Read Online Beauty and the Wolf by Lois Faye Dyer - Free Book Online Page B

long.”
    Frankie laughed and took a handful of the salty kernels. As she ate, she glanced around the theater. The lights were still on and local business advertisementsplayed with minimal sound on the wide screen up front.
    â€œThis reminds me of going to the movies with Mom and my sisters when we were little,” she said. “I love rainy Sundays at the theater.”
    â€œGranddad used to drop off me and my brothers at the theater in Ballard on Saturday or Sunday afternoons,” Eli told her. “I suspect it gave him a much-needed break.”
    â€œI’m sure Mom enjoyed the peace and quiet when we all were focused on the screen, too,” Frankie replied. “Parenting looks like a tough job when there are two people, but being a single parent must be beyond difficult.”
    â€œI agree.” Eli nodded. “Watching Justin and Lily with Ava has been a real eye-opener. Don’t get me wrong,” he added hastily. “I think she’s great, but, man, she wears me out.”
    â€œI know what you mean. Ava has nonstop energy.” Frankie smiled with affection as she sipped her water. “I have a play date scheduled with her on Saturday morning and I’m wondering if I should increase my vitamin intake and start lifting weights to build my endurance.”
    Eli grinned at her. “Might not be a bad idea. Aren’t you a little old to have play dates?”
    â€œAbsolutely not,” Frankie said emphatically. “I adore Ava and every third Saturday, we get together to go to the park or the zoo or a children’s exhibition at the Seattle Center. Of course,” she added with a twinkle,“I call it bonding, but Ava insists we’re having play dates.”
    â€œAh.” Eli nodded. “Makes sense. So what else did you do when you were a child?” Eli asked. “Besides go to movies on Sunday afternoons.”
    â€œSkipped rope, rode bikes, played Monopoly with my sisters, and—” Frankie paused to sip her water “—volunteered at a horse rescue barn in Arlington.”
    Arrested, Eli stopped eating popcorn, one eyebrow rising in query. “I didn’t know you were interested in horses. I thought you were a city girl, through and through.”
    â€œI suppose I am to a certain extent,” Frankie agreed. “But I love animals, especially horses. When I celebrated my eighth birthday, Mom told me it was time for me to pick a cause to donate my time to and I chose abused horses.”
    â€œGood choice.” Eli nodded, his eyes gleaming with approval. “When Granddad told us we were old enough to start giving back to the community, I picked Habitat for Humanity.”
    â€œThat’s a wonderful cause,” Frankie enthused. “I’ve considered signing up, but I don’t know anything about carpentry.”
    â€œA lot of volunteers don’t when they start. Join my group,” he said. “I’ll make sure you learn how to swing a hammer and saw a board.”
    â€œI doubt it’s that easy,” she said with a shake of her head.
    He shrugged. “It’s not complicated—and professionalcarpenters team with new volunteers to supervise them.”
    â€œIf you promise to teach me enough about carpentry so my contribution doesn’t result in a house falling down, I’ll sign up,” she told him.
    He laughed. “You couldn’t make a house fall down. Don’t worry about it.”
    Before Frankie could respond, the house lights dimmed and the previews for upcoming movies began.
    When the popcorn container was empty and napkins had wiped away any traces of salt and butter, Eli caught her hand in his, threading her fingers between his own. Startled, she glanced sideways at him, but he was focused on the screen, his profile lit by the flickering light from the movie.
    There was something nice about sitting in the dark theater, Eli’s warm, callused palm pressed to