“A new body. I wouldn’t mind having one like Sean Connery’s in the Bond films.”
Colt cracked a slight grin. At least Frank’s sense of humor was still intact. “Want me to call Beverly?” Although late in the evening, he knew she would want to know what happened.
Frank’s features darkened. “No. Don’t bother her.”
“I’m sure it’s not a bother.” Colt pondered how he’d feel if something happened to Penny and no one told him. Fueled by the distressing thought, he pressed on, despite Frank’s insistence. “She cares about you. I really think one of us should call her.”
“I didn’t ask for your opinion,” Frank barked.
In the back of his mind, Colt could hear his mother’s voice kindly pointing out that Frank had a rough night and was in a lot of pain. Even Dr. Delaney had told him Frank needed rest. And yet, deep in his core, Colt couldn’t let the topic drop. Not like this.
He kept thinking about what Beverly told him the night they crossed paths on the front porch.Love is a gift in this life, not a guarantee. And if you’re blessed to find it, you do whatever it takes to keep it. Even when it’s hard.
He’d messed things up with Penny. The damage might even be irreparable. But Frank? He still had a chance to make things work.
Squaring his shoulders, he said evenly, “Maybe not. But I’m going to give it to you, anyway. It’s time to man up and quit being such a blonde roast.”
Frank’s eyebrows lowered. “What did you say?”
“You heard me.” Colt took a deep breath, pushing forward. “You’re either all in or you’re out.”
Frank looked away. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Sure I do. Pursuing a woman is the same as roasting coffee. You shouldn’t do it at all if you’re not going to do it right. You have a good woman, Frank. It’s time you stop pushing her away.”
“It’s for her own good.” Frank’s words escaped in a low, guttural growl, and Colt was surprised by the flicker of despair in his steel-gray eyes.
“What do you mean?”
“I’m protecting her from this.” Frank waved a hand over his afflicted body. “I’m a ticking time bomb, slowly counting down the seconds. Although, not as slowly as I’d like.”
“It’s not as bad as all that,” Colt assured him quickly.
Frank met his gaze with a stone-cold stare. “Isn’t it? You think I don’t know why you’re really here?”
Taken aback, Colt stammered, “Cassie said—”
“I know what she said. That girl is too meddlesome for her own good,” he grumbled, although his tone softened with uncharacteristic affection.
“So…” Colt trailed off, putting the pieces together. “All this time, you’ve resented me being here?”
“I—” Frank paused, as if refraining from his usual bluntness. Finally, he murmured, “I resentedneedingyou here. Which proves my point. What do I have to offer Beverly? I can’t even live in my own house without a babysitter.” A bitter resignation stole across his features. “I’d thought I’d been given another chance. But the heart attack made me realize I might not have much time left. She’s already lost someone she loved. I won’t let her go through that again.”
Flooded with compassion, Colt studied the older man, noticing the angst etched into each weathered wrinkle and crease. “But what if you’re wrong?” he asked gently. “Shouldn’tshebe the one who gets to decide that?”
Frank glowered, but Colt persisted.
“What if the roles were reversed? Wouldyouwalk away? Or would you cherish whatever time you were given regardless of what came next?”
Frank’s eyes widened a fraction of a centimeter, as though Colt’s words resonated on some level deep within him.
And for a moment, Colt saw a glimmer of hope….
For both of them.
Chapter 25
Apart from when her father died, Penny had never experienced such soul-rending agony. Her raw throat burned from hours of sobbing, and the early morning sunlight filtering through the tall windows stung her swollen eyes.
