The Best Man
Page 19
He had learned what it felt like to lose the person he loved. Now, Kate was back, and he had a second chance. He didn’t want to waste a moment of the future on regrets. “You think having me around will bring back bad memories?”
Kate shook her head. “I go to work every day and face the man who left me for dead after three days.” She smiled to take some of the sting out of her words. “If I can face Joel, I can face you.”
“Maybe I was wrong.” He studied her for long seconds. “Starting over in a new firm might be the best thing for you.”
Kate swallowed to keep from choking on the lump in her throat. He wanted to get rid of her? Wasn’t it obvious? Did she take the hint? Or did she stay and fight for the man she loved? Either way, she couldn’t imagine a future without Luke.
“You want me to go?”
Luke shook his head. “This isn’t about what I want. This is about what’s best for you.” He released a deep sigh. It was time he put his newly gained skill to the test. If he had learned to let go the tight control of his emotions, then he should be able to share his feelings with Kate.
He inhaled deeply. “Are you asking what I want?”
“I’d like to know.”
“I want…” Luke leaned into the space separating them across the coffee table. “I want you to stay.”
Kate sighed. It wasn’t the exact words she had hoped for, but it was a start. “Good, because, that’s what I want, too.”
Luke slipped out of his chair and ended up on his knees in front of her. He took her hands in his and looked into her eyes. “I want a whole lot more than that, Kate. I want to wake up beside you every morning. I want to hold you in my arms, every night. I want to make babies with you and share our home with kids we love.”
Kate’s heart almost jumped out of her chest. “Oh…Luke—”
“Sh-sh…don’t say anything. Just listen. I was attracted to you from the first, Kate. When Joel interfered, I wanted to squash him like a bug. When he came home without you, I almost clobbered him. I couldn’t imagine life without you.” He shuddered. “When I couldn’t find you…your body, I was torn. I didn’t have to bury you. If you were missing, I still had hope.”
He buried his head in their clasped hands. “I can’t tell you how I felt when I looked up and saw you coming down the aisle of that church.” Moisture filled his eyes. “I thought I was seeing an angel.”
Kate blinked, feeling tears run down her cheeks as she smiled. “I saw the joy on your face, Luke. You were the first to look like happy at seeing me alive.”
“You don’t know how glad—”
“When Joel slipped up and told me that you had gone searching for me…I started to hope I hadn’t lost everything. I made bad choices, Luke. Do you think we get second chances?”
“And thirds and fourths…oh, yeah, I think we get all the chances we’re willing to take a risk on.” He lifted her hands and kissed her knuckles. “I love you, Kate. I have from the day you came to work at the firm.”
Tears poured out her eyes. All that time…wasted. “I love you, Luke. I did from the start. But what I feel for you now is stronger, it’s the giving kind of love.”
“The giving kind of love, I like the way that sounds.” He pulled her close and looked deep into her eyes. “Will you marry me, Kate? Can you risk spending your future with me?”
“Oh, Luke! I can’t image spending a day of my life without you! Yes! Yes! Yes!” She fell into his arms and lifted her lips for his kiss.
With Luke, she had always been her best. With him at her side, she could reach her goals and have the family of her dreams. She sighed as she melted in his arms for more kisses. Luke filled her heart with a joy she had never felt before. She had no doubt their love was strong enough to share with at least half-a-dozen children.
Luke nipped at her lips, making her gasp. Okay, maybe just two kids…they might be too busy with other things to have time for more…”I love you, Luke.”
The End
Dear Reader,
Thank you for reading my book. I hope you enjoyed Kate and Luke’s story. The idea was ‘ripped for the headlines’ after the tsunami in Thailand. This is my first try at writing a ‘second chance at love’ book. I read about people listing relatives as dead and leaving three days after the tsunami. I started asking ‘what if’. What if your spouse left you listed as dead? How would a wife feel if her husband left her? What would happen when she returned home?
I hope I touched on all the emotions involved in these situations. I grew to love Kate and Luke over the many rewrites of this book. Drop me a line if you enjoyed the book. You can contact me through my webpage: www.carolhutchens.com
You might also enjoy some of my earlier books. Check out my author’s page at
www.amazon.com
The Substitute Bride
When A Dog Plays Cupid
A Bride For Mr. Right
Flames of Deceit
Thank you for purchasing The Best Man