“Frankie said they’d eat at the roadhouse,” Bull said, feeling the rightness of his decision. “Let’s set up on home ground.”

Gabe nodded approval.

“Felix will want to help,” Audrey offered.

“Perfect.” Bull gave her a smile. “He can do a sneak and peak.”

“Good.” Gabe had a pad of paper in his hand. “That’s advance recon nailed down. What do we know about Frankie’s family?”

“I’m going to get my laptop,” Audrey called, already on her way out the door.

The blood started to move faster in Bull’s veins. Frankie’s family didn’t understand her. Didn’t value her.

He did. And so did his family.

At the roadhouse, Frankie smiled at her father. “While you wait for the hostess to set up the table, I’m going to run out and get my jacket. It’s chillier in here than I thought.”

Before he could respond, she slipped out the door into the quiet night. Cavolo, but her ears needed a rest. Did Birgit ever stop talking?

Still, it was wonderful to see them all. She really did love them.

Crossing the parking lot, she grabbed her coat out of her little car.

After her time in Alaska, Frankie could see her family more clearly…her very work-obsessed family.

Papà loved her but couldn’t think of anything except his photography for longer than a few minutes.

Her sisters’ lives revolved around their modeling careers. That was a given. Still, they could be loving siblings at times. Birgit was always delighted to fix Frankie’s makeup before an event. Anja loved being asked for help when deciding on what to wear.

Pulling on her coat, Frankie leaned against the giant chain saw-carved moose at the corner of the building. Her heart ached as she considered the fourth member of her family.

Mama had a reserved, chilly personality. Bemoaning that was futile. Her mother’s priority was—and would always be—the business she’d built from scratch.

With all of them, relationships came second.

Frankie needed to accept that what she wanted from them was something that wouldn’t happen. Something she needed to stop trying to get.

Being here with Bull’s family had let her see that the lack wasn’t her. She was who she was, and she really was quite lovable. There were just some people who measured love out in smaller portions.

Unlike Bull, who poured out love like a wide river.

She smiled as just the thought of him renewed her resolve.

The night wasn’t going well. Mama’s dedication was to her company, and that meant she was pushing Frankie to return with all her might…because that was what was best for her business.

Just before they left for the roadhouse, Mama mentioned how they’d supported Frankie in college…and with the expectation she’d pay them back by working at the company.