by J. H. Croix
Though she didn’t want to, she had to admit that Luke was certainly compelling. Just thinking about him now kick-started her heart rate and flushed her face. She knew if Luke saw her now, her blush would only deepen. She hated the fact that she was a blusher. Always had been and figured she always would be. She shook her head and walked with Jessie into the house. In the week and a half that she’d been here, she had stopped feeling like she was entering a place frozen in time. She wasn’t the neatest person, and her leftover dishes in the kitchen and scattered books and clothes in other areas made the home feel alive again. She looked at her watch. Only three hours until dinner.
While Jessie napped in the sunny part of the kitchen, Hannah busied herself with cleaning and doing laundry. The time passed quickly, and she ended up rushing to get ready with a quick shower and fortunately not enough time to obsess over what to wear. She wore loose gauzy pants, a dark cream color, which swung softly around her ankles. Her top was a fitted royal blue blouse, and she slipped a green scarf around her neck. She loved bold jewelry and wore large silver hoops earrings, a cluster of silver bracelets on one wrist, and a wide hammered silver band on the other. She added one of her mother’s necklaces, a teardrop jade necklace. It gave her something to touch when she felt restless and anxious. Hannah fed Jessie and got her situated in the truck again. Jessie leaned her head out the window, ears flapping in the wind, as Hannah drove down the hill to town. She pulled up at the Boathouse Café, which had previously been Pat’s Diner, owned by Pat and Patty Dunlop. When the husband of the couple had developed health problems, they had decided to retire. They still lived in town from what she had heard. She wondered what they thought of the new place.
Hannah made sure Jessie was comfortable for the time they’d be eating and looked to see if Luke’s truck was here yet. Spying it parked in the far corner, she headed inside. When she walked in, it occurred to her that for the first time since she’d moved back, she hadn’t entered a place wondering whom she might see and if they might bring up memories of her parents. She laughed to herself and thought that perhaps obsessing over a man would keep her occupied, at least for now.
The space had been updated from its former basic diner look with booths and vinyl-covered stools at a long counter. The grill area was still visible, but the new owners had updated the rest. The counter was dark mahogany wood, and the wall behind the grills alternated mirrors and sections of dark wood shelving with spices, stainless steel cooking utensils, and wines. Shiny copper cookware hung above the grilling area. Diamond Creek was well-known for its restaurants, within Alaska and beyond, so it wasn’t a surprise to Hannah that the place would have fit in Seattle just as easily as here. The booths remained, but the tabletops had been replaced and were also shiny mahogany with crisp white place mats. The windows were hung with a variety of brightly colored curtains, giving the restaurant a cheerful warmth.
Luke was seated in a corner booth talking with a couple seated nearby. Hannah didn’t recognize them and was relieved. As nervous as she was to be on a date, she didn’t need the speculation of others. In a town the size of Diamond Creek, social curiosity and gossip were rampant. As much as she’d wanted to, she hadn’t called Susie to pry for more details about Luke. She had no idea if he’d dated anyone else they knew or what his history was. All she knew was what he’d told her and that Susie wanted to set them up. While Susie may have been off her mark in past efforts at matchmaking, she had good judgment about who was decent and who wasn’t.
Luke caught her eye and stood up to greet her. He introduced her to the couple he’d been talking with. They were tourists he’d taken out on a guiding trip the week before. Once they got seated, Hannah turned to look at the window. The café had a clear view of the bay and mountains. She savored the familiar sight. This area was just off the beach, so she felt like she was sitting beside the water.
Luke watched her and followed her eyes out the window. “Can’t get enough of it myself. Been here over two years now and could look all day every day. Pretty sure it doesn’t wear out.”
“No, I don’t think it does. I missed it,” Hannah said as she turned back to Luke. She took in his green eyes and tousled hair. She guessed that even just washed and brushed, which it looked at the moment, his hair tended to be just shy of unruly. Her stomach fluttered when he smiled at her.
“So what do you think of this place so far? Never saw the old diner myself, but heard they made a lot of changes,” he said.
“Oh, they have. Pat’s was a pretty typical-looking diner. Basic and simple. The food was delicious. I like this, though. It’s nice to have something different here. I’d rather they didn’t try to make it what it was before.”
They made small talk, which didn’t keep Hannah’s mind off Luke’s eyes and hands. She had a thing for a man’s hands, and Luke’s were about perfect. They were strong without looking too rugged. They were also expressive. He gestured often in an unconscious way. As he was relating a story about a recent guiding trip, she heard a squeal and looked up to see her old friend Cammi. Cammi had run in the same circle as Hannah and Susie, and was known for being overly sentimental and just plain good to have as a friend. She was as loyal as they came. She looked much the same as she had before. Her straight honey-brown hair was in a short pixie cut. She wore a long cotton skirt of bright purple with a peasant-style white blouse. She carried herself with a sweet air and brought to mind flowers, herbs, and warmth.
Cammi made it to their booth as Hannah stood. Cammi engulfed her in a hug. Cammi stepped back, held her shoulders, and just smiled. She turned to greet Luke. They appeared friendly.
“I’d heard you were back,” Cammi said. “I just asked Susie for your number today. Was planning to call tomorrow. So, so, so glad you’re home. We missed you. I have a thousand questions, but I see you’re actually having dinner. Let me introduce you to my friend.” Cammi grabbed the arm of an unfamiliar woman who’d been standing nearby waiting. She was tall with straight blond hair that hung halfway down her back. She had an unadorned beauty with a tomboyish quality to her.
“This is Dara. She’s a friend I met in college. She came to visit last summer and couldn’t leave.” Cammi gestured back to Hannah. “Dara, this is Hannah. You know Luke. Hannah’s our old friend who was away for a couple years. Rumor has it she’s back to stay.”
Cammi’s joy was infectious. “It’s so good to see you, Cammi! And nice to meet you, Dara,” Hannah said. “The rumors are true—I’m back to stay. Susie sent Luke to me with a dog. Only a few days after I got back.” She paused to look around the café. “This place has had a makeover. So much has changed since I left, but there’s plenty that’s the same. Susie told me you had moved back after you stayed in Oregon for a bit. When do you want to get together?” she asked.
They made plans to meet for lunch the day after tomorrow. Luke exchanged pleasantries with Cammi and Dara before the hostess signaled them. Cammi looped her arm through Dara’s as they were led to a booth on the opposite side of the restaurant. Hannah sat back down and took a deep breath, noticing that Luke was watching her.
“It’s great to reconnect with old friends, but it brings up a lot. Cammi’s parents were close to mine. It’s hard to not think about them being gone.” Hannah shook her head and looked back out at the bay for a moment.
“Cammi’s one of the first people we got to know when we moved here. Her little coffee truck was where we went for coffee on the way out to fish,” Luke said, holding Hannah’s gaze, appearing to gauge her reaction. “Being home brings up a lot of memories, I’m sure. You seem to be getting through it okay.”
She thought for a moment. “I am…getting through it, that is. Instead of dwelling on the past—that’s my motto these days. Tell me what’s good for dinner here,” she said.
Luke obliged with his suggestions, and dinner passed quickly. He was a polite dinner partner, patiently answering questions. He discussed growing up in Seattle, and his parents frequent visits to Alask
a since they retired. When he spoke of his family, there were glimmers of a soft side to him. He joked about whether it was the best idea that he and his brothers worked together, chuckling about how most of the conflicts ended up between Nathan and Jared while he played referee.
As Hannah shared some of her own stories, she realized she’d lost touch with the silly side of herself since the plane crash. Seeing Cammi reminded her of things they used to do, including late night bonfires on the beach and costume parties to liven up long winters. She’d forgotten that she wasn’t just a serious graduate student and a lonely woman who felt lost without her parents. She was beginning to realize the fear that kept her from staying in touch with friends in Diamond Creek may have taken her further away from herself. Despite the memories and how fresh they felt, the people here were the ones who knew her before her parents died and could help her find her way back.
Chapter 8
Luke looked across the table at Hannah. She had relaxed during dinner, or so he thought. She was sipping on a glass of wine. The encounter with Cammi and Dara seemed to take an edge off. He couldn’t have planned it that way, but many of her friends were friends he’d made since they moved here. While Diamond Creek was small, there were circles of friends, many overlapping. He took advantage of her gazing out the window to take in the sight of her again. He wanted to touch her hair; it fell in glossy waves past her shoulders. The rich brown of her hair brought out the blue of her eyes. Her fingers toyed with the jade teardrop at her throat.
Luke had an internal tug-of-war going on. He was more interested in Hannah than was comfortable for him. This was the first time in years that he wondered what a woman thought about him. Not that he hadn’t been interested in other women since the crash and burn of his relationship with Cristina, but they’d all been shallow relationships, good for a little fun, but not much more. He sensed himself drawn to the challenge of Hannah’s reserve. He also thought he understood something about her. She had been so wrapped up in losing her parents, she forgot to take care of herself. Thinking these kinds of thoughts made him shake his head—not a place he wanted to go, thinking he understood her.
Hannah finally turned away from the view and caught him watching her. He didn’t look away. For the moment, the draw was worth it. He told himself he’d worry later if he found himself in too deep. She blushed but held his eyes and smiled. “We should check on Jessie. Do you still want to go for a walk? We could just go on the beach right here for a few minutes.”
He didn’t hesitate. “Let’s do it.”
He signaled their waitress for the bill. As they left the café, he placed his hand on her back. It was warm to the touch. Hannah didn’t move away. Opening the back of her truck, she produced a pair of rubber boots and changed out of her sandals for the walk. She was ever practical, not surprising since she’d been raised mostly in Alaska. While she changed into her boots, he let Jessie out and got her leash in case they needed it.
As they walked along the water, he took in the smell of the ocean, his favorite smell. It didn’t matter where he was, what beach, what state, or what ocean. He loved the salty scent of the air, the earthy tang from seaweed, rocks, and shells. Jessie ran ahead and circled back to them while they walked. Hannah had a long stride and kicked at small rocks with her boots as she walked. The breeze tousled her hair. Her arms swung loosely. He caught her hand as it swung past his. Her stride faltered for a split second, but her hand curled into his. It was becoming chilly, so they turned back. The sun was slowly setting, the sky fading into rose and streaks of yellow. Sunset in the summer in Alaska didn’t mean darkness was coming anytime soon—just a long dusky evening with darkness falling for a few brief hours and the sun rising not long after.
Hannah encouraged Jessie to hop into her truck when they got back to the parking lot. She gave her water and then softly closed the truck door. Turning to face Luke, she dusted sand off her hands. She turned more quickly than she intended and lost her balance when her boot caught on the edge of the truck tire. With a squeak, she tumbled into Luke. As she tried to right herself, he steadied her with his hands on her arms. Catching her balance, she tilted her head, just barely, to look at him. His eyes were bright, and when she opened her mouth to speak, he leaned in and sealed his lips over hers. Her mind went blank, and her world narrowed to the point where their lips joined. He softly nipped at her lower lip. A rush of heat coursed through her. Her mouth opened, and his tongue slipped inside. She could have kissed him forever—he knew how to take his time. It was a soft, slow tangle of lips and tongues, nips and strokes. His hands stroked from her shoulders down her back. She circled a hand around his neck and slipped her fingers through the dark curls. She gulped in a breath of air when he pulled away from her.
Hannah looked into Luke’s green eyes, just looked. He looked back without speaking for a moment.
“Wanted to do that since the day I met you,” he said bluntly.
She blushed, but managed a laugh. “Fair enough. If you didn’t notice, I wanted to do that too,” she said. She was rewarded with his dimples. His arms were still around her, but he loosened them and stepped back.
“As much as I’d be happy to take this further, I don’t want to rush…” he said and then looked away for a moment before turning back. “Starting to think I’m lucky you ran into me at the beach and then Susie sent me your way with Jessie.”
She took his words in and felt her heart dance a little jig. “Should we try dinner again soon? Maybe you could come to my place. Jessie would love that. I’m a pretty good cook too.”
“Sounds good…but before I let you go…” Luke pulled her right back against him, and they spiraled to the heated place they’d been. Hannah leaned into him and let her tongue get caught in a wild tangle with his. He cupped one cheek and slipped his thumb down the center of her chin, angling to slide it softly down the side of her throat and tracing one of her collarbones. His touch left sparks and tingles in its wake, bringing her to a heated shiver. He drew her closer and ran his hands down her back, pulling her hips against his. Their kiss became frantic with Hannah pressing into him, gripping his shirt. She could feel his erection low against her belly. Slick heat built between her legs with the rest of her burning. Anything that passed for thought was long gone.
A car door slammed, and reality intruded. She realized she would have happily rushed Luke far past a kiss right there in the parking lot in her hometown in full view of anyone and thought nothing of it. He appeared to have heard the door as he pulled slowly away and lifted his head. He turned to look over his shoulder and then back at her.
She smiled sheepishly and shrugged. “I guess a parking lot isn’t the best place for a kiss for us.”
“No, I guess not,” he said with a soft laugh. He pulled back farther and let his hands slide away from her. “I don’t usually make a scene like that.”
“Neither do I. That one got away from me.”
“Should I say maybe I’ll call you, or not bother pretending that I don’t want to go ahead and make plans to see you again?” he asked.
Hannah looked back into his green eyes and saw a hint of vulnerability. She sensed this wasn’t easy for him and knew it wasn’t for her. But if there was one thing the last two years had taught her, it was that it wasn’t worth hiding.
“Let’s not pretend. How about we meet at the dinner party Susie’s having this weekend?” she asked.
“First I’ve heard of it, but if you’re going, I’ll be happy to meet you,” he said.
She had begun to crave his smiles and accompanying dimples. Just as he turned to go, he leaned over and gave her a lingering kiss. It felt chaste compared to the conflagration they’d just experienced, but it was sweet. It left her tingling. She drove home, absentmindedly petting Jessie and occasionally touching her fingers to her lips as if to try to hold on to his touch.
Chapter 9
The next morning dawned clear and cool. Luke stood by the windows after returning from his run
and looked out over the bay. The day was calm with the bay smooth in the stillness. He loved this quiet time of day when much of the world was still asleep. Jared had gone for a run. Occasionally they ran together, although Luke had been up earlier than usual today. He had slept restlessly last night after dinner with Hannah. He couldn’t keep thoughts of her out of his mind. He’d actually had to take a cold shower to douse the fire she’d left burning. He felt like a teenager again.
He was thankful for the car door that slammed and shook him out of the kiss. He had been about to push Hannah against the truck and take her right there. As much as he wanted her, he didn’t want to make a public spectacle of them. He’d driven home picturing her long legs wrapped around his waist. Both Jared and Nathan had been out when he’d gotten home, so he’d avoided questions and had time to compose himself. Off and on through the night, he’d woken thinking about her. He found himself alternately ignoring the warning bells that he was too interested in her and trying to convince himself it was just lust. Lust was harmless. Considering anything more only revived memories of how stupid he’d been over Cristina. He couldn’t imagine Hannah being that shallow and superficial, but then he hadn’t envisioned that with Cristina either. He wasn’t interested in emotional risks, just those that came with testing himself outdoors, like heli-skiing in the Chugach Mountains.
He was relieved and frustrated that he had a guide trip today. He would be busy, and busy was good for his frame of mind. He also wanted to see Hannah again as soon as possible, and the weekend couldn’t come quickly enough. Knowing that he’d be out fishing for a few weeks, he didn’t want to miss what time he had. But that was the reality of fishing for a living. He finished his coffee and went downstairs to get ready for the day. Not long after, Jared joined him, and they set out for the harbor.
