Page 55 of Holiday Surprise

“Lily gave me the key yesterday and walked me through closing. I can do it,” Chasity assured me.

“Are you sure?” I asked.

“I’m positive.”

“Okay, well you have my number, right?” She nodded confirmation. “Call me if you guys need anything at all.”

“Go away and let us do our jobs. You are paying us for this, right?” Jessie teased.

I gave a wave over my shoulder as Luke and I walked out. He reached for my hand as we headed across the street.

“They have really good sandwiches here,” I told him.

Walking through town hand-in-hand, having lunch, it all just seemed like such a normal couple thing to do, as if the weight of an entire Pack wasn’t pressing down on our shoulders.

We ordered our subs at the counter and grabbed an open seat. People were coming and going, and the place was pretty full.

I could tell Luke had a lot on his mind. He was quiet and contemplative as we sat there waiting for our food. I didn’t mind that though. It was comfortable between us.

I had always been a bit of a people watcher, so I looked around at all the familiar faces I’d seen all my life. It was sad to think that we wouldn’t be here much longer. I was going to have to leave the only place I’d ever called home. I had followed Thomas to college, but even there I’d had him and that was the only place I’d ever been to outside of Collier and the surrounding area.

That’s when reality slapped me in the face. The boutique. I was going to have to give up my store. Sure, I could keep the online side of things, but the physical store would have to be sold or liquidated. I couldn’t take all that stuff with me.

For a moment I thought I might hyperventilate just thinking about it. It was all too much, and it was happening too fast.

An older man stopped by our table. I recognized him but couldn’t remember his name. Collier was a big pack and I couldn’t be expected to remember everyone’s name. It really hadn’t felt like anyone was watching us, but he stood there staring down at Luke.

“You’re Luke Larken, aren’t ya?” the man asked.

Luke looked up at him, seeming to notice him for the first time. “I am,” he confirmed.

“Heard about what happened out at your place. I’m awfully sorry. Many of your boys work for me out on the ranch. I tend to the horses.”

Of course, Mr. Draper. I thought, thankful I didn’t blurt it out loud.

“They’re good men. Hard workers. You’ve done good by them and we’re lucky to have them here. They tell me you gave an order to continue on with business as usual even though I know it isn’t easy on any of you, but I appreciate that. We’ve come to rely on them boys at the ranch. I just wish there was something I could do to help.”

Mr. Draper seemed to genuinely mean that. too. It was such a different experience than it had been when introducing Luke to my own father. There didn’t appear to be any hostility or ill feelings toward a Larken, even though we were literally sitting in the heart of Collier territory.

Mr. Draper surprised us even further when he reached into his pocket and pulled out a fifty-dollar bill. He tossed it down on the table. “Now I know that’s not much, but it’s all I have on me and I want to pitch in a little to help. Just breaks my heart to see these boys going through this. Put it towards food or bills or something for your Pack, and know that we’re all praying for you, son.”

Luke was so stunned I don’t think he knew what to do.

“It’s too much,” Luke said.

I interrupted him. “Thank you, Mr. Draper. Luke will put it to good use. It’s much appreciated.”

The old man smiled and tilted his hat our way before walking out. Luke looked at me and started to protest, but someone else came by, wished us luck, told us he and his family were praying for us, and emptied his wallet onto the table.

I knew Luke wanted to protest it, but again someone else stepped up, and then another. Not everyone gave money, some just wanted to give their regards, or shake his hand. It was one of the most amazing and powerful experiences of my life watching everyone come together like that, and I was wiping tears from my eyes by the time our food arrived.

As people came and went, others stopped by our table too. Some just wanted to wish us a Merry Christmas. It was the season for giving and it was clear everyone wanted to help in some way. My mind was whirling with ideas and possibilities, but I didn’t want to say anything just yet.

My whole life I’d grown up believing it was us against them, that the Larkens were out to destroy us, but this last week spending time to get to know them made me realize that wasn’t the case. It was clear that good people like Mr. Draper knew it, too.

I really did understand my dad’s dilemma. He had a more personal connection to the packs splitting than most, and I didn’t think he could ever get over that enough to forgive Uncle Sid for leaving.

As I looked around, I caught my father’s eye. I hadn’t noticed him come in, but there he was, sitting in the far back corner just watching everything transpire. He had a funny look on his face, but when he caught me watching, he stared down at his plate and chose to ignore me.

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