“Yes, please.” She caught the owner’s eye. “Cappuccino, Betsy, please.”
“Coming right up.” The diner filled with the sound of the coffee machine as Betsy prepared the cappuccino and brought it over, along with a refill for Adam. “I wondered why Adam was frequenting my establishment when he has that big fancy hotel to eat at. But now I see why he’s here.” Betsy smiled at them both indulgently and hovered over them as if waiting for more gossip.
“Thanks, Betsy. Yes, Adam and I are mates. And this is our first date,” Frankie said with a winning smile.
“Oh, first date. You’ll be wanting some privacy then.” Betsy winked at Adam and then walked across to another table and refilled their coffee cups.
“Do you think she can hear us?” Frankie asked conspiratorially as she sipped her coffee.
“I expect so.” Adam sat back in his chair. “So, the animal shelter?”
“It breaks my heart,” Frankie began. “All of these animals, family pets who need a home. So I’ve asked Ronni, she’s the person who runs it, if I can revamp their website and set up a blog. Then I can feature all the animals. Make videos of them, talk about their personalities.”
Adam sat in the radiant warmth of Frankie’s enthusiasm. “That sounds like a great idea.”
“It does, doesn’t it?” She carefully placed her cup down on her saucer. “I had another idea, too.” She looked at him through her long lashes, and he couldn’t help but smile.
“I get the feeling I might not like it, but go ahead.”
“What about a dog show?” Frankie asked triumphantly.
“A dog show?” Adam shrugged. “Sounds like a good idea.”
“It is, we could show off all the dogs from the shelter…” She paused. “The only problem is there isn’t enough room at the shelter.”
“But you have another idea.” He knew what she was going to ask, but let her ask anyway.
“Do you think Julius would let us host it on the grounds of the hotel? It would be a great day for everyone. You could showcase the wonderful afternoon teas…” She leaned back and studied him. “Do I need to sell it anymore?”
“No.” He chuckled. “We hosted something similar a couple of years ago. I’m certain Julius will agree.”
“Thank you.” Frankie popped up out of her seat and kissed him on the cheek.
“You are welcome.” Adam couldn’t keep his normally serious expression from being completely swept away and replaced by a huge grin.
“I amuse you.” She cocked her head to one side and crossed her eyes.
“You make me happy.” He frowned. “I didn’t realize how much that was missing from my life.”
“Being happy?” Frankie studied him for a moment. “You were really convinced your mate was dead, weren’t you?”
“I was.” He looked over Frankie’s shoulder to where Betsy was talking to another couple. He didn’t want the owner of the diner knowing his business. Adam was a private person, and discreet, which was why he excelled in the hotel business.
Frankie looked down at her coffee cup, which she held between both her hands as if warming her hands. “Do you think…” She looked up at Adam, her eyes piercing his. “What if we went and talked to her relatives? This woman who you thought was your mate. You had a photograph, you know her name. What if we go and find out if she is the person who gave me her heart?”
The air left Adam’s lungs. He had spent years trying to push her out of his mind, and finding Frankie should mean he was free of the pain he’d carried for so long. To go and track down her family, and dredge up the past for them all. Did it make sense?
“Sometimes… I was told that sometimes families like to meet the person who received a loved one’s organs. It gives them closure.” Frankie’s observation made sense.
“We don’t even know if the two are linked. We don’t know if Delia, the woman I saw that day in the store, is the same person whose heart you have.” Adam scratched his head, deep in thought. But there was no right or wrong answer. At least not for the relatives. But for Frankie, and for Adam, this may explain the past, and help give them the best chance of a happy future.
“What if we are linked?” Frankie asked. She reached across the table, her fingers gripping his. “Is there any way we can find out?”
“I suppose we could visit Delia’s family and try to find out if her organs were donated.” Adam lifted her hand to his mouth and kissed the back of it. “I don’t want anyone to get hurt. Least of all you.”
Frankie nodded. “Do you know the date?”
“The accident was on September 18th, 2013.”
“I had my transplant on September 21st, 2013.” She looked perplexed, and Adam sat patiently, waiting for her to speak. “Perhaps she didn’t die right away.” Frankie closed her eyes as if shutting out the thought. “I try not to think of the pain of someone dying so that I could live.”
“It’s not your fault. The accident was not your fault,” Adam assured her.
“I wrote them a letter. The next of kin. The nurse helped me, because what do you say to someone who lost their loved one?”
“I can’t even begin to understand how difficult that must have been for you and for the family.”
“There was a nurse. Nurse Milliner. She was like a go-between. She told me the family was pleased that part of their loved one would live on. I don’t think I was the only person to receive a donated organ.” Her brow creased. “Does that mean more women will be chasing after you?”
“I doubt it.” Adam smiled reassuringly. “Why don’t we make Nurse Milliner our first contact? Perhaps she could help us.”
“I don’t have her address and I lost contact with her when she retired. I don’t think she would help anyway. Confidentiality is very important to the nurses.” Frankie mulled it over. “But there’s no harm in going and checking the records. If I sent a letter to her family, maybe they sent one back.”
“We’re going on a road trip?” Adam asked. He would have to organize time off work, but since he hadn’t taken a vacation in the last two years, he doubted Julius would mind.
“Yes.” Frankie placed her hand on her heart. “Strange, my heart feels different.”
“In a good way?” Adam asked, concerned.
“Yes, it’s been restless…I can’t explain it any other way. But since this morning, it’s more relaxed.” She smiled at Adam. “One day it might even feel like my heart.”
“It doesn’t?” Adam asked.
“No, not since the transplant.” Frankie raked her hand through her hair. “I sound unhinged.” She blew the air out of her cheeks. “Shall we eat?”
“Good idea. I’ll ask Julius when it’s convenient for me to leave. Is that okay?” Adam picked up the menu, skimming the dishes until he settled on fish and chips.
“Of course.” Frankie picked up her own menu and peered over the top of it as she said, “I’ve waited this long. I’m in no rush.”
“Really?” Adam asked, arching an eyebrow at her.
“Well, maybe a little bit of a rush.” She placed her menu down on the table. “I want us to move on. You know, figure out what we’re going to do now that we’ve met each other. And I need this answered before that happens.” Frankie paused, her frown returning. “It’s like I’m stuck in limbo since my operation.”
“Why? You went off and blogged your way around the world.” Adam didn’t hide the admiration in his voice.
“I had to force myself every step of the way. It was as if I was walking with lumps of clay stuck to my boots.” She placed her hand over her heart. “It was as if something was pulling me here.”
“But you only came to Bear Creek when Ruth took up her teaching job.” Adam wanted to understand how Frankie felt.
“It was me who sent Ruth the ad for the job at the school.” Her eyes drifted out of focus. “Someone I vaguely knew messaged me about it and asked if I thought Ruth might be interested.” Frankie looked up sharply. “Do you believe in
ghosts?”
Adam set his menu down, but before he could answer, Betsy bustled over to the table. “You look as if you are ready to order.”
“Are you?” Adam asked Frankie.
“Yes. I’ll have the mushroom risotto please.”
“Fish and chips for me.” They added a couple of side orders and waited for Betsy to leave before carrying on their conversation.
“So, do you?” Frankie asked, her eyes wide.
“I don’t know if I believe in ghosts.” He made his fingers into a temple and rested his chin on them. “But I have something I’d like to show you.”
“Intriguing.” She looked at him darkly. “Do I get a hint?”
“Nope.” Adam grinned as she huffed at him. “It’s better if you see it.”
“You aren’t a pervert, are you?” A smile twitched on her lips as he nearly choked on his coffee.
“No, this has to do with my bear.” He shook his head. “If you’re trying to shock me into giving you a clue, it’s not going to work. As a hotel manager, there is little that can shock me anymore.”
“Ooooh, I sense a story or two.” Frankie sat forward, eagerly waiting for him to talk, when all he wanted to do was kiss her, and take away all her pain and insecurities.
Chapter Nine – Frankie
“And you kept his secret?” Frankie asked as they left the diner and walked to Adam’s car. It was big, black and sleek. “Julius obviously pays you too much.”
“Yes. I kept his secret. I’m very discreet and would not want to ruin a marriage over a mix-up in room numbers.” He ran his fingertips over the hood of his car. “I don’t have a house, I didn’t have a mate, or a family to support, so I bought a car I liked. It says bachelor, don’t you think?”
“It does.” Frankie stepped back and admired it. “I thought you might have gone for something more sporty.”
“No.” He smiled to himself. “It’s more of an executive car. But I’ll trade it in and get something more serviceable.”
“Why?” Frankie asked.
“Because I’ve found my mate.” Adam opened the passenger door for her.
“Adam, I don’t want to rush this.” She stood on the sidewalk, not getting into the car.
“You mean rush into having children?” Adam’s expression became serious. “You think I plan to trade in this sleek beast for a family SUV?”
“Don’t you?” Frankie studied his expression, she wanted to know the truth about his feelings toward having children. Children she might not be able to give him.
“No. I understand that our…situation may be a little different. And I am okay with that. If we don’t have children of our own, we can adopt.”
“Adam.” She moved closer to him, so close she could feel the heat from his body. “I don’t know how long I’m going to live.”
“None of us do,” he answered, stroking her cheek and sending shivers of desire through her body.
“It’s a little different for me. With my heart transplant, the prognosis is never good. It’s unlikely I’ll live to an old age.” Frankie raised her eyes to his. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. I’ll take whatever I can and be grateful for every day we’re given.” He leaned forward and kissed her lips, his fingers stroking her cheek, and she kissed him back, hard and fierce.
Frankie clung to him as he kissed her. He was solid and real and hers. She wanted to live the rest of her life with him, and grow old by his side, with grandchildren at their feet to keep them young.
“Anything is possible,” he whispered.
“I want to believe.” Frankie took a step back and wiped her eyes. “Shall we go? I can’t wait to see this surprise of yours.”
“Come on then, let’s go.” He ushered her into the car and shut the door before walking around to the driver’s side and climbing in next to her. Adam started the engine, which purred like a pussycat.
“My car is half the size of yours and twice as noisy.” Frankie did her seatbelt up and settled back into her seat. “Hey, this is comfortable.”
“Heated seats. Fabulous in the winter.” Adam glanced at her sideways and laughed. “Sorry, I sound like a car salesman.”
“You wouldn’t have to push too hard to sell me one of these if I had the cash.” Frankie turned her attention to where they were going. She wasn’t a materialistic person, but she sure loved Adam’s car. “Where are you taking me?”
“I thought we’d drive up the mountain, as far as my car will take us and then walk.” Adam turned onto a narrow road that was more used to seeing trucks than smart black cars. “If you feel up to walking.”
“Of course.” Frankie half turned to face Adam. “I’m not fragile. I won’t break.”
“I promise not to wrap you in bubble wrap,” Adam told her solemnly.
“Good, because that would be like living in a prison. I’m as capable as anyone else my age, I just have to take my meds.” She leaned back and looked out of the window as the trees crowded in and the road narrowed even more. “I like it here. I don’t think I’ve been this way before.”
“It’s one of the less used roads since it doesn’t climb so high into the mountains. But, as I learned when I first bought the car, it’s not suitable for the gravel trails.” Adam pulled over to the side of the road where a shallow indent into the forest left enough room to park the car without blocking the road. “From here, we walk.”
“Good, I can’t wait to get out. I’ve explored the lower slopes, and some of the well-used trails, but I’m so used to town living, I haven’t ventured too far. I keep thinking I should buy a map.”
“You don’t have to, you have a guide.” Adam got out of the car and locked it, before walking around to join Frankie, who was staring into the dense forest surrounding them.
“Where are we going?”
Adam pointed to a narrow game trail. “We follow this, it opens out in about two hundred feet. There we can shift.” He struck off along the trail and Frankie followed.
“Is your secret about your bear?” Frankie asked.
“It is. Although it has to do with both sides of us, human and bear.” Adam became a shadowy figure in front of her as the trees overhead blocked out most of the light. The trees were mainly pine, and the fresh smell of pine resin, heated by the warm sun, filled the sultry air. Underfoot, a deep bed of pine needles cushioned her feet, and she made no sound as she walked after Adam.
The eeriness of the pine forest was left behind as soon as the trees thinned and the sunlight filtered down onto them. Here, a gentle breeze ruffled her hair as Adam stopped, turning around to look at her.
“This is where we shift. We’re still mostly hidden from anyone who might be out here. But there’s enough light for you to see.”
“See what?” Frankie asked, somewhat bemused by the whole thing.
“You’ll see.” He walked backward, not taking his eyes off her. “I’ll shift back afterward.”
She frowned, unsure of what was about to happen. “Do you have two heads or something?”
He chuckled. “No, nothing that dramatic.”
“Then what?”
“Patience.” With that, the air crackled and Adam slipped out of this world, to be replaced almost immediately by a big grizzly bear.
Frankie stepped forward, trying to figure out what she was supposed to be looking at. But as the sunlight caught his fur, she understood. Adam, the human Adam, was young, around thirty years old, with dark hair and dark eyes. The bear that stood before her was the same dark color, except for the tips of his coat, which were silver.
Reaching out, she plunged her fingers into his thick, soft fur and stroked him. The bear shivered with excitement and turned to look at her. “Is this what you wanted me to see? Your silver hairs?”
The bear nodded and she continued to stroke him, enjoying the warmth of his big bear body as he pressed against her legs. Unable to stop herself, she knelt by his side and hugged him, kissing his short snout. The bear loo
ked ecstatic and shivered in appreciation of his mate’s touch.
“My bear can’t wait to meet you.” She moved to kneel in front of him, cupping his massive head in her hands. “You are fabulous.”
The bear huffed at her as if he were laughing and rubbed his head on her arm. Then he stepped backward, breaking contact with her. The air sizzled and the bear slipped away, and there standing before her was Adam.
Frankie rushed forward and flung her arms around Adam’s neck, and kissed his lips. He tightened his arms around her waist and pulled her close, his hand sliding further down to cover her bottom. She could feel the press of his hard length against her hip. He wanted her, and she could not deny she wanted him, too.
Whatever the outcome was of their search to find out if she had the heart of his mate beating in her chest, she didn’t want her feelings for him to change. They were mates, and Frankie was certain she would never feel this way about anyone ever again. There was a bond between them, a connection that bridged all space and time.
She laid her head on his shoulder, comforted by that thought. If one of them were no longer here on the earth, the other must take comfort that they would one day be together in whatever followed this life.
“You have silver hair. Is that what you wanted to show me?” Frankie asked.
“Yes.” Adam pulled back and looked down at her. “I never used to. Not until the knife incident.”
“The shock turned you gray?” Frankie asked in confusion.
“No, I lost a lot of blood and had to have a blood transfusion.” Adam sighed and ran a hand through his hair as if the memories made him uncomfortable. “Afterward, the next time I shifted, I had silver hair.”
“The transfusion made you into a silverback?” Frankie asked.
“Yes. But it goes deeper than that. It also made me…quaint.” He gave a nervous laugh. “It’s as if I changed. My personality changed.”
“Because of the blood?” Frankie asked.
“You asked me if I believed in ghosts.”
She nodded. “But you don’t.”
“I don’t believe I’m haunted by another person. But I do believe that some part of me changed. Maybe for the better.” He gave her an uneasy smile. “Do you think I’m crazy?”
Silverbacks and Second Chances Page 29
