Her Old-Fashioned Husband Read Online Free

force of will, her breath coming in sharp, short pants.
    “Frankie I want you to calm down and look at me, because what I have to say is very important.”
    Frankie attempted to slow her racing heart as she stared up at him.
    “Nothing is as important to me as you, Brax, Cam and Kent. If I need to sell this place and devote my time to you guys then I will, got it?”
    “But that’s not fair to you!” she cried.
    He shook his head, smiling faintly. “Ahh, honey. Don’t you understand? All I want is you guys to be healthy, happy and safe. That is what makes me happy. It has nothing to do with fairness.”
    “I’m really sorry, Heath. I just felt so numb, you know. I guess-I guess maybe I wanted to be found out.”
    “I know, baby. I think it might be a good idea if we find someone for you to talk to about your loss.”
    Frankie gaped at him. “What? Like a shrink? I’m not crazy.”
    “I don’t think you’re crazy,” he said patiently. “You’re grieving. We all are. Maybe we all need to see a grief counselor .”
    “You too?” she asked.
    He nodded. “Me as well.”
    “Well, I guess if you go to one, I can too.”
    “Brave girl,” he praised her. “How about y ou go hop into bed, I’ll come up soon and tuck you in. You look exhausted.”
    She was. She hadn’t been sleeping well. Her dreams were filled with her parents, only for her to wake up and realize that was what they were, just dreams.
    “Aren’t you gonna spank me?” she asked.
    “I think that can wait until tomorrow, you’ve had a real fright tonight.”
    She shook her head. “Please, Heath, no. Don’t make me wait. I want it over and done with. Otherwise I won’t sleep for worrying.”
    Heath stared down at her. “All right, go put your nightie on and clean your teeth then come back down here.”
    Frankie stood and walked towards the door. She’d never gotten ready for bed so slowly. What had she been thinking, asking him to punish her tonight? He might have changed his mind by tomorrow. Then she shook her head. No, Heath was very much like her dad. Once he’d made his mind up about something, he went for it.
    The whole family shared that trait.
    Frankie took a deep breath as she stood outside Heath’s study yet again. Then she knocked.
    “Come in, honey.”
    Stepping inside, she saw a straight-backed chair, without arms, sitting in the middle of the room. Tears filled her eyes.
    Her daddy had always spanked her on the sofa. She was glad Heath hadn’t decided to follow that tradition. She needed for him to do this differently.
    “Come here, sweetheart,” her brother ordered, his arms wide as he stood and moved towards her. She flew at him, making him chuckle as she held on tight. He kissed the top of her head.
    “You know I love you, right?”
    She nodded. “I love you, too.”
    “I never want you to be so lax with your safety again, Frankie, understand me?” He pulled back and looked down at her.
    She nodded, swallowing heavily at the stern look in his eye.
    “Good. Now, some rules. From now on, your bedtime is ten p.m. sharp.”
    Frankie opened her mouth in shock. She hadn’t had a bedtime since she was a kid.
    “But, Heath, Mom and Dad—”
    “These are my rules for you, honey,” he interrupted her gently. “I haven’t wanted to bring this up because you’ve had enough change. However, I think you need more structure now then you had in the past. You’ve had a big upheaval in your life, you need to know your rules and boundaries, and that if you stray from them that there is someone who loves you enough to hold you accountable.”
    “That’s so old school, Heath,” she told him. But without any heat. She knew why he was doing it. Because he loved her.
    “I know, baby. But it’s what I believe. I’m an old-fashioned sort of guy. Let’s get this over so you can get some sleep, okay?”
    He led her to the chair then sat on it and patted his lap. “Lie on my lap, kid.”
    Blushing horribly, she positioned