Chapter 19

In between making phone calls and answering e-mails, Jon wondered what Frannie had thought of his suggestion. He hadn’t been totally sure he should have made that proposal at this point in their …, what relationship? Could they even call it that? He didn’t know, but he liked being with Frannie, liked watching her come out of her shell a little more each day. True, he was only just divorced, but he had been living alone for the better part of a year and he didn’t particularly care for it. Walking into a silent empty house after a long day or after being away held no appeal for him whatsoever. He liked his “me” time, but he didn’t like being alone. He needed the interaction, having someone other than the guys to bounce ideas off of, to talk through a rough day with, just to lean on when the load he carried became too heavy for one person.

Frannie had been there when he needed her the other day and hadn’t offered any advice; she had just been a shoulder for him to lean on and a sounding board for his ramblings. She held him, had comforted him and that had been what he had needed right then, something Dorothea hadn’t ever done.

The realization of that last thought hit Jon hard. It was true though. Dot had always been there, but she was never quiet about it. She always tried to tell him what she thought he should do or give him advice as to what she considered to be the best thing for him. Thinking back on it now, it annoyed the hell out of him. He couldn’t remember a time when she had just been there for him like Frannie had been, honestly, he didn’t think there ever was a time.

With a sigh he pulled his thoughts from Frannie and went back to answering his e-mails. It was going to be a long afternoon.

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While Jon was hiding in his office Frannie tried to get her things organized. She still couldn’t believe he had done this for her. The light in the room was good for most of the day so she could work until the early evening if the need ever arose.

Sitting on the chaise that was up against the wall Frannie considered what Jon had asked her earlier. “Stay with me permanently.” She shook her head at the absurdity of the statement. How could he ask her something like that? They hadn’t known each other all that long and, granted, she was for all intents and purposes living with him now, but the circumstances were entirely different. She didn’t have anyplace to go other than her own home and she just couldn’t make herself go back there to live.

Frannie got up and paced the room. Thoughts of Jon filled her head and she tried to make sense of everything. He had been so good to her and for her. He had helped her through a horrible ordeal and had even endangered his own life for her, something she didn’t think she could every repay. But she thought, why does he want me here? He hadn’t said anything about why he wanted her there all he had said was stay with me permanently. She just didn’t know what to do.

Could it be that he loved her? And if that is the case, did she love him? Frannie shook her head as she stopped her pacing and looked out the window. Did she love him? She liked being with him, liked talking with him. He had all the qualities she had ever looked for in a man. He was sensitive, caring, fiercely loyal, charming, a tremendous lover, all around he was a decent, good looking guy. He was famous and rich as well, but Frannie didn’t care about that. He could have been a flat broke nobody and it wouldn’t have mattered. He had treated her with nothing but the utmost respect and that went a long way with her. She smiled as she gazed out the window, he loved her daughter.

This was how Jon found her when he left his office. He walked into the solarium and Frannie was so lost in thought he knew she hadn’t heard him so he just studied her for a moment. Her arms were crossed over her chest and her hair tumbled down her back in dark silky waves. His heart beat a little quicker as he watched her and he couldn’t stop the smile that was forming on his lips.

“Penny for your thoughts.” She didn’t jump when he spoke; she had seen him in the window when he came into the room. Without turning around she answered him quietly, “oh, they’re worth more than a penny today.” His smile faded slightly at her tone and he crossed the room to her. “Really, anything you care to share?” She turned to him then, “that little zinger you left me with earlier Jon. Did you mean it?”

Jon took her hand and led her to the sofa, “I wouldn’t have asked you if I hadn’t meant it Frannie. I never say or do anything I don’t mean.” She nodded her understanding. She had figured as much. “We haven’t known each other that long, you realize that right?” Jon looked at her, trying to read where she was going with this, but he couldn’t. “I know it hasn’t been that long Frannie, but …” he trailed off. How could he make her understand what he didn’t fully understand himself? She lifted his chin with her fingers so he was looking at her, “but what?”

He sighed and stood, dropping his head back and looking at the ceiling, as if the answers might be there for him to read. “But I enjoy having you here Frannie. I like knowing that when I go out you’ll be here when I get back, that I’m not going to walk into an empty quiet house.” She waited for him to say more and when he didn’t she interjected. “I enjoy being here too, but a dog could give you the same kind of enjoyment as you are describing.” Jon’s shoulders slumped and he dropped his head forward, staring at the floor. She didn’t get it. When he looked up again she was looking at him, “that’s not what I was getting at.”

Frannie stood and faced him, “what exactly are you getting at Jon?”