Her Old-Fashioned Husband Read Free

shrugged, wishing she could confess her loneliness, her confusion, her need to find some respite from the grief. But instead she bit her lip, holding in her emotions.
    She didn’t wait for him to come around and open her door. Jumping out, she ran up to the porch, trying to get inside and up to her bedroom before Tom reached the house. But he suddenly appeared bes ide her and grabbing her hand, tugged her towards Heath’s study.
    Stopping, he knocked on the door.
    “Come in,” Heath called out. Frankie winced at the tiredness in her oldest brother’ s voice. Tugging her in, Tom closed the door behind them with an ominous thud.
    By this time, Frankie’s heart was going a mile a minute, her palms sweating and stomach sick.
    This was not happening.
    Heath stared at them in surprise, his face tired and lined. Heath didn’t need her doing this on top of everything else he had to worry about. He’d not only become her guardian but he had a whole ranch to run. Even with Kent and Cam’s help it was still a lot for him to take on.
    Maybe she should leave home . She was old enough to get a job. She was just a burden and a trouble maker.
    “What’s going on? Tom, what are you doing here?”
    Heath’s gaze narrowed in on Frankie. Heath was so like her Daddy, sometimes it hurt her to look at him. Tears filled her eyes as she glanced away.
    “Frankie, sweetheart? What’s wrong?” Heath asked, his voice filled with concern. “How did you t-shirt get ripped?” His voice grew darker, more demanding.
    With a sob, she shook her head, her gaze lowered.
    “Tell him, Frankie,” Tom urged her.
    “I can’t,” she wailed.
    “Frankie, look at me.” She raised her gaze to meet her brother’s. He pushed his chair back from the desk and held his arms open, waiting. Frankie flew at him and he gathered her on her lap, rocking her gently.
    “What’s wrong, little girl, hmm?” he asked. “What’s happened? Has someone hurt you?”
    She could feel his alarm as she gulped for breath.
    “Frankie,” Heath said firmly. “You’re scaring me, sweetheart. Calm down and tell me what’s going on.”
    Slowly, she settled to the point she could talk. “I’m so sorry, Heath. I-I really am.”
    “Tell me. We can figure it out together.” Those few words broke the dam and she told him everything.
    “I snuck out of the house and this guy, Rick, picked me up at the bottom of the drive. I knew you were busy and the other guys are out on dates and stuff. Rick took me to this party over in Bronwood. I didn’t really know anyone there.”
    “Who is this Rick?” Heath asked, running his hand up and down her back. Damn, she didn’t deserve his comfort.
    Frankie shrugged. “Just this guy I met one time at Amy’s. He’s a friend of her older brother’s. He asked me out to a small party about a month ago. This is the third time he’s picked me up to go out.”
    Heath remained calm. “Did they have alcohol at this party?”
    “Yes. I only had three beers,” she said in a rush.
    “Hmm.” He kissed her forehead and she collapsed against him, relieved he wasn’t furious. She knew Heath loved her, but what if he grew sick of her? He was only twenty- seven — he had a life of his own to live without looking after a sixteen year old brat.
    “And you were at this party, Tom?” Heath asked.
    She stiffened. She’d hoped to keep some parts of what happened from Heath. If only Tom would leave then she could keep the rest a secret. Why hadn’t he left? Hadn’t he caused her enough problems already?
    It was devastating that the guy she’d adored for so long had humiliated her so much.
    “I want there with a friend,” Tom began.
    “With a friend,” Frankie interrupted with a sneer. “She found someone more interesting to play with ,” she continued, hoping to embarrass him.
    Heath’s hand stilled and he stared down at her, his eyes dark with disappointment. That was worse than anger.
    “Apologize, Frankie.”
    Frankie wanted to do