Chapter 11

The next morning, Frank woke first and turned to find his wife still asleep beside him.

Jane was sprawled flat on her back, mouth half open, a faint line of drool drying on her cheek. This was Jane in her purest form: human, unguarded, messy, and real.

He leaned over and pressed his lips to her forehead in a moment of tender care. She stirred, but only briefly then settled down again back asleep.

Frank slipped out of bed and headed to the bathroom. After relieving himself, he stepped into the shower, letting the hot water wash away the dried drool on his cheek and bring his mind back into focus, waking him for another adventurous day at the convention.

They had seen so much, met so many people, and learned more than he expected over the past two days. He wasn’t even sure what else there was to see.

As he dried off, messages of love flooded in from Veronica and Lisa now that he was awake: Hurry home. - We miss you. - You need to make love to me like you did Jane. - I miss your body next to mine. - The kids miss their daddy.

The affection made him smile as he pulled on a loose pair of shorts and a printed T-shirt. He wasn’t trying to impress anyone—he was Frank Devon, and he didn’t need anyone’s approval.

Frank left the hotel room and headed downstairs to grab something to eat before the breakfast buffet closed. The dining area buzzed with families just waking up, couples sharing quiet morning moments, and business travelers preparing for the coming workweek. He sat back with a cup of coffee, people-watching with quiet contentment.

“Master Frank?” a gentle female voice pulled him from his thoughts.

He turned and immediately recognized the same woman who had washed him before and after his demonstration the day before.

“Hello,” he said warmly. “Fancy meeting you here.”

She offered a shy smile. “Yes, sir. My name is Abigail—Abigail Winters. I work for Master Gideon. May I join you?”

Frank stood, shook her hand, and gestured to the empty chair. “Please do. So, Abigail Winters—what brings you to my table this morning?”

She settled into the chair, her hands fidgeting slightly. “I’m heading home early—before Master Gideon leaves—but when I saw you, I had to check on you. Yesterday was ... intense. I needed to be sure you were all right.” Her eyes shone with genuine concern.

Frank reached across the table and laid his hand gently over hers. “I’m fine. Clear-headed, actually,” he said with a reassuring smile.

The tension left her body at once. Her shoulders dropped, her back relaxed, and she let out a shaky sigh—the poor girl had been carrying the weight of worry alone.

“Thank you,” she whispered. “I’m so relieved. I could hardly sleep last night. The WE kept telling me you were fine, but ... I just couldn’t let it go.”

Her eyes filled with tears as her emotions overtook her, her body trembling with the release. Without hesitation, Frank rose from his chair and knelt beside her. His voice dropped to a gentle murmur. “Gideon is a master of his craft. He would never truly harm me. We’ve done this before—he helps me let go. It’s never about pain for its own sake. He’s my friend, and I trust him.”

See, Abigail? We told you, the WE murmured softly to both of them, reinforcing Frank’s words.

“I know, I know ... but it’s hard to let it go after seeing my brother working like that,” she said softly, the revelation slipping out as if by accident.

Frank blinked. “Brother?”

Abigail gave him a slightly puzzled look. “Yes—Phineas Winters. He’s my brother. He just goes by Gideon when he’s working. He hates his real name. Why? You didn’t know? I thought you two had been friends for years.”

Frank shook his head slowly. “No. No, I didn’t know that. Which leads me to another question—why do you work for your brother?”

Her fingers twisted in her lap as she gathered her thoughts. “Because ... we’re alone. Our parents died years ago in a fire. I had MS when they died, and Phineas became my primary caregiver. Then the WE came alive and healed me, but by then ... he was my whole life. I got better, but I never left. I work with him, I live with him. It just doesn’t feel right to walk away. Not yet.”

Frank sat back, seeing her in a new light. A quiet respect settled over him.

“I had no idea,” he said softly. “I’m so sorry.”

She gave a small shrug. “It’s the truth. Neither of us talks about it much, so I’m not surprised.”

A quiet pause stretched between them until Frank asked gently, “So ... now what?”

Before she could answer, a familiar voice interrupted.

“Now,” Phineas said, appearing beside the table without warning, “my little sister needs to get dressed and get herself to the airport.”

“Fin!” Abigail gasped, nearly jumping from her seat.

Frank smiled knowingly and rose, extending his hand. “How are you, my friend?”

Phineas returned the handshake. “I’m quite well. But I’m suddenly curious about what my sister’s been telling you.”

Frank and Phineas both sat. Frank’s smile lingered. “She told me about Phineas Winters. About the loss of his parents, about how he cared for his very sick sister until the WE helped. Nothing scandalous—just something honest.”

Phineas took a deep breath and looked between them. “So you know, then.”

“Yes, I know,” Frank said gently, “but it doesn’t change anything. No matter the name, you’re still the same man to me.”

“Good. Thank you,” Phineas said, then turned his attention to Abigail. “You do need to get ready, honey. The plane isn’t going to wait for you.”

“Okay, Fin,” Abigail said softly. She leaned over, kissed Frank on the cheek, then hugged and kissed Phineas before leaving, a fresh cup of coffee in hand.

The two men sat at the table, coffee cups in hand, and waited in companionable silence.

“Fin, why didn’t you tell me?” Frank asked quietly.

“Because, at the time, it wasn’t necessary. I was your Gideon—and that was all that mattered.”