by Lea Coll
It wasn’t Luke’s first time in the city, but I enjoyed sharing my life with him. I could tell he felt a little uncomfortable that I lived alone in the city but he didn’t say anything.
We ate brunch on Sunday morning at Mama’s on the Half Shell. As you walked into the restaurant, there was a half wall topped with paneled windows to the right so you could see the bar and seating area and steep stairs straight ahead led the way to more seating. We took a table downstairs by the bar. We’d come in early to beat the rush, but it was still crowded and the sound of diners talking was fairly loud. The tables were bar height and lined both sides of the restaurant. The restaurant sat on the corner and tall windows let in a lot of natural light to counter the dark wood paneling. It was cute, quaint, and quintessential Canton.
“You have to try the Orange Crush,” I said, as he perused the drink menu.
“What’s that?”
“It’s the famous drink here. Fresh squeezed orange juice with triple sec and sprite.”
He looked up at me, and smiled, “Okay. Sounds good.”
I ordered the crab cake benny and he ordered the shrimp and grits. After we’d placed our orders, I couldn’t help but ask, “How were you able to get off this weekend with the election coming up so soon?”
Luke laughed. “Well, Cam wasn’t happy, but I don’t let him dictate my life anymore.”
I shifted uncomfortably. “That’s good, but don’t you have campaign events you need to attend?” As much as I wanted his focus and attention, I didn’t feel great about him blowing off his dream.
“I did. I postponed some to this week. I think it’s more important to see you.” Seeing my apprehensive look, he continued, “Look Emma, I’m not running a mud-slinging campaign so I don’t need to respond to everything Brad says anymore. I’ve focused on my issues and I’ve made it clear that I intend to have a work-life balance. You are in my life and you are important. I intend to have a family one day and they will be important. If people want a work-a-holic then they can elect Brad. I’m at peace with that.”
I couldn’t help the warm feeling that spread through me at his words. It was something I wanted to hear, but not everything.
After the waitress placed our plates in front of us and left, Luke looked at me tentatively, “Will you come back for the election? I’d like you to be there for moral support.”
I smiled, genuinely pleased. “Of course. I want to support you. I’d like to see everyone again too.” I was excited for the election to be over. Maybe then we could have a real discussion about how a relationship would work logistically.
The next week was more of the same. Luke continued to text and call frequently. He was persistent, that was for sure, but we did not discuss officially getting back together. As election day drew closer, I became more antsy about where we stood. I made plans to stay with Ashley for the election. It was a Tuesday, so I took a few days off work. I was looking forward to getting out of the city.
I KNOCKED ON ASHLEY’S APARTMENT door Monday night. She opened it, “Emma! I’m so excited you came!” She pulled me in for a hug and I stepped inside.
“Hi, how are you?”
“Good. Miss you at work still,” she admitted, closing the door. “Do you want anything to drink?”
“A glass of wine would be nice. I’m exhausted from working, and then the drive down here.”
“I bet,” Ashley said, as she pulled out her corkscrew to open the wine. “You’re in luck. I bought several bottles. I hope we will be celebrating with Luke tomorrow night.”
“Me too,” I said, standing at her island counter while she poured two glasses.
She placed the glass in front of me and took a sip of her own. As she put her glass down she looked at me, “What’s going on with you two?” At my raised brow, she added, “Luke is being tight lipped about it.”
I was relieved he’d kept our business private. “We aren’t back together or anything. He wants us to get back together, though.”
“Is that what you want?”
“Ugh.” I groaned. “I don’t know. I mean of course I want to, but then I keep thinking about how he walked away, Ashley. Twice.”
Ashley grimaced. “I know. He was a bit of a douche. But you don’t know him like I do. He’s always been ambitious and stubborn. I didn’t think he’d let anything get in his way to be sheriff. But he’s really taken a step back from it. He feels like he’s been clear on his platform. Either vote for him or don’t. He’s not going to let the process determine who he dates or spends his time with. I think he will be fine if he loses. I can’t say I thought that a few months ago.”
When I started to respond, Ashley interrupted by holding up her hand, “And I’ve never seen him this torn up over a woman. Not even when his ex left town. ”
“It’s so tough. I don’t know if I can trust he won’t walk away again. I mean he says he won’t, but how do you know for sure?”
“You don’t. At some point you have to trust him and your relationship.”
I nodded, taking another sip of wine. “We will see how tomorrow goes.”
“Did he rope you into helping out at the polls tomorrow?”
“No, are you?”
“Yes, just holding signs outside the school as people come in. Want to help?”
“Sure, I wonder why he didn’t ask me?”
“He wants you back. He’s not going to make you do his grunt work for him.”
I laughed. “I guess that makes sense.” My phone rang. I pulled it out of my bag. It was Luke. “Hi Luke.”
“Did you get in okay?”
“Yes, I’m at Ashley’s.”
“How was traffic?”
“Not bad once I got out of the city.” Traffic was usually worse going over the bridge on the weekends for beach goers. I wandered down the hall to the bedroom so I could have some privacy, “Hey, why didn’t you ask me to help out tomorrow?”
“I did. I asked you to come support me.”
“No, I mean at the polls. Ashley said she’s holding signs.”
“Yeah, you don’t need to do that.”
“I’d like to help. You’ll be busy during the day tomorrow shaking hands right?”
“Yes.”
“I’d like to help out too.”
“Fine, but don’t feel like you have to or that you need to stay all day,” he said.
“I won’t. I’m sure the girls will want to meet up for lunch.”
“Sounds good. I can meet you at the school in the morning. I have to travel around to the other polling locations once I’m done there.”
“Okay.”
“Thanks for coming, Emma. It means a lot to me.”
“Of course. I wouldn’t miss it.” I smiled.
“Night, Emma.”
“Night.”
It was a beautiful morning the next day. Ashley and I ate quickly and headed over to the school to hold signs. Stella was already there interviewing Luke when we arrived.
“How are you feeling this morning, Luke?” Stella asked, her pen poised over her notebook. There was a fair amount of people walking into the building to vote before work.
His eyes rested on mine, as he answered, “Great, Stella. I feel confident that the voters will do the right thing.”
“Vote for you, you mean?” Stella asked, with a smile.
“Exactly,” he said, smiling at me. “Excuse me,” he said to Stella, and then he walked up to me, “Good morning, Emma.”
“Morning, Luke,” I answered, looking up at him.
“Did you sleep well?” he asked, his voice low and husky.
“Yes, did you?” I asked. I couldn’t help the flirtatious smile which overtook my face. As much as I tried to keep him at arm’s length the last few weeks, it was hard to ignore the heat between us.
“Yes, I’m happy the election is almost over.” Then he leaned closer, placing his hands on my shoulders, and whispered in my ear, “Don’t tell anyone, but I’m not cut out to be a politi
cian.”
“You could have fooled me.” I smiled but I knew what he meant. It had been rough even on the people around him.
He pulled back. “I have to go shake some hands, but I will see you probably before I leave.”
“Sure. Good luck, Luke.” I went up on my tippy toes and kissed him on the cheek. There were a lot of people around watching us.
“Thanks,” he said, with a wink. Then he turned and walked into the school.
“You two are off the charts hot when you’re together,” Ashley said, as she fanned herself.
“Whatever, Ashley.” I smiled. “Where are these signs we need to hold up?”
Just then Sawyer came up with a stack of signs. “Here you are, ladies. If anyone has questions, you can direct them to Cam.” He pointed at Cam who was standing to the side with a clipboard. He looked intense and focused as usual.
It was a beautiful day to be outside and I enjoyed greeting everyone as they walked by. “It’s nice seeing everyone again,” I said to Ashley.
“Are you about ready for lunch?” she asked.
“Yes, I’m starving. That cereal we had at breakfast did not fill me up.” Luke had left an hour earlier with promises to see me tonight. “Is Stella coming?”
“Let me see if I can find her,” Ashley said.
As I waited for her, Sawyer came up to me. “How have you been?” he asked, his gaze on mine.
“Good,” I answered, cautiously. I don’t think I’d ever spoken to Luke’s brother by myself. I didn’t know him that well and didn’t know what he wanted.
“I don’t know exactly what’s going on with you and Luke, but I hope you guys work it out,” he offered, shifting uncomfortably on his feet.
I didn’t answer. I didn’t know what to say. I didn’t want to involve his brother in his issues.
“You don’t have to tell me, but I wanted to let you know that he’s wrecked over you. I’ve never seen him like this. Not even when Olivia left.” At my questioning look, he answered, “He was upset of course, but nothing like this.”
“That’s what everyone’s been saying,” I said, carefully. I knew they’d talked about living together and kids, so they had been serious.
“Well, I hope you give him another chance. I don’t think he will let you go again.” Then he took a deep breath. “Look, I know it’s not my place to say, but he said he would follow you anywhere. Shit, he’s going to kill me for saying this.”
I smiled. Sawyer was really flustered. I got the impression he didn’t express his feelings often. I placed my hand on his arm. “Don’t worry, Sawyer. I won’t tell him you talked to me. Thank you for telling me, though.” It was nice to hear but I really needed Luke to say it.
He smiled back. “Well, Cam needs me to run across the county to another poll location. Will I see you tonight?”
“Yes,” I agreed.
“Hey, Emma,” Ashley greeted, as she came back out of the school. “Stella is coming. She’s going to meet us at the the Lime Café.”
“Okay,”
“Let me text Samantha too. Hopefully she can take a break.”
“HEY LADIES!” STELLA CALLED, AS she opened the door to the Lime Café and walked inside. She sat down at the table. “I will be so glad when today is over. I’m exhausted.”
“I bet,” Ashley said. “Do you have to hit all of the other polling locations this afternoon?”
“Yes, I’m ignoring my phone right now so I can eat.”
The walls of the café were painted a lime color on top with white wainscoting on the bottom. White tables and chairs were scattered throughout. It was bright and cheery.
“Did you guys order already?” Stella asked, as she paused by our table. She looked down at our table. Both Ashley and I had subs on the table in front of us already.
I pointed to the deli counter, and said, “Yeah, but Samantha is waiting to order.”
Stella nodded and headed over to the counter.
“So, how are you doing, being here again?” Ashley asked.
“It’s great,” I said, unwrapping my sub. “I’ve missed everyone.”
“So would you consider moving here? Now that you’re back in the city, you don’t want to stay there?” Ashley asked.
“No, if anything it solidified my decision to move. I liked it there before but now that I’ve been here,” I said, gesturing to the town outside the front windows. “It just doesn’t compare.” I didn’t mention that I would only move if Luke and I worked out. No way I could live here if he was with someone else.
“That’s good,” she said.
“Emma!” Samantha exclaimed, coming over to the table with her sandwich. I stood up for a hug. “I’m so glad you were able to make it.”
“Me too,” I smiled.
Stella sat down next to her. “So what’s up with you and Luke? Lover boy moving to the city yet?” she asked.
“Ha! No he hasn’t said that.” I laughed. “I wouldn’t ask him give up being sheriff and move.”
“No, but wouldn’t that be a nice gesture?” Ashley asked, knowingly.
I took a sip of my iced tea, ignoring her question. She was spot on with her comment.
“Well, we’ll know for sure tonight.” At my raised brow, Stella said, “You know, if he’s the sheriff or not?”
“Yes. It will be nice to have the election over and done with,” I admitted. From what everyone was telling me, Luke was devastated by our break-up and was serious about getting back together for the long haul. I needed to hear that he was willing to give up everything for me. Then I would know he was serious about us. Anticipation for tonight and what would happen caused butterflies in my stomach. I felt like tonight would be the night we laid everything out on the table. And I was ready.
LUKE’S TEAM AND FRIENDS WERE assembled at the Pubfor the results. The televisions were all on the local news stations, which provided constant updates on the ticker on the bottom of the screen. Stella was back at the office. She needed to be ready when the news came in so she could write the article for the paper. I wasn’t sure where Brad’s team of people was but they were definitely not here.
I sat at a table with Ashley, Samantha, Sawyer and Logan. Logan and Ashley seemed to have declared a truce since the last time I saw them together. Or at least they were doing a good job avoiding each other. The door opened and finally Luke walked through. My face lit up at the sight of him. His eyes scanned the room until they came to rest on me. The room was loud with people talking and the televisions were turned up so everyone could hear what was going on, but it was as if Luke and I were the only ones in the room.
He walked directly to me and squatted down next to my chair. “Are you ready for this to be over?” he asked, in a low voice so no one could overhear us.
“Yes,” I said, smiling.
“Will you stay with me tonight, regardless of the outcome?” he asked.
“Yes,” I said it without even thinking of my answer. I wanted time with him more than anything.
He scanned the table, and said, “I have some things I need to say to you, in private, of course.”
“Hey, man. Are you ready for the results?” Sawyer asked, as Luke stood up.
“Never been more ready,” he said, pulling out the chair next to mine. He winked at me and poured himself a glass of water.“How does it look so far?”
“It’s neck and neck right now. We won’t know for sure until all of the locations send in their results,” Ashley said. “It should be soon though. The polling places have been closed for over an hour now.”
I took in Luke’s relaxed posture and easy grin and said, “You seem so calm.”
“It’s because the results don’t matter.” At my surprised expression, he continued, “Let me say the results of the election don’t matter. What happens tonight means everything.” He gestured between me and him.
I blushed. He wanted to talk tonight too. I was more than ready. I intended to hear him out before I made a decision. He pl
aced his arm around the back of my chair. I looked over at Ashley and she raised her brow.
I merely shrugged at her, moving my eyes to the televisions. I was suddenly very anxious for the final results of the election. The sooner they came in, the sooner we could leave.
The local news interrupted the usual television programming. The anchor said, “All of the polling places have now reported.” A hush came over the bar as he began to recite the results. Everyone seemed to be holding their breath for the sheriff’s results. “And finally we have the sheriff’s race. Luke Hudson is Kent County’s new sheriff.” A cheer erupted throughout the bar as everyone jumped up.
Luke accepted congratulations from everyone at the table and then turned to me. I was so happy for him despite what it might mean for us, “Congratulations, Luke!” He pulled me up into a hug. “I’m so proud of you.”
He squeezed me tightly and then let me down slowly. “Thanks,” he said, smiling down at me. “I have to give a quick speech to everyone and then we are out of here. Got it?”
“Got it,” I agreed, smiling.
He walked to the front of the room to thank everyone who helped on his campaign. Cam stood next to him and looked like he was going to explode with happiness. I’d never seen that guy even crack a smile.
I didn’t listen to his speech. I watched everyone in the room listening to him. When he was finished, everyone clapped and cheered some more. He shook hands as he made his way over to me. Then he leaned close to my ear. “I’m sure this is frowned upon, but let’s get out of here.”
I placed my hand in his and allowed him to lead me out of the pub.
When we got back to his place, he opened the door and Hunter greeted me. “I think he missed you,” Luke said, as he grabbed his collar to pull him down off of me.
“I doubt it. He greets everyone like that.” I teased.
Luke opened the French doors to the deck and let him out. “You want to talk out here?” He asked gesturing towards the deck. “I can start a fire in the fire pit if you want.”
