Page 23 of Unexpected Gifts

“You want a drink?” Abby asked. “There’s some hard stuff in the liquor cabinet. Don’t ask me how I know.”

He laughed. “Nah. But I’ll have a beer if you have one.”

She nodded and went to the refrigerator, yanking it open and pulling out two bottles of beer. He peeked around her shoulder. The fridge was bare but for a few items. Why hadn’t his mother sent her home with leftovers? With all the excitement, she must have forgotten. He made a mental note to bring some by in the morning.

“I’m glad Rufus is helping Jack,” Abby said. “There’s nothing like the love of a pet to help heal a heart.”

“He was always asking Ramona for a dog, but she didn’t think she could handle a puppy with everything else she had to deal with.”

“I didn’t know that,” Abby mumbled under her breath. “So many things I don’t know.”

He leaned against the back of the sink, thinking of what to say that would help her. “You’ll catch on quick. It’s humannature to step up when our kids need us to. Or, most, anyway.” Lily’s mother had been the opposite, running away and abandoning her child.

Abby plopped down on one of the stools that had been tucked under the island. “Does Lily’s mother ever come around?

“God, no. Haven’t heard from her since the divorce papers were signed. She gave up all parental rights to Lily. It’s in the agreements, thanks to Logan. I didn’t want to take a chance she’d change her mind.”

“Smart. May I ask how long you were married?”

“Just shy of a year when she left,” Luke said. “She was a party girl—always wanted to be out. I’m a homebody, so it wasn’t a good match. She’d told me she didn’t want to get pregnant, but I thought she’d change her mind. She didn’t. When she found out she was pregnant, I had to beg her not to—” He couldn’t even say the word.

“That’s awful. I’m sorry.”

“When I think about not having Lily—I can’t imagine life without her. But I wanted her to have a mom. It’s not right.”

“I know the feeling. That’s what I want for these two upstairs. Sadly, they have only me.” She covered her mouth with her hand, clearly trying not to cry.

“Hey now, you’re doing well.” Instinctively, he crossed the kitchen to stand beside her. “You’re brave, and that’s what’s going to make all the difference for Ramona’s kids.”

She turned to him, her long legs dangling over the stool and her disheveled hair falling around her shoulders. Cheeks that had been kissed by the cold air flushed a pretty shade of pink. “Brave. I don’t feel brave at all. I’m terrified.” Tears leaked from the corners of her eyes. She brushed them away with the palm of her hand.

“Please, don’t cry.” Not realizing he was even doing it, he reached out to tuck a wayward bit of her hair behind her ears.

Abby didn’t move, gazing up at him with big eyes. Her mascara and eyeliner had smudged from crying, and yet she looked beautiful. He was close enough to feel her tremble. His gaze traveled to her full mouth. Her lips parted slightly. Intoxicating perfume. Vanilla mixed with gardenias, maybe? A heady smell. One that made him dizzy with longing.

It hit him hard. The truth of it as obvious as the irresistible woman in front of him.

He wanted to kiss her.

He hadn’t felt this in a long time. This overwhelming desire to pull a woman into his arms and kiss her until all her tears dried up. In truth, he hadn’t been certain he would ever want a woman again. Not after Sarah left. She made him feel like a wormy, bruised apple that had fallen to the ground before fully ripe—a piece of fruit no one wanted. Max would throw it away if had somehow made it to his store, never daring to place it on display at the top of the heap to entice a buyer. Luke was no longer shiny or without scars or holes. And he no longer tasted sweet.

Yet the way she was looking at him made him wonder. Did she see more than his bruises and scars? Could she see past the holes in his heart and glimpse the man he’d been once, before his heart had been broken? A man of dreams and desires and hope for the future. Once, before he’d given everything to Lily, he’d believed that for the right woman, he could be the answer to her prayers.

“What is it?” Abby asked in a whisper. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

“I was wondering if I look like a rotten apple.” He blurted it out before he could censor himself.

She laughed. “What?”

Flushing with heat and embarrassment, he dropped his forehead into his hand. “Forget I said that.”

He felt cold fingers on his forearm, tugging. “Luke, look at me.”

His arms dropped to his side, and he stared helplessly at her, knowing it was too late to act tough. He’d let her see him. Too soon. It had to be.

“You’re not a rotten apple,” Abby said. “Not something to be discarded or left to rot. I’ve only known you for a day, and I know already the kind of man you are.”

“What kind of man is that?” Luke asked in a croak.

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