Page 43 of Broken Promises

“Why don’t you come join me in the kitchen? I need some help with the salad, and we have so much to catch up on,” Mom said as she hooked her arm around Luce’s. Luce seemed much more relaxed now that she had seen things hadn’t changed. She was just as important to us now as she was all those years ago—especially me.

I knew it wasfartoo soon, and we had a lot to figure out, but I knew she was the love of my life and the woman I would spendthe rest of my life with. So, it was only natural that the thought of marriage crossed my mind more times than I wanted to admit.

A firm pat on my back interrupted me from daydreaming about Lucy in a wedding dress, and I looked up at Landon, who had a knowing glint in his eyes. He was the oldest and claimed to be the wisest. We often challenged him on it, but maybe there was some truth to his words.

“You’ve done something, haven’t you?” he commented. I desperately wanted to say no and pretend I could follow his advice, but it wasn’t like me to lie to my brothers. On the other hand, it was a different story to lieformy brothers. My parents could confirm it.

“I told her I loved her just before we entered the house. And I’ve also been standing here and thinking about the day I marry her.”

Landon’s face scrunched slightly. Whatever first came to his mind, he somehow resisted saying it out loud. “I see.” He stroked his neatly trimmed stubble. “I do think you have some things to figure out before the marriage part, brother.”

“I know,” I assured him, staring at the sight of Luce in the kitchen. The wall blocked most of my view, so I could only see her arm and a part of her ass, but the sight was just as mesmerizing. Especially paired with her angelic laughter. “But I also know I will marry her someday. So, whatever we have to figure out along the way, we will.”

The BBQ preparations took a good forty-five minutes before we were all ready and seated at the wooden table on our back porch.Lucy sat beside me, and she hadn’t stopped smiling for the past ten minutes as she entered the wooden porch. On the other hand, I was sent down a spiral, where all I could think about was the day she’d become my wife and the mother of my children. Someday, they would join us on this porch for our Sunday lunch tradition.

“So, Luce, how long are you staying here? Is your mom doing better?” my dad asked after lengthy praise of his BBQ skills. He had put a lot of effort into the lunch today since Luce was joining us.

She took a sip of her beer, looking at me momentarily before her eyes set on my dad. Her sweet scent of vanilla mixed with coconut hit my nostrils, and I was pretty sure it sent me into some frenzy where all I could think about was her. This wasn’t normal. I was so in love with her it felt like that love may burst out of me at any point now.

“Well, I’m not sure yet. I do work as a teacher, so I’ll have to go back for the school year…” she explained. I bracketed my arm around her, trailing lines up and down her arm. “And my mom is doing better. She’s still restless, but I’m keeping her confined to the house.”

Landon gave his nod of approval. “That’s good. Rest is crucial at the early stages of recovery, and while it may seem like a long time to your mom…in the long run, it really hasn’t been that long. I’ll do a home visit to check on her next week.”

“Thank you. I can’t thank you enough for everything you’ve done for her,” Luce said softly. Logan rolled his eyes, giving Landon a big pat on the shoulder.

“It’s his job, Luce. Don’t you worry.”

“A teacher, you say?” my mom asked curiously like she hadn’t discussed what Lucy did for living with Eve a hundred times. She also likely wanted to steer the conversation in adifferent direction before it was too late. “I never thought you’d become a teacher, from what I can remember…”

“Well, a lot has changed since then. I didn’t expect teaching to be my life’s calling, but I’m pleasantly surprised with how my career has worked out. I do genuinely enjoy working with kids, and I hope to be able to do that for a long time.”

“It’d be good to have someone like you ’round here, girl,” my father commented. He took a big swing of his beer. Ever since his retirement, he had developed a particular interest in beer and considered himself somewhat of a guru. On the other hand, we thought he only utilized that title to have a cold beer on hot summer days. “We’ve had a shortage of teachers for a while now. It’s been tough.”

“I know. Mrs. Fairmont had mentioned it when she stopped by the flower shop,” Luce replied. “I’m truly sorry to hear it. You’d think people would give anything to come to a town like this…”

“Well, that is usually the case during the tourist season,” my dad said, grabbing himself some ribs. “But the rest of the year, I can’t say it’s been great. Surely, your mom has mentioned it to you, too.”

One look at her face told me everything I needed to know. Luce didn’t know how much the town had to change over the years, and her mom didn’t want to make her feel bad. It wasn’t horrible by any means, but it could always be better—particularly in the education department.

“Luce has made incredible changes at the Blushing Blooms, so you better believe that place is going to blossom even more,” I said. Lucy’s lips twitched as if she was trying to hold back a smile.

“God, you’re lame,” Logan commented, “especially now that your girlfriend is here.”

Despite his comment, my family dug into the food. I had warned them before not to discuss how our relationship was going to work after these next two weeks since I didn’t want to overwhelm her. I had likely managed to do that on my own by prematurely admitting my feelings. I knew she was aware of how I felt about her, but saying it out loud was a different thing entirely.

“I must say, Levi, retirement looks good on you,” Luce continued the conversation after Logan’s brief teasing crusade. “It’s been well-deserved after all those years of hard work.”

My mom shook her head, extending her hand to my dad’s stomach and patting it lightly.

“Oh, Luce, he’s about one beer away from a retirement beer belly. Don’t flatter him too much.” Despite her teasing comment, so much love and affection was held in her tone—so openly displayed for everyone to see. I was lucky enough to have grown up in a family with happy parents who loved each other and gave me a perfect example of the father and husband I need to become one day. And finally, after so many years spent alone, it felt like that day may come soon.

The rest of the BBQ continued in a cheerful tone, with a wide display of different meats and side dishes that my parents had put together. Mom had even made a cake. Not a single second of this meal passed where I wasn’t thankful for everything I had in my arm’s reach, right up to the moment when we were supposed to leave.

My parents escorted us to the front porch, and both of them made it a point to give Lucy a big hug.

“You’re welcome here anytime, sweetheart,” my mom told her. “I hope you know that.”

“I know,” my girl responded. “Look, Levi, Linda…I can’t thank you enough for everything you’ve done for me. Both ten years ago and when my mom got home from the hospital.” Herteeth momentarily sunk into her bottom lip, like she was trying to stop it from quivering. My hand found the small of her back, giving her the reassurance to continue. “I know I disappeared all those years ago without a goodbye, and I can’t tell you how much I’ve regretted it ever since…I just?—”

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