Luke's Recovery

by Angela Franklin

  “No, it has been this way since his first session, and I just need a break for a little while.” Lindy wished she could just run out the door. She could hear Luke moving toward her.

  “I’m on my way.” Chase said as he hung up the phone.

  She walked passed Luke in the door way, and walked to her room. She shut the door to keep him out. She knew if she spoke she would explode. She gathered her pocket book and her keys, then slipped her shoes on. When she opened the door to walk out, Luke was standing in the doorway.

  “Where do you think you are going?” He asked in a voice so quiet and firm, she wished he was yelling instead.

  “Out.” She was getting snippy and she hated it.

  “You have to stay with me.” He commanded.

  “No, I don’t. Chase is going to come sit with you.” Lindy took a deep breath and let it out slowly trying to calm herself.

  “I don’t want him, I need you here.” Luke reached for her hand, but she pulled away taking a step back.

  “I need to leave before we say something we will regret.” She told him as she balled her hands into fists.

  “Don’t mistake this brace for me being weak.” Luke snarled at her.

  “Luke, I have never thought you were weak. Not in the hospital, not in the wheelchair, and not using the crutches. You don’t need me here anymore. You are walking on your own, and only using crutches sometimes.” Lindy told him honestly. It was only a matter of time before she left for more than a couple hours.

  “I will always need you here.” Luke whispered as they heard the front door open.

  “Is anyone still alive?” Chase called out.

  “Yeah, we’ll be right there.” Luke called back and stepped closer to her. “You are coming home tonight.” He demanded.

  “I will be back here in a few hours.” She told him and wished this was her home.

  Luke nodded, and as she passed, he ran his hand across her waist. She didn’t even pause, just nodded at Chase and walked out the front door. It was time for her to start looking for a house. While she was out, she would go by the realtors and ask if they could get a list of available places together.

  “Hey Lindy, where’s Luke?” Tray asked from the next pump over at the gas station.

  “Hi, he is at the ranch.” She smiled at him.

  “So, you can leave the house now?” Tray smiled back at her.

  “Yeah, he’s doing really well. It won’t be long till he doesn’t need me at all.” Lindy’s heart dropped at the thought.

  “That’s great. I was just headed over to Susie’s, you want to go with me?” Tray asked as he hung up the nozzle, and put the gas cap back on his truck.

  “Actually, that sounds really nice.” She said putting her cap back on too. She hadn’t been out in a while, and maybe she would even end up liking Tray.

  “Great. I’ll meet you there.” He winked at her.

  She pulled up beside his truck and he opened her door for her to get out, such a gentleman. After he shut her door, he put his hand on the small of her back as he guided her to the door. It didn’t feel nearly as good as any of Luke’s touches, but that wasn’t an option. Tray opened the door for her, and everyone stopped to stare as he put his hand on her back while they waited for Kara to seat them.

  “Hey, I haven’t seen you in forever.” Kara said as she leaned in to hug her.

  “I’ve been busy out at the ranch.” Lindy squeezed her tight realizing how much she had missed her friends.

  “I bet so, where is Luke?” Kara asked her.

  “At the ranch. He won’t need me much longer.” Lindy smiled even as her heart felt like crying.

  “That’s good news, then we can hangout more.” Kara had become quite a talker once she started coming to girl’s night. “What can I get y’all?” She asked.

  After they ordered, Tray put his arm across the back of her seat. She could feel people looking at her, but she didn’t know why. Tray kept talking and telling jokes. She was enjoying her evening. The food was great when it came. Tray wouldn’t let her pay and even walked her to her car. It felt nice having someone opening doors for her.

  “Are you going back to the ranch now?” Tray asked her.

  “Not yet, I’m gonna go by the realty office, then I will go back.” Lindy told him.

  “Okay. Call me next time you leave the ranch and we can get together again.” Tray said as he leaned in and kissed her cheek.

  All she could do was nod. She hadn’t expected that. She was in a daze as she got in her car. Was that like a date? She had enjoyed dinner, but she didn’t feel anything for him. Lindy almost forgot to go by the realty office’ she was so distracted by her thoughts. She was glad she had. They had said they could send her an email with what was available on Monday. She was in a good mood when she pulled up to the ranch.

  “Where’s Chase?” She asked seeing Luke sitting on the couch.

  “Gone.” Luke didn’t look happy.

  “You want me to start your dinner now?” She wasn’t going to let him ruin her mood.

  “No need, you’ve already ate.” He said through clenched teeth.

  *****

  Luke was angry and it couldn’t be blamed on the pain, or at least not the pain in his leg. He had gotten several texts asking where he was and when he had said at home, people had basically said that she must be seeing Tray then, because they were having dinner together.

  “What is your problem, Luke?” She looked confused, she was a good actress.

  “Since when are you dating Tray?” He seethed.

  “I’m not dating Tray.” He could see the confusion turning to anger in her eyes as they started snapping fire at him.

  “Really.” He said as he stood up and walked toward her. “Because this picture and all the texts say otherwise.” He pushed his phone in her face calling her on her lie.

  “I ran into him pumping gas and he asked me to go to Susie’s, that’s all.” Yep, she was good and mad now, her beautiful green eyes had a hard edge to go with the fire that shot through them. “Besides, it’s none of your business if I am dating him.”

  “None of my business.” He parroted.

  “I am your employee, nothing more. In another week or two, I won’t even be that.” She stomped her foot like a two-year-old throwing a fit.

  “Is that what you want?” He searched her eyes. If she truly didn’t want him, he would let her go.

  “I don’t understand you right now. I was hired to be your nurse. We have been getting along great, and I thought we were getting to know each other really well, but I feel like I don’t know you at all right now.” He could see the tears start to form in her eyes and it broke his heart.

  “Lindy, I’m not trying to hurt you, or confuse you. I need to know if what you want is to leave here. If you want away from me?” He wanted to hold her so bad, but she had to make this decision on her own.

  “I-I-I don’t want to leave.” She hiccupped out.

  The tears had turned into a fountain and it was killing him. He wanted to pick her up and carry her to the couch, but his leg wasn’t strong enough yet. He took her hand and pulled her down on his lap and held her. She wiggled, then settle once she was comfortable with her face pressed into his neck, and her arms around him.

  As she cried, he held her tight and rubbed slow circles on her back. He didn’t think all of these tears were from their argument, maybe everything that had happened recently was catching up with her. She was so strong, but everyone had a breaking point. He continued to hold her until her tears stopped, and her breathing evened out. When he was sure she was asleep, he reached over and pulled the lever to recline his seat and leaned back pulling her with him. She whimpered, then snuggled in closer and sighed.

  Luke drifted off to sleep with her. He was having a dream, but it was an amazing dream. He had his arm around Lindy as she rubbed her belly where their baby was kicking, and a beautiful three-year-old carbon copy of her was stomping her foot because Lin
dy wouldn’t let her have ice cream before dinner. To distract her, Luke put her hand on Lindy’s belly and let her feel the baby kick, her green eyes sparkled up at them in wonder when she felt it. He woke up with a smile on his face. He had to stop waiting and show her what he wanted the most, her. Leaning down, he kissed her forehead. She sighed and looked up at him with sleepy eyes, when she tried to get up he knew she was fully awake.

  “Settle baby.” Luke said holding on tight.

  “Luke, I’m so sorry.” Lindy said still trying to pull away. In her wiggling, she had ended up right on top of him. Taking advantage of that, he rolled so she was under him.

  “Lindsey, stop.” Luke was staring down into her eyes, it felt like he was falling into them.

  “Luke.” She whispered as she licked her lips. Like a rubber band, his control snapped.

  This wasn’t how he had planned their first kiss, but he couldn’t hold back anymore. Softly, he feathered his lips over hers as he brought his hand up to cup her cheek. Her soft sigh let him know he wasn’t alone. Slowly, he traced her lips with his tongue. She opened for him and he tangled his tongue with hers. When she moaned into the kiss, he moved his hand from her cheek, to the back of her neck, pulling her closer.

  Reaching back, he pulled one of her legs up around his hip spreading her legs enough for him to lay between them. Understanding what he was trying to do, she wiggled creating more space. She moaned and pulled him flush against her, never breaking their kiss. Luke had never been so far gone over a kiss. She started to rock against him, and he had to break the kiss so he could breathe. The hand on her leg started to move higher till he reached the hem of her shirt.

  Luke squeezed her hip and looked at her for permission before he continued. She bit her lip and nodded. With a groan, Luke swooped in to rescue her captured lip licking it softly to sooth the sting. Slowly, he slipped his hand under her shirt. The first touch of her bare skin was paradise. He cupped her breast through her bra and squeezed it lightly. Lindy broke the kiss and bit his lip, then pushed hard against him.

  “Damn Lindy, you’re gonna make me lose my head.” Luke whispered against her lips.

  “Yes please.” Lindy said as she took his lips again.

  They needed to talk, but it would be cruel to stop now. She was close, he could feel it in the tension in her body. He squeezed her breast again as he grinded against her. She put her hands on his hips and pushed up against his every downward motion. He couldn’t take much more, he needed her to come first. He squeezed harder as he bit down on her lip and thrust hard against her. She screamed his name as she shuddered under him. Her scream set him off and he kissed her softly as they both floated back down to earth.

  “Wow.” She sighed as he shifted to the side so he wasn’t crushing her.

  “Yeah.” He said throwing his arm around her waist. He couldn’t get enough of touching her.

  “It’s never been that good, even with us still having clothes on.” Her voice sounded distant and he figured she was talking to herself.

  “Never.” He confirmed.

  “Oh Luke, we shouldn’t have done that.” She jerked up so fast, she dumped him on the floor.

  “Why?” He asked as he pulled himself back on the couch with his arms and pushed up with his left leg.

  “I know it was only because it’s been so long because of your injuries. You just needed the release.” She put her face in her hands and turned away from him.

  “The release?” He was confused. Did she think he was only using her?

  “It’s okay, we can just pretend it never happened. I will be out of here soon, and you can get back to your life, and start dating again.” She sighed and straightened her back.

  “No, I can’t forget that.” Luke never wanted to forget what just happened.

  “Okay, I can go ahead and leave now. I’m sure Callie can run your meals down until you’re able to stand for more than a few minutes.” He was getting tired of her always trying to leave him.

  “Lindsey Clark, sit your ass down, it’s time we have that talk.” Luke was trying to keep his cool, but having the woman he loved trying to run away wasn’t helping.

  “What talk?” She mumbled playing innocent.

  “The one I’ve been putting off for way to long.” Luke told her.

  “That’s okay, you can just pretend we had it.” Lindy told him.

  Luke thought about that as he looked at her stiff body language and decided to do it her way. If she wanted to pretend they had already had it, he would go with the outcome he wanted and assume he was correct. He sat back on the couch and pulled her down against him, keeping his arm wrapped around her.

  “Um, Luke, what are you doing?” She was stiff in his arms.

  “I’m pretending we had our talk.” He smiled at her and kissed her forehead.

  “How is this pretending we had the talk?” She was confused, but he wouldn’t let her go.

  “In my pretend world, our talk went well, so now we are cuddling up to watch TV and maybe make-out some.” He sighed and pulled her closer, breathing in her scent.

  “This isn’t what I thought was going to happen.” She was trying to stay at a distance, but she had pulled her hand up and rested it on his chest.

  “That’s because you didn’t want to have the talk. Until we have our talk, I’m going to stay in the pretend world, it’s beautiful in here.” He sighed and brought his other hand up to put on top of the one she had on his chest.

  *****

  Lindy’s head was spinning. What the hell was he trying to pull. He was acting like they were all happy, cuddled up together. She was planning to go get her things and leave, but he wasn’t allowing that. Even better, why had someone sent him a picture of her eating dinner with Tray. If this really was his pretend world, it was very comfortable. It was time to put her big girl panties on, and figure out what was going on.

  “Luke, I think we need to have that talk now, so that we are on the same page.” She hated to move, but it was time to face the music. This time he let her up, but he kept a hold of one hand.

  “I’m not sure where to start.” Luke said looking down at their joined hands.

  “The beginning is usually a good place.” She wasn’t even sure what the beginning would be for this conversation though.

  “Once upon a time, my mom met my dad…” Luke began seriously.

  “Not that beginning. Lord, I really don’t need those details.” Lindy leaned against him laughing.

  “One night, I was out walking around after my shift at the fire station. I headed over to my favorite bakery, but when I got there, Chasity was already closed. There, in the window with her head back laughing was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen. She was talking with a group of girls and her smile lit up the night. It was a few weeks later before I saw her again. Our next several meetings didn’t go well. Every time she looked at me, my mouth spoke before my brain could tell it not to.” Wow, this was a beautiful story. Who could it possibly be? Luke did have a bad habit of talking before he thought about what he wanted to say. “Considering how bad we got along, I chalked up my initial reaction as nothing more than lust, but then fate stepped in. See, I danced with her. At first that wasn’t going well either, but then she looked up at me and smiled. After that I was gone for her, but as soon as the dance was over, my Cinderella disappeared.” Who in their right mind would walk away from the chance to be in his strong arms, she wondered.

  Luke paused and was staring into the distance as if he was lost to his memories. Lindy was impatient. She needed to hear the rest of his story. She squeezed his hand, hoping to get him talking again. He looked over at her as if checking her reaction.

  “Tell me the rest of the story. I will do everything I can to help you get her.” Lindy told him, and she would, even if it killed her.

  “Are you sure you’re ready to hear the rest?” He asked her quietly.

  “Quit playing, just tell me.” She said not understanding his tone.r />
  “Then, the unthinkable happened. I was working my shift, when a call came across. When they told the address we were being sent to, my heart stopped. I prayed the whole way that it was a false alarm, but in my heart, I knew it wasn’t. The closer we got, the more smoke I could see. As soon as the truck stopped, I was off and running. I knew she was in there, and if I didn’t hurry, I could lose her. Jacob was yelling at me, the building wasn’t stable, but I couldn’t wait. The stairs were still there, and thankfully, they held as I raced up to her. As I opened the door, I could see flames and my knees almost gave out, but I couldn’t give up. I screamed her name, and after a few times, I heard her yell back. I grabbed her and started back out, but the flames were worse, and the building was starting to fall in. We were almost out the door when I heard the pop. I knew it was a ceiling beam, so I threw her and told her to run. I knew even if I never made it out, at least she was safe.” Lindy couldn’t breathe, her tears were coming fast in steady streams down her face. She knew Luke saved her and she knew Jacob tried to stop him. What surprised her was the emotion in his voice as he told the story. “When I woke up in the hospital, I was terrified it had all been a dream, and I hadn’t gotten to you in time. I asked the nurse about you when I woke up. Then you said my name and I knew you were okay.”

  They had talked a lot, but she never knew how much that fire had affected him emotionally. Luke pulled her back into his chest, and she laid there as she waited out the tears. She had been terrified that she had lost him that day. Luke played with her hair as the tears finally stopped.

  “I’m so sorry, Luke. Me being here is just a horrible reminder of the night that changed your life.” She whispered softly.

  “You don’t understand my story, do you?” He asked as he tilted her face up to look at him.

  “It’s my fault you aren’t with the girl in the first part of your story.” Lindy wished she could just snap her fingers and make this better, but she couldn’t.

  “Lindsey, look at me. I want to make sure you hear the rest of my story and understand what it means.” He waited until she was looking before he started again.