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

“Don’t even go there.” His warm voice in my ear soothed me. I hadn’t heard him come in. “I’m taking Henry to school. While I’m gone, you’re getting up, taking a shower, and waiting for me to return with coffee and breakfast. I think Zeke said there’s a study or library or something next to the check-in desk. I’ll look for you there.”


He nudged me so I was facing him. He was dressed and smelled like a new day.


“Don’t think about anything but me, or if you have to have someone else to focus on, Henry. Just get yourself ready.” He glared at me, then gave me a kiss. “Are you listening?” He kissed me again.


Then I kissed him, just as there was a knock on the connecting door to Henry’s room.


Abruptly, the tranquil interlude of the morning ended and the full orchestration of the day began.


Chapter 30