Chapter Seven

“Seriously, it’s not a big deal for me to take you to your appointment,” Gwen said, shooting her father a look in the rearview mirror.

He was sitting in the back while her mother was beside her in the front seat. How many times had they taken this trip into the cancer center in the city? It had been the three of them for so long but the mood was different now. When her father had first undergone radiation it had been after the accident, while Jack and Julia were gone from their lives. Look at how things had changed for all of them now. Even her. She had Luke in her life now. Never in a million years could she have predicted falling for a man like him—no, actually, she wouldn’t have predicted a man like him falling for her. But that was the old Gwen talking. It had taken her way too long to figure out her self-worth wasn’t based on her dress size, on her weight loss, or on the way other people perceived her. It was liberating.

She had helped her parents through the darkest times in their family’s history and was proud of that, was so grateful for all the people in their lives, and that they were all happy. She had learned to forgive her brother and start over again. The new Gwen was done with comparison.

“Well, we’ve taken up so much of your time these last few years. You know this is just dad’s six month checkup, we could have gone on our own.”

Gwen gripped the steering wheel a little tighter, careful not to let her nervousness show. She hated the six-month appointments because they were a reminder of what they’d been through. There was always that small chance that the cancer had returned. She had taken charge when her father had been diagnosed last time—from doctor’s appointments, consultations, she had sort of taken over. There was no way she going to leave it to them now. Her mother always had some kind of faith spin on things while her father didn’t even seem worried in the least. She wouldn’t be surprised if left unsupervised, he’d miss his appointment altogether in search of pie. “Well, I do like hearing what the oncologist has to say and I’d like to be able to ask informed questions if needed.”

“Oh, Gwen, have some faith.”

“I do. In myself.”

“You know, I really don’t know how I could have such non-believers for children! I spent your entire formative years instilling God’s teachings into you and your brothers.”

“Well, I’m sure God also wanted us to use our heads and be prepared if there are…situations that arise that require some thought.”

“Everything will be fine, Gwen.”

“I’m sure many people have thought the same and then received a devastating diagnosis.”

Her father coughed. “Your optimism for my situation is really admirable, dear.”

She winced. “Sorry, Dad. I’m sure Mom is right. I just want to hear it for myself.”

“Gwen you need to lighten up and not be burdened by us. It’s time to concentrate on your own life. What’s happening with that handsome doctor? Is he coming over for Sunday dinner?”

Gwen clenched her teeth. Great. Now she had to discuss something she barely knew herself.

“What’s his name again?” her father asked.

“Luke.”

“He seems like a lovely young man,” her mother said. “Quite handsome too.”

Oh, yes, he was handsome all right. “Yes, he is. He’s nice. Handsome. Hardworking. Caring.” She didn’t add sexy because that would be gross.

“Does he like pie?”

Gwen sighed, pulling into a vacant parking spot in the packed hospital lot. “I don’t know if he likes pie, Dad.”

“You should find out.”

While Luke’s dessert preferences weren’t the most pressing concerns she had about him, it did make her very aware of how little she did know about him. Why had he moved to Shadow Creek? It’s not like it was an area that was in high demand. She knew his wife had died…but he hadn’t told her much else. What about his family? He knew so much about hers. These were all things she was going to find out tomorrow night.

“Dad, I need you to know I can’t bake you regular pies anymore.”

Her father’s eyes widened. “Why?”

She shook her head sympathetically. She understood his disappointment—she shared his love for sweets. “Well, I’ve seen your blood sugar numbers. I can’t be an enabler.”

Her father waved a hand. “Never mind these doctors. They’re overdramatic.”

“Well, judging by the amount of numbers that were in the red, I don’t really think that’s what’s happening here. But listen, I have been working on a low-sugar, low-carb version of one of your favorite pies. What do you think? I’ll bring it over on Sunday.”

“No, no, I’m fine. You have enough on your plate, Gwen.”

“Meaning you’re going to continue eating whatever you’d like.”

He laughed. She tried to join in, but she hated that they didn’t take their health stuff seriously. It was dangerous. This was why she never should have moved out. Now he could sneak food whenever he wanted.

“Gwen, stop worrying about your father and live your life, dear. We managed to survive up until now.”

She wasn’t sure how, but she didn’t want to start an argument. “Okay, fine. But I will work on some low-carb desserts for you.”

He gave her a wink. “No pressure, though.”

She smiled. “I’m thinking it might be a nice addition to what we sell at the shop. Maybe a chocolate pecan pie? Or a blueberry?”

His face lit up like Vegas. “I think that’s a great idea.”

She laughed.

They stepped out into the cold air, walking toward the hospital. She glanced over at her father’s profile and her heart squeezed at the tension she saw there. Even though he never let on, she knew he was nervous. She glanced over at her mother, surprised to see the same look on her face. She said a little prayer inside, praying for a clean bill of health for him, praying for some good years ahead, praying for the spring their mother kept insisting they were now in.

…

Maggie clapped as she rounded the Monopoly board with her car. “Yes! I win!”

Gwen and Luke laughed at her enthusiastic outburst. Maggie had warmed up to Luke almost instantly, and Gwen had been surprised by what a natural he was with her. He spent the first few minutes of the night asking her about school and her friends and her special interests. Maggie had loved the attention and had then suggested they play Monopoly together, bragging that she was the family champion. The three of them sat at the dining room table, munching on the veggies and dip and fruit that Chase and Julia had left out for them.

Maggie put a hand on Luke’s shoulder. “I think we should play another round. I feel sorry for Luke since he’s the new guy. Maybe he needs another shot at winning.”

Gwen and Luke burst out laughing.

“It’s okay, Maggie, I’m happy you won. You were a tough opponent,” Luke said, scruffing the top of her head.

Gwen’s ovaries ached just watching him. He was total family man material; he just didn’t know it yet. “Yes, Maggie you are an awesome player. But I’m sorry, your parents said that eight is your bedtime, and we’re already past that.”

Maggie rolled her eyes. “A convenient way to get out of a rematch, I think.”

Luke choked on his water and was obviously trying to hide a smile.

Gwen turned to Maggie. She adored the little girl and her spunky nature. “Why don’t you get all ready for bed and then call me to tuck you in, okay?”

Maggie nodded, dragging her feet away from the table, while Gwen and Luke started cleaning up the board game and food.

“She’s pretty awesome. Really cute,” Luke said once they heard her footsteps up the stairs.

“I know, right? She and Chase are considered family. After…after my brother and nephew died, Chase’s wife walked out on him, leaving him to deal with a two-year-old and an intense job. We sort of helped them and took them in, sharing duties with him and helping with Maggie. She went through so much, and had abandonment issues, that poor thing.” She looked up at Luke who was standing there, his face white and his jaw clenched.

“You’d never guess,” he said, his voice gruff.

“I know. Chase did a wonderful job raising her. I think we were able to help give her some security, knowing that there were people who were still her family and who she could count on. My parents consider her their granddaughter.”

He looked down at the table. “Your parents are good people.”

Her heart squeezed at the emotion in his voice. He looked back up at her. “You’re a good woman, Gwen.”

He held her gaze and she wanted to know what that look was in his eyes. She had no idea what he was thinking, what he was feeling, but the air in the room had changed. It wasn’t filled with humor anymore and it wasn’t sexual tension, but it was distinct. Almost heavy.

“Auntie Gwen! I’m ready for bed!” Maggie yelling at the top of her lungs shattered the moment, drowning out whatever was happening.

“I’ll go tuck her in. Why don’t you pour us some wine? Julia left a bottle on the kitchen island.”

“Will do,” he said, putting the lid on the Monopoly box.

She sprinted up the stairs and into Maggie’s room. Sure enough, Maggie was tucked under her plush pink duvet and cover. “Did you have fun tonight?”

Maggie nodded emphatically. “I like him. A lot. I’d say he’s a keeper.”

Gwen laughed, sitting on the edge of her bed. “I agree.”

Once she finished reading Maggie her story, she kissed her on the forehead, turned out her beside lamp, and said goodnight.

“Auntie Gwen?” Maggie called out as she was almost out the door.

“Yes, sweetie?” she asked, holding on to the doorframe.

“I’m happy you have a boyfriend. Now all the grown-ups in our family will be happy.”

Gwen smiled at the little girl, feeling it too. Maybe they would all finally be happy.

She walked back into the living room and Luke was standing there, pouring wine. He’d lit the fireplace and turned off the large dining room chandelier over the table. Her heart started a frantic rhythm as he crossed the room and handed her a glass. He was looking less rumpled than she was used to. Tonight he was wearing dark jeans and a navy V-necked sweater with a white T-shirt underneath. He still had his trademark stubble and his hair was still slightly rumpled, just the way she preferred it, she discovered.

“She’s asleep?”

Gwen nodded. “Either that or she’s eavesdropping at the top of the stairs.”

They both laughed and sat on the couch together. Tonight, she was determined to know more about him. “How’s your sister?”

He took a sip of wine, but not before she caught the tightening of his jaw. “She’s okay. She’s dealing with some stuff she’s not letting me in on, but I don’t want to pressure her. She’ll let me know when she’s ready.”

Not much insight. “So…it’s just the two of you?”

He gave a nod. “Our dad left when we were little and our mother raised us. She, uh, died five years ago. Cancer.”

She reached out and grabbed his hand, hating how vulnerable he sounded when he spoke about his mother. “I’m sorry to hear that.”

“Thanks,” he said, clearing his throat.

“Were you close?”

He nodded. “Yeah. The three of us were very close. Things didn’t go as planned five years ago and I regret not having more time—more good time with her at the end.”

Her throat ached as she watched him trying to hide his emotion. “It’s so hard to know how long we have together and to remember to enjoy the little things, isn’t it? The week Michael and Matthew died I was so consumed by my college courses that I remember I kept putting off seeing them. I kept saying how busy I was, and I believed it. And then that was it, they were gone,” she whispered, quickly taking a sip of her wine. She and Michael had always gotten along. He’d been a good big brother—he’d led them all well, looked out for all of them.

“I’m sorry,” he said gruffly, reaching out and placing his strong hand on the nape of her neck. There was so much pain in his eyes and she hated that they both had regrets, that they had both lost people very precious to them.

“She died five years ago. Did she know about Lisa?”

He pulled his hand away and rubbed the back of his neck. She hated asking him these questions but she was desperate to know the details, to really know him. “Yeah. I think that was too much for her to handle.” He looked like he wanted to say something else, she sensed that there was so much more than he was letting her in on. But he didn’t speak. Instead, a flash of vulnerability flickered across his eyes.

“I’m so sorry she had to go through that on top of dealing with her cancer. We can’t go back, Luke. She must have had so much faith in you, in the kind of man you’d become. She must have been so proud of you. A lot of people use what happens in their childhood as an excuse to not amount to anything. Look at you, you’re an incredible doctor, a wonderful brother.”

He ducked his head, but didn’t seem comforted by anything she was saying. “You have this amazing ability to see the good in people and situations, Gwen.”

“Not always, but I know a great guy when I see one.” His head turned sharply to her, the lines around his mouth pronounced and it looked as though, for a moment, he was going to say something, disagree or something. When he said nothing after a moment, she asked him another question. “Do you ever see your father?”

He shook his head. “When he left, he left for good. I was ten. Haley was four. It forced me to grow up. I remember my mother sitting at the kitchen table that first night, just crying. She had no idea how she was going to pay for rent, for groceries.”

She placed her hand on his leg and squeezed.

“But she did. We cut out everything that wasn’t a must. She got a second job and I stayed home with Haley, at night, even though she didn’t want to leave us without a sitter. I insisted. I told her we were a team and I could be the other parent. As soon as Haley could be left home alone, I got a part-time job…I haven’t thought about this in years.”

“But she sounds like she was an amazing woman.”

“My mother was an incredibly strong woman and she didn’t deserve to go out the way she did. She deserved to see her children happily married. She deserved to see grandchildren.”

She put down her wine glass and wrapped her arms around him. “She’s watching you, Luke. She knows how amazing her son is.”

She felt him put down his wine glass and then wrap his arms around her, burying his face in her neck. “I have no idea how you do that, Gwen. I have no idea how you actually make me believe in something I don’t.”

She felt such empathy for him, for what he’d been through. He pulled away, his hand still on her nape, still holding her close, his gaze filled with something she didn’t understand completely. Before she had time to dwell on it, he lowered his mouth to hers, brushing his lips over hers gently and then capturing her mouth in a sweet kiss that turned into so much more. He leaned back into the couch, taking her with him. When they heard the slamming of a car door outside, they both reluctantly pulled apart. “I guess they’re back,” she said, smoothing her hair and sweater.

“Maybe that’s a good thing,” he said.

“Are you all ready for your sister?”

He shrugged. “Well, I have a house.”

Alarm bells were starting to go off. “I mean like her room and stuff. If she’s leaving her husband, and driving here, she’s probably not bringing a lot of stuff with her.”

He was starting to look confused. “So?”

She tried to be patient. “Maybe we should go shopping tomorrow. Let’s get some accessories for her room, to make her welcome and cheer her up.”

He still looked clueless. “Sure…accessories.”

She let out a sigh of exasperation. “Flowers, maybe a new duvet cover, pillows, some magazines, maybe a small desk and chair, a lamp…”

Her voice trailed off at his expression. She couldn’t quite figure it out.

He coughed. “Okay.”

“You did graduate med school, right?”

He threw back his head and laughed, snatching her wrist and kissing her. She laughed along with him, glad he could take teasing. “I think you and my sister will really like each other.”

“I’m sure we will. Okay, so I’ll make a list of places to go and items to buy. Tell me everything you know about her. Does she like antiques? I know this great little indoor flea market and they have tons of cute shabby chic things.”

He didn’t look impressed. “Shabby what?”

She rolled her eyes and patted his hand. “Don’t worry, it’ll be okay.”

Chase and Julia walked in a few minutes later. “Hey, how was your night out?”

“Great,” Julia said, hanging up her coat. “How did you two manage?”

“Maggie is a really great kid,” Luke, said, surprising her.

“Thanks,” Chase said, pride stamped across this handsome face.

After they said their good-byes, Luke walked her out to her car. “What time do you want me to pick you up tomorrow?”

She sat down, trying not to look like she was disappointed that he was ending the evening. “How about noon?”

“Perfect,” he said, leaning down for a quick kiss.

She gave him a wave and shut the door, desperate to be by herself.

After he pulled out of the driveway she did a quick replay of the last five minutes of their conversation, wondering if something had gone wrong. Maybe he was having second thoughts? Maybe he thought things were moving too quickly. Or maybe he felt uncomfortable because he’d revealed so much about himself tonight. That had to be it. It couldn’t have anything to do with his feelings for her…or lack of.