“I’m fine,” she said, when she found her voice. “Could have been a lot worse. I haven’t seen the damage yet, but I’m grateful no one was hurt.”
“You’ll need a new floor in the back, and a rack of clothes got out-and-out roasted. But I don’t see why you can’t be back in business in a week or less, depending on how fast the carpenter can replace the floorboards.”
“Thank you,” she said, standing. “I appreciate what you’ve done.” She gave him a thin smile and turned away. “I’d better go find Bobby.”
“Victoria, wait.”
She stopped and looked into his eyes, which had grown troubled. He leaned against his cane. “We ought to talk. Fact of the matter is, when the fire broke out, I was on my way to see you. I want to apologize for how I left you. It’s better that we aren’t together, but it’s not your fault. It’s mine entirely.”
Anger welled up inside of her. Did he really think saying that would change anything? “It doesn’t matter, Frank. You left, and I’m on my own. Who cares whose fault it is?”
His eyes widened in surprise at her words. “You’re not on your own, though. I can’t be the man you need, the man I was before. But I’ll always be here if you need me. I’ll never stop caring about you, and I’d put out a million fires for you.”
“Ha! You clearly know nothing about what I need, Frank Bassett.” She took a step forward and poked him in the chest. She watched with some satisfaction as his eyebrows rose in surprise and he took a step back. “Did you ever stop to think that maybe what I need is a man who doesn’t run off, who won’t give up on the relationship we built?”
“I understand… I understand that’s what you need, but it can’t be me. How we were, that was before… before I fell in a ditch and had some sense knocked into me. Before I realized how foolish I’ve been to insist you overcome your fears and take risks. I took a risk that nearly killed me. How can we go on, when I can’t even look at you without feeling ashamed?”
Some of the anger drained out of her. Having just set her building on fire, she understood some of the shame he felt. “You have nothing to be ashamed about, Frank. You taught me to be a better person.”
“Darling, that’s my point. I should have been learning from you. You are cautious and smart, and because of that you haven’t gotten yourself into dangerous situations as I have.”
“What about today?” she snapped.
He didn’t answer right away. When he did, his voice was lower than before. “Yes, what about today? What the devil did you do?”
His tone caused Victoria’s heart soar with sudden hope. “I knocked over a lamp while I was sewing.”
“Ha! A silly mistake,” he said, waving a dismissive hand. “Of course, worthy of punishment if it had happened before I realized my own hypocrisy.” His lips formed into a ghost of a smile, and he looked up to the sky, no doubt recalling having spanked her, as pleasant a memory for him as it was for her. His expression was sober when he looked at her again. “But that was before, like I said. I’m not the same man.”
“I don’t believe that. You’re still good and brave. You just rushed into a burning building and saved it. The thing you’re ashamed of? Being bold and facing danger head-on? That’s both the good and bad of you. And me being cautious is the good and bad of me. Can’t you understand? We both needed to change.”
A weary expression appeared on his face, the same one he wore many times while she was caring for him. She steeled her heart against the hurt it caused, telling herself to be patient. He had been more open with her in the last five minutes than he had in five weeks.
“Let me cook supper for you tomorrow,” she said, “as a way for me to say thanks for saving my store and home.”
He ran his soot-covered hand through his hair, leaving it streaked even darker than it was. A lump formed in her throat. It hurt how much love she had for this man. She loved every untidy, damaged, vulnerable inch of him as much as she loved his strength.
He placed his Stetson over his wild hair. “Yes, let’s do that. I’ll see you tomorrow,” he said softly.
She watched as he hobbled away, and only when he was out of sight did she allow her tears to fall.
Chapter Fifteen
Victoria lit candles around the room in between stirring the stew. The air was filled with the aroma of baked bread and the sprigs of lavender she’d pulled from behind the store and placed in a vase. Bobby had cleaned up his toys and arranged them on the shelf next to his new bed before kissing her goodbye and heading to Mary’s for the night.
Victoria examined herself in the mirror. She was wearing the same dress she wore upon first meeting Frank, a light blue frock with a lace collar. She coiled her hair loosely at her nape and pinched her cheeks. Using a trick she’d read about in Godey’s Lady’s Book, she stained her lips red with an overripe strawberry.
Her ears were peeled for the sound of a knock downstairs. Frank would be arriving anytime now. A realization that he might not come struck her, but she quieted her fears by telling herself it wouldn’t be like him to stand her up on purpose. Even if he thought he was a different man, Victoria didn’t believe it. He was still honest, steadfast, and brave, and she hoped to convince him of that before the night was over.
The knock finally came, and she was simultaneously filled with relief and anxiety.
When she opened the door, Frank swept his hat off and smiled. “You look nice.”
“As do you.”
He was wearing his new slicker over the dark blue shirt he’d bought from her during their first meeting. He’d combed his hair and shined his boots. She stepped aside to allow him entrance, and he walked past her, causing his scent of soap and pine to flood her senses.
They climbed the steps to her living area. As Frank hung his hat and coat on the hook next to the door, he said, “I look forward to having some of that baked bread. Smells mighty good.”
“You’ll get that and more,” Victoria answered cheerily. “I made pecan pie too.”
“You shouldn’t have gone to the trouble.”
“No trouble at all. Have a seat.”
He sat in her armchair and leaned the cane against the table next to it. “I see Bobby has a new bed and lots of toys,” he said, nodding in its direction. “He’d be lost without you now.”
“I’m the one who would be lost. He means a great deal to me.”
Victoria could feel his gaze on her back as she stirred the stew. “I’ve missed you,” he said. His voice was so quiet that Victoria wondered if she’d only heard the words in her head, but he continued. “Being here, it feels like home, like it’s where I’m supposed to be.”
She turned around. “Does that mean you’ll be spending more time here from now on?”
“If you’d be willing, I’d like that.”
She tried to keep her smile from splitting her entire face. She wanted to jump up in the air and rejoice, but she moderated her tone. “I think I made it clear that’s what I want.”
He didn’t return the smile. His voice serious, he said, “I went home last night and did a lot of thinking. What I couldn’t quite figure out was why I felt so good after putting out that fire. I felt like my old self. That’s why I could agree to having supper with you. It’s why I’m here now.”
Victoria poured two glasses of lemonade. When she handed his to him, her fingers brushed against his hand, shooting a trail of pleasure up her arm. The effect was so startling that her eyes snapped to his. He stared at her for a moment before he looked away. He took a long drink of the lemonade.
“I’ll tell you what I think about that,” she said, sitting across from him on the sofa. “Before you fell in the ditch, being with me made you feel strong. You helped me around the store and took care of me. Then when you injured yourself, I had to take care of you. You’re not afraid of much, but you’re afraid of being dependent. Then when you saved my store, you felt strong once again.”
“I reckon you might be right.” He sig
hed. “Ever since the accident, I’ve been feeling weak and ashamed.”
“But you’re not weak, Frank. You went through something terrible, and it’s taking you time to recover. It means you’re human.”
His face softened into a smile. “Thanks, Tori.”
“I was worried you stopped caring about me.”
“No, I never did.”
“Bobby’s been worried about it too. You know how children are. They think everything is their fault.”
A look of pain passed over Frank’s eyes. “I care for you and Bobby more than anyone.”
Victoria served supper. She and Frank spoke easily, enjoying each other’s company more than ever before, since both of them had known what it was like to go without the other for an extended period of time.
When Frank left, he kissed her. It was not chaste. It hinted at a future in which their feelings could be consummated, and for Victoria, that was all she needed to feel happy once again.
Chapter Sixteen
The following Monday, it was uncommonly warm for November—so warm that Frank extinguished the fire in the schoolhouse stove before lunch. He sat at his desk and listened as Bobby read from a primary-level book in front of the younger students.
“Very good, Bobby,” Frank said. “Stay after class, please. I need to discuss something with you.”
“Yessir,” the boy said, and returned to his seat.
At the end of the day, after the rest of the students filed out, Frank walked to Bobby’s bench and sat next to him. “How are you doing, son?”
Bobby’s eyes widened with what looked like alarm at the inquiry, and Frank inwardly winced at having behaved in such a way that his interest was a surprise.
“I’m good,” he said. “I like living with Miss Victoria.”
“And I know she enjoys your company as well.” He drew a deep breath. “I’m sorry, Bobby, for being so quiet these last few weeks.”
Bobby fished into his pocket and pulled out a fistful of colorful rocks. “Miss Victoria says you’re sick in the head. I want to make you feel better.”
“Did you find those at the riverbed?” Frank asked.
He nodded. “Do you like them?” He held them out so that Frank could get a better look.
“I sure do. Those are some of the finest rocks I’ve ever seen.”
Bobby’s face broke into a smile. “I want you to have them. Maybe they’ll help you feel better.”
“Thank you kindly. I feel better already.” He stood to his feet and pocketed the stones, then held out his hand. “Come with me. We’re going on a little walk, and there might be a picnic at the end of it.”
Bobby grinned and placed his hand in Frank’s without hesitation, and Frank knew he would never distance himself from Bobby or Victoria again, no matter how weak or ashamed he felt.
Before they left, Frank stopped in the mud house and picked up the bouquet of pink, orange, and red flowers that were soaking in a bucket. “Do you recognize these?”
Bobby nodded. “Sure do. Lots of those flowers are by my old house.”
“That’s where these are from. I hope you don’t mind, I went to your house this morning and picked them for Miss Victoria. I thought we could give this bouquet to her.”
“They’re pretty, but make sure she doesn’t prick herself on the thorns. That hurts something fierce.”
“You’re right, we’ll have to warn her. Doesn’t seem fair, does it, that something so beautiful can make you bleed?”
Bobby shook his head. “I guess not. But I still like them.”
“Me too.”
As they walked along the path out of town, Bobby regaled Frank with stories about the collection of insects and lizards he’d acquired, the marble he’d bartered for at recess, and his adventures at the swimming hole. He stopped talking only to ask where they were going.
“We’re headed to the river. I thought you and me could do some fishing and have a picnic with Victoria. Does that sound like a good time?”
“Yes,” Bobby exclaimed. “But we haven’t got fishing rods. There’s a broken one at my old house. We could stop there and try and fix it.”
“No need. Miss Victoria borrowed a couple from the Wolfes. If you want, I’ll carve new poles for us later. We can go fishing often from now on.”
“That would be great!”
Frank smiled. It amazed him how forgiving children could be, even when let down in the worst way by those around them. Bobby especially impressed him, not only for his good nature, but also for his survival instincts when left all on his own.
“I hope you know how proud I am of you, Bobby. I’ve never met a boy as brave as you.”
“Thank you, Mr. Bassett,” he said, and seemed to grow a few inches taller.
They climbed their way through thick brush up to the clearing of grass situated a stone’s throw from the lake. Frank spotted Victoria in the distance where they’d agreed to meet, sitting on quilt in the middle of the meadow. Wildflowers skirted her—dots of bright color against the green grass.
When they reached her, Frank held out his hand to help her to her feet. He gave her the roses. “From me and Bobby, but your beauty puts them to shame.”
She rose and took the bouquet from him. “You’re sure romantic when you want to be.” She pressed her nose to the flowers and her eyebrows shot up. “That’s lovely. I’ve never smelled anything like it.”
Frank nodded. “That’s what I noticed too. They’re something, aren’t they?”
“Careful not to hurt yourself on the thorns,” Bobby said.
“I’ll be careful. Thank you both.” She set the bouquet on the blanket.
Frank pulled her into his arms and kissed her. It felt like heaven having her lips against his, and the kiss would have been longer if Bobby hadn’t let out a groan over their display of affection. Frank looked down at the boy, who was scowling up at them.
“Can we go fishing now?” he asked.
Frank pretended to think about it. “I suppose we can get on with that.”
Bobby and Frank sat on boulders near each other, cast their lines into the water, and waited for the telltale tugs. Victoria sat beside Frank and leaned against him, and he wrapped his arm around her without a word. The sun sparkled on the ripples of the lake, and the scent of trees and flowers swirled around them with the breeze. Frank thought how lucky he was to be alive to enjoy moments like this.
“I haven’t seen Bobby so happy. He missed your attention,” she said, her voice a whisper. “It sure is good to have you back.”
Frank squeezed her gently. “I’m here thanks to you. You saved me in more ways than one.”
“You did the same for me, Frank.”
They ate sandwiches and fished until the sun dropped close to the horizon. Frank caught nothing, but Bobby snagged a small bass. They celebrated, but Bobby decided to throw it back. They played hide-and-seek, mostly for Bobby’s benefit, but he wasn’t the only one laughing. At the end of the game, when Frank found Bobby behind an elm tree, the boy gave Frank a hug so hard and suddenly that it nearly knocked him over.
“I don’t want you to stop playing,” Bobby said, his voice quivering.
Once he recovered his stance, Frank returned the hug. He knew the meaning behind Bobby’s words. He didn’t want for the evening to end and for Frank to go back to how he’d been behaving the last few weeks. “It’s all right, Bobby. I’m right here. I promise I’m not going anywhere.”
When Frank looked at Victoria, he saw tears in her eyes, but she was smiling.
Bobby took off toward home after admonishments to be careful and to go straight to the store. Once he was gone, Frank didn’t delay in pulling Victoria to an isolated portion of the meadow between two trees and a boulder.
He caught her chin in his hand and kissed her, inhaling the fresh scent of her, drawing out her passion as he had so deftly done previously. He could feel her body’s response to him. It was in her quiet moan and the dance of her tongue with his.
When his kiss traveled from her lips down to her neck, she sighed. “Oh, how I’ve missed you, Frank.”
“I’ll never give you the chance to miss me again,” he promised. He reached behind to where the bow of her dress started at the nape of her neck. He untied it with care and slipped his hands beneath the material to rub the skin of her shoulders, appreciating the warmth of her beneath his fingertips.
Once he loosened the bodice of her dress, her breasts were free for him to touch. He caressed them and rolled and pinched her peaked nipples between his thumb and forefinger. Gooseflesh appeared over her arms even as her eyes smoldered.
In contrast to the way he slowly undressed her, she made quick work of removing his shirt. There was a frenzy of desire in her, which fueled his own.
She shivered as he lay her on the quilt. “I’ll warm you up, darlin’,” he said, covering her body with his. Their mouths crushed together, and she trailed her fingers along the ridge of his spine. Her touch reminded him of everything good and pleasurable in life. When he entered her and felt her soft flesh wrapped around his steely hardness, he knew they were fused for life.
Her back arched, connecting her pelvis with his. She was lithe and eager to receive every stroke, grasping him and pulling him tight to her, meeting his thrusts with the movement of her hips.
Her arousal crested, and she writhed beneath him, tilting her head back and curling her toes as she cried out. A groan from deep and low in his throat emerged as he pushed inside her and pleasure ricocheted in his body.
They later lay shivering and sated, wrapped tight in the quilt and attempting to draw warmth from each other’s body. The scent of sex merged with the aroma of roses and evening dew. The evening had grown cold, but Frank was in no hurry for this time with Victoria to end, and she seemed similarly inclined to savor the moment.
Taming Tori Page 11