Waterfront Weddings (24 page)

He flinched.

She wanted to take it all back. She wanted to take his hand and pull him to her and tell him that he was exactly what she’d been looking for. But she couldn’t do it. She couldn’t risk her heart on someone who would end up disappointed in her in a few years.

“You’re right. I’m sorry. It was too much too soon.” He stood. “I shouldn’t have put you on the spot like that.” He jerked his chin toward the door. “I should probably go.”

She stood and followed him to the door. “Bye,” she whispered.

Justin reached out and smoothed her hair. “I’ll call you soon,” he said softly.

Ashley ached to kiss him until it was okay.

Instead, she watched him walk out the door.

S
ummer smoothed glossing cream through her hair. She’d decided to wear it down tonight because she knew Luke liked it that way. She’d even gone shopping earlier and bought a new dress to wear to their dinner.

She glanced at herself in the full-length mirror, confident Lukewouldappreciatetheresultsofanafternoonofpampering. She dabbed on a touch of pink lipstick and put the tube in her purse.

She was ready.

It might seem weird to be so excited about a date with a man she’d known for half of her life. But over the past months, she’d felt like Luke was looking right through her. Ever since the miscarriage, Luke had barely touched her. Tonight she wanted to turn his head, just like when they were teenagers. She wanted to show him that she was still the woman he’d fallen in love with. The woman he used to not be able to keep his hands off.

The ringing doorbell announced his arrival.

She took a deep breath and walked slowly down the stairs.
Please, Lord, help us get back on the right track
. Summer paused at the door then flung it open.

Jefferson stood on the other side, a grin on his face. He let out a low wolf whistle. “You are smokin’ hot.” He looked her up and down. “Sorry to be so blunt, but wow.”

Her face flamed. “Thanks.” She smoothed her dress, suddenly self-conscious. “What are you doing here?”

“Clearly you’ve got plans. I don’t want to keep you.” He held up an empty cup. “I know it’s cliché, but I actually need to borrow some milk. I’m making mac and cheese and was right in the middle of it when I remembered I’m out.”

She raised an eyebrow but didn’t say anything. She’d never known Jefferson to do anything domestic. In fact, she had her doubts he could even boil water, but she didn’t have time to get into it now. “Wait here.” She left him standing on the porch while she went to the fridge. She grabbed the milk and walked back to where he stood. “Just take the whole thing. It’s only half a gallon, and I’ve barely used any.”

He took the jug from her. “Are you sure?”

She nodded. “Yep. Enjoy your mac and cheese.” She started to shut the door, but Jefferson stopped it with his hand.

“Hang on.”

Summer sighed. “What?”

“Where are you off to all dolled up?” He indicated her dress with a jut of his chin.

“Dinner with Luke.” She steeled her gaze on him, daring him to say anything.

Jefferson raised his eyebrows. “Well, that’s great news. I’m glad you two are trying to work things out.”

She nodded. “Me, too.” She shooed him off the porch. “Now leave. Seeing you here will only put Luke in a bad mood.”

Jefferson wrinkled his nose. “Fine. Have fun.” With a wave, he walked through the iron gate that led to the sidewalk.

She swung the door closed and leaned against it. Jefferson wasn’t all bad. It was kind of nice to see him again after all these years. But she knew Luke didn’t share her opinion.

She glanced at the clock on the end table. He should be here in five minutes. That would give Jefferson plenty of time to get home unnoticed. The last thing she wanted was for Luke to have another run-in with Jefferson.

Milo stretched and jumped down from the couch. He walked over and sat down at her feet.

“You’re looking fit, sweet boy.” She reached down and scratched him behind the ear. She and Milo had been going on lots of walks lately, and he’d already dropped some of his extra weight. He seemed happy even though she’d taken away his off-leash privileges. After the squirrel incident, she’d decided not to risk it.

The doorbell rang.

Better be Luke this time
. Summer paused then opened the door slowly.

Luke stood on the other side. He held a bouquet of roses in his hand, but his expression was strained.

“My favorite,” she said, taking the flowers. “Come inside.”

She waited for him to comment on how she looked, but he went straight for Milo. “I’ll put these in a vase, and then we can go.” She walked into the kitchen and tried to chase away her disappointment. Maybe he no longer found her attractive.

She filled a vase with water and put the roses inside. She carried the arrangement into the living room and set it on a table. “Perfect.” She smiled at Luke. “Ready?”

He nodded. “Starving.” He held the door open for her, and they stepped out onto the porch. “The yard looks pretty good, but it’s getting a little high. I’ll come over and mow soon.”

She glanced at him. He looked good but tired. “If you’d rather me get someone else to do it, I’d be glad to.”

His jaw tensed. “Maybe Jefferson would like to take care of it. Except for that whole manual labor thing.”

She furrowed her brow but didn’t say anything.

“My car or yours?” he asked.

“Yours.”

Luke opened the passenger door and helped her inside. “Magnolia’s okay?”

“Perfect.” She watched as he walked around the truck and climbed into the driver’s seat. “So did you stay long at the cemetery after I left the other day?”

He backed slowly out of their driveway. “Not too much longer. I left there and went to see Daddy.”

She turned to look at his profile. As far as she knew, Luke hadn’t seen his father since Bobby’s funeral. “How’s he doing?”

Luke shook his head. “Not well. Not well at all. His mind is wandering. He thinks I’m Uncle Pete.”

She reached over and rubbed his leg. “I’m sorry. I know that’s got to be tough.”

“I waited too long.” Luke slowed the truck to a stop at a red light. “He doesn’t even know it’s me.” He reached down and covered her hand with his. “It’s one of many regrets.”

She hated to hear it. She’d always hoped Luke and his daddy would somehow make amends. When she was pregnant, she’d foolishly thought the baby would be the bridge that healed the relationship. But it sounded like that wasn’t going to happen.

Luke parked the truck and came around to help her down. He didn’t let go of her hand as they walked toward the restaurant.

And even though there was still a distance between them at least a mile wide, Summer held on to his hand for all she was worth.

Luke wasn’t sure which was the biggest surprise of the evening so far. The fact that Summer looked more beautiful than he could ever remember her looking or that he’d seen Jefferson leaving the house as he pulled into the driveway.

That dude was really on his nerves. Jefferson had held up a half gallon of milk and pointed to it as Luke drove by. But Luke wasn’t stupid. Jefferson had no more needed to borrow milk than Luke needed a hole in the head.

He wasn’t going to mention it to Summer though. Sweet Summer. She’d never think Jefferson had an ulterior motive for anything. She’d always believed the best in people. And he could hardly complain about it, as that was one of the things that had drawn him to her in the first place. But it really chapped his hide to see Jefferson with that smirk, sauntering out of the driveway like he’d just won a ticket to paradise.

Luke knew he’d only look like a jealous fool if he said something, and he didn’t want a repeat of their Memorial Day argument. So he’d keep his mouth shut. “You look pretty tonight.” He tugged on her hand as they walked into the restaurant. “Even prettier than the day we met.”

She beamed. “Thanks.”

They followed the hostess to a table for two and ordered their standard fare.

“Is it boring that we always order the same thing here?” Summer asked.

He shook his head and admired the way her dark hair fell in waves around her face. “Not at all. It’s comforting. Like a warm blanket on a cold night.” He grinned.

“So what made you decide to go see your daddy?” she asked.

He filled her in on his visit to see Rose and go through Bobby’s things. “I couldn’t be the reason Katie Beth and Dale didn’t get to go to Disney.”

Summer nodded. “I’m glad you stepped in. I actually spoke to Rose on the phone earlier in the week.” She locked eyes with him. “I think we’ve messed up by not being more involved with their lives.”

“You mean
I’ve
messed up.” He took a deep breath. “I’ve had a lot of time to think. A lot of time to consider the wrong decisions I’ve made. I don’t know why I always thought everyone was against me, but I did.”

“I’ve never been against you,” Summer said quietly. “You know that.”

He reached over and took her hand. “I know. You’re the reason I’m not completely screwed up.”

Summer gave him a tiny smile. “Glad I could help.” She sighed. “What are we going to do here?”

“Eat?”

At her steely glare, he chuckled. “Sorry. I’m trying. But this whole getting in touch with my emotions thing isn’t exactly easy for me.”

“No. Emotions have never been your strong point.”

He sighed. “I’ve been really focusing on letting go of my anger. I don’t know how you stood it for so long.” Ever since he’d opened Bobby’s Bible, he’d been thinking about where his anger was coming from and how to get rid of it.

“I kept thinking you’d snap out of it. But you never did.”

The waitress set their food on the table.

Summer caught his eye. He knew she was waiting on him to pray for their food. But he hadn’t quite worked up to talking to God yet. “Dig in,” he said with a smile.

“Summer,” a petite blond woman said, coming up to their table. “It’s nice to see you again.”

Summer smiled at the woman. “Thanks, you, too.” She glanced at Luke. “This is Madelyn Ashworth. She’s just opened up a new bridal shop over on Calhoun Street.” She turned to Madelyn. “This is my husband, Luke Nelson.”

He stood and shook Madelyn’s hand. “Nice to meet you,” he said.

“Did you tell him about the dress?” Madelyn trilled.

Summer shook her head.

“What dress?” he asked.

“Your beautiful wife had never tried on a wedding dress before. But you probably know that.” Madelyn giggled. “We had her try on her dream gown the other day just for fun. She looked like a princess.”

He raised his eyebrows at Summer. “I’ll bet.”

“You’ll have to get your friend to show him the pictures.” Madelyn patted Summer on the back. “Well, I don’t want to keep you from your dinner.” She smiled at him. “Nice to meet you.”

“You, too,” he said.

Once she was gone, he looked at Summer. “Your dream wedding dress, huh? You’re not planning on running off with some other guy are you?” As soon as the words left his mouth, he had a vision of her with Jefferson.

She shook her head. “It was stupid. But Ashley and Madelyn were so persuasive. And the dress was beautiful.” She shrugged. “I guess I’ve always wondered what I’d look like in a fancy bridal gown.”

“I already know what you’d look like. I don’t need a picture to tell me. You were the most beautiful bride I’d ever seen on the day I married you, even if we were just at City Hall in church clothes.”

She gave him a half smile. “Thanks.” She sighed.

“Are you upset?”

Summer shrugged. “Just trying to process things here.” She chewed on her bottom lip. “I know you’re working through things. But I think maybe there’s stuff with us that needs to be worked through, too.”

“I don’t want to lose you. To lose us.” He raked his fingers through his hair. “I’ll do whatever it takes.”

“You mean that?” She looked at him hopefully. “Counseling even?”

He slowly nodded. “Yes. Whatever it takes. You make the arrangements, and I’ll be there.”

Her lips turned upward in a smile. “It means a lot that you’re willing to do that. I think after the year we’ve had, we could both use some help dealing.”

He nodded. “I’m sorry I didn’t see it sooner. I kept thinking I could handle everything on my own. Kept thinking that if I didn’t talk about things, they’d go away.” He shook his head. “I don’t want to turn into my daddy.”

She reached out and squeezed his hand. “Why do you say that?”

“I get the feeling that he wishes he’d done things differently and not been so distant from us, especially after Mama died. And it hit me the other day that I was doing the same thing. I watched grief eat him up. Watched it turn him into someone I didn’t recognize. And then I almost let it do the same thing to me.” He shook his head. “I need to learn from his mistakes. At this point, I think it’s the only way to be the son I never was.”

Summer’s blue eyes glistened with tears. “I’ve been praying that you’d come to that conclusion.”

He gripped her hand. “Keep praying for me, Summer. It helps me sleep better at night, knowing you’re praying for me.”