Fitting The Pieces (The Riverdale Series Book 3) (30 page)

           
“Right,” she agreed.

           
“So that’s it? We had one night and get to pretend like
it never happened? Is that how you plan on playing this, Cara?” He said not
being able to hold back the anger in his voice.

           
“No!” She said instantly and turned around to face him.
“I don’t want to pretend like it never happened. I want it to happen again and
again.” She sighed as she placed the brush down and walked to him, stepping
between his legs as her hands slid over his bare shoulders. “What happened last
night couldn’t be wrong because it felt so right, but not everyone will
perceive it like that. I was your brother’s best friend for most of his life. I
was his fiancé for just a fraction. We never had a real chance at exploring our
relationship because he was diagnosed so quickly. I didn’t think I’d ever want
to be in a relationship again. I didn’t think I wanted to move on but I do and
I want to do it with you, I just don’t want to hurt anyone.”

           
“We’re not hurting anyone, Cara.” Luke said taking her
hands in his. He wanted her to read Jake’s letter to him, thinking it will
clarify things for her.

           
“Your parents, what about them? How do you think they
will feel seeing me with you, after they watched me with their other son?” He
went to speak but she placed her fingers to his lips gently. “Can we just keep
this between us until we get home? I don’t want to share what we have with
everyone. I just want to explore us without any pressure.”

           
Luke bit the inside of his cheek as one of his hands
rounded her hips. He gave her a slight nod of the head as he vowed silently to
talk to his parents, knowing very well, there wasn’t a need for it but if it
eased her mind, he’d do it.

           
“Until we get home.” He declared.

* * * * *

“I’d
tell you to go make a baby on your honeymoon, but you guys are ahead of the
game already.” Cara said smiling as she hugged Sam tightly. “Have fun and when
you get back we will start to work on the nursery.”

           
“Yes, definitely.” Sam said, hugging Cara just as tight.
“Have fun too, and take care of my brother.” She whispered quietly into her
hair. Cara pulled back slowly from the embrace. There was a time and a place
she was sure Sam had said those same exact words to her only referencing her
other brother at the time.

           
Nick stepped up behind Cara, placing a hand around her
waist to rest onto her belly. “The taxi is outside waiting to take us to the
airport Mrs. Foti.”

           
Sam grinned. “I can’t believe I’m not a Lanza anymore.”
She giggled.

           
“You’ll always be a Lanza girl, don’t you forget that.”
Joe said from behind Cara, causing her to turn and look at the elder Lanza. He
was wearing a pair of linen shorts and a Hawaiian style button down shirt. His
tube socks were half up his calves and to everyone’s surprise, he wasn’t
wearing loafers but instead a pair of sneakers. Let’s not forget the
fisherman’s hat that he donned on his head. Cara bit back a smile and her eyes
found Deb’s. She shook her head as she took in her husband’s appearance.

           
“What time does the boat leave?” She asked and by the
sound of her voice she was hoping it was soon.

           
Joe slung his arm around his wife’s shoulders. “Trying to
get rid of me darling?”

           
“Never.” She said with a smile and looked down as Ava
dropped her hand and ran to Cara, wrapping her arms around her waist.

           
“Cara, can I stay with you and Grandma while Daddy and
Grandpa go fishing?” She said, swaying from foot to foot as she peered up
hopefully at Cara.

           
“Sure, what do you want to do?” She said as she fixed the
little girls fallen ponytail.

           
“Let’s go swimming.” Ava said excitedly.

           
“Ooh, they are having bingo by the swimming pool at noon
too!” Deb said sealing their plans for the afternoon before she glanced at
Lucille. “Lucy why don’t you join us?”

           
“Where is Luke?” Joe said, glancing down at his watch.
“If that boy makes me miss my fishing expedition I’m going to use him for
bait.”

           
“Nice, Pop. Why don’t you tell me how you really feel?”
Luke said from behind him.

           
“Daddy!” Ava released Cara and ran around her grandpa to
her father’s waiting arms.

           
Joe turned spun around and pulled his sunglasses off his
face to peer at his son. “I guess you’re well rested?” He said eyeing him
suspiciously.

           
Luke clapped his hands before he rubbed them together.
“Are you ready to catch some fish?” He said, ignoring his father’s prying. The
old geezer definitely knew something was up, it was evident in his eyes that
held a hint of humor in them.

           
“Alright all, you have fun doing whatever it is you all
do on vacation.” Nick said as he tugged on Sam’s hand. “We have a plane to
catch.” He made a rush to kiss everyone’s cheek, making sure Sam followed his
lead and before his mother in law had a chance to become emotional he grabbed
his bride and hurried out of the dining room. After all, he had a honeymoon to
get underway.

*
* * * *

           
Luke casts his line out into the clear blue ocean before
leaning back and taking a pull of his beer. He had removed his shirt and let
the sun beat down against his chest.

           
Joe watched his son, lean back beginning to relax and
decided that was the perfect time to dig into him.

           
“So are you going to tell your old man where you learned
to dance like that?” He said casually. Thirty plus years living with Deb taught
him the fine art of prying into his children’s lives, you know in that subtle
way.

           
“Sam forced me to take lessons.” It wasn’t really a lie.
She did coax him even though he went willingly once he knew it would make Cara
happy. He took another sip of his beer.

           
“They paid off.” He said as he grabbed a beer from the
cooler. “Cara seemed impressed.”

           
“I didn’t notice.” He said quickly.

           
Joe chuckled. “Nice try kid. I’m going to let you in on a
little secret of mine.” Luke turned and eyed his father suspiciously. “I only
play it off like I have no idea what is going on that way everyone leaves me
alone.”

           
Luke’s eyes narrowed. “What are you getting at?”

           
“You’re in deep with our Cara.” Joe said evenly as he
saluted his son with his beer. “Nice to know your tastes have improved.” He
said and took a sip of the beer.

           
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” Luke said
flatly.

           
“Ha! Shit, kid, that, only works for me. I’m flattered
you’re trying to imitate me.” He put down his beer and grabbed a cigar from his
pocket.

           
“I’m not imitating you and what did you mean by my tastes
improving.”

           
“Don’t get all defensive. Let’s just say the last couple
years the dames you’ve brought home have been a little bland for my tastes.”

           
“Well, I’ll be sure to keep that in mind.” Luke bit back
sarcastically.

           
“Cara’s a good girl.” He said, ignoring his son. “Been
through hell and back and deserves some happiness.” He puffed on his cigar.

           
“Agreed.” Luke said not giving anything else away in his
statement.

           
“You deserve happiness too. Can’t remember the last time
I’ve seen you smile as much as I have these last few weeks. It’s a good look on
you, Luke.”

           
Luke studied his father for a moment and then decided to
test him. “You think Cara and I can make one another happy?”

           
“I think you already do.” Joe said with ease watching
Luke look out at the water. “Your brother would want her happy Luke and what
I’m even more certain of is that he would want you to be happy too. My boy
Jake, he had a big heart, God rest his soul. He brought that girl into our
lives. He never asked us to love her, we just did, how could you not?” He
flicked the ashes of his cigar. “It’s no surprise you fell in love with her,
son.” Luke’s eyes shot to his father. “Don’t deny it, boy. It’s written all
over your face.”

           
Luke snapped his lips shut and looked away from his old
man. Joe leaned forward and flicked the back of his head. “Eyes over here.” He
ordered and Luke reluctantly looked at his father.

           
“That night in the hospital when she was in the accident
you were frantic. You blamed yourself for what happened to her, took the blame
for your brother dying, any dark shit you could pile on those shoulders of
yours you did. It’s time you lighten the load, Luke. You gave your brother the
only shot he had. You saw to it that Cara got the help she needed. You paid
whatever dues, you thought you owed. Enough is enough, it’s time for you to put
yourself first. You got something going with Cara, make it work.”

           
“She’s worried about you and mom.” He confessed.

           
“What about us?” Joe asked, leaning back narrowing his
eyes at his son. “We’re fine.”

           
“She’s worried what you will think of her.” Luke said,
swiping his hand along his face. “Or at least that’s the excuse she’s giving
me.”

           
“Is that so?” Joe almost laughed out loud. “I tell you
what I think of that girl, and I’ll tell her too. She was a damn good friend to
my boy. She was an even better girlfriend. Not many people will stick by you
like that when you’re dying. She’s a good woman and deserves to be loved and
all that. I think her finding love with my other son is nothing short of a
miracle. Maybe even a heaven sent one.” He cocked a brow at his son just as his
fishing pole began to wiggle. “Well, I’ll be damned, it’s true.” Joe said,
grabbing hold of his pole to reel in his catch.

*
* * * *

           
Cara ran to the gift shop in the hotel lobby to get some
more sunscreen for Ava, leaving her with the Bingo playing grandma’s. She was
walking out of the store when she looked up to see Luke and Joe walking into
the lobby, carrying a cooler. Luke’s eyes found hers and his grin widened
across his face, causing her to smile in return. Why was she so torn between
her heart and her mind? She wished she could confide in Jake, not like that
wouldn’t be awkward or anything. Hey Jake so what do you think about the fact
that I’m completely and utterly stupidly falling for your brother. No answer.
Shocker! Glad we had this talk.

           
Luke walked straight towards her, forgetting all about
his father as he wrapped his arm around her waist and brought her body against
his.

           
“I’ve got something to tell you… but first things first.”
He said with a sly grin as he eyed her mouth. Cara’s eyes scanned the lobby
finding Deb and Ava talking with Joe. Joe turned around to point to Luke just
as Luke dipped his head and went to kiss Cara. She shoved her palm hard against
his chest and took a step back.

           
“Don’t!” She stammered.

           
Luke looked at her for a moment, watching as her eyes
drifted nervously to Deb and Joe who started to walk towards them.

           
“Are you kidding me?” He asked incredulously, hurt flashing
in his eyes quickly turned to anger.

           
“Please don’t make a scene right now.” She whispered and
then plastered a smile on her face as Ava squirmed her way between the two of
them.

           
“Cara, did you hear the good news?” Deb said with
laughter in her voice. “These two fishermen actually caught some fish today.”

           
“You’re leaving out the impressive part.” Joe said as he
winked at his wife.

           
“And they’ve convinced the head chef to cook the fish for
us tonight.” She glanced at her husband. “Feel better honey?”

           
“Much.” He said with a wide grin.

           
Luke kept his eyes on Cara. “Mom, Dad, you think you can
give me and Cara a minute?”

           
Deb looked at her husband before glancing back and forth
between Cara and Luke.

           
“Luke…” Cara pleaded.