The Barnstormer by Jane Lewis

Author:Jane Lewis [Lewis, Jane]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: romance, vintage, bi-planes
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Published: 2018-08-17T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nineteen

Christmas morning, Frankie wrapped Ruthie’s present in brown paper and tied it with a red ribbon. He hadn’t had a girlfriend at Christmas in years. He arrived at Victor’s house early so he could watch the babies while Victor and Dottie got things ready. He put the babies on a blanket on the floor and played blocks with them.

Victor sat in a chair and watched. “They love you, you know.”

“I love them, too. You’ve got some sweet kids.”

“I want them to call you Uncle Frankie if you don’t mind. You’re like my brother anyway.”

“I’d be honored.” He stacked blocks, and Jack Andrew shoved them over and laughed.

Victor sat on the edge of the couch. “Hey man, what’s going on with you and Ruth Ann?”

He left Jack Andrew and Carol Ann and sat in the chair. “I wondered how long it would take you to say something.”

Victor smiled at his friend. “I know you’ve carried a torch for her a long time. I know she hasn’t been nice to you. She gave us both hell when she was in high school. I always thought she cared about you but was too stubborn and bull headed to tell you. I don’t want her to hurt you. I know how she can be.”

Carol Ann crawled to Frankie’s chair, and he put her in his lap. “I like the new Ruthie, and I’ve decided to enjoy this while I can.”

“You know she’ll be going to school next week.” Victor grabbed his son and glided him through the air. The baby stretched out his arms and laughed.

“Don’t remind me.” Frankie bounced the baby on his knee.

“I’m concerned. This year’s been hard for you.” Victor placed Jack Andrew on the quilt and gave him a block.

“I’ll be all right, no matter what happens.”

Soon the house filled with family and friends, talking and laughing. The smell of baked ham and yeast rolls mingled with the smell of the bourbon from Aunt Delores’ fruit cake. After everyone finished Christmas dinner, Victor handed out presents.

Frankie pulled Ruthie’s from his pocket. “Merry Christmas.”

She put the box to her ear and shook. “What is it?”

“Open and see.”

She tore open the paper and lifted the lid on the little box. “Oh, Frankie, how beautiful.”

He removed the necklace from the box and fastened the clasp behind her neck. “Mr. Price suggested it since garnet is the birthstone for January. I hope you like it.”

She put her hand on the necklace and traced the heart with her fingers. “I love it.”

“I hope you think of me when you wear it, you’ve had my real heart for a long time.”

She opened her purse and retrieved his present. “Merry Christmas.”

He stared at the small box wrapped in paper with a Christmas tree design and tied with a gold ribbon. “You got me a present.”

“Of course.”

His heart swelled in his chest. He didn’t get many presents and one from Ruthie was special. He took his time opening the box using his pocket knife to cut the adhesive tape.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.