Giving Frank a wistful gaze, Vicky asked, “When are you leaving, darling?”
“Not at the moment,” Frank said after some thought. “I still need to treat your grandfather, and I estimate it’ll take three days before I remove all the rot earwig eggs inside him. After that, I’ll be handling your problem.”
“My problem?” Vicky was left a little stunned.
“Yeah.” Frank nodded and smiled. “You said your family is on edge because of the South Sea Crow, right? I’m here now, and I’m not about to watch you suffer—I’ll deal with her, and then we’ll go back to Riverton together, okay?”
His offered hand and earnest offer left Vicky spacing out for a moment.
She put her palm on his warm hand, though she soon came to her senses and lowered her head so she could wipe away a tear without him seeing.
Forcing a smile, she shook her head and said, “Darling, I know you’re amazing and accomplished so much I wouldn’t ever dream of… But the South Sea Crow is different. I don’t want you to get in danger because of me, okay? And it won’t be just you… Helen, Winter, Winter’s mother… So many lives are at stake, and they are all waiting for you to go home. I can’t be that selfish.”
Despite her concern, Frank grasped her palm firmly and chuckled. “I’m not your darling if I can’t do that much. I’ll never give you up, Vicky, or allow you to marry someone you don’t love. Don’t worry—I’ll help you deal with the South Sea Crow, and then we can return to Riverton together.”
Pulling Vicky into his arms without permitting refusal, he laughed. “The farm resort is opening in a couple of weeks. You’ve been working hard for it, and you’re attending the opening ceremony with me.”
Vicky spaced out in his embrace and eventually leaned on his chest with a contented smile.
“Yeah.” She nodded ever so slightly.
–
Over the next three days, Frank stayed in the guest room that Glen arranged for him.
One had to admit that the Turnbulls were extravagant—every room was equipped with the best necessities, and there were specialized servants serving different purposes.
Even an unwelcome guest like Frank had maids helping him get dressed, wash up, and brew tea.
It was a luxury he never had—being born to a military family, he led a life of strict training and discipline.
The luxurious lifestyle of rich kids?
When he woke up in the morning, he might suddenly find that his father left him in some uninhabited forest, filled with vicious beasts.
Naturally, it was to train him so that he would escape alive.
Either way, it was a leisurely three days for Frank.
At noon, he would be helping George with detoxing and extracting the rot earwig eggs.
It was a task that could have been done instantly, but Frank deliberately dragged it up to three days.
And by the third day, life had returned to old George’s cheeks, and he regained enough to walk without his servants’ help.
He was earnestly grateful as well—people his age just could not keep up with plots and schemes.
