Falling For Her Boss (25 page)

"She called me a few weeks back.  Wanted to know if I could influence you not to sell the rink."

"I see."

"We got into more than that.  I thought she deserved to know why we weren't partners anymore."

"I didn't think I should tell her."

"I figured that.  She's a special woman."

"I know.  I've messed things up royally."

"Fix them.  You're good at that."

"I'm not sure how."

"Show her with actions, old friend.  She has to see you mean what you say.  At least that's the way it was with Joanne."

"A few of the right words would probably help, too," Noah muttered, exasperated that three small words could be so hard to say.

Noah told Craig he'd be in touch and sat at his desk to think.  One idea fell in line behind the next because unconsciously he'd been mulling it over for the past week.  Show her, Craig had said.

Noah picked up the phone to do some research, made another call, then waited for a package to arrive Federal Express.

****

Two days later, Noah returned to Gettysburg.  No one answered the door at the Piccard house, so he took a chance and drove to the rink.  Francie's car sat parked in the lot, and he wondered how often she came here to look at what used to be.

Noah unlatched his car door, got out, and purposefully strode to the skating rink.  "Used to be" didn't matter.  Because of Francie, he saw the world the way it could be.  Because of  Francie, he was ready to risk loving.  Because of  Francie, he could dream.  He had to convince her the future was better than what used to be.

He opened the door to the rink and went in.  Patting the envelope in his back pocket, he wondered if he should have wrapped it.  He hadn't wanted to take the time, but if it would help Francie realize...Hell.  Pretty packaging was inconsequential at this point.

He found her in the center of the rink as if she was imagining...remembering...wishing.  Now he had wishes, too.  Because of Francie, he wanted to be part of a family.  Because of Francie, he wanted children of his own--their own.  Because of Francie, he could believe in forever.

She didn't hear him as he crossed the carpeted foyer.  She did hear him as he stepped onto the rink's floor.

When she turned and saw him, he realized he'd never been more nervous in his life.  He searched her expression for a sign of welcome, but found none.  He tried to smile.  "Hi."

Her face didn't change, her eyes didn't dance just for him.  "I can leave if you're meeting someone here."

"I'm not meeting anyone."

She clasped her hands in front of her--a typical Francie-gesture.  "You came back for legal work?"

"Fax machines are good for that."  He waited for her to ask him why he was here, but she didn't.  Not sure what to tell her first, he slipped the envelope out of his pocket and handed it to her.  "Fax machines aren't good for this, though."

She took the paper from its envelope and read it.  Watching her closely, he waited for a sign that she understood.  His heart thudded so hard he could hear it in his ears.

"You had a star named for us?  The Piccard-Gordon star?"

Had the light come back into her eyes?  Was that a hint of a smile?  "I thought it would be a good idea."

"Why?"

So much for being symbolic.  He'd have to come out and say it.  "Because I love you.  Because I want to marry you.  Because I want our children to be able to gaze into the sky, see our star, and know it symbolizes the life we share.  Will you marry me, Francie?"

Her smile returned then, the one he'd seen the first night they'd met, the one that warmed his days and electrified his nights.  But it was more radiant than he'd ever seen it.  Throwing her arms around his neck, she kissed him.  He didn't play, or tease, or coax.  He took what she offered, gave back his share, then gave some more.

When he finally dragged his lips away, he said it again.  "I love you."

There were tears in her voice.  "I love you, too.  I'm so sorry for the things I said.  I know you'd never use me.  And the rink has nothing to do with the way I feel about you.  If you have to sell it, you have to sell it.  I've been trying to find the courage to call you.  I was so afraid you'd never come back--"

He kissed her again to show her he was back and intended to stay.  "You said things I needed to hear.  I didn't tell you my decision before we made love because I was afraid I'd lose you.  I guess I didn't believe you'd still love me if I made you angry or did something that hurt you.  I'm sorry I didn't tell you."

She stroked his cheek and the tender expression on her face said she understood as well as forgave.  "You'll never lose me, Noah."

Her words surrounded his heart and he knew they were true.  "I've made some changes.  I've gone over the books with my accountant.  The insurance payment will cover repairs to the rink.  I have some real estate not connected with the rinks that I can sell to carry us over the hump until this is running again.  And there should still be enough capital left over for you to go to school...if you want to."

"Oh, Noah.  I never expected that.  Could I still manage the rink?  Oh, I guess not, if your base is in Richmond."

"How about moving my base here?  There's no reason I can't work from Gettysburg.  And there's no reason why I can't hire someone qualified to do the traveling for me.  I can spend more time reading e-mailed reports."  He winked and squeezed her closer.  "When I'm not in bed with you."

Francie blushed, and he laughed.  Then he framed her face with his hands.  "I do love you, sweetheart.  You haven't answered me yet.  Will you marry me?"

She took one of his hands in hers and kissed it.  "Yes, I'll marry you.  And I'll live with you and travel with you and work with you, if you want that, too."

"I want it all, Francesca Marie Piccard.  I want it all."

EPILOGUE

Noah lifted his camera but stopped for a moment to appreciate the sight before him.  The sun glanced off the grove of silver maples.  The leaves shimmered, reflecting the rays until the silver almost bounced against the blue sky, bringing the magic down to earth.  The magic bathed Francie as she stood in their backyard in her graduation gown.

He loved her more today than the day they'd married more than five years ago.  The passion between them still exploded with a look or a touch.  It had been damn hard keeping his hands off of her for six weeks.  But they'd been creative.  And every night since then...He smiled, remembering.

Francie waved her hand at him.  "Are you asleep, Gordon?"

He raised his brows and drawled, "No.  Just thinking about the bottle of champagne we never opened last night.  Somebody was too eager to show off a new negligee."

She wrinkled her nose at him.  "And somebody else was too eager to get his hands on the negligee."

"Wrong.  I was eager to get my hands on you."

Francie still blushed and her blush still delighted him.

The back door to their house slammed and Angela called down to the yard.  "Wait a minute.  Let me get a picture of all three of you before the gang arrives."

Noah turned and snapped a picture of Angela hurrying down the walk with their infant daughter.  Sara Marie Gordon was eight weeks old today.

Francie went toward her mother.  "I thought she was still napping."

"She wants to be part of the celebration."  Angela winked at Noah.

He and Angela had had their differences over the years that he and Francie had been married.  But he loved Angela like a mother, and he respected her opinion.  She'd learned to accept the joint decisions he and Francie made.

Angela handed Sara to Francie and took the camera from Noah.  "You said she slept most of the night.  She doesn't need the sleep right now."

Noah enjoyed getting up with Francie, feeding their daughter.  Sometimes he woke up in the middle of the night, his arm around Francie, the knowledge his daughter lay in the next room a wonder, and he thanked God he was so blessed.

The first year had been tight--with refurbishing the rink, Francie going to school part-time, buying a house.  But each year the rinks had become more successful.  Veronica had eventually taken over as manager of the Gettysburg rink so Francie could attend college full-time.  And Noah had managed to keep traveling to a minimum.

Francie slid her fingers through the thatch of her baby's dark brown hair.  "Every time I look at her, I want to cry."

"Don't start," Angela warned.  "Today's emotional.  Gina home for a change from her school in Chicago.  You graduating."

Francie glanced at Noah, and he knew what she was thinking.  He nodded.

"Well, I have more good news," Francie told her mother.

"What?"

"I got the job teaching morning kindergarten in the fall.  It'll be perfect.  A half day of teaching.  A half day with Sara.  And a whole evening with my husband and daughter."  Her gaze found Noah's and told him she looked forward to the time after Sara went to bed as much as he did.

The back door opened again and more of the Piccard family poured out.  Angela gave Francie a quick hug and kissed her cheek.  "Congratulations, honey.  I know it's what you've been working for.  You are going to let me babysit Sara, aren't you?"  Angela looked at Noah.  "Though I don't want to interfere if you've already made other plans..."

Noah placed his hand on his mother-in-law's shoulder and, after a nod from Francie, said, "We wouldn't trust her more with anyone else."

"Hey, Mama," Gina called.  "Come see the cake.  It's great."

Angela went toward her younger daughter, taking the camera with her.

Francie smiled, thinking about the past few years.  She was proud of the decisions she'd made since she met Noah, and she'd had no regrets, not even when Bridgit and Brent won a bronze medal at the Olympics.  How could she have regrets when Noah loved her enough to let her be herself, filled her nights with passion, and doted on their daughter as if she were the only child on earth?

Noah chuckled as Gina drew her mother into the house.  "We might get your picture sometime today."

Francie rocked Sara and played with her little fingers.  "It doesn't matter.  I want a record of Sara's life, not mine."

Noah brushed a wisp of hair from Francie's cheek.  "You look beautiful today."

Francie flicked her tassel.  "Even in a mortarboard?"

"Even in a mortarboard.  Especially with Sara in your arms."

His green gaze still had the power to make her knees weak.  "I love you, Noah."

"And I love you, Francie."  He bent his head to kiss her, and immediately they got carried away.  Francie slipped her free hand into his hair as his arm went around her and the baby.

Then Francie heard the click of the camera.

When she and Noah looked up, the Piccard family faced the Gordon family, smiles on all their faces.

Shrugging off the embarrassment, Noah bent his head for another kiss and another picture.  Francie lifted her lips to his, proud of their love.  Proud of their life.  They truly had it all.

From the Author:

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania—where Falling For Her Boss is set—is one of my favorite towns to visit. The historic character of it is inspiring. This romance was originally published as a Kensington Precious Gems under the title of Because of Francie. I believe romances should touch the deepest nook of readers' hearts.  From my early books to my most recent, I have kept the emotion of my characters as the focus. Though styles change, characters change, and trends change, the important element of a romance doesn't change—the hope that there can be a happily-ever-after. Since Because Of Francie, I have published over seventy novels, making both the USA Today List and series Bestseller Lists.  Living in Pennsylvania with my college sweetheart and two cats, I spend most days writing, editing, cooking and gardening. Believing in the power of love and commitment, I look forward to writing relationship novels for a long time to come.  For more about me and my latest releases, including excerpts, photos and short stories, please visit my website listed below.  To keep in touch day to day, follow me at Facebook and on Twitter. Look for more of my books on Kindle.

My website: 
http://www.karenrosesmith.com

Twitter: 
http://www.twitter.com/karenrosesmith

Facebook: 
http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=1707769293

KAREN ROSE SMITH BOOKS AVAILABLE ON KINDLE:

A Man Worth Loving

Everyday Cinderellas

Everyday Prince Charming

Falling For Her Boss

Forever After

Garden of Fantasy

Kit and Kisses

Mom Meets Dad

Love in Bloom

Ribbons and Rainbows

Toys and Wishes

Wish on the Moon

SEARCH FOR LOVE SERIES:

Nathan's Vow, Book 1

Jake's Bride, Book 2

Always Devoted, Book 3

Always Her Cowboy, Book 4

Heartfire, Book 5

Cassidy's Cowboy, Book 6

Excerpt from CASSIDY'S COWBOY

Chapter One

"Did you ever think about looking for our dad?"  Cassidy Sullivan snipped roses from the bush along the side of the house and handed them to her twin sister, Lucy, to put in the basket that swung from her arm.

Complete silence met Cassie's question as she turned to see if her sister had heard her.  She'd said it in a low voice, a thought that had been reverberating in her own head since Lucy had found her six months ago.

Early summer in Wyoming was an awakening time for the wildflowers, the honeysuckle and the roses.  She loved Twin Pines Ranch, an inheritance from the mentor who'd saved her from taking the wrong life road.  But she loved her new-found sister even more, although she was still keeping a secret from her, a secret she'd soon have to reveal.  Lucy was as perceptive as her new husband, Zack, and he'd figured it out the first time he'd met Cassie.

"How would we ever do that?" Lucy finally responded.  "We knew very little about our mother, let alone our father."