Total pages in book: 29
Estimated words: 27306 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 137(@200wpm)___ 109(@250wpm)___ 91(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 27306 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 137(@200wpm)___ 109(@250wpm)___ 91(@300wpm)
I’m pacing the floor, consumed with nervous energy when the black truck pulls into the driveway. I peer out the window and see Luke emerging from the driver’s side carrying bags of takeout for our dinner. Nana has already eaten and is in bed for the night, so it will be just the two of us.
“I’m sorry that took so long. I had to drop by the station to take care of some business,” he says as I hold the door open for him. He reaches into one of the bags and pulls out a bouquet of orange and yellow flowers. He hands them to me. “I thought maybe these would brighten things up a bit.”
“They’re beautiful,” I say as I stick my nose in them. “I’m just grateful you came back.”
He tilts his head, brows drawn together. “Why wouldn’t I?”
“Oh, I knew you would. I didn’t mean I thought you wouldn’t. It’s just… It’s nice to have you here. That’s all.”
He smiles and runs a finger along my jawline. “It’s nice to be here, sweetheart.”
We move to the kitchen where I’ve already set an intimate table for two. He places the bags on the counter and inspects my handiwork as I fill a vase and add the flowers to the center of the table.
“This is nice. Your Nana isn’t joining us?”
“No, she’s on a restricted diet. I’ve already fed her.”
He’s getting the food out, and I take a moment to look him over. This is the first time I see him out of uniform, and he looks different. His silky, black hair isn’t combed back and hangs down over his eyes. He’s wearing a hunter-green t-shirt and tight-fitting jeans with cowboy boots.
Luke looks younger in street clothes, and his muscular physique is much more obvious. I can easily see him modeling for a fitness magazine. In a town like this, a man like him can have a different woman every night, but he doesn’t strike me as the type of guy who’s into that sort of thing.
Some guys go to the gym to impress girls. I think Luke goes for himself. I’ve never known anyone who exudes his kind of confidence before.
I’m wearing a yellow, floral sundress, and I smile when I consider how well I match the flowers he chose for me. I wanted Luke to see me in something other than shorts and a T-shirt. Once he plates the food, he tells me, “You look beautiful. I think I might be underdressed.”
“No, you look really good,” I tell him and instantly blush when I hear the squeakiness of my tone.
He lights the candles I’ve placed in the center of the table and holds my chair out for me. I sit and he squeezes my shoulders before moving to his side of the table. His warm breath on the back of my neck sends a shiver down my spine, and I curb the urge to moan.
“Is this okay? Do you like it?”
It takes me a moment to realize that he’s talking about the food. “It’s good. I love barbeque.”
“I’ll take you out for a more traditional dinner date. I promise. ”
“I haven’t even considered going out. I don’t know what I’d do with Nana. I guess I haven’t thought things through as well as I believed I did.”
“Were you planning to do this without any help?”
“Well, yes. I mean, who’s going to help me?”
“Let me help you with that. One of my deputies happens to be married to a nurse. She also works as a home health aide.”
“I can’t afford to pay someone like that. Besides, it’s my job to take care of her.”
“Well, you think about it. It doesn’t have to be a permanent situation. I’m sure she’d be willing to help out on occasion so you can get out for some fresh air and new experiences.”
“I will. I appreciate the suggestion.”
He leans across the table and takes my hand. “Lori, you have to stop being so formal with me. My suggestion was a little selfish anyway. I want you to have help with your Nana so I can spend time with you.”
“Oh.” I feel myself blushing, and I bite my lower lip.
“Is that okay? Do you want to spend time with me?”
“Yes.” I nod.
“Good.” He lifts my hand to his lips and kisses it gently, brushing his lips along my knuckles.
“Luke, you pretty much know my life’s story. Tell me about you.”
I want to know everything about him, but more specifically, I want to know if some tall, sophisticated woman is out there waiting for him to reconcile their failed marriage or life-long love affair. That thought leaves a bitter taste in my mouth.
“There isn’t much to tell. I went to school in the city, then I joined the force there. As the years passed, I realized I just wasn’t happy there so I started looking for other opportunities. That’s when I found this little town and assumed the role of sheriff here. I bought a house on Main Street and immersed myself in the work. I work out, fish sometimes, and work. Pretty boring, huh?”