9

 

Sara pulled herself up the path into the church.

“Let me help,” Luke offered.

Sara shook her head. “I can manage.”

“Are you always this stubborn?”

“Yes. At least that’s what Aunt Mary says.” She slid into a pew towards the back. They were in time for most of the sermon.

Sara glanced around at the windows. Stained glass, like the church she was married in. Memories filled her mind. She rubbed her eyes, wiping the tears before they fell. She didn’t want anyone to see them.

Sara kept her eyes on her lap as Luke took hold of her hand, playing the dutiful husband. The last time she sat in a church with a man holding her hand, it had been her wedding day. The time after that it had been Aunt Mary at Jamie’s funeral.

Jamie took Sara’s hand and repeated his vows. “I, James Fraser Barnes, take thee, Sara Elizabeth Daniels, to be my lawful wedded wife. To have and to hold from this day forward; for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer; in sickness and in health, forsaking all others keeping only unto thee, till death do us part.”

Sara placed the ring on Jamie’s finger, feeling the unaccustomed coolness of her new ring on hers. “I give thee this ring, as a sign of the covenant made between us this day, and thereto I plight thee my troth.”

Exiting the church into bright sunlight, they were showered with confetti and posed for photographs. Sara was the happiest she had ever been. Her whole life lay before her, no longer alone, walking a shared path with Jamie always by her side.

Sara’s whole body started to shake with the force of emotion flooding her. As Luke’s hand tightened on hers, and his arm slid around her, she leaned against him.

He leaned closer, his tender voice a whisper against her ear. “Do you want to go home?”

Sara shook her head, wiping her eyes with her free hand. She took the tissue Luke offered. She had nowhere to go. Her leg hurt. The painkillers they gave her in the hospital had worn off, not that she should take them, anyway. Maybe she had taken so many in the past that they no longer worked.

Pastor announced the last hymn, “Amazing Grace,” Jamie’s favorite which he had chosen for their wedding.

Sara remained seated as the rest of the congregation stood.

Luke didn’t get up, either.

Sara shook her head. “I’m all right. You can stand with the others.”

She bent her head over her hymnbook, tears falling and her voice wavering as she sang. She couldn’t hide her grief any longer.

Luke dropped a hand to her shoulder. When the hymn and benediction were over, he sat beside her and put his arms around her.

“It’s all right,” he whispered as the organ played and people began to turn and chat, or leave.

Sara accepted the comfort he offered for a moment then sat up rubbing her eyes. She took a deep breath, forcing her emotions down and taking control again. She really needed to stop doing this, no matter how nice it felt in his arms.

Carole came over. She sat sideways in the pew in front, and smiled at them. “Hey, Sara, Luke. Dave’s gone tae get the car. How are ye doing?”

“Sore.”

“I’m sorry tae hear ye hurt yer leg again. Is it the same one as before? Dave said ye’d broken it on yer honeymoon.”

Sara grimaced. “Yeah. It’s only a sprain, the doctor’s being over cautious with it.”

“That’s bad luck. At least Luke works from home. He can help out around the house.”

“He’s cooking for the next two weeks. He lost a bet.”

Carole grinned. “I shall have tae try that on Dave. His idea of cooking is phoning the local takeaway. Why don’t you come tae us on Tuesday, instead?”

“No, you come to us as planned. It’s fine,” Luke said.

“Are ye sure?”

Luke inclined his head. “Yeah, I can manage. Besides we asked you first.”

“Hello, Carole.” A new voice spoke.

“Hey, Toni. This is Daniel and Antonia Ford. Meet Luke and Sara Nemec. Sara’s from England like Daniel. Luke’s from the States.”

Antonia plopped down on the pew next to Carole and stuck a hand over the back of it to Luke. “Are ye visiting?”

“We’ve just moved here,” Luke said.

“Where are ye living?”

Sara shook her hand. “Dunbar Street.”

“That’s where we live,” Antonia replied. “Number six.”

“We’re number eight, right next door.”

“Small world.”

 

****

 

Luke kept half an ear on the girls’ conversation and turned to Daniel.

“So the baby is due in March,” Daniel was saying. “I can’t quite believe it’s happening.”

“I can understand that. How long have you been married?”

“Two years,” Daniel replied. “You?”

“Five months.”

Antonia squealed and touched Daniel’s arm. “Guess what, love? Sara’s baby is due the same day as mine.”

“Hey, congratulations. It must be a honeymoon baby, then.”

“Yeah,” Luke said.

Carole sighed. “Maybe one day.”

Antonia smiled at her. “It will happen one day, Carole.”

“Aye, and there’s a flying pig.”

Luke touched her arm, not hiding his concern for her. “We should get you home, hon. The doc wants you to rest.” Right now she was fragile and grief-stricken. That, coupled with the pain and the meds the doc had given her, wasn’t a great combination for anyone, let alone someone in her condition.

Dave came over. “Hi, Daniel, Antonia, long time no see. Luke, are ye ready tae make a move? Car’s outside.”

“Yeah, please,” Luke said, relieved not to have to find a way to end the conversation himself. “I must do something about getting a car.”

“We could take you,” Daniel offered.

“It’s all right,” Dave said. “We’re there for lunch, anyway.”

Sara pushed Luke’s hand off her arm. “Since when?”

“Since you went back to X-ray. We had to talk about something.” He stood up. “Do you need a hand?”

“I can manage. I’ve had lots of practice.” Sara grabbed the crutches and pulled herself up, stifling the gasp of pain.

At the door, Pastor smiled and held out a hand. “Hello. Are you visiting?”

Sara leaned heavily on the crutches as she shook his hand. “We just moved in.”

“Welcome tae Tannoch. I’m Peter Bruce.”

Luke put a hand on Sara’s arm and shook Pastor Bruce’s hand with the other. “I’m Luke Nemec, and this is my wife, Sara. It was a nice sermon.”

“Thank you. Will we see ye next week?”

“Count on it,” Sara said, not giving Luke a chance to say otherwise. She let Luke help her down the steps and over to the car. “I was always told you’d go to Hell for lying to a pastor.”

“That makes two of us, then.” If things weren’t so serious, he’d find her dry sense of humor amusing.

“Oh, I didn’t lie. We did move in this past week, and I fully intend to be in church next Sunday. By the way, where do we find lunch for four?”

“It’s all arranged. You don’t need to worry about anything.”

 

****

 

Back at the house, Sara grimaced as Luke opened the door and Dave followed her in, both men having once more made sure the house was clear first. Obviously there was no one else around, otherwise they wouldn’t have let her out of the car.

Carole grinned at Sara. “Dave’s playing cops and robbers. Anyone would think he was working.”

“It doesn’t hurt to be cautious.” Luke took their coats. “We’ll take care of lunch. You girls just sit and relax.”

Sara made her way to the kitchen and sat at the table. She leaned the crutches against it, glad to be off her feet, but not willing to admit it to anyone.

Luke came through alone. “Dave’s going to the grocery store, to get one of their ready cooked chickens. I’ll do the vegetables while he’s gone.”

Carole shifted in her chair. “Go with him. We can handle a few veggies.”

“I can’t leave Sara alone.”

“She will nae be alone. I’ll be here.”

“I’ll stay here. He won’t be long.”

Carole watched Luke as he started peeling the carrots. “I wish Dave was that protective of me. Are you always like this, Luke?”

Sara answered quickly. “Oh yes, and trust me, you don’t want him this protective. It gets old very, very quickly.”

Luke glanced over his shoulder at her. “There are real good reasons for that, Sara, and you know it.”

Sara glared at him, then grabbing her crutches stood. “I won’t be long.”

“Do you want a hand, hon?”

“I can manage a few stairs, thank you. Don’t forget I spent several weeks on crutches. I’ll shout if I need you.” She left the room and made her way into the hall. She glared at the narrow winding staircase. It was going to be difficult, but there was no way she was asking for help.

 

****

 

Luke smiled awkwardly at Carole as Sara left. He turned back to the veggies and put them on to cook. “Tea or coffee?”

“Tea, please.”

Luke filled the kettle and flicked it on to boil. He turned on the oven. He closed his eyes for a moment as a thud came from the stairs as Sara made her way up them. Why wouldn’t she accept his help?

Carole’s voice made him open his eyes again. “So how long have ye known Sara?”

“Not long.”

“Whirlwind romance, then?”

“Something like that.” Luke winced. She asked way too many questions. “If you’ll excuse me, I’ll go see if Sara wants a hand down the stairs.”

He left the room. He was no more than half way up the stairs when the doorbell rang, and he ran down the stairs to answer it. “Hey, Dave, Carole’s in the kitchen.”

“I’ll go find her.”

Luke took a deep breath. “She’s asking questions.”

“I’ll sort it.”

“Thanks.”

Luke stood in the hall as Dave went into the kitchen. Luke gave Carole a count of five before she said something. He’d gotten to two when Carole’s voice floated through the open doorway.

“What’s going on? He’s more like a bodyguard than a husband. He’s smothering her.”

Luke shook his head and went upstairs. He found Sara standing at the top of the stairs. “Wondered where you’d got to.”

Sara rolled her eyes. “Bathroom. Or do I need your permission to pee as well?”

“Don’t be stupid. Are you coming back down, or what?”

“No. I thought I’d stand here for the rest of the day.”

“Why?”

“The stairs are too steep. It took forever to get up here. I had to sit down and bump up them backwards. So either I stand here, or I bump down them. I would toss a coin, but my hands are full.” She started to lower herself to the floor.

“For crying out loud,” Luke muttered. “I’ll carry you.”

“You’ll do no such thing.”

He glowered at her. “Why do you have to be so stubborn?”

“Look who’s talking.”

“It’s my job to help you.”

“Hah, yeah right. It’s your job to smother me.” Sara pushed at his arm when he tried to reach for her. “I can manage.”

Luke shook his head. That was the second time in as many minutes he’d been accused of that. He waved a hand to the stairs. “Be my guest.”

Sara lowered herself to the floor, letting out an unintentional cry of pain.

“See, I’ll carry you. End of debate.” Luke swung her into his arms, and set off down the stairs before she could say anything.

Her stubbornness had definitely been underestimated. He had to talk to her about this, but now wasn’t the time. And he could do without the rush of heat running through his body and the way his heart pounded every time he got close to her. If he didn’t know better, he’d say he was falling for her. And that was the last thing he could afford to do.