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Enzo cranked the music back up and the party lurched into high gear.
Jake looked around at the house full of family, friends, food, and fun, and realized he had a part in this. These people were his family as well. They’d brought this place back to life for its next adventure.Mission accomplished.Though it also meant he needed to get moving on his next adventure as well.
His eyes scanned the crowd to find Frankie again.
She was watching Jo and Dom snuggle in the porch swing she'd hung for them, looking like newlyweds who couldn't bear to be apart. This was Frankie's model for grown love. He realized it had become his as well. And he wanted that with her.
Jake stepped up behind her and startled her by taking her free hand and tapping her glass with his. “Congratulations, Ms. Valenti. A job well done.”
“It’s amazing what we can accomplish when we finally start working together.”
He smiled at that and kissed her hand where their fingers entwined. Had she read his mind? “Walk with me.”
They strolled down the gravel drive toward the framed-out barn where her siblings planned to host their double wedding in a few short weeks. Jake still couldn't believe they'd asked him to stand up as a groomsman.
He walked, hand in hand with her where the aisle would be, and helped her sit down on the edge of the slab. He flicked on the fairy lights she'd strung and joined her as she stared out over the blackened hillside.
“So,” she said.
“So.” He mimicked her tone for tone.
She bumped her shoulder into his and asked the question he had been struggling with for weeks. “What’s next for you?” He could hear the nerves in her voice.
“I'm not sure,” he said honestly.
“That’s not like you.”
“I know, but see, I’ve got this person in my life now, and I need to plan with her instead of making the decisions on my own.”
“Learned that one quick, did ya?” She chuckled.
“What about you?”
“I’m not sure either. I thought I knew. I had it all planned out, but now…”
She shrugged and he leaned back, bracing himself with one hand behind so he could wrap an arm around her shoulder and pull her into the comfort and support of his hug. “Talk me through it.”
She rested her head heavily on his shoulder and sucked in a deep breath before she spoke. “I don’t want to run the company,” she whispered.
“Whoa. That’s a big shift.”
“I know.” She slapped her hand playfully against his thigh. “And it’s all your fault.”
“My fault? How do you figure?”
“Everything was fine and dandy. I was all set to carry out Gabe’s legacy, take over the company and let my dad retire. Adrian and I could handle running the place and keep the family motto going. Good work, on time, and under budget. It would have been enough.”
She shifted farther into his embrace and touched his cheek with her fingertips until he turned to look at her.
“And then you showed up and made me see bigger possibilities. Now those old dreams feel small. I need to rough in some new dreams, but I don’t know where to start, and I need your help. Can I pitch you an idea?”
“Sure.”
He scooted sideways so he was facing her, one leg crossed in front of him, the other dangling over the edge. She mirrored his move, but she was looking at her hands, fidgeting with her cuticles. He put one of his over hers to calm her nerves and nodded for her to start.
"What would you say to another show, one where we help rebuild homes for people who have been struck by tragedy? We could travel all over, or stay close to home here, helping people get back on their feet by fixing or rebuilding their homes and their lives."
Jake thought about it for a minute. Logistics, scheduling, funding, casting, red tape all swirled through his mind, distracting him momentarily from the point. Pushing all that aside, he realized this woman was handing him what he'd been looking for. A way to do good in the world, and a way to stay involved in her life.
