"I need to speak with Bob before he leaves. Arrange our little ride along," he added with a grin.
He kissed his mother on the cheek and headed out the door, putting on his jacket and hat. It was bitterly cold outside. He strode across the snow-covered lawn. The snow was falling heavily now. He could see the steam rising from the front of the car. Erin saw him heading toward her and her eyes widened.
"Howdy," Luke said touching his hat. He smiled at Erin, but he could see she'd probably had a difficult day. Luke leaned down and gazed inside the limo. "Evenin', sir," he said to Bob who simply glared back at Luke.
The snow was settling on Erin's head. If she hung around much longer, she'd be catching cold.
"Mom has some hot soup for you," Luke said to Erin.
"Really?" she said, appearing puzzled.
"And she's dying to talk to you," he said flicking his head in the direction of the house.
Erin's brows furrowed and she looked puzzled.
"Now?" he added, his voice rising with gentle desperation.
Finally, she took the hint and leaned down. "Good night, Bob. Guess I'll speak to you tomorrow," she said.
Luke heard a grunt from inside the limo.
Then Erin raced off, glancing at Luke as she passed him. Luke watched Erin run across the lawn and make her way safely into the warmth of the house.
Now, it was time to have some words with Bob, Luke said to himself as he leaned down. There was some persuading to be done.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
It was Friday afternoon, and Erin was starting to get worried. She hadn't heard from Bob since Wednesday evening, despite repeated calls to his cell phone. On that same Wednesday evening, Luke had acted strangely. The way he'd looked at her standing alongside the limo, with the snow tumbling down, had made her feel like there was something going on that she should know about.
And, after she'd gone back into the house, she'd seen Luke having a long chat with Bob. She didn't know what it had been about, and Annabelle had just shrugged when Erin had asked.
On Thursday night, Luke had called at the house and just as before, he'd taken her into town, and they'd attended the Christmas fair. And, as on their first night together at the fair, they'd had a lovely time together. When the chance had come to kiss under the mistletoe that seemed to be hanging just about everywhere in the square, they had taken full advantage of the opportunity.
Their kisses were sweet and tender, and each time they kissed, Luke just gazed into Erin's eyes, showing her the emotion he was feeling.
During the evening she'd tried to get him to talk about Bob and what was going on with her boss. But, each time she'd pressed him for details, Luke had simply found something fun they could enjoy together, instead of talking. It was clear to Erin that Luke was trying to avoid talking about Bob. She wondered why that would be. The only thing she did get out of Luke was that Bob was trying to figure something out, and that she'd find out more on Friday.
But, now it was Friday, and Erin had thought she and Bob would be leaving. Annabelle had spent most of Friday getting Erin to help around the house, fixing decorations, packing gifts and generally being useful around the kitchen. Erin had a chance to talk some more with Luke's mom, and her estimation of the woman just got higher and higher each time they talked. Erin could see where Luke got some of his character from. Especially the determined part she'd seen on display during her few days in Montana Falls.
Dinner time came around, and Erin spent an hour in the kitchen with Annabelle and Nicole preparing the evening meal. By this time it was clear that Erin and Bob weren't going to be leaving Montana Falls that day. It was too late, and even in the dark, Erin could tell that the snowfall was still intermittently heavy. She could only imagine what the roads were like outside town.
Luke arrived after dinner, just as he'd done a few nights before. And, just as on the previous night, he and Erin walked along the street, enjoying the sight of the brightly lit homes. They arrived in the square, and she saw it was busy. There was something wonderful about being with Luke like this. They did as they'd done before, and strolled through the throngs of townsfolk. They paused in front of the Christmas tree, and she looked up into Luke's tender gaze, and felt that she truly belonged here. She wished that these evenings could go on forever. As if reading her mind, Luke smiled and nodded. "You're right," he said.
"What?" she asked, furrowing her brows.
"Whatever it is you're thinking, you're absolutely right. It is perfect," he said gazing at the colorful sights of the fair.
"How did you know I was thinking that?"
He smiled at her. "Just a guess."
Erin pouted at him. "Don't go trying to read my mind, too much. You might not like what you see," she said.
He narrowed his eyes. "Why's that?"
Erin shook her head and pouted. "Nothing. Pretend I didn't say that."
He turned to face her directly. His arm slid away from hers, and she felt the absence of his touch keenly.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
Erin sighed and looked around the busy, noisy square, loving every single sight and sound. "This is so beautiful. I'll never forget it."
She saw his features darken. "You planning on going somewhere soon?" he asked.
"You know I can't stay here, Luke."
His eyes softened, sadness creeping into them. "That's not what you said two days ago."
"I got carried away. I wasn't thinking straight."
Luke shook his head. "Seemed to me you knew exactly what you wanted."
"I thought I did. Maybe I was wrong."
Luke was quiet for a moment.
"Let's go for a walk," she said.
Luke drew in a deep breath and looked out among the crowd milling about the square. "I'd like to stay here a minute or two," he replied. He looked at his watch.
"Why?"
Before he could answer, Erin heard a familiar voice.
"Luke. Hi buddy," Erin heard Bob call out enthusiastically as he approached them.
Erin squinted at Bob and then to Luke. He went to Bob and both men hugged good-naturedly.
Erin almost gasped out loud. What was going on?
Bob turned to Erin. "Hi. Bet you're wondering where I've been," he said.
"The thought did cross my mind," she answered. "You've got your cell phone switched off."
"I was too busy to take calls," Bob said.
"Too busy doing what?" Erin asked.
She saw Luke smile. "Bob's been with me these last two days."
"With you?"
Bob looked around the square. She saw him draw in a deep breath. "Isn't this wonderful?" Bob said. "So amazing. Like something out of a dream."
Erin did gasp this time, and she stared disbelievingly at Luke. Was this really her boss? She'd never seen Bob so cheerful, never seen him actually enjoying himself, now she came to think of it.
"Is there something I should know?" Erin asked looking from Bob to Luke.
Luke nodded. "Bob's been spending some time with me, getting to know the town." Luke smiled at Bob. "I guess you could say he's been my partner when I've been on patrol."
Erin stared at Bob, who just nodded back at her.
"Why would you do that?" she asked Bob.
"Luke had the idea that I might get to know the town a little better. He asked me to ride along with him. You know. In the back, while he went around being the sheriff."
"I figured Bob would like to get to know the real people of Montana Falls." Luke peered at Erin. "You know, the good folks who live quiet, peaceful, decent lives."
"That description seems to be just about everyone who lives here," Bob said.
Erin narrowed her eyes at Bob. "So, what did you learn?"
Bob shrugged. "Just that this is probably the dullest town in America," he declared.
Erin's mouth dropped open, and she turned to Luke, expecting to see him leap to his town's defense. Instead, Luke just smiled. "That just about sums up thi
s town," he agreed.
Bob slapped Luke on the shoulder. "You maybe saved me a whole load of trouble, Luke. I could have spent weeks trying to find something worth filming. And ended up with nothing except angry TV executives."
Erin almost laughed, but instead she peered at Luke to confirm what she'd just heard Bob say. Could that be true? Had Bob completely abandoned plans to make the town famous because he now believed that there wasn't anything worth filming?
As if to confirm her suspicions, Bob looked at Erin and declared: "Looks like we'll be heading back to LA tomorrow," he told her.
Luke interrupted Erin just as she was about to object. "There might be a problem with that, Bob," Luke said.
Bob frowned. "Don't tell me. The roads are blocked with snow and we can't leave town until after Christmas," he said sarcastically.
Luke seemed lost for words. Erin tried not to laugh at Luke's shocked expression.
"Listen, son," Bob continued. "I've been in TV long enough to know this kind of scenario."
Bob looked from Erin to Luke. "Seems like you two have become the best of friends."
Luke gazed disbelievingly at Erin.
"You mean we're staying for Christmas in Montana Falls?" Erin asked hooking her arm inside Luke's.
Bob's eyes widened as he watched her doing that. "I guess we don't have any choice," he replied. "Maybe you two already have something planned. Am I right?" Bob said smiling at Erin and Luke.
Erin gazed up at Luke and saw him weighing up his words. She wondered what he'd say. But, when he looked down into her eyes, and she saw the happiness in Luke's gaze, she knew what he was about to say, even before the words came out of his mouth.
"I think you'd both be welcome at my parents' house for Christmas," he said.
"I'd be honored to accept your invitation," Bob said. Then he seemed to notice the way Luke was gazing at Erin. "I think I see the Mayor over there" he said awkwardly "I'll go over and tell him the good news that I won't be bothering him from now on."
With that, Bob raced off, leaving Erin holding onto Luke.
"Did you do all this?" she asked.
He shrugged. "It seems to have worked. Bob just needed some gentle persuasion. I just chose what to show him. At first, he wasn't convinced. But, after a while of seeing nothing but happy folks living cheerful, joyous lives, Bob seemed to think there wasn't much potential for drama. At least not the kind he's used to."
Erin narrowed her eyes. "You fooled Bob into thinking Montana Falls wasn't the place for him?"
Luke shook his head. "I didn't fool Bob. He's the one who came here with all the wrong ideas." Luke lifted his head and peered across the busy square. "Maybe Bob believed people couldn't be this happy. Luke lowered his head and peered into Erin's eyes. "I just showed him that he was wrong."
"Maybe I was wrong, too," she said.
His brows furrowed. "What about?"
She reached up and ran the back of her hand down the side of Luke's face. "About wanting to leave here."
His eyes widened, and he smiled at her. "You thinking of staying?"
Erin didn't reply immediately. She wanted to see how he would react to that suggestion. Judging by the pleasure she saw written on his face, he was absolutely in favor of that idea.
Luke's head dipped and he kissed her softly. She lifted up her hand, resting it gently on his shoulder. She could feel the affection in his kiss, and this time they didn't need any mistletoe. She lifted herself up on her tippy toes, eager to make the most of the kiss. Luke drew her close to him, wrapping his arms around her.
The sounds of the fair seemed to fade away, and all she could hear and feel was the beating of her heart. She felt him warm against her and she knew that this was the place she was meant to be. This was why she had been brought here; to be in Luke's arms and to discover the beautiful truth to be found in the sweetest town she'd ever seen.
Their lips parted and she saw him look at her, deep affection filling his gaze. "I assume you're going to stay for Christmas," he said softly.
"Just for Christmas?" she asked.
When he heard her words, his smile became even wider.
"I was hoping you'd say that. You know it might be a while before the snow clears and the road out of town is ready to use," he told her.
"Who said I'll be needing the road?" she asked.
Understanding filled his eyes, and once again he kissed her.
From now on, every Christmas was going to be truly wonderful.
THE END
Thank you for reading my brand new Christmas story. I hope you liked it. I'd appreciate any reviews you could leave.
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Copyright
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, or persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.
Luke's Christmas Love © 2016 Maya Stirling
Luke's Christmas Love (A Sweet Christmas Romance) Page 9