Everything about thirty-five-year-old Stone Acres hardware store owner Frank McCord is old-fashioned -- from his bow tie and overalls to the way he happily makes house calls. He dreams of lasting romance, true love, and marriage. Frank’s ancestors have run the store and been mainstays in the small California town for over a century. While genial Frank upholds tradition and earns the respect of friends and neighbors, he fears he’s too dull and old to attract a husband. Maybe it’s time to break out of his mold. Then handsome thirty-six-year-old electronic games designer Christopher Darling and his fifteen-year-old son, Henry, come into his life. Christopher has everything Frank could want in a potential partner: charm, kindness, and compatibility. Also, he’s a terrific father to Henry. When their Stone Acres home turns out to be uninhabitable, Frank offers the Darlings temporary lodging in his ancestral farmhouse, where he and his tenant Emil reside. Since Emil thinks Frank is his, sparks fly. Suddenly, Frank’s monotonous life promises to explode with love and change him forever.

Frank at Heart

Henry had hurried up to the glass-covered food case and was bent over looking into it. He stood abruptly and pulled out his cell phone. As he talked, he glanced at me. Then he nodded. After he’d finished the conversation, he pocketed the phone and walked back to our table.


“They’ve got blueberry scones today. My dad’s on his way over to meet us. He doesn’t sound happy.”


Henry was being what I was starting to consider typically Henry—unflappable and confident. I appreciated it since I dealt with so many teens who were filled with angst or self-disgust. I’d take effervescent calm any day.


Christopher joined us for a cup of coffee. He needed to talk to Henry about the house, so we decided Henry would leave with his dad. I reminded them that they could stay at the farmhouse for as long as they needed. I didn’t push the invitation, but in my heart, I hoped they’d take me up on the offer.


Chapter 16