“L-l-love this,” she whispered.
“Me too.” Luke leaned his head back and sighed. “That cabin I’m building for myself. I hope someday to live up here. It’s my own little spot of paradise.” He chuckled. “Kazlyn argues that it’s hers, but she told me she thinks Ty will propose next fall, and they’ll live in Logan since he’s coaching for Utah State now. I told her she could stay with me when she comes to visit.” He winked. “Like my mom would ever allow her to not stay there. Mom’s upset with me for building my own place and I’m twenty-six.”
He opened his door, jumped out, and had raced around to open hers before she could react. He took her hand, and they walked around the valley before making their way up to the cabin. Annie was content to listen to him tell her all his building plans. She wondered how he found the time to work on it. No wonder he had so much stress built up. But by the way he talked about his future house, maybe it was his stress relief.
He held her hand and tugged her down to sit next to him on the edge of the porch. The view was glorious; even the cattle seemed perfect to her, and she’d never thought cows were an attractive animal.
“Time for you to talk,” Luke said. “Why’d you get so melancholy after church?”
She felt for her purse, but it was in the truck. “N-no noteb-b-book.”
He held onto her hand. “That’s okay. I’m patient.”
Panic rose inside. Not only did she not want to stutter everything out, she didn’t want to tell him she’d been comparing herself to his tiny ex-girlfriend and remembering all of her mom’s digs over the years.
“Y-y-your m-mom’s d-dinner.”
Luke’s brow creased. “You’re right. She’s not patient and she’ll be ticked at me for not bringing you straight to her.” He helped her to her feet. “All right, you snaked out of it for now, but soon you’re going to tell me everything that’s going on in that beautiful mind.”
Annie squeezed his hand, ducking her head to hide the moisture building in her eyes. Luke seemed absolutely perfect to her, but would he eventually get tired of their awkward conversations and realize he should move on to more verbose and thin women? Like Missy?
***
Luke knew something had upset Annie after church, but she obviously didn’t want to talk about it. Missy? He tried to shut down all the feelings that rose in him. Missy. They’d fallen in love their junior year of high school, and he’d been certain they were destined to be together. Until she’d met a wealthy cowboy at the rodeo their senior year and disappeared with him shortly after graduation. He’d been bitter for a while, but Missy’s friend, Tracy, had finally admitted to Luke that Missy was desperately in love with her husband. He accepted that and locked his heart, and the pain had gradually lessened. Missy looked fabulous, as usual, but he wasn’t going to allow her back into his heart. Especially when he had someone so real, so amazing, like Annie to get to know.
He finished setting the table as his mom and Annie carried food in. He’d heard their voices in the kitchen a few minutes ago and was thrilled that Annie was talking so easily with his mom. After he prayed over the food, they all dug into roast beef, garlic mashed potatoes, asparagus, and fresh rolls. He loved his mom’s cooking.
Annie seemed comfortable, and Porter and his mom were doing a great job of patiently listening to her short answers and engaging her in conversation until there was a lull and Porter turned to him. “Did you see Missy came home?”
Luke looked quickly to Annie, hoping she wouldn’t realize how confused he was by this turn of events. “Yeah.”
“Guess she finally divorced that loser.”
Luke really didn’t want to talk about this right now. “Just because he’s a bull rider doesn’t mean he’s a loser.”
Porter’s jaw tightened along with his grip on his fork. “Does if he beat her.”
Rebecca and Annie both gasped, and Luke stared hard at his brother. The protective instincts inside of him were firing triple speed. Missy’s husband had beat her? His stomach rolled. “Rumors?” he bit out.
Porter shook his head. “Her brother, Jake, told me.”
No, no, no. Luke could hear roaring in his ears, and his stomach lurched. “Excuse me,” he muttered, trying to force a smile at Annie, but failing miserably. He fled the dining room and locked himself in the bathroom off the laundry room. Bracing his hands on the pedestal sink, he stared at his reflection, needing to focus, needing not to remember Missy. The wide blue eyes and silky blonde hair. They’d laughed and flirted, pretended to study math, and fallen in love. He’d loved her, but he’d let her go. He shouldn’t have. Could he have protected her? Would she have left her husband for him? He’d thought this entire time that she was happy and that he was being a good Christian by staying away from her, but she’d been abused. How bad? He pressed a fist to his mouth. He couldn’t let his mind go there.
After several minutes, Annie’s beautiful brown eyes and gold-highlighted curls flashed into his mind. Different than Missy, but still so beautiful. He and Annie were starting something, and he really wanted to see where it would go. He didn’t want memories of Missy or his desire to right Missy’s wrongs to interrupt what he had with Annie. He’d go talk to Missy later, see if there was any way he could help, but right now he was going to focus on Annie. She deserved that.
***
Luke had tried, Annie could give him that. He’d returned to the table after hearing his old girlfriend had been abused and he’d tried to put on a happy face and help her feel comfortable with his family. He took her home after dessert, and though she loved being in that wonderful house with his mom and imagining how it would’ve been to grow up with a mother who loved her, she was relieved to go. She wanted to bawl for some reason. She had no rights to Luke, but she wanted to weep for the potential they’d lost. She really thought they could’ve had something amazing.
He walked her up the steps to her apartment, and she swung to face him with no intention of prolonging this agony by inviting him in. “Th-thanks,” she murmured.
Luke licked his lips and sighed. “I’m sorry if I got awkward.”
“I-i-it’s okay.” She shook her head. They were not having this conversation.
He lifted a hand and swept a curl away from her face. “I want to get to know you better.”
Annie focused on his deep blue eyes. She wanted that too, but she wasn’t ready to compete with some old girlfriend that he obviously still cared about. Who could blame him? The girl was gorgeous and she’d been through something horrible. She needed someone like Luke.
So do you.
Yes, she did, but she had never had an opportunity to be selfish, and she wasn’t going to start with someone as wonderful as Luke. “M-m-maybe y-y-you should t-talk t-to Missy first.”
Luke’s eyes widened perceptibly. “I’m concerned about Missy, as a friend.” He took a step closer. They weren’t touching, but she could feel the heat from his body, and she couldn’t deny the pull he had. Every inch of her wanted to lean in and convince him he wanted to be much more than friends.
“I’d like more than friend status with you,” Luke whispered, leaning closer until his breath brushed her lips. His eyes stayed focused on hers, gently asking her to agree.
She reached up and smoothed the dark curls from his neck. He trembled under her touch. “Oh, Annie.” He wrapped his hands around her waist and softly touched her lips with his. Annie arched up, returning his kiss. Luke smiled against her mouth and then took control with just the right amount of pressure to make her groan and clutch his shoulders, molding her body to his.
She reveled in the movement of his lips and the strength that radiated from him. Safety, warmth, and desire all flooded her. He tasted like the coconut cream pie they’d just savored. She decided coconut cream would always be her favorite.
After several wonderful minutes, he broke away and tenderly brought his hand to her face, stroking her cheek and then her lips. “Oh, Annie, I’ve never…” He gave her one m
ore tender kiss, then shook his head and backed up a step, his hands dropping to his sides.
Annie forced herself to pull her hands from his shoulders. “W-what?” Confusion blanketed her. He’d never what?
“I have to go.”
He smiled. It didn’t comfort her. Why did he want to go?
“I’ll talk to you tomorrow.” He brushed his fingers down her jaw, then turned and took the stairs two at a time. Annie simply watched him go, confused and wondering why he couldn’t stay.
Chapter 7
The next day dragged like it was a year. At every break from treatments, Annie checked her phone, hoping for a text, or stared out her front window, praying to see her tall cowboy stride in. Her cowboy. How she wished. The kiss had been amazing for her, but Luke had said “I’ve never” and then disappeared. The kiss must not have rocked his world—not even close. She was so stupid. She’d kissed her share of boys but had never felt anything like she had for Luke. Obviously, she must’ve interpreted the kiss wrong. He couldn’t feel the way she did and then just walk away. He’d probably spent the day with Missy.
She sighed and walked to her front door. It was time for a trip to the grocery store for the ingredients to bake—something with loads of chocolate. Her mother would be so disappointed. That thought at least brought a smile to her face.
It was only a couple of blocks to Dove’s, so she didn’t bother with her car. The sun shone high and bright, the haze and smoky smell from the fire almost gone today. If only she could forget her ache for Luke and enjoy the fresh air. She loaded her basket with strawberries, carrots, and a spinach salad kit to assuage the guilt, then found a dark chocolate brownie mix and a bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips to mix in and eat by the handfuls. She pushed toward the checkout, but stopped when she recognized Missy standing next to the checker.
Annie half-hid behind a display of tortilla chips, hoping Missy would go away soon so she could buy her food and make it to the safety of her apartment.
“Have you been with Luke yet?” the other woman asked.
“He came by last night.” Missy sighed.
Last night? After he’d kissed Annie? She bent forward slightly, feeling like someone had jabbed her in the gut.
“He looks good, doesn’t he?”
“Amazing. He’s become a man in all the right ways.” They giggled together, and then Missy continued. “But it’s more than that. He’s so smart and he cares so much. You should’ve seen his face when he asked me about how Tate treated me, like he wants to make everything better. Luke was my first love. I really messed up leaving him, but he assured me he’ll make everything right now.”
“You two were always the perfect couple.”
A customer came and interrupted the conversation. When Annie peeked around the display, Missy was gone. She forced herself through the motions of unloading her food on the conveyer belt, paying, and then hurrying back home. Sadly, she didn’t even have the desire for chocolate anymore. She’d need something stronger than chocolate to deal with this pain. She dropped to her knees and begged for help to get over this selfishness and her infatuation with Luke Wilson. Missy really needed Luke. Annie couldn’t compete with the past they shared together, and the thought of the beautiful blonde being abused sickened her. Who was she to rob them of happiness?
***
Luke had felt a heaviness all day from his conversation with Missy last night. He was ticked off at the thought of anyone being hurt, especially Missy who had been so vivacious and caring. Even though, in his opinion, she’d been prettier than most of the girls their age, she’d never been snotty and had always included everyone in her circle of friends. She was struggling, and he wanted to help. He’d gone to see her right after he left Annie’s. He’d needed to help his old friend, but the way he’d felt when he kissed Annie let him know that Missy was only going to be a friend to him. He’d stayed late talking with Missy and then woke early to finish some engineering work and run to his doctor’s appointment before spending the day mending fence with Porter. There had been no opportunity to see Annie. What he wanted to say shouldn’t be communicated through the phone.
He knocked firmly on her apartment door, the thought of seeing her again sweeping away the angst over Missy’s shattered life. Annie was delightful in every way and he hoped he hadn’t messed everything up the way he’d left last night.
Annie swung the door open and he faltered. Her eyes were red and her nose dripping. She took one look at him, pivoted, and hurried back into her apartment. Luke stood, not sure how to proceed. At least she hadn’t slammed the door in his face. She returned a few seconds later, and her nose looked like she’d rubbed it raw.
She wore yoga pants and a fitted T-shirt, her curls tousled and her eyes darker than normal. Even upset, she looked amazing.
“Hey.” He reached out a hand and brushed at the wetness still on her cheek. “You okay?”
She shook her head quickly and backed away from his touch. “F-fine.” She swallowed and then whispered, “H-how are y-y-you?”
He grinned. “Much better now I’m here with you. It’s been a long day and last night was tough. Can we talk?”
She stepped away from the door.
“Are you hungry?” Luke asked. “I could go get some food.”
She shook her head.
Luke walked into the small apartment. It was brightly lit with the evening sun streaming through the large windows and all the overhead lights on. Annie had decorated with floral print couches, beautiful paintings of the ocean, and a palm tree in the corner. He pointed at the tree. “Nice.”
“P-piece of-of h-home.”
She sank onto the loveseat and he sat down next to her. He wanted to tell her everything about Missy and how he felt protective of her but had no romantic feelings for her anymore. He wanted to explain he’d never felt for anyone like he was feeling for Annie, but he had to find out first why she was crying.
“Do I need to pound somebody for making you cry?”
Annie stared at him, those dark eyes glistening with more tears.
“Hey. Don’t look at me like that.” Luke couldn’t resist wrapping his arms around her and pulling her into his chest. “What? Who did this to you?”
She glanced up at him. “Y-you.”
“Ah, no.” Luke closed his eyes and shook his head. “I’m sorry.”
Annie sighed and buried her head against him. He held her without speaking for as long as he could stand. “I should’ve explained myself after our kiss last night. I’ve never felt like that when I kissed someone and I knew I needed to go talk to Missy and help her and make sure that there was nothing between us anymore so I could give you the attention you deserved.” He gently tilted her chin up. “Am I making any sense?”
Annie shrugged. “H-h-heard Mi-ss-ssy talking t-today. S-said y-y-you were-were with her.”
“No.” Luke shook his head. “I went over there to see how I could help, but I am definitely not with her. Even if I did want to get back together, she has a lot of things she needs to work through with what her husband did to her.”
“S-so y-you do want t-to try w-w-with h-her?”
“Annie, no.” He framed her face with his hands. “I want to be there for her as a friend. There’s nothing between us anymore. I promise. I don’t know nearly as much as I’d like to know about you, but what I do know is unreal. You’re beautiful and talented and smart, and when I kiss you—” Luke broke off and licked his lips. “Can we try that again and see if it’s as amazing as last night?”
Annie’s eyes widened and the flush in her cheeks made her even more appealing. “M-maybe.”
Luke grinned. “‘Maybe’ I can work with.”
He took his time, caressing her face with his thumbs and slowly leaning toward her. Annie sighed and blinked up at him. She was so beautiful. He wanted to stare into that face every day of his life. He brushed her lips softly but then desire overtook him and he lifted her off the couch and onto his lap, tryi
ng to convey with his mouth and his touch what he couldn’t put into words. He wanted her, not Missy.
He pulled away before he got out of control and rested his forehead against hers. “Has a kiss ever felt like that for you?” he whispered.
“N-n-no.” She trembled in his arms.
Luke pulled her closer, trailing his fingers down her back. “That’s how I knew there was nothing there with Missy. When I said, ‘I’ve never’ last night, I probably communicated like an illiterate rancher. Let me finish my sentence. I’ve never been kissed like that, and I’ve never had this desire to spend every minute with someone and never let her go.”
Annie glanced up at him. “S-smooth t-talker.”
He gave a surprised chuckle. “That’s the funny thing, I’m not. I usually don’t talk much at all and then I get around you and I just spill my guts.”
She stroked the stubble on his face. “I l-like it.”
Annie kissed him again, and he moaned from the sheer pleasure of it. She pulled back and smiled. “Ch-changed my m-m-mind. I’m st-starving.”
Luke laughed again and lifted her to her feet. “Me too. And if we don’t get out of here, I might kiss you all night and have to go see both pastors and do some repentin’.”
Annie giggled and winked as he took her hand. Luke knew heaven must be something like this.
Chapter 8
The next night they spent at the park again, and Annie brought a picnic lunch with hoagie sandwiches, pasta salad, fruit, and brownies. Luke loved being with her. She’d wanted to hear the full report from Dr. Taggart yesterday and after he’d assured her that the X-ray’s checked out, she let him ask all the questions he had, from her youth through high school and college. She’d resorted to writing everything down to get it all out quicker. The more he read, the more he liked. She was smart, witty, and independent. She’d just told him about organizing an on-campus march to save the whales during college.
Summer in Snow Valley (Snow Valley Romance Anthologies Book 2) Page 31
