Page 5 of Saving Luke

"Ahhh, there he is," she says. "I was Noah's nurse before Oakside. It's how we met. He was one of my patients in the hospital, and Lexi never left his side. Because he was there the longest of almost any patient I had, the three of us bonded pretty well. When they started Oakside, I came over with them."

She smiles with a faraway look, lost in a memory, before continuing. "Noah was stubborn at first. Lexi had to drag him, kicking and screaming through the healing process, but he was a fighter like you. He taught me the most important thing about recovery."

She pauses, so I sigh. "What's that?" I ask her.

"You need something to fight for. Guys with the most basic injuries take forever to heal if they have no motivation. I've seen men like Noah heal much faster than anyone ever thought possible because they have the right motivation. So, what’s driving you?" She asks.

"My sister," I say without thinking.

"Well, no offense, but she isn't enough," Brooke says without missing a beat.

"What? She’s all I have. I have to get better for her."

"But she isn't motivating you to get better. You’re still stuck in this holding pattern. Eventually, you need to find your ultimate impetus to push yourself. Now, let's do these exercises and get you down for breakfast. Also, you are going to do this Secret Santa no matter what. I put in too much work for you to tell me no," she says adamantly.

"Yes, ma'am," I smirk. Everyone has been so careful thinking I might break, and here she is giving me sass.

I love it.

She stands up and runs a finger up the bottom of my foot.

"You feel that?" She asks.

"Barely," I say.

"Better than not at all," She says she is doing the same thing to the other foot, which feels the same.

Then, she starts helping me with basic leg movements, and like every day, her hands on me feel like heaven, and I have to think of not so pleasant things, so I don't pop wood just from her hands on me. It's a daily struggle, but I wouldn't have anyone else help me.

My sister tried once, and it wasn't the same. That night, I told Brooke I hadn't done them just so she'd do them with me again.

As she wheels me to the dining room, I wish time would slow down and give me a little more time with her.

"After breakfast, it will be time for the Secret Santa. So, don’t go anywhere, as I’ll be back for you. You also have a PT appointment right after," she says.

I realize I'm already waiting for her to come back to me. Who am I kidding? I'm already in too deep.

Chapter 3

Brooke

"Okay, you ready for Secret Santa?" I ask Luke as I walk up to take him to the event room.

"You don't have to do this. I’m just happy to be spending Christmas back stateside this year. I don't need anything over the top," he says.

"This isn't over the top. It's a simple gift exchange, and I'm not letting you out of it. Everyone needs a little holiday cheer, and who knows, the guy you get might need your Christmas cheer more than you need his."

"If you say so." He crosses his arms as I push him down the hallway in his wheelchair.

"Okay, look at it this way. This is your chance to help another guy out. Everyone is here for some reason, and you know that. Some guys have it worse than you. At least you will be able to walk when you leave. Not everyone can say that." I try to appeal to his practical side.

It works because he takes a deep breath and uncrosses his arms. "Okay."

I pat his shoulder, "Thank you."

It’s hard to ignore the heat racing up my arm from that simple touch. It's been happening every day when we do his exercises, and it's more difficult to ignore than you might think.

Lexi is running the Secret Santa, so when we get to the event room, I park Luke at a table and then pull up a chair to sit with him. But I’m also ready to help Lexi if she needs it.

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