Summer didn’t talk about her relationship with Luke very much anymore. In fact, some days she didn’t mention his name at all. Ashley had been worried they might be headed for trouble but wasn’t sure how to broach the topic.
Summer tucked a wayward strand of dark hair behind her ear. “Yeah. Monday night his band played at some little dive bar. Then Tuesday was bowling night. Last night I hadthat event at the art museum, so I didn’t get home until late. And tonight when I got home, he’d left me a note that he was playing pool with the guys.” She met Ashley’s eyes. “It’s like we see each other less and less.”
Ashley was in no way qualified to dispense relationship advice. But she considered Summer one of her closest friends. And Luke had always been quick to help her out, especially when she’d moved from an apartment into a house. He’d rounded up his buddies, and they’d moved her stuff in less than a day. “Can you talk to him? Maybe try to carve out time this weekend to go on a date or something? Or cook a nice dinner and have an evening in?”
Summer sighed. “That would all be nice. Except that Luke has some big gig on Friday night. It’s the opening of the outdoor deck at some little restaurant on Folly Beach. I think he’s hoping it might turn into a regular thing.”
“Saturday then?”
“We’ve been summoned to my parents’ house on Saturday for a family barbecue.” She rolled her eyes. “Believe me, I don’t want to go. Luke doesn’t even know about it yet, and I know he’s not going to be happy.” She absently stroked Milo’s head. “But Gram called me on my way home from work and asked me to come.” She smiled. “Okay, she told me to come, but she said it nicely.”
Ashley grinned. Summer’s grandmother was the epitome of a Southern belle. Sweet as the tea they serve at Jestine’s Kitchen, but not someone to be crossed. She thought for a second. “Tell you what. I don’t have anything to do on Friday.” Her stomach lurched for a second at the thought of being outon the social scene. She mostly kept to herself. But lately she’d started to worry that she was becoming a sad, lonely old lady. All she needed were a couple of cats and a flowered muumuu and her face could practically be on the Old Maid card. “So what if we surprise Luke? How long has it been since you’ve seen him play?”
Summer chewed on her bottom lip. “It’s been ages. Seriously. He wouldn’t know what to think if I showed up to see him.” Her face suddenly brightened. “But that’s a good idea.” She glanced at Ashley. “You sure you don’t mind coming with me?”
Ashley forced a smile. “I’d love to.” She needed something to get her out of her comfort zone. “Besides, I’ve never heard his band play. It will be fun.”
Luke pulled his truck into the driveway next to their historic home. Even though he’d lived there for years, sometimes he felt like he didn’t belong. Their house on Legare Street was even on the yearly home and garden tour put on by the Charleston Historic Foundation. It was a far cry from the neighborhood where he’d grown up.
The outside light came on as he rolled to a stop. For a second, he thought it meant Summer was waiting up, but then he remembered the motion sensor they’d had installed a few months ago. There was a time when she’d sleep on the couch until he got home because she said she couldn’t stand to be in their king-sized bed without him. But those days were long gone.
He quietly let himself in. The alarm wasn’t set, and Milo didn’t meet him at the door. That meant Summer was letting the big dog sleep in their bed. Again.
He punched the code and armed the alarm before he went upstairs. Summer forgot to set the alarm more often than not these days. In the old days, he would’ve teased her for being scatterbrained, but not anymore.
Luke avoided the creaky spot on the next to last step as he reached the top of the stairs. If she was asleep, he didn’t want to wake her. He knew how much trouble she had getting to sleep. A glow coming from their bedroom told him that she’d at least left the lamp on so he didn’t have to walk in total darkness.
He tiptoed into the master bathroom and closed the door before he flipped on the light. He’d grab a quick shower and save himself a little time in the morning. He worked as a park ranger at Fort Sumter, and his shift started promptly at eight. He’d been late a couple of mornings recently and didn’t want his boss to think he was making a habit of it. It might not be his dream job, but he enjoyed it.
Luke opened the linen closet door to grab a towel and noticed the overflowing clothes hamper. He’d asked Summer this morning if she’d be doing laundry tonight and she’d said yes, but clearly that hadn’t happened. And he’d worn his last clean ranger uniform today. How hard is it to remember to do a load of laundry?
He dug through the hamper and came up with three uniforms. Looked like he was in for an even later night than he’d anticipated. It would easily be after midnight by the timethey were dry. He quickly brushed his teeth then grabbed the dirty uniforms. Stepping out into the bedroom, he saw Milo’s head raise from his pillow. Some watchdog.
He walked over to his side of the bed and tugged his pillow from beneath the large dog. It was amazing. On his dog bed, Milo slept curled up in a surprisingly tiny ball considering his size. But whenever he had permission to get in his and Summer’s bed, the dog insisted on taking up as much space as his large frame would allow.
He tucked the pillow beneath his arm. He’d sleep downstairs in the guest room tonight. He paused at the door and glanced back inside the bedroom. Summer hadn’t stirred through all of the commotion. Either she was sleeping soundly or she had nothing to say to him.
Luke headed to the laundry room downstairs, stifling a yawn.
Tomorrow was going to be a long day.
Chapter 3
Summer waited until she heard Luke’s foot hit the squeaky spot on the stairs before she sat up. As soon as he had gone into the bathroom, she remembered his work uniforms needed to be washed. She might be the worst wife ever, but she’d sooner walk across hot coals than admit to him that she’d forgotten. He probably thought she’d done it out of spite over his impromptu boys’ night out, and she’d let him think so. Served him right.
She leaned back against the plush pillows and put a hand on Milo. She’d read somewhere that stroking a dog’s fur helped to calm people when they were under a lot of stress. She’d certainly put that theory to the test over the past few months. Her stomach knotted as she thought about Saturday’s barbecue. It had been weeks since she’d seen her family. And she knew it would be a fight to convince Luke to go with her.
She rolled over and burrowed further underneath the covers. Sometimes she wished she could stay there forever.
The next morning, she grabbed her pink robe and padded downstairs. Milo trailed along behind her, stretching and yawning as he went. “Hey,” she said, stepping into the kitchen. Luke stood at the counter, slapping turkey onto a slice of bread. He covered it with the heel of the loaf and shook his head. “We’re out of bread.”
“Good morning to you, too.” She grabbed her favorite mug from the cabinet and filled it with coffee. Luke’s sweet gesture wasn’t lost on her. He didn’t drink coffee, so the fresh pot had been made just for her. But she didn’t mention his kindness. It made her feel too bad. She couldn’t even remember to get bread for his sandwich, yet he’d made her coffee.
“Mornin’.” Luke slid his sandwich into a ziplock bag. He leveled his brown eyes on her.
Those brown eyes might have been the reason she fell in love with him in the first place. Summer could still remember the day they met. She’d been sitting in the hammock in the backyard, reading Pride and Prejudice and wondering if she’d ever meet a man like Mr. Darcy. She hadn’t realized anyone was watching her until he cleared his throat. She looked up to see Luke standing there, a sheepish grin on his handsome face. “Hey,” he drawled softly. “I didn’t mean to scare you.”
She quickly closed the book. Her friends made fun of her for reading too much, especially when they caught her with her nose buried in the classics. “Y
ou didn’t.”
“I’m Luke. Luke Nelson.” A shadow crossed his tanned face. “I’m helping my uncle this summer. He owns a landscaping company.” He motioned toward the push mower. “Hope it doesn’t disturb your reading.” He smiled. “That’s a great book.”
At that moment, Summer looked into Luke’s chocolate brown eyes and felt her heart skip a beat.
They were seventeen at that first meeting. At thirty-four it was hard for her to fathom that she’d known Luke for half ofher life. And there had been lots of times over the years when Luke’s slow smile and beautiful eyes had made her heart skip beats. But that happened less and less these days. Sometimes it seemed like she barely knew him anymore.
“I’m sorry I forgot the bread.” She took a sip of coffee and watched him grab a bag of Doritos from the pantry. “I’ll go to the store on my way home today so you’ll have lunch tomorrow.”
He put his sandwich and the chips into his lunch bag. “Don’t bother. I’m not working this weekend, so I won’t need any.” He shrugged. “Until Monday, at least.”
“Oh. Right. I guess I’d forgotten today is Friday.” What was wrong with her?
Luke looked at her for a long moment. “Are you feeling okay? Maybe you should go back to bed. I’m sure Ashley can handle things.”
She tensed. “I’m fine. This week has gone by fast, that’s all.” She noticed the way his hand held on to the counter. It had been forever since they’d held hands. Too long. She stepped toward him, her fingers suddenly itching to touch him.
Luke turned away before she reached him. He opened the refrigerator and pulled out a can of soda. “Don’t forget that I’m playing tonight after work. I’ll probably go straight there.” He motioned at his duffel bag by the door. “I’ll change at Justin’s. I’m picking him up on the way.”
She smiled to herself. He would be so surprised to see her show up. Maybe this would be the first step at getting them back on track. She missed the way things used to be. “Okay. Be careful.” She watched as he grabbed his phone and keys then knelt to scratch Milo behind the ears.
Luke stood. “Thanks. Hope you have a good day.” He slung his bag over his shoulder. “I’ll be in late tonight. Don’t wait up.”
“Hang on.” She walked to the doorway and faced him. “Tomorrow we’re supposed to go to a barbecue at my parents’ house.”
He furrowed his brow. “Why are you just now telling me this?”
She pushed a strand of hair from her face. “Gram didn’t call me until yesterday. I haven’t gotten to talk to you until now.” She reached out and touched his arm, but he shrugged her away.
“Did you tell her we’d come?”
She narrowed her eyes. “Of course. Both of us—so don’t think you’re getting out of it.”
He inhaled deeply and blew out his breath. “Great. Fine. Whatever.” He glanced at his watch. “I’m not happy about it, but I’ll go.” He walked out without giving her another look.
Summer stared at the closed door for a long moment and clutched her coffee mug. There was a time when Luke never would’ve left without kissing her good-bye. A time when she would’ve made sure the last words they said to one another were “I love you” and not anything cross. They’d always vowed to have a different marriage than the ones their parents had. But sometimes it seemed like they were two strangers who happened to share a home.
And Summer could pinpoint exactly when the change had happened.
The problem was, unless she could pull a Marty McFly and go back in time, she had no idea what to do about it.
Justin Sanders loved Fridays. Especially every other Friday. But not for the same reason most guys his age did. Sure, he liked to have a good time on the weekend, but every other Friday was special.
He pulled into the driveway at Samantha’s townhouse and wondered if she remembered that he was coming today. Two weeks ago, she’d forgotten about his visit and had taken Colton to daycare already.
Justin jumped out of the SUV and walked to the door. It swung open before he could knock.
“I’m so glad you’re here,” Samantha said. Her bleached blond hair was pulled into a messy bun, and she had dark circles under her eyes. “The baby was up every hour, and then as soon as I got to sleep, Colton woke me up.” She managed a smile. “He was so excited that today was his day with you, he couldn’t sleep.”
Justin’s heart warmed. “I’m glad. I’m planning to take him fishing if that’s okay with you.” He’d bought Colton a Snoopy fishing rod at Walmart the other day. It was identical to the one he’d had when he was a little boy.
“Whatever. That’s great.” Samantha ushered him inside the tiny townhouse.
“Justy!” Colton exclaimed. The little boy ran toward Justin and grabbed him around the leg.
Justin scooped him up into his arms. “I missed you, little man.”
Colton threw his arms around Justin’s neck. “I missed you, too.”
A cry came from down the hallway. “The baby’s awake.” Samantha sighed. “Have him back by three, ‘kay? He’s staying with my mama the rest of the weekend, and I need to get him over there before supper.”
“Sure.” Although if it were up to Justin, he’d keep Colton forever.
Luke wiped a trickle of sweat from his forehead and slapped his ranger hat back on his head. It wasn’t officially summer, but it was as hot as an oven outside. He hated to think of how it would feel in July.
“Excuse me,” a woman said from behind him.
He turned and flashed her a polite smile. “Can I help you?”
She held up a cell phone. “Would you mind taking our picture?” She motioned toward a man holding a little girl who couldn’t have been more than two. “It’s our first vacation as a family,” she explained.
He took the phone. “Sure.”
The family stood beneath a large flag pole. “Get as much of the fort and the water as you can,” the woman called.
Luke grinned. Every tourist wanted the same picture in nearly the same spot. He was such an old pro at this by now he could practically work for Olan Mills. He counted to three and snapped the picture.
“Thanks,” the woman said.
Luke handed her the phone. He watched the couple fawn over the little girl. The woman pulled out a bottle of sunblock and rubbed it on the girl’s face. The child squealed and wrinkled her nose.
He couldn’t help but smile. Part of him wanted to tell the parents to relish those moments. He knew all too well that those happy times could quickly be replaced by sad ones. Life really was a vapor.
“Hey, Luke,” his supervisor called from the entrance to the bookstore. “You got a minute?”
He nodded. “Yes sir.” He walked toward the older ranger. He’d worked at Fort Sumter for three years now and still had a hard time figuring out if Walter Young liked him or not. Mr. Young was a man of few words, not unlike Luke’s daddy.
“With it being the end of the school year, we’ve got several school groups scheduled for the next couple of weeks,” Mr. Young said. “You always have a good rapport with the kids, so I want you to take care of them.”
Luke nodded. “Yes sir.” Relief washed over him. Every time he was summoned by Mr. Young, he was always afraid he’d messed up somehow. “I’d be glad to.”
“You can check the schedule inside. I think there will be six different groups coming. Just do a basic introduction and answer their questions.”
Luke knew the drill. “Will do.”
Mr. Young turned and went back inside without another word.
Luke sighed. It wasn’t even lunchtime yet. This day was dragging on forever. He’d like to chalk it up to the fact that he was looking forward to playing with his band later. But he knew that the main reason the day wasn’t going well was because of the way he’d left things with Summer. He didn’t know what to say to her anymore.
He watched another couple laughing and walking hand in hand. He wasn’t sure if he and Summer would ever get bac
k to that point. And deep down, after everything they’d faced, he wasn’t even sure it was possible.
His cell phone vibrated. He pulled the phone from its holster and glanced at the screen.
Rose.
Luke shoved the phone back in the holster. His sister had left two voice mails in the last week, but he hadn’t listened to either of them yet. As long as he didn’t know what she wanted, he wouldn’t feel any obligation toward her.
“Can you tell me how many cannons were here during the battle?” A man asked, startling Luke.
“Sure.” Luke went into his canned speech, thankful for the distraction.
Chapter 4
Ashley clicked SEND on an e-mail. From the amount of inquiries they’d had lately from people wanting to hold their weddings in Charleston, it looked like they were in for a busy year. All the more reason for me to be a real business partner. She glanced at the clock. Summer must be running late.
Again.
She wished there were someone to share her concerns with. But as far as she knew, Summer didn’t have much of a relationship with her family. She’d heard her mention a couple of friends, but even they didn’t seem that close. In the years she’d known Summer, it had always been obvious that Luke was her best friend.
And Ashley was pretty sure he was part of the problem in the first place, so talking to him wouldn’t help.
Lord, help me figure out how to help her.
The door swung open and Summer walked inside, Milo padding along beside her. She unhooked his leash, and the dog went straight to his familiar spot in front of the large window.
“Sorry I’m late,” Summer said. “I didn’t sleep well, and then this morning I felt like I was moving in slow motion.”
“No problem.” Ashley rose from her desk and knelt down toscratch Milo behind the ear. She watched as Summer thumbed through papers on her desk. Despite her lack of sleep, Summer still managed to look put together. Ashley had always been intimidated by women like that. Women who just seemed to know what went well together and how to pull off accessories without looking like they were trying too hard. Or maybe it was the fact that money wasn’t an issue for Summer—Ashley didn’t know. She only knew that for Summer, looking classy seemed effortless. The tailored pink jacket and slim-cut black pants showed off her trim figure. Ashley knew there were some days that Summer didn’t even stop to eat lunch, and if the weight loss she’d experienced in recent months was any indicator, maybe that was true for supper, too.
A Wedding to Remember in Charleston, South Carolina Page 2