Page 14 of Saving Luke

I sigh as Luke and I share a look.I'm sorryhe mouths, and I just shrug my shoulders.

"So, what are you in school for?" I ask Gabbie.

"I'm going to be a teacher." She gives Luke a glare.

"What grade?" I ask.

"Middle school. I want to teach history."

"If you love history, you should sit down with Lexi. The history of the Oakside property is amazing. Lexi looked up a lot of it when she bought the place." I tell her.

She just nods as we end up at the petting zoo next. Gabbie walks off to feed some of the animals while Luke and I hang out by the fence.

"She's a bucket of sunshine," I say when she's out of earshot.

"I'm so sorry. I thought she’d be over this fight we had by now.”

"Oh, she isn't mad at you. It's a girl thing. I'm encroaching on her territory, so no matter what, I'm the enemy. It's okay, and it will just take time. She needs to see I have your best interests at heart." I tell him.

He reaches over and takes my hand. I sit down on the bench next to him so we are at eye level.

"You are amazing, you know that? If she wasn't here, I'd kiss you right now," he says.

"I'd let you. But for now, I'll take a rain check," I smile into his crystal-like green eyes.

He brings my hand to his lips and kisses the back of my hand. Even this small gesture sends tingles up my arm and turns my insides to mush. Of course, this is the moment Gabbie walks back up and clears her throat.

Luke sighs and shoots me an apologetic look before turning back to her.

"Why don't we do the tunnel of lights next?" Luke suggests.

I nod and stand, waiting for Luke, but his sister sighs and goes to push his wheelchair, which makes him look irritated again.

"Why don't you help him more?" Gabbie asks.

I give Luke an apologetic smile. "Well, I've learned Luke likes to do things for himself, and it's better the more they do because the faster they heal. If you baby them constantly doing everything for them, they don't heal as fast," I tell her and shrug.

I don't want to make her mad, but it's just my experience. However, the dirty look she sends me tells me she thinks it's a dig directly at her. After that, she ignores me as we walk through the lights that are synced to Christmas music, currently playing “Jungle Bell Rock.”

I try not to let Gabbie get to me, but something says that, if I can't make nice with the sister, I won't have a chance in hell with Luke.

Luke

"I think I'm ready to go home," I say, finally sick of how Gabbie is treating Brooke. I regret asking her to come with us because she has completely ruined the day.

"Okay, let's get you back," Gabbie says.

"Actually, I'd like Brooke to take me back," I say in my stern older brother voice that leaves no room for arguments.

Gabbie looks hurt and then pissed before hugging me and then heading out without a word to Brooke.

True to form, Brooke walks beside me and lets me wheel myself, which I prefer to do.

"I'm sorry about this. I had no idea she'd be like this. We fought a bit, but I thought she'd be over it and be nice to you. I shouldn't have invited her. I ruined the whole night." Finally, I stop rambling, when Brooke places her hand on my shoulder.

"Luke, it's fine. I'm glad you invited her, and I got to officially meet her. We might not be BFFs anytime soon, but it's a step." She says with a small smile.

"You are just being nice, but don't. Gabbie is a handful on her best day." I shake my head.

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