Startled by Frank’s unexpected question, Colt blinked. “What?”
“The smile on your face… who’s the girl?”
“It’s that obvious, huh?”
“I’m old, but I’m not blind. I know a man in love when I see one.”
The handle slipped from Colt’s grasp, clattering to the ground. Rattled, he scrambled to recover the broom, disturbing his neat mound of coffee beans in the process.
Frank chuckled. “No need to get your knickers in a knot. I take it you haven’t said theLword yet?”
“No, I… we haven’t… what I mean is…” Thoroughly flummoxed, Colt stood stock-still, his jaw hanging open.In love?He knew he cared about Penny. More than anyone. And he would do anything for her. But love? He wasn’t even sure he knew what that meant. At least, not completely.
The lyrics from the old nursery rhyme “The Kissing Song” popped into his head, and he started to sweat.First comes love, then comes marriage…
“Relax, son.” Frank’s features softened. “Your secret is safe with me. But can I give you a piece of advice from one fool to another?”
“Sure,” Colt croaked, tugging on his shirt collar. The temperature inside the barn must’ve increased by a hundred degrees.
“You get one shot at this life. And each day that passes, you only get older. Until you’re one dance away from it being your last.” Frank’s voice took on a husky quality, as though his throat had constricted around his words. “If you’ve found your partner, don’t waste a single second hemming and hawing. You spin her around that dance floor never once forgetting that you’re the luckiest man alive.”
As Frank spoke, Colt recalled glimpses of Frank and Beverly waltzing across the dance floor at Luke and Cassie’s wedding, moments before his heart attack. And he couldn’t help wondering why Frank didn’t take his own advice.
He clearly loved Beverly, yet chose to live alone. And until recently, had cut himself off from everyone in town. Growing up, he’d always pitied Frank Barrie’s reclusive lifestyle. And yet, was his life all that different?
Sure, he traveled the world, experiencing adventures most people couldn’t even fathom.
But what would it be like to share them with someone else?
Especially someone he loved….
Chapter 17
As he fidgeted with the setting on his headlamp, Colt stole a surreptitious glance in Penny’s direction.
A lot rode on today’s adventure, and he wanted to make sure she felt safe and comfortable. And maybe even enjoyed herself.
“How are you feeling?” He studied her expression closely.
“Okay, I think. We’re not likely to drown in a cave, right?” Her gaze darted to the ominous entrance, a thin worry line etched across her forehead.
“The chances are slim.” He flashed a reassuring smile as he handed her a headlamp.
“What’s this for?” she asked, tugging on the elastic strap.
“I like to bring my own light. The ones provided by the tour guides are dim and unreliable. I keep two headlamps in my ready bag at all times in case one of the batteries goes out.”
“What’s a ‘ready bag’?”
“It’s a backpack I keep fully stocked with an assortment of supplies for when an unexpected adventure presents itself.”
“Why am I not surprised you’d have something like that?” Penny chuckled softly.
At the pleasant lilt of her laugh, warmth radiated throughout his body. He could get used to hearing that sound. “Just loop it over your head and press the top button to turn the light on and off,” he explained with a quick demonstration.
After securing the lamp to her safety helmet, she practiced the movement, inadvertently blinding him.
“Hey! Careful with that thing.” With a good-natured grimace, he shielded his eyes from the harsh beam of light.
