is a complete break. Get away from here.”
    Tom closed his eyes for a moment, feeling exhausted. “I think you’re right. I’ll see if I can arrange some time away for both of us.”
    “You’re welcome to go to the cabin, no one’s using it and you’ll be guaranteed privacy.”
    Tom opened his eyes and looked at Heath, grateful for his support. “Thanks, I think I’ll take you up on that.”
                 
     
    Frankie awoke as her neck was covered in kisses. She moaned softly and rolled sleepily onto her back to give those wandering lips more access. As her bottom pressed against the mattress she whimpered in pain.
    A chuckle escaped those amazing lips, pushing her more fully into consciousness.
    “It’s not funny,” she murmured, still not