Chapter Seventeen

"This is it," Janice said as they pulled up to the small two story brick home at the end of a long gravel road. It was nearly ten at night and dark.

"I should wait until morning. It's awful late," Wyatt said nervously.

"Nonsense. The lights are on, they're awake. Francine's parents are cool, you'll be fine. Do you want me to walk you in?"

"Weren't you planning on staying?" Wyatt asked her.

Janice shook her head, "I gotta work in the morning, Casper."

"You can't work! It'll be morning before you get back home."

Janice winked and patted him on the cheek, "I'll be fine. The brothel got me used to all-nighters," she replied. "So do you want me to walk you in?"

"No, I'll be fine," he promised. "You're sure they'll let me stay here?"

"Of course! I wouldn't leave you if I thought they'd throw you out on your ass. Besides Francine's here and you know she'll be happy to see you." Wyatt nodded but as he got out of Janice's car his nerves were eating through his stomach. No matter how many times Janice told him that Francine would be happy to see him he couldn't help but wonder if she was right. He had left Francine, he had hurt her, and while his intentions had been good he didn't know if she would really see it that way.

He grabbed his suitcase full of clothes and then walked up the stone walkway and heard Janice pull away. Wyatt wiped his sweaty palms on his jeans and took a deep breath before knocking on the door. He shifted his feet nervously as he waited for the door to open. When the door did open he found himself looking at an older male version of Francine.

"Can I help you?" the man asked as he watched Janice's Bronco disappear around a curve.

Wyatt pulled off his hat and ran his hand through his hair, "Hello sir, My name's Wyatt Montgomery," Wyatt greeted as he held out his hand.

"Jackson Ryan," the man replied as he shook Wyatt's hand and Wyatt knew this must be Francine's father. "It's awful late Mr. Montgomery."

"I apologize, sir, and I know this is going to sound a bit odd but I'm actually here to see Franny."

"Franny?"

"Uh, I mean Francine."

"Our Francine has a caller?" a feminine voice said from inside and then a middle aged petite brunette pushed her way past Jackson. "Wow, aren't you a tall drink of water?" she asked as he eyes scanned him up and down.

Wyatt cleared his throat awkwardly and couldn't help but think about how much women had changed in the last one hundred and fifty years, "Is Francine here?" he asked even though he knew her car was sitting out in the driveway.

"She's sleeping," the woman replied. "My name is Gretchen. I know the name is dreadful but by the time I got old enough to change it, I suppose it had grown on me. Why don't you come on in cowboy and take a load off those boots. Is Franny expecting you?" she asked, her dark eyes crinkling around the sides when she smiled.

Wyatt smiled at this woman's warmth and kindness. She was a little on the odd and excitable side but after getting to know Janice he was used to things like that, "Thank you, ma'am." Wyatt said as he walked in and Francine's parents led him to the long floral couch in the wood paneled living room. There were deer heads and family pictures hanging from the wall and a small fire burning in the stone fireplace. Wyatt shook his head as he turned back to face the couple, "Francine won't be expecting me, no."

He waited for her father to tell him to get the hell out of his house but instead the man walked into the kitchen and came out a moment later with two beers. At the sight of the drink Wyatt felt an uncomfortable pain down in his stomach and then a growling sound filled the air.

"Are you hungry, handsome? You should have said something! I'll bet you that Janice didn't bother to get you nothing to eat all the way down here. I've got some meat loaf and potatoes in the fridge, I'll just heat those up for you," Gretchen said as she patted him on the shoulder and walked to the kitchen.

Jackson handed him one of the beers and Wyatt smiled, "Thank you, sir." he said as he popped the top and took a long swallow. This was the first thing he had had to drink in one hundred and fifty years and his eyes nearly rolled back in his head as the sensations and tastes washed over his tongue and down his throat.

"You sure do seem to like that beer, son. My Francine's new man isn't an alcoholic is he?"

Wyatt quickly wiped the back of his hand across his mouth and shook his head, "No sir. Actually it's been a really, really long time since I've drunk a drop. I was just a bit thirsty is all."

Jackson nodded and sat down in a green recliner chair, "Have a seat, Wyatt," he said motioning toward the couch.

Wyatt sat down and put his hat back on his head, "Thank you sir. I know it wasn't proper to show up so late but..."

"We don't go much for proper around here. Any friend of Francine's is welcome to stay here anytime. I have to ask though, are you the man who's got her so upset? She wouldn't hardly touch her supper tonight and wouldn't tell her mama and I what was wrong."

"I'm afraid so, sir," Wyatt said, looking down at his boots and feeling his heart hurt at knowing he'd caused Francine pain. "I thought that leaving her was what was best at the time but some things have changed and I don't feel the same anymore."

"You aren't married are you?" Jackson asked as he sat back and crossed his legs.

Wyatt shook his head, "No sir." he replied and barely kept himself from adding, 'not yet'.

Jackson nodded, "Well I'm sure my baby girl will be happy to see you and you sure seem a hell of a lot better than that Gregory fella. He never did come out to meet Gretchen and I."

"Thank you, sir. I love your daughter." Wyatt was from a time when a man made his intentions known from the start. He didn't play games with a girls heart or try to mislead her family.

Jackson smiled at Wyatt's honesty and held up his beer bottle, "I'll drink to that. You seem like a nice guy."

"And handsome too," Gretchen replied as she came back in to the living room with a plate full of meatloaf and mashed potatoes.

Wyatt had never had meatloaf before but it smelled delicious. He thanked Gretchen for the food and then dug in, taking part in conversation between bites.

He was surprised by the warmth and friendliness of Francine's family. They didn't know him, they only knew that Janice had dropped him off here late at night and he said he was here for Francine and yet here he was sitting in their living room eating his first meal in one and a half centuries and laughing and talking with these people.

Wyatt had to admit it felt good to be back in the land of the living. He'd always been easy going with new people which had made making friends fairly easy and Francine's family seemed so warm and down to earth that Wyatt felt as if he'd known them for years instead of mere minutes.

"Well I'd say you're just about wore out aren't ya? You can sleep here on the couch if you want to, sorry we don't have any other spare rooms." Wyatt smiled at Gretchen, "The couch will be just fine, ma'am."

"My aren't you such a handsome gentleman. Francine sure did better at picking her man out this time," she mused with her hand over her heart. Gretchen tossed him a throw pillow and an afghan. "I have to ask, are you the man that was with Francine when I called last week to invite her to our dinner tomorrow?"

Wyatt nodded, "Yes, ma'am, I was."

She smiled brightly, "He's like a true cowboy, Jack. He calls me ma'am and you sir. I didn't know they made men like that anymore!" She clapped excitedly and then walked away up the stairs.

Wyatt fought back a laugh. He wasn't sure they did make men like him anymore seeing as how he'd been made a long long time ago.

"Gretchen is a unique soul," Jackson said as he watched his wife walk away. "So is Francine."

"I agree," Wyatt said as he stood and Jackson stood as well.

"Well I'll get on up to bed but before I do I need to talk to you about some boundaries."

"Boundaries, sir?"

"Yes. Now I was a hippie and lived back in the free love era. I'm hip enough to know that premarital sex is still the in thing and hormones are hard to deny but I feel I should warn you that under my roof you gotta keep a lock on them hormones. Kissing, and hand holding are okay during daylight hours but hands off the rest of the time. No taking Francine to the rodeo while you're here. Got it, cowboy?"

Wyatt didn't really get it. He didn't have a single clue on God's green earth what the hell Jackson was talking about. He did however understand the general message. No sex. That was fine with him. He didn't plan on making love to Francine again until the woman was his wife.

"I got it, sir," Wyatt replied with a nod.

Jackson smiled broadly, and the smile reminded him of Francine and made his heart hurt. He wanted to speak to her and see her but it would have to wait until morning. He didn't want to do anything to go against these warm and kind peoples wishes.

"Goodnight then, kid. The bathroom is through the kitchen, first door on the left." Jackson said and then he walked up the stairs.

Wyatt looked down at the couch and knew he wasn't going to fit on that comfortably but he'd sleep just about anywhere as long as it led to him seeing Francine. Suddenly an urge came over him and it took him a moment to realize what it was and he'd be damned if he wasn't excited when he took off to the bathroom to relieve himself which was something he hadn't done in a century and a half and never inside a house!

***

Francine snuggled deeper under the covers, breathing in the familiar scent of the lavender laundry detergent that her mother had been using for as long as she could remember. She could hear her father's chickens already waking up for the day and she moaned and pulled the covers over her head to keep the sunlight off her face.

She hated mornings even more now than she always had. Mornings made her think of Wyatt. Who was she kidding? Every single second of the day she thought about Wyatt. Where was he? Was he okay? She couldn't stand the thought of him being alone and lonely out there by himself. She took a deep breath to fight off the tears she felt welling up and the scent of coffee reached her nostrils.

This of course caused the tears she had been holding back to break free. Wyatt had always brought her coffee or cappuccino every morning. She was sobbing beneath the covers when suddenly the blanket was jerked off of her and she found herself staring up at a very concerned Wyatt.

"Don't cry, Franny," he pleaded as he sat the steaming cup of coffee he was holding on the bedside table and climbed up on the bed. He pulled her into his arms and Francine threw her arms around his neck in a state of shock.

"Wyatt? What... Why... How did you get here?" she gasped as she nuzzled her face against his warm neck.

Wyatt's arms tightened around her willowy frame. Had it really only been a week since he'd held her because it felt like it had been so much longer. He breathed in her cinnamon scent and knew that he could never be apart from her again.

"It's a long story, Franny," he said as he pulled away and used his thumb to dry to her tear stained cheeks. He pushed back her wild curls and kissed her gently, "I'm sorry I left you. I did what was best at the time but things have...."

"Just hush. I've been so worried about you. I'm sorry I doubted how much you loved me, Wyatt. That wasn't fair and I never wanted to hurt you," Francine said with a half smile.

"I understand why you felt that way, Franny but there's something you should know....."

"You can tell me later," she said, flashing a coy smile.

Francine didn't know what he was doing here. She wasn't sure where he had gotten his new clothes or how he was wearing them (she did know they were incredibly sexy), she didn't know how he had gotten her mother's favorite coffee cup and filled it with coffee without scaring her parents to death in the kitchen but none of that mattered right now. Right now she just wanted him.

She stood up and his hungry green eyes followed her motions. She walked over to the door and pushed it closed before turning the lock. Wyatt's eyes widened when she turned back around to face him and began to wiggle her red satin gown up her hips. He jumped to his feet and moved across the room to the window and away from her.

"We really should talk about some things." he insisted, though he wasn't sure how he spoke when the collar of his shirt seemed to be growing tighter with every second.

Francine shook her head, "I don't want to talk right now, Wyatt. I have missed you so much," she replied as she crossed the room to him. Wyatt was helpless to resist her as she put her arms around his neck and pressed her lips to his. He breathed her in as he tasted her sweetness. He gripped her backside and pulled her into him.

Francine found it impossible to think as he took control of the kiss and led her toward the bed. All she knew was that her man had come back and he was looking absolutely sinful in his jeans and flannel. He looked like a true cowboy and she had always loved watching the rodeo on TV. Not because she gave a crap about who could stay on the bull the longest but because she'd loved to watch those cowboys walk around in those tight levis.

"I love you, Franny. I've missed you," Wyatt whispered against her ear as he laid her down on the bed. He covered her body with his own but when her hand trailed down his stomach and to the top of his pants he jerked away from her and practically ran across the room.

"What is wrong with you?" Francine demanded with frustration and confusion.

Wyatt shoved his hand through his dark hair and looked more confused than she felt, "There's hippies and free love but I gotta keep my hands off cause I can't take you to the rodeo and unlock my hormones," he offered in explanation.

Francine stared at him as if he was speaking a foreign language and he wondered if he'd said that all wrong, "What in the hell are you talking about?" she asked with a laugh. Before Wyatt could reply Francine heard her dad calling her name from downstairs, "Let me go see what he wants and then you and I are going to finish what we started here."

"What we need to do is talk. There are some pretty important things you need to know," Wyatt countered.

"Talking is overrated," Francine said with a smile as she pressed a feather light kiss to his lips which caused a jolt of electricity to course through him. She grabbed her robe off the hook on the door, slipped it on and left the room.

"Franny, there's something I really should tell you...." Wyatt said as he followed after her.

"Shh! Don't talk to me in front of mom and dad or else they'll think I've gone crazy if I answer you."

"But that's..."

"Be quiet, soldier boy," Francine scolded as she grabbed his hand, gave it a squeeze and then let go and ran down the stairs two at a time. Wyatt let out a sigh and followed her.

"Good morning mom and dad!" Francine greeted brightly as she entered the kitchen.

"You look happy this morning," Gretchen noted with a knowing smile. "You're practically bouncing."

"I am happy," Francine replied as she caught the apple her father tossed at her.

"Your mom is making her famous chocolate chip waffles for breakfast," he said with a happy sigh. "There are several very good reasons why I married this woman but that is the most important."

"Chocolate for breakfast," Francine mused with a laugh as she hunted all through her mothers disorganized kitchen for a knife. "Gotta love having such a health conscious mother."

"Hey I heard a study on the news just the other day that chocolate can cut your risk of heart disease by one third. I do this because I love you all," Gretchen replied as she began gathering all her ingredients and a large bowl and whisk. Francine still couldn't find a knife, she pushed herself up to sit on the counter and was about to just bite into the apple when Wyatt took it from her.

He pulled a large pocket knife from his pants and walked over to the garbage can. Francine threw a nervous glance at her parents but they weren't looking in his direction and she hoped they wouldn't. How would she explain floating apples?

"So who all is coming to dinner tonight?" Francine asked.

Jackson didn't look up from the magazine he was reading about deer hunting, "The family. Some of our friends."

"Happy Anniversary mom and dad. How long have you been together now? A century?" Francine asked as she jumped down from the counter and kissed their cheeks.

"Ha.Ha. It's only been forty years and it feels like it's been half that time. Your mom is my best friend, and she hits me in the head often enough that I have a constant state of amnesia and can't remember how terrible life has been."

Francine laughed as her mom smacked her dad on the back of the head. Her humor was short lived when Wyatt walked up to her and handed her the peeled and sliced apple in a bowl. How in the world was Francine going to explain where she had gotten it from?

"Relax, love," Wyatt whispered with a smile as he kissed her cheek. Francine leaned into him and then he walked away and went to the sink. Francine's eyes widened when he turned on the water and rinsed off his knife. Her gaze flew to her parents to see if they were freaking out yet but neither of them seemed to be paying any attention to the floating apples, magically appearing bowls or automatic sinks. Francine was confused. Her parents should be scared to death but they acted as if they didn't even notice anything was out of the ordinary.

"So, Franny, were you happy to see your friend this morning?" Gretchen asked as she stirred up the waffle batter and Jackson put his magazine down long enough to open the chocolate chip bag and pour them in. "Not that many, you pain in my ass," Gretchen scolded as she swatted his hand with the whisk, which sent batter splattering across her own face. Jackson laughed as he kissed away the splotches, "Chocolate is good for heart disease remember? I'm thinking of your health, my dear," he assured her.

Francine was still stuck on her mothers first question to her, "What friend?" she asked cautiously.

"The devilishly handsome one that slept on the couch, brought you coffee, cut up your apple and is currently looking at you with a mixture of nervousness and excitement. Wyatt, please close that knife and put it away before you cut yourself," Gretchen said in a very motherly way.

Francine's head was spinning. They could see Wyatt? How?

"She looks confused," Jackson said with a smile. "Probably because he's more than just a friend. Wyatt, you remembered our talk from last night?" he questioned, his eyes narrowing slightly but his grin getting bigger.

"Yes sir," Wyatt replied with a big nod. "There were no free love hippies or uncaged hormones going to the rodeo."

Jackson and Gretchen shared a look and then burst out laughing, "Close enough," Jackson said as he settled back down with his magazine.

"Can you two excuse us for a minute?" Wyatt asked as he stuck his knife in his pocket. Gretchen and Jackson nodded and Wyatt grabbed Francine gently by the hand. He pulled her out the back door and onto the porch which overlooked a steep mountain drop off and green lush mountains in the distance.

"What in the hell is going on?" Francine asked.

Wyatt noticed that she looked pale and her eyes were wide with shock, "I tried to tell you upstairs and you wouldn't let me. When I left you I went back to Vicksburg but I was miserable. Then one day I heard something and it got me wondering if maybe Madam Zinga could give me life back and make me a real man. Turns out she could, Franny. I'm real. Flesh and blood again just like you. Now I can give you all the things that you wanted."

"So my parents....."

"Can see me. Janice brought me here last night but you were already asleep. I think I already have one of those things on your list took care of. Your parents like me, though I'm still not sure what a hippie, free love, rodeo hormone is."

Francine found herself laughing despite the way her head was spinning, "This is a lot to take in," she said as she rubbed her temples with her fingertips. "So, you're alive now?"

"Yes," Wyatt said happily as he ran his knuckle down her cheek. "Madam Zinga gave me my life back and then I went to your apartment but you were gone. So Janice helped me sell my stuff and get some money and I bought some new clothes and then she brought me down here. She didn't think that showing up dressed like a soldier would have won your parents over."

"Actually my dad probably would have thought it was cool. If you haven't noticed my parents aren't exactly what most people see as normal." Wyatt smiled and kissed her cheek, "If they were normal and boring that would make it really strange that they have a ghost hunting daughter, wouldn't it?"

"So just like that Madam Zinga gave you life? No questions asked and no strings attached?" Francine asked in awe. She had never been happier in her life than she was right now. She and Wyatt could be together and they could have a normal life. They could get married and have children and grow old together.

Wyatt felt guilt wash over him as he looked at her. He knew he should tell her the truth but she looked so happy and the truth would only make her sad and cause her to worry. There was no changing what would happen in the future and he didn't want his and Francine's time together to be overshadowed by her fear of his death.

"That's right. I think she was surprised I didn't ask sooner," he lied. Francine smiled and let out a little yelp of excitement before throwing her arms around his neck and burying her face in his chest, "I love you so much, Wyatt!" she exclaimed.

He felt his heart swell and held her as tight as he could. He kissed her flyaway curls and rested his cheek on the top of her head, "I love you too, Franny."