Page 49 of Luke

“I know I shouldn’t get too attached to anyone involved in my cases, but he...” Luke trailed off, unsure of how to express himself.

“Would you like something to drink?”

“A shot of whiskey would be great,” he joked.

“Sorry, I don’t have any of that on hand.”

“It’s okay, I was just teasing. How about a cup of coffee?”

“Sure thing. Give me just a minute.”

“Is Leah asleep?”

“Yes, but she should be waking up soon. Maybe holding her will make you feel better,” Bryce said with a warm smile.

“Holdingyoualways makes me feel better.”

Bryce leaned forward and kissed his lips gently. “Just relax for a few minutes.”

She got up and went into the kitchen to make him a cup of coffee.

****

As Bryce made the coffee, she fought back tears. Luke was so invested in this case for a man he barely knew. Some people enter your life, and you just feel a connection with them. Mr. Hancock had clearly left an impression on Luke and now she knew he would do everything in his power to find the horses for him.

God, cancer was such a cruel disease. It didn’t matter if she was close to the person or not, it always broke her heart to hear of someone being diagnosed. A nurse she used to work with at the clinic had breast cancer and underwent a double mastectomy, but it had already spread and within a year, she was gone. At only forty years old. It had devastated Bryce, and she knew she would always miss Jackie.

Bryce brought the cup of coffee over to Luke when it was ready. She saw him sitting forward with his head down, his arms resting on his thighs. When he lifted his head, she could see that his eyes were red rimmed. She set the cup on the coffee table and sat down beside him, wrapping her arms around him. He shook his head.

“I don’t even know him,” he whispered.

She rested her cheek against his back and just held him as more tears streamed down her face.

“You’re staying here tonight. You can sleep on the couch, inmy bed, or in the guest room, but you are not leaving.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“I hear Leah crying. I’ll be right back.” She wiped away her tears and went into the kitchen to warm up a bottle for her daughter before going to get her.

She turned on the bedside lamp and peeked into Leah’s crib. She grinned when her daughter smiled back at her.

“I have a feeling you’re not even hungry. Do you know that Luke is here?” She picked up Leah. “Let’s change your diaper.”

After a quick diaper change, Bryce carried Leah back to the living room. She saw Luke looking at her and then he stood up.

“Hey there, little one,” he said with a smile as Leah turned her head toward his voice. “Can I hold her?”

“Of course.” Bryce handed Leah over to him and once he was settled on the couch, she gave him the bottle.

Luke tried to get Leah to drink from the bottle, but every time he brought it close to her mouth, she would just smile at him. He chuckled.

“I told you she was a little flirt.”

Bryce laughed and sat down next to him. She reached over to touch Leah’s hand and the baby looked at her before turning back to Luke.

“I think I’ve been replaced,” Bryce joked.

“Only when I’m around,” Luke teased back. He gently shook the bottle against Leah’s lips and she finally started drinking, but if he looked at her, she would still smile, making him chuckle.

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