“Well, then it’s you too, Franny.”
She looked puzzled for a minute, then straightened her shoulders. “You know what? I’ll take it.”
He managed a little bit of a laugh, even if it hurt.
Maybe he’d learn to take it too. With her.
Epilogue
Three Months Later
Franny was in the bakery talking to Albennie and Lia over coffee, marveling inwardly at how much Albennie looked like her old self. Even though she’d only been kidnapped a few days, she’d come back looking skinny and haunted.
These days, she looked like she had before. Strong and sure and happy.
She didn’t talk about the kidnapping, and the police still only knew that whatever Albennie had been involved in was related to a federal case, but the people who’d wanted her were all behind bars. Where they belonged.
As long as she was safe, that was what mattered.
So life was good, and Franny knew how to appreciate that. Especially with her book almost done.
The bell on the door jangled and all three women looked to see Royal striding in. He wasn’t in uniform, but he had his serious cop expression on.
“God, he’s hot,” Albennie muttered before he made it over to them.
“I know,” Franny said with a grin. “And all mine.” He even spent most nights at her place now. He volunteered for the Hope Town sector whenever he had the chance.
Three months had been exactly what Franny had always hoped a real, adult relationship might be like. Not perfect, not always romantic. Solid. Real. Nothing she could write in a bookbecause it was cooking meals together or drinking their coffee or arguing on which team had the better starting rotation.
They were building something like her cousins had with their significant others, and that filled Franny with all kinds of hope.
“Bragger,” Lia muttered. “Except who wants a cop?”
Before Franny could answer that, Royal linked his arm with hers. No greeting. Just: “We have to go.”
“Where?” she asked as he pulled her along, a little worry fluttering low in her stomach.
“Brooke’s having the baby.”
“Oh!” Worry turned to excitement. Except…she shouldn’t be coming with. She’d spent more time with Brooke and Zeke since she and Royal had been dating, but this was still…a family thing.
“Brooke probably doesn’t want non-family in her hospital room. It’s a sacred place, Royal.”
“Zeke said it was okay. His brother and sister are going to be there with their kids and everything. I can’t face a babyalone, Franny. She’s going to want me to hold it.”
“Him, Royal. The baby is a boy.”
“Right, right. See, that’s why I need you.” She liked seeing him flustered, because he only ever was about truly wonderful things. And she thought…maybe someday they’d get to a point where good things and babies and building families didn’t fluster him so much, and she wanted to be around to see that.
Maybe she had lots of dreams about the future, but she didn’t need everything to happen at once or quickly. In fact, it was nice to just enjoy dating somebody. While Rosalie grew her baby, and Audra planned her wedding, Franny was getting to know her boyfriend.
And apparently his new nephew.
ROYAL WAS GLADhe’d dragged Franny along, because he didn’t know what the hell he was supposed to do in the waiting room, waiting for updates. But Franny chatted with Zeke’s family and in-laws. She entertained Zeke’s brother’s toddler and had a very serious discussion about Taylor Swift with his brother-in-law’s teenager.
Because she just had awayabout her.
When Zeke came out to the waiting room, everyone was desperate for an update. “Baby’s here,” he said, raking a hand through his hair like he couldn’t quite believe he’d said those words. “Brooke’s…amazing. Everything’s great. She wants to see Royal first.” Zeke looked as unsteady and winded as Royal had ever seen him—and he’d seen him face down men with guns. “You come on too, Franny. We’ll do the families one at a time.”
