A moment later, a return message made a plinking sound. She read it and smiled. Then another little plink, and a new one made her laugh.
“Is that still Bryan?”
“Yes.” She looked up at Luke, her beautiful freckled face so happy and carefree. Cheeks pink from exertion or from the scintillating text conversation?
“So he’s meeting us at the church?” Luke asked.
“Actually, he’s coming now to help you with the basketball hoop. I’d told him about it on Wednesday when he helped set up tables.”
Helped set up tables? “I thought we were doing that today.”
Her gaze darted away. “Chloe and I went ahead and met Wednesday to set up. When Bryan got to town, Mom told him where we were, so he came on over.”
“Oh. I would have helped.”
“You were taking care of Grace, so I just called Chloe when I happened to have an unexpected evening off. I think my manager felt guilty that I got robbed during her shift.”
“Speaking of, have they caught the guy?” He grabbed a heavy picture frame as she reached for it. “I’ll get that.”
“No luck. The security video was too grainy to tell anything.”
“I’m sorry.” He started to reach for her but instead tucked his hand safely in his pocket.
She was so beautiful, more beautiful than he’d ever realized. Of course, he’d always appreciated her inner beauty.
The conversation with his dad ran through his head, the possibilities so tempting. She’d make some man very happy someday. Would it be Luke? Or someone else?
As if summoned by the thought, a car pulled up in front of the house and slowed to a stop.
Drummer boy.
“Man, that was quick,” he muttered.
“He lives on Pine Place.”
Only two streets over. Lucky me.
Darcy waved at Bryan, but she didn’t hurry down the front steps to greet him. Luke caught himself smiling. Stifled a chuckle.
Maybe Darcy was nervous. Or maybe she felt awkward with all of them together.
Torn loyalties?
When Darcy finally went down the sidewalk to greet Bryan, he gave her a hug and chaste kiss on the cheek. She did lean in, so maybe it wasn’t so casual after all.
Bryan certainly looked pleased to see her, his grin flashy enough it could light up a stadium.
The drummer dragged himself away from Darcy long enough to turn the showbiz smile on Luke. “Good to see you again, Luke.”
Luke joined them and shook his hand, trying not to let his agitation show. “Good to see you, too. Thanks for helping us.”
Wasn’t this exactly what he deserved? Hadn’t he told Darcy she should find a man who could love her and make her happy?
“If you two can load the carton from the sporting goods store into the back of my car, I’ll grab the last of the small items,” Darcy said.
Luke motioned Bryan inside the garage. Each took hold of one end of the large box and headed to Darcy’s SUV.
“So, Luke, I hear you’re in Nashville now. I’ll be moving up there before long.”
“Yeah, Darcy mentioned it. Congratulations on your success.”
“Thanks. Everything has been pretty crazy since we signed with the record label. My head hasn’t stopped spinning. I feel blessed, though.”
“I imagine your life has changed a lot,” Luke said.
Darcy stood by the car and guided the box inside. “Yep, now he’s got all the screaming fans.”
“Oh, I don’t know about that,” Bryan said. “I’d be happy to impress one particular fan.”
Luke froze. He looked from Bryan, who had a teasing glint in his eyes, to Darcy, whose face looked ready to go up in flames.
Blushing aside, she looked as if his comment pleased her.
Luke couldn’t resist asking, “So, is there something going on between you two?”
“Luke.” Darcy’s tone admonished him for his comment even as she suddenly became very absorbed in reorganizing a box of crocheted items.
“I hope so.” Bryan laughed, clapping Luke on the back as if they were the best of buddies and that Luke would understand.
Luke didn’t understand. Not one bit. Did that mean Bryan had declared his interest but Darcy was resisting?
He pondered the situation all the way to the church and watched them like a hawk while they unloaded, staying close, alert to every word.
Once they unloaded the vehicles, Darcy took over. She had everything numbered and had a system for the display. Each item had a bid sheet with a description and minimum bid.
“Darcy, you’ve been working on this a lot more than I realized,” Luke said. “I don’t know when you found the time.”
She shrugged. “I’ve done it before. Your mom taught me.”
As soon as she said it, she laid her hand on his arm, a butterfly of a touch for comfort. She didn’t have to say anything. She knew reminders of his mother’s absence still hurt.
Darcy quickly continued directing him and Bryan, organizing and labeling recently donated items.
“Bryan, I plan to lock your items and a few other valuable ones in the storage closet,” Darcy said. “I’ll display them tomorrow after church.”
“They’re in the car. I’ll get ’em.” He strode out of the fellowship hall letting the door bang shut behind him.
Luke leaned against the door jam of the closet Darcy had opened. “What’s the deal with you two?”
She busied herself clearing space on a table inside the dark closet. “I don’t know what you mean.”
Shaking his head, he chuckled. “Yes, you do.”
Darcy stilled, palms flat on the table, her back curved as if someone had knocked the air out of her. He stepped up behind her and put his hands on her shoulders. “Darcy—”
“Don’t.” She took two quick breaths. “Let it go.”
They weren’t the same as before. He couldn’t just jump into her business. “Yeah, I know.”
“I’m doing what I need to do to move on from the mistake at the lake.” She said the word as if it were nasty and hateful.
He’d thought they’d moved past that night. “I’m sorry if what I said hurt you.”
She turned so quickly he didn’t have time to step away. Which put her in his arms facing him, looking up, so close he could lean down mere inches to touch his lips to hers again.
“What I want to know,” she said, “is if you’re sorry you kissed me.”
He was sorry he messed everything up. Sorry he’d hurt her. Sorry he’d let himself fall for the fantasy they could have something more between them before he’d considered the consequences. But sorry for that amazing kiss? “No.”
There. He’d admitted it. The honest, awful truth.
She staggered backward, breaking away from his arms, which he’d unwittingly wrapped around her waist. “Are you kidding me? How can you say that when you reacted so strongly, so negatively?”
The door to the fellowship hall banged as Bryan came back inside. His footsteps sounded on the tile floor as he crossed the room toward the closet.
“I’m going out with him tonight,” she whispered, her eyes flashing in the semidarkness. “I said yes.”
He swallowed. Nodded. “It’s what you should do. He appears to be a good guy who appreciates you. You could be happy.”
“Yeah, I could be. He really likes me, has had a crush on me since high school. And now, he’s come charging in like the Prince Charming I always imagined.”
Luke didn’t think a knife between the ribs could hurt more than his chest hurt at the moment. From loss, disappointment. But more, from the sadness in her eyes.
How could she be talking about her Prince Charming charging in and not be lit up wi
th happiness? Have I done that to her?
He tore his eyes away from hers before he said something he’d regret. He still needed time to figure out his own feelings. “I’ll leave you two to finish up.”
Holding a large box and a guitar case, Bryan nodded. “It was good to see you again, Luke. I hope to spend more time with Darcy, so I’m sure I’ll see you again soon.”
Luke backed out of the closet, making room for Bryan and his auction items. “I’ve got to go back to the hospital. See you both tomorrow.”
He strode toward the door to the fellowship hall. He needed to get out of there.
Before exiting, he turned back to find Bryan standing outside the storage room showing Darcy an autographed guitar. His hand brushed Darcy’s as she admired the instrument, and an awestruck smile spread across his face. The man was obviously crazy about her.
“Hey, Winningham,” Luke called.
Bryan looked up.
“Be good to my best friend, or you’ll have me to deal with.”
“Got it.” He gave a little salute, then went into the closet with the other items he’d donated.
Darcy deserved someone who could go all in. Someone who would do the love thing well.
Could Luke be that person? In Darcy’s own words, he had left a wake of broken hearts behind him. Including hers.
He truly cared for her, but was that the kind of love that lasted?
He had to make sure he wasn’t acting out of jealousy over Bryan or out of selfishness.
God, show me what I feel is true. Take away my selfishness and jealousy. And my pride.
Am I the one for Darcy, the one who can make her happy?
Despite how much Luke loved her, he wasn’t sure.
Chapter Twelve
“Big sis to the rescue for your date tonight!” Chloe stood in Darcy’s bedroom doorway with an armload of garments on hangers and a huge shopping bag from her boutique.
Darcy ushered her inside and shut the door. “Bless you. You don’t know how much I appreciate your help.”
“You sounded desperate.”
“Definitely desperate. You’ve seen my wardrobe, ninety percent khaki and ten percent athletic apparel. Nothing appropriate for a first date with a budding celebrity.”
Chloe dropped the bag filled with shoes and other accessories. She laid the clothes on the bed and picked up the hangers one by one. “Holler when you see something you like.”
“I like that…and that…” One after another, Chloe presented something beautiful. “And that…”
Darcy had never seen so many gorgeous clothes, so perfect for her. “I can’t possibly choose.”
“You have to pick one. Where’s Bryan taking you?”
She paused, wracking her brain. “He never said.”
“Then we’ll do something flexible.” Chloe set aside the fancier dresses.
Darcy reached out with longing, touched a strap on a black cocktail dress. Ran her fingers over the elegant fabrics.
She yearned to put on the lacy cream-colored dress. The type of dress she always feared Luke and others would think didn’t suit her because it was so feminine.
“I’m surprised you brought such frilly dresses for me,” Darcy said, half afraid of Chloe’s opinion.
“I know it’s not your usual. You’d look great in any of these.”
Bryan wouldn’t remember her tomboy ways. He wouldn’t think she was trying to be someone she’s not. “Then I want to wear the cream lace one. Even if he takes me bowling or to a movie.”
Chloe squealed and gave her a quick hug. “I’m so glad. I’ve wanted to see you in this for ages. The dress screamed your name as soon as I saw it.”
Darcy wouldn’t question her sister’s opinion. She wanted to dress up and feel like a princess.
Over the next hour, Darcy felt like one. The dress fit perfectly, as if the tailor made it for her athletic figure. Chloe fixed her hair in a loose bun with wisps of curls around her face. Then she applied soft, romantic makeup, a bit more than Darcy was used to yet tasteful.
“I can’t believe you’re so into this,” Darcy said. “You were pushing me toward Luke as if you thought he was the man for me.”
Chloe’s expression sobered. “You deserve to feel pretty and appreciated. I just want you to be happy.” She placed a bobby pin to hold an escaped section of hair. “I’ve always admired your smarts, your drive. Always wanted to be you when I grew up. But you’ve never had the confidence to go for the man of your dreams.”
Darcy couldn’t believe her sister was saying such things. She’d never realized any of it. “Chloe, I—”
“No, listen to me a minute. Luke or Bryan would be lucky to get you, and you need to keep that in mind when you’re around them. Luke, especially, should appreciate you more.”
Chloe smiled but didn’t say anything else about Luke as she sprayed two puffs of hairspray to hold the tendrils in place. Once she pronounced the new look complete, Darcy headed to Chloe’s childhood bedroom to stand in front of the full-length mirror inside her sister’s closet door.
Before her was the image of the young woman she often felt inside but had never seen in her reflection. “Wow. Is that really me?”
“Yep. You look stunning.”
Not a word she would ever associate with herself. “From now on, I won’t hesitate to wear something frilly or feminine. Everyone will simply have to adjust to the new Darcy.”
Laughing, Chloe put an arm around her shoulder and squeezed. “Come on, Darcy, you’ve outgrown the tomboy phase. You’re a beautiful woman now. Not only that, you’re intelligent and successful. You deserve a great guy who knows what a catch you are.”
Darcy hugged her sister and fought the lump in her throat. “I don’t know how to thank you.”
“I’ll send you a bill.” She winked. “Now, I’ve got to go. Have a wonderful time tonight.”
Following her sister downstairs, Darcy tried not to tumble off the high heels. Once Chloe left, she went to switch her wallet and tube of lip balm—correction, pink lipgloss, to a ritzy new handbag. As she tucked her phone inside, she battled thoughts of Luke. Of the look on his face yesterday evening inside the storage closet.
He appeared upset that she’d accepted Bryan’s invitation, yet he hadn’t asked her not to go. He didn’t care enough to step in, to stop her.
The doorbell rang, and she huffed, exasperated that she thought of Luke at all on her big night out. Her princess night.
She approached the door as smoothly as she could in pumps, and paused to take a deep breath to calm herself before opening the door. A quick glance in the foyer mirror sent a thrill through her. She felt beautiful. Should feel confident.
He’s only Bryan, my co-nerd from high school. Not Bryan the up-and-coming country music star.
As she opened the door with a smile on her face, she silently repeated, He’s only Bryan…
Bryan stood on the doorstep, hands in pockets, staring at his feet. When he looked up, he sucked in a breath. “Wow. You’re gorgeous.”
“Thanks. You, too.”
He laughed.
“I mean not gorgeous, but, well…” He did look so very handsome in khaki pants and a nice navy blazer, his beard freshly trimmed, smelling like a million bucks. She laughed. “Actually, you do look gorgeous.”
A smile lit his face, his emerald eyes sparkling. “I have a feeling this is going to be a good night. You ready?” He offered his elbow.
She quickly locked the door and hooked her arm through his. “Definitely ready.” Ready to move on with her life. To let go of Luke and his indecisiveness. “Where are we going?”
“A restaurant I’ve always wanted eat at, part of the Woodlands Resort.”
“How nice. I love that place. It’s
—” A sleek black limousine sat in the driveway. In her driveway. “What in the world?”
A uniformed driver nodded and opened the door. “Good evening.”
The smile didn’t leave Bryan’s face as he tucked her into the car, sliding in beside her. “At the time I planned this, I thought it was a great idea. Now it feels kind of awkward.”
“I think it’s wonderful,” she said—admittedly giddy. “I’ve never ridden in one.”
His cheeks reddened as he turned to face her and looked into her eyes. “Neither of us went to prom, and I never got the nerve to ask you, so I was hoping to make up for that.”
Her heart thumped, not the kind of pounding or soaring that it did with Luke. But it definitely thumped. Maybe a good sign? “Thanks, Bryan. That’s sweet.”
He nodded and slid back against the seat, his gaze remaining on her.
Darcy peered out the window as they passed through downtown Appleton. Heads turned, people stared.
“I forgot what a scene this would make since it’s not prom night. I’m sorry if you’re embarrassed,” he said.
A giggle escaped, and she wished she could snatch it back so he wouldn’t realize how silly and grand she felt. “Hey, the windows are tinted. They don’t know it’s us.”
Bryan scooted toward her and rested his arm on the back of the seat. A respectful distance remained between them, yet she felt crowded as he smiled and looked at her as if she was important, interesting, worthy of his full attention.
“I’m glad you came tonight,” he said. “Glad to have this chance to take your mind off Luke.”
“I’ve looked forward to it.” She couldn’t say he’d taken her mind off Luke, though. At least not yet. His piercing green eyes seemed to pry into her thoughts, so she looked away, afraid he’d read her hesitancy.
Darcy’s heart lurched as she spotted Luke on the curb out in front of his dad’s office, staring at the limo as it passed by. She could tell he was trying to see inside.
Does he know it’s us?
She snapped her attention back to her date, the man who cared enough to ask her out, to treat her to a special night.
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