by Jill Sanders
“Luke,” she squealed, “clothes first!” He just laughed even more.
After making some quick peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, they retreated back to the warmth of the bed and talked. She was avoiding having the conversation and did everything she could to distract Luke from talking about the three words he’d mentioned less than an hour ago.
“You’re stalling,” he said, setting his plate aside. “You’re talking about everything but what needs to be said.”
He was right. She couldn’t deny her emotions any more. But then she found something that took his mind off the conversation completely.
“Oh,” she said, taking the last bite of her sandwich. “I’d almost forgotten. I’m supposed to invite you to Spring Haven for Thanksgiving this Thursday.” She smiled when she noticed his eyes go blank. “My Aunt Julie is the best cook in the county.”
“Thanksgiving?” He got a funny look on his face and she wondered if she’d made a mistake asking him.
“Yes, you don’t have to—”
“I’d love to.” His smile grew and he reached for her. Setting her plate aside, he slid them down until they fit tight together.
“You’ve mentioned your aunt and father, but haven’t spoken much of your mother. Mrs. Grayton?”
She sighed and was thankful the conversation had turned. “Elizabeth Grayton was the strongest woman I’ve ever known.” She rested her head back against his shoulder and enjoyed the feeling of his fingers combing her long hair away from her face. “When I first met her, her cancer was in remission. It took several years for it to come back and for her to pass from it.” She smiled slightly. “Never once in all that time did I see that woman complain or frown. She didn’t shed a tear or get angry at her circumstances.”
“I’m sorry,” he said, lightly.
She nodded. “That woman taught us more about suffering and patience than any other could. One of the reasons the Graytons took us all in was because of Elizabeth’s and Mark’s own childhoods. It’s the reason all of us devote as much as we can into the home that Roman has built, the reason he has continued on with our family’s dream.”
“Everyone sounds wonderful. Since I’ve already met Marcus and Cole, I can’t wait to meet everyone else.”
She laughed. “You’ll regret those words.”
Less than a week later, she was sitting around the large maple dining table, surrounded by a bunch of crazy people, and laughing harder than she had in a long time. Her brothers were a constant source of entertainment. She could hardly remember a time that the three of them had been together that they hadn’t had her smiling like a loon.
Of course, Luke was right there in the middle of it all. Not only did he look like he fit in, but he sounded and acted a lot like her brothers as they joked with her Aunt Julie and her father about one thing or another.
“You really didn’t do that, did you?” he asked, looking over at her. She’d lost track of their conversation minutes before when she’d been transfixed by the way Luke was smiling. He looked like he was really enjoying himself.
“What?” She felt her breathing quicken and quickly took a sip of her wine to cover the anxiety.
He leaned closer to her, his smile getting bigger. “Run from here to the middle of town, wearing nothing but a hula skirt and coconuts.”
She glared at her brothers then closed her eyes, remembering. “Yes, but it wasn’t my fault,” she said as everyone burst into laughter. “They locked me out of the house and bet me that they would do all my chores and be my own personal slaves for a whole month if I did it.” She tried not to laugh. She’d been thirteen and had just enough pride to not want to lose a bet. She smiled, remembering seeing her brothers do her every bidding. They’d been great sports about it, and since they and Marissa had followed her the entire way, they had a wonderful picture of the five of them standing in front of town hall, her brothers’ arms around her shoulders as she wore the hula skirt and coconuts from her school play.
The rest of the evening went very well. She tried not to stare at Luke and kept her heart hidden from her family, as usual.
As they were sitting around the fire in the living room, watching a football game, Luke’s cell phone rang. She watched him flip it out and frown down at it, and then he stood and excused himself.
She tried not to watch him pace on the front porch as he talked, most likely to someone from his family. When he came in, she could see the spark had left his eyes.
It took a few minutes before they were finally alone, and she immediately asked if everything was all right.
“Yes. I knew they’d be upset that I was spending the holiday with your family, but I didn’t know how much.” He took her hand and they stepped outside onto the front porch. The night breeze was cool as the wind whipped through her hair. He pulled off his jacket and put it over the light sweater she was wearing. Then he walked to the railing and leaned on it. “I like it here. I can just imagine you and your brothers growing up here. Chasing each other in the yard, running through the house.” He turned and smiled at her. “Makes me a little envious.”
She walked over to him and placed a hand on his knee. Looking up into his eyes. “I’m sorry they were upset.”
He shrugged his shoulders and turned to look off into the dark night.
Even though fall along the Gulf Coast wasn’t very cold, they still had chilly nights. Even the bugs had decreased during the small cold front they were having now. The grass was still green, and most of the trees still had leaves, but the chill in the wind guaranteed they were in for some rain later that night.
“It’s not like we spend holidays together. It’s been years since we’ve had a Thanksgiving meal together. Even then, it was nothing like that.” He nodded to the large windows, where they could see her brothers yelling at the football game. They were cheering and most likely taking bets as to which team would score next.
“I’m sorry,” she said, pulling his face towards hers. “I know how it feels. I wish it was different for you.”
He smiled and ran his fingers through her hair. “I’m so lucky to have you. To be here with you.” He leaned down and placed a soft kiss on her lips. “I know you don’t want to hear it, but I love you. I love being here with your family, with you.”
She smiled. “I think I’m getting used to hearing it.” It was true. Since that night almost a week ago when he’d first uttered those words, he’d made a point to say them to her as often as he could. She still didn’t know if there would be a day when she would easily be able to say it back to him. After all, she’d never said it to any man before.
“I’d like your permission to move in to your place. You know, full-time.”
She thought about it for a moment. He was already practically living at her place. His clothes hung in the spare bedroom closet, and several items were in her medicine cabinet.
Just then, there was a loud shout from inside the house. They both looked over to see Marcus jumping up and down. Cole still had his arm in a sling, but he was pumping his other fist in the air and the two of them fist-bumped over Roman’s head.
“Looks like Roman lost the bet,” she said, smiling at the scene her family made. Her aunt and father were shaking their heads as they laughed at the three of them. “It’s rare that he loses,” she said, turning back towards Luke.
“I like them a lot,” he said.
“That’s nice. I can tell they like you, too.”
“Shall we head back in? I’m dying to know the score.” She smiled.
Chapter Fifteen
The weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas were busy for him. Luke found it hard to find time to get back down to Emerald Beach. He wanted to finish the talk with his father and maybe see what he was up to. It wasn’t like his father to sit back and not have a plan in motion.
As he drove the highway, he thought of his own plans, plans that included asking Cassey to marry him. He thought the Christmas holiday was the best time. He could
just imagine asking her on the beach.
She had yet to say she loved him back, and every time he told her, a strange look would cross her face. He considered himself to be a very patient man, but he really wished she would tell him what was going on, why she held herself back like that. He could tell that he mattered to her; after all, she’d let him officially move in, something that had never happened before, according to Wendy. And according to her brothers, something they thought would never happen.
When he drove up to the hotel, he noticed his father’s car wasn’t parked out front. Frowning, he walked into the building and was quickly approached by one of the employees.
“Oh, Mr. Wallace, I’m so sorry to hear about your father.” She looked over her shoulder, then back at him. “Will you tell him that all of us here are pulling for him to get better?”
“What are you talking about?” He had a sinking feeling in his gut and after gazing around the lobby, he realized everyone was looking at him funny.
Less than an hour later he stood over his father, a deep frown on his lips as he looked at the man who had never been sick a day in his life. A stroke at the age of fifty-eight. Luke hadn’t seen it coming. Nor had anyone else, including his mother, who stood next to him, holding his hand.
“We were having tea with the DeFords. You remember, the nice couple who owned the condo next to ours in Maui. Anyway, your father had been feeling just a little under the weather since Thanksgiving.” His mother looked down at his father as he slept in a drugged state. She shook her head as a tear fell down her cheek. “He just slumped over. At first I thought he was joking,” She reached up and wiped the tear away quickly.
“What have the doctors said?”
“That he’s stable now.” She shook her head. “They say he might have some permanent damage, but they’ll know more once he wakes up.”
“He hasn’t woken yet?”
“No.” She quickly dashed away some more tears.
“Mom—” He started to apologize for not being there, but just then his phone beeped. Seeing Cassey’s number, he excused himself from the room.
“Hey, so I was wondering if you were going to stay up there tonight?”
“Yes, Cassey, my father’s had a stroke,” he blurted out. He didn’t know what he felt; his emotions were hard to explain. He was feeling anger and sadness at the same time. If his father hadn’t been such a workaholic his whole life, maybe he wouldn’t have had the stroke.
“Oh, no. Luke, I’m so sorry. What hospital?”
He told her. “I’ll be there soon. I’m so sorry. Do you need anything?” she asked.
“No, just you.” He couldn’t explain it, but he just knew that with her by his side, he could handle everything he had to.
“I’ll be there. Give me an hour to tie up some loose ends around here first.”
When he walked back into the room, his father’s eyes were open. His mother was sitting by his side, tears coming down her face.
It was so hard to explain, but he wished he could be anywhere but in that room at that moment.
“See, here he is Jeffery. I told you he had come.” His mother patted his father’s hand. “I just called for a nurse,” she said when he made a move towards the door to do so.
He stood aside as several nurses came in, followed by a doctor a few minutes later. He watched as everyone bustled around his father. Every time someone moved aside, he noticed that his father’s eyes were glued to him. Then they were being asked to step outside while they examined his father more closely.
Standing in the hall, hugging his mother, he realized he still hadn’t said anything to her. She just hung on his shirt and cried silently.
It took almost fifteen minutes before the doctor walked out of the room again.
“Well?” His mother gripped his arm tightly. “How is Jeffery?”
“Your husband has suffered a mild stroke.” His mother sniffled. “He’s young and fit, which he has in his favor. But he has suffered some damage. Whether it’s temporary or permanent, I can’t say; it’s still too early to tell. He’ll need to stay here until we see improvements. Once he goes home, he’ll have to be looked after until he’s back on his feet.”
“What about work?” Luke blurted out.
The doctor shook his head. “I’m not sure. He has a long road to recovery ahead of him.”
His mother gripped his arm even tighter. “Can we go back in?”
“Yes, but only family at this time. We’ll move him to a more private room in the morning.”
When they walked in the room again, his mother dropped his arm and rushed to his father’s side.
“I’m here, Jeffery,” she said, over and over. “Luke is here, too,” she said, when she noticed his eyes on his son. “Come over here, Luke. Say something to your father.”
Luke moved closer to the bed. His father lay there, looking old and frail for the first time in his memory.
“I’m here,” he said, hearing his voice crack a little.
“Calvin?” his father’s eyes lit up and Luke’s heart broke a little more.
Cassey hurried to the elevator and was surprised to see Luke standing in front of the doors, two cups of coffee in his hands.
“Luke,” she called out as the doors opened. Rushing, she made it inside just before the doors closed.
“Hey.” He smiled down at her after blinking a few times.
“Are you okay?” she asked, helping him with the coffee.
“Yeah. I’m glad you’re here.”
“How’s your father?”
“He’s awake.” He looked over as the elevator started beeping, then leaned over and pushed the button for the fifth floor. “It was a mild stroke. Looks like he’ll have to stay here for a few days.”
“Luke, I’m so sorry.” She took his free hand in hers and watched him nod in response.
“You didn’t have to come down here.”
He looked so sad that she wrapped her free arm around his waist. “I wanted to be here with you.”
When they walked into his father’s room, she saw his mother for the first time. She didn’t know why she hadn’t thought that the woman would be there, but the thought just hadn’t crossed her mind. She was beautiful. Her dark hair was shoulder length and styled in a fashionable bob. She wore silk white pants with a matching top and a teal scarf wrapped around her neck. Large diamond earrings dangled from her ears and the huge rings on her fingers were probably worth enough money to feed a small country.
“Cassey, this is my mother, Sophia Callaway. Mother, this is Cassey Grayton, my girlfriend.” He handed his mother the coffee.
Cassey noticed that Mrs. Callaway’s hand paused as she reached for the cup Luke offered.
“Oh,” the woman said, looking down at her husband, who appeared to be sleeping. “Nice to meet you,” she said in a more stressed voice. “I’m sorry; they won’t allow you to stay in this room.”
“It’s okay. I was just helping Luke with the coffee,” Cassey said, handing Luke his cup, then turning to go. She knew when she wasn’t welcome.
“Cass.” Luke took her hand. “Stay. Mother, don’t be rude. Cassey drove all the way down here to be with me. To see how father was.”
Mrs. Callaway looked between her and her husband. “Well, I’m sure it won’t hurt if you stay for a few minutes.”
“Would you like something to drink?” Luke held out his cup.
“No, thank you. I just wanted to make sure everything was okay.” She felt awkward and wished Luke had let her leave. Maybe she’d go sit outside or take a walk on the beach until he left for the night.
“Why don’t you two go ahead and call it a night,” his mother said all of a sudden. “I’ll sit here with Jeffery until they kick me out.”
“Are you sure?” Luke looked a little relieved.
“Yes.” She set her coffee down, sat next to her husband, and picked up his hand. “Go, I’ll be fine.”
When they walked out of the hos
pital, it was raining pretty hard. It had sprinkled all the way from Surf Breeze, but this was a downpour. They stood in the doorway of the hospital, waiting for it to lighten up.
“Why don’t we leave my car here overnight and take yours to the hotel?” he suggested. He pulled his coat up over his collar. “Let’s make a run for it. I don’t think it’s going to let up soon.”
They dashed for her car, holding hands. She unlocked it a few feet away and jumped in behind the wheel. Luke jumped in next to her and shook the rain from his hair.
She reached over to start the car, but he stopped her and pulled her across the console towards him. The hug was desperate and moved something deep inside her.
“Sorry,” he said a few minutes later when he pulled away. “But I needed that.”
She smiled at him. “Are you okay?”
He nodded. “Yeah. I could use some food though.”
“Okay, where to?” She started the car and waited.
“The hotel. I keep a room there. We can order room service.”
“Okay.” She drove out of the parking lot. The rain had yet to lighten up and now it was even lightning as well. She drove slowly across town towards the large hotel. When they pulled into the parking garage, he pointed her towards his private parking spot.
They walked towards the elevators in silence. She didn’t know what to say to him. It was good news that his father would recover, but hearing that it would be a long road to recovery had caused many questions to pop into her head. Did that mean he would be staying to run the hotel? Did this change their relationship?
They rode the elevator to the top floor and when she walked out, she was shocked to see only two doors on this level.
“The other unit belongs to my parents.” He nodded towards the double doors at the end of the hallway.
“You said you kept a room,” she said a few minutes later, looking around the large apartment. “I didn’t know you had an apartment here.”
He shrugged. “When you’ve lived in the same place your whole life, you tend to not think of it as anything but home.” He walked over to the glass refrigerators and pulled out a bottle of beer. “Would you like something? There’s wine, beer.” He bent down and opened the bottom drawer. “Coke?” He took one out for her.
