“Bingo.” Luke’s hand reached out for it. “Thank you kindly.”
“Sure.” She gave him the pick and then darted back to her safe spot along the wall just outside of the stall. Her spine pressed against the plywood and she inhaled deeply through her nose. Even though she disliked horses, their smell wasn’t off-putting. There was an earthy aroma of freshly cut fields of hay and grasses. Plus, Cyprus’s stall was pristine. She’d expected manure or the stench of ammonia but this animal had clearly been well cared for. Loved, even.
“Well, I’ll be.” Luke pressed his palms to his knees and grunted softly as he stood up. “Found the reason for that awful limp.”
“You did?” The lift in Jolene’s tone was audible. She scurried toward him. “That quickly?”
“Abscess.” Luke’s strong fingers curled around the pick. “Nasty one, too. Let’s see if we can locate some Epsom salt and a bucket for some hot water. We’re going to have to soak that sucker.”
“So we’re not actually done here?” That hopeful tone took a crashing nosedive.
“Not quite yet.” Pivoting, Luke faced Jolene. She tried to keep her gaze from flitting up to that strand of hair that her fingers so itched to sweep out of his eyes.
“Ah, just what we need.” Luke stretched up on his toes to retrieve a plastic tub from the top shelf of the tack room, directly over Jolene’s head. She felt him invade her personal space and realized how welcome that invasion was. If she leaned just a step closer, they’d be touching. “This should be big enough for that enormous ol’ hoof of his. Hold this for me?” He passed the bucket to her and scanned the shelves for salt. Stepping around her, Luke opened a cabinet located along the wall. Inside looked like a pharmacy—rows of prescriptions and bandages and gauze and wound dressing, all organized perfectly.
“That term ‘healthy as a horse’?” He angled his head back toward Jolene. “It’s a complete misnomer. All it takes is one misstep to end a racehorse’s career and all it takes is a bad roll to end any horse’s life. You know they’ve got right around seventy feet of intestine floating around in there? One kink and it’s a life-saving surgery to the tune of ten grand.”
“Ten thousand dollars?” Jolene was dumbfounded.
“Yes, ma’am.”
Jolene really didn’t need to know all of the details of equine veterinary care. Yet when she saw that spark in Luke’s eye, the one brighter than any strand on her Christmas tree, she found herself wanting to enroll in every animal science course down at the local community college. She wanted to become an expert in the things Luke cared about.
The last time she felt this way about anyone was with Mark. Her fiancé had been an avid rock climber, and prior to meeting him, Jolene would’ve never thought of scaling a mountainside cliff just for the fun of it. But Mark made it seem so enticing. The stories he would tell from his days as a Boy Scout were the stuff of epic adventure novels. Jolene had wanted to experience that with him—to see life through his nature-loving lens. She wanted that rush of clinging on for dear life by only her fingertips, trusting her hands to find that next stronghold even if she couldn’t see it.
She’d gone on a few of Mark’s expeditions back when they’d first started dating. She visited a local outfitter and had just the right attire and all the gear necessary to ascend the highest mountain peak. She loved being with Mark, living out his passions.
Longer into their relationship, the treks up the mountains decreased in frequency, but it wasn’t because Jolene didn’t want to embark on the adventures anymore. It was just that Mark’s ambitions outgrew her ability. She couldn’t keep up, and though she considered herself to be outdoorsy, the escapades he would plan and the hills he would crest intimidated her. And they should have. She only wished they would’ve intimidated him a little, too. Maybe then this date on the calendar wouldn’t be one plagued with such sadness and loss.
“Penny for your thoughts?” Luke lowered his gaze to search out Jolene’s eyes. Jolene shook from her daydream and unfolded her arms wound tightly across her chest, like she could hold her memories in with physical force. She didn’t want to tell Luke how often her thoughts drifted back to a snowy December day when her front door closed for the very last time behind the man she’d pledged her life to just the month before. When that last “I love you” was uttered and reciprocated. There wasn’t supposed to be a finality in those three words. Love was an infinite and limitless thing.
“Jolene? You alright?” Gently, Luke bracketed her with two hands on her biceps. She felt his fingers tighten on her arms, a slight squeeze of concern.
“I’m sorry, Luke. Sometimes I get a little lost up in this crazy head of mine.”
Blue eyes burrowing into hers, he held her in a stare. “What I wouldn’t give to get lost up there with you.”
“You don’t want to be inside my head, Luke. It’s a mess.”
“Actually I do.”
Luke’s words gave Jolene pause.
“You really want to know the thoughts I get lost in?” she asked. She wasn’t sure if she wanted the statement to be a rhetorical one. And she wasn’t sure how Luke perceived it. But she said it, needing the reassurance that everything would be okay if she did let him in through this small crack in her composure. If she shared these memories that looped in her mind like a long distance Olympic athlete racing around the track—that same, monotonous circle, over and over—would he want to pass the baton? Would he want to leave her to finish the race all on her own?
She breathed out forcefully through her mouth.
“I’m thinking about Decembers and good-byes that never had the chance to be spoken. I’m thinking about how horses scare me, but I’ve been afraid of other things before and I overcame those fears. I’m thinking about how I want to know more about you, but I’m scared to know more because you’re leaving and I’ve been left before.” She gulped past the large knot wedged in her throat. “I’m scared to feel alone again, because I’ve been alone for a long time now, and it’s always harder to be alone right after someone disappears. I’ve learned there’s a difference in degrees of loneliness, and I’d become comfortable with the kind I had for so many years. But I’m not sure I’m ready for a new lonely, and I’m worried that’s what I’ll feel when you leave Merrylark.”
She stopped the words, putting the brakes on her confession. If Cyprus hadn’t already proven to be lame, Jolene was sure Luke would’ve saddled him up and galloped as far away from her as he possibly could. That admission was enough to send any man running for the hills.
“Can you put the bucket down?” was all Luke responded.
Though she was unsure of the reason, she did so, settling the bucket by her feet.
Luke took a cautious step toward her. “Sometimes there are words to say in response and sometimes there are only actions. My words are failing me now. So all I know to do is just hold you, if that’s alright by you.”
It was alright. Completely. She nodded and pressed closer in.
Then, with the gentlest touch, Luke swept her up and curled her into his arms and even though she’d been there earlier that morning, it felt new in the best way possible. Her arms were idle at her sides as he held her. He held onto her, different from a hug or an embrace which never lasted quite long enough.
She felt his cheek against her hair, felt him inhale softly, a warm breath feathering on her skin. She felt his firm chest through the fabric of his jacket. She felt his strong fingers run up and down her back, like he was tenderly plucking on the strings of a guitar. When she pulled her arms from her sides and slid them around his waist, she felt him lean in even closer, their bodies bundled together in the frigid, drafty old barn.
She felt all of those things, but most notably, she felt protected. A blizzard could sweep through that very stall and she knew, without a doubt, she’d be safe if she stayed here, bracketed in Luke’s arms.
“I’m scared, too, Jolene,” he whispered into her hair.
“You are?” Sh
e angled her head up to look at him without pulling out from his grasp.
“Of course. I’m scared of the future. Of being alone. I haven’t told you yet, but this week—here in Merrylark—this was supposed to be my honeymoon week.”
Jolene had figured as much since the original lake house reservation was made for two, but she was grateful for the information, mostly because it meant Luke was comfortable opening up to her, too. It felt good to have that vulnerability reciprocated.
“My ex-fiancé had a slight change of plans when it came to getting married. Well, getting married to me, at least.” Luke made a huffing noise that sounded like a chuckle, but one of disbelief rather than true laughter. “That’s how I wound up here in Merrylark, all by lonesome at the lake house. But you know what?”
“What’s that?”
“I feel anything but alone. From you and your incredible hospitality to my new friends Roger and Millie to your sister and her family to Devon—I feel more a part of something than I’ve ever felt in my life. I’m surrounded by people who care and even though I don’t know what my future holds, I really like my present.”
Jolene snuggled in closer, resting her head against Luke’s jacket pocket. “I like my present, too.”
“Even with that terrifying horse just a few feet away?”
“Especially with that terrifying horse. I have to face the fact that without Cyprus and his sudden lameness, I wouldn’t have this time with you right now. And I’m really enjoying this time with you, Luke. A lot.”
Luke’s smile deepened. “I’m pretty sure I can arrange for more if you’d like it.” He paused, as if in thought. “Yep. Just checked my calendar and it’s wide open for the rest of the week.”
Jolene laughed.
“In fact, I’d happily clear out any amount of time you’d be willing to spend with me, Jolene.”
“How about dinner tomorrow night?” She couldn’t believe it. Cat had challenged her to ask Luke out, but it wasn’t something she ever thought she’d do. But here she was, standing in a barn asking this man to join her for dinner the next evening. If he hadn’t been holding her firmly in his arms, she would’ve attempted to dig herself a hole and crawl into it.
“Did you just ask me out on a date?”
Jolene buried her head in his jacket, hoping to disappear. “I think so,” she groaned.
Luke pushed her out at arm’s length. “That’s not exactly how things go where I come from. Can’t say I’m not flattered, but let’s do this a different way.” With his thumb and index finger, he touched her chin and angled her head so he could look directly into her eyes. “Jolene Carter, would you by any chance care to join me for dinner tomorrow night?”
Jolene’s stomach somersaulted. “Absolutely.”
“How ‘bout lunch?”
“Of course.”
“Want to grab breakfast somewhere while we’re at it, too?”
Laughing and regaining just bit of her composure, she answered, “Definitely.”
“What do you say we just spend the entire day together? Think that will work with your schedule?”
“Nothing could make me happier.”
Bringing her into his chest in a bear hug, Luke said, “Looks like Gary and Martha did a pretty bang up job of channeling their inner Santa Claus magic, because I just got my wish.”
Even though she hadn’t wished it out loud, Jolene had gotten hers, too.
14
Luke
THREE KNOCKS RATTLED the metal screen door. Luke had been dead to the world, all cozied up under flannels sheets and the thickest patchwork quilt he’d ever touched. He heard two more knocks. That was enough to convince Luke that his alarm for the morning would be in the form of an assertive fist on the lake house front door. Not a whole lot better than the blaring beep of his truck being towed just the day before.
Sitting up, he reached for the discarded white t-shirt slung over the back of the wicker chair near the bed. He tugged it over his torso and pulled tight on the drawstring to his flannel pajama pants. Rubbing his fists in his eye sockets, he stumbled out of the bedroom, down the hall, and toward the front door that jostled again with a booming thud.
“Coming!” Luke hollered, his tired voice cracking on the syllables.
Luke pulled on the door handle. Crisp dawn light blasted through the open frame, a halo of gold shining around Patrick, Jolene’s brother-in-law. “Morning, neighbor.” The cheery voice did not at all match the determined knocking from just moments before. “I wake you?”
Luke held in the comment that Patrick likely woke all of Merrylark with his knocking. He just nodded and grinned.
“Sorry for that. Listen, you have a minute to chat? Mind if I come in?” Patrick stepped over the threshold without waiting on an answer.
Luke backed up. “I’d offer you a cup of coffee, but I still haven’t made it to the store.”
“That’s fine. I’ve already had some.” Patrick surveyed the lake house in a big sweeping gaze which ultimately fell upon the decorated tree placed in the middle of the room. “Would you look at that? Jolene wasn’t kidding. That tree looks fantastic!”
“Thank you, but all the credit goes directly to her. I had very little to do with it.”
“She sure does love Christmas, doesn’t she?”
Luke nodded again, covering his mouth when a yawn replaced his tired grin.
“Again, sorry to wake you. There’s just something I needed to talk with you about before Rose and I head back home. Since the van’s all packed and the girls are waiting on me to go, I figured I couldn’t put it off any longer.”
Patrick shifted from one foot to the other. His vacillating movements made Luke wary.
“I have the sneaking suspicion you didn’t come over here to talk Christmas décor.” Luke tried to manufacture his most jovial tone and matching expression. It was hard to do at this early hour. “There another reason for your unexpected drop in?”
With a determined stride forward, Patrick pressed close to Luke. Then, taking Luke completely off-guard, Patrick thrust his index finger into Luke’s chest and breathed hotly through his mouth.
“If you ever do anything to hurt Jolene, I will see to it that you never set foot not only in Merrylark ever again, but in this entire county. In fact, make that the whole dang state!”
Bewildered, Luke thought for a moment he might be dreaming—that this act of intimidation was a continuation of some bizarre dream. But the finger poking his chest was enough to make him realize that the encounter was, in fact, happening, odd as that was.
“Patrick, I promise you, I have absolutely no intention of hurting Jolene. None whatsoever.”
“Of course you don’t intend to.” Patrick pulled his finger back, but curled it into a fist. He pulsed his fingers open and closed. Suddenly, his shoulders slouched and all pretense vanished. “Listen Luke, I absolutely hate confrontation. This right here?” He fluttered his hands between them. “This is just me trying to be the protective brother-in-law. It’s my job to make sure Jolene doesn’t get her heart broken. Again. Because even though you two have only known each other for a few short days, I can say without a doubt that you’ve already got a piece of her heart, whether you’ve asked for it or not. I need you to know that, because now it’s your responsibility to make sure you take care of it.” His chest puffed up. “And I’m not leaving here until I have your word that you won’t hurt that woman, because if you do—”
“I will not hurt Jolene,” Luke interjected. “I know it might sound crazy, but she’s got a piece of my heart, too. And to be completely frank with you, before coming here, I didn’t even think I had any pieces left to offer anyone.”
The two men looked at one another, not to size the other up, but in mutual understanding.
“You’re a good brother, Patrick.” Luke clamped a hand on his shoulder. “But as a lawyer, I sure thought you’d have a little more finesse when trying to intimidate.”
“That’s the thing—I
don’t need to intimidate anyone when I’m in the courtroom. I’ve got facts and knowledge on my side. That’s what makes me so uneasy about this whole deal with you and Jolene. I don’t have any facts when it comes to you. I hardly know anything about you. And neither does Jolene. No offense, but you’re just some cowboy stranger who strode into town and swept her off her feet. So forgive me for coming across strong—or for trying to, at least. I’m just not willing to take any risks when it comes to Jolene’s happiness. Lord knows she finally deserves a little.”
Luke let those words sink in once Patrick left. Jolene did deserve happiness, but was he the one to give it to her? Was it selfish to want to spend more time with her, knowing all the while that he’d be back in his truck in just a few days, heading home to the ranch to pick life up where he left it? After spending the entire day with her like they’d planned, would it be as easy to end things once his week at the lake house came to a close?
Who was he kidding? Luke knew a day with Jolene would only make their inevitable goodbye that much more difficult. Maybe it made sense to cut ties now, while things were still new and fresh. He thought about calling it all off when the vibration of his phone scooting across the kitchen counter interrupted his thoughts. He picked it up and swiped across the screen.
“Hello?”
“Luke?”
“Yes sir,” Luke replied.
“Good morning, Luke. It’s Thomas Riley, from Silent Night Stables.”
“Mornin’, Thomas. How are things going today for our boy Cyprus? He was in a bad way last night, poor old horse.”
“Well, Luke, that’s the reason I’m calling. He’s not really looking any better. In fact, my untrained eye tells me he might even be worse. Hobbling around and not putting any weight on that foot. I’ve never seen him so uncomfortable.”
“That abscess might be ‘bout ready to burst,” Luke said. “Mind if I come over and take a look at it?”
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