No Stone Unturned by C J Johnson

Author:C J Johnson [Johnson, C J]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: C. J. Johnson
Published: 2019-10-21T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 56

Frankie drove the Jeep down the rough gravel road leading to the farm. The flat road became a steep descent ending at a small stone bridge that crossed a creek. She was glad it had not been raining or it may have been impassable. She slowed the Jeep to a crawl when she reached the bridge, stopping briefly to look down the creek. The afternoon sun was beginning to fall behind the trees; rays of light floated through the trees in a soft glow.

Frankie looked forward as she crossed the bridge and felt her heart warm at the site of the land that had been in her family since before she was born. Over the years the farm had belonged to her uncle, her cousin, and finally her father. For the last ten years her little brother had made the small farmhouse on the property his home. Over time Jake and her dad, Frank, had built a large barn and made subtle improvements to the property but it had maintained a rustic, yet warm, appeal. Countless hours had been spent there as a family, but it was Jake who would always call it home.

The barn door was standing open when Frankie parked the Jeep. Old-school country music blared from the speakers and a giant heater was warming the space. Jake was outside, standing by the smoker he and their dad built, checking the brisket he was cooking.

“Happy birthday little brother,” exclaimed Frankie. Jake bent down and enveloped her in a bear hug.

“Thanks sis. Where are the munchkins?”

“Dani’s at her dad’s and Ty is with my mom. I’ll pick them up tomorrow before I head to work. Assuming, that is, I can crash here tonight.”

Ruffling her spiky hair, Jake said, “You know you don’t have to ask.”

Frankie laughed.

“Ty and Dani said to tell you happy birthday too. Dani was mad I wouldn’t let

her come. Ty made you a card.”

Jake looked at the card and smiled. “Tell Ty I’ll hang it on my beer fridge!”

Smiling, Frankie went about getting things ready for the party.

“Is your new girlfriend coming tonight?”

Sophie’s booming voice masked Jake’s answer. “Happy birthday big brother!” The trio laughed and raised a beer in celebration.

Jake’s new girlfriend, Ann Marie, was the first guest to arrive. Frankie smiled as Jake kissed her chastely, keeping his arm around her while he tended to the smoker. Ann Marie laughed at anything he said that was remotely funny. It was obvious how much they cared for one another. Frankie said as much to Sophie when they went to the kitchen to finish cooking the side dishes.

“Oh yeah, I think he’s going to pop the question this spring. I’ve never seen him like this with a girl before. I bet at the very least he asks her to move in with him.”

Frankie smiled. She watched through the window at Ann Marie standing on her tiptoes to kiss a smiling Jake. Wistfully she said, “I hope so. He looks really happy.”

Frankie was back in the barn, bending over the cooler, grabbing a beer when Craven arrived.

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