Page 44 of This Loving Feeling (Mirror Lake)

CHAPTER 10

Any honorable man would have had the decency to leave after making those outrageous remarks, but when did Lukas Spikonos ever follow any rules? No, he hung around, singing until he’d attracted a huge crowd, on foot and in cars. He helped wash cars and then ordered everyone pizza, even though Sam insisted it was in the school’s budget to buy it. Teddy Lawrence, the owner of Mona’s Bakery, even brought over a ton of cookies for everyone.

For the rest of the afternoon, Sam kept away from Lukas. Or at least she tried to. The annoying thing was, his shirt smelled just like him. It was infused with the spicy, rich scent of his soap or cologne, the same one he used all those years ago, which evoked all kinds of wild, unwanted memories. Surprising that he hadn’t upgraded to a more elite brand.

Stevie, on the other hand, was another matter. He devoted himself to being her personal assistant, helping to wash out rags, handing her fresh ones, and lugging buckets of fresh water for the kids. Even bringing her a Coke. He was a precious child. Tying Bobby around his head like a bandana, he was happy and sweet.

Sam wondered if the hardships in his life made him like that—almost too perfect. Like he knew he had to please or he feared he’d be out on his butt. All her other nieces and nephews would have been protesting mutinously at this stage. She made sure he had plenty of sunblock on and when he got tired, she asked two of the senior girls to take him to the bus and read stories to him until he nodded off for a nap.

“Hey, babe,” her sister-in-law Meg said to Sam as she pulled up in a red van around midafternoon with James, who was five, and Sophie, eighteen months. “How are you doing?” she asked. “You look a little tense.”

Sam said hi and blew kisses to her niece and nephew. Tense? Ha! Meg had no idea.

Sometimes people had attractions to other people, but they didn’t allow that—sex, chemistry, hormones, whatever you wanted to call it—to ruin their lives with the people they loved. True love was always stronger, right?

Harris hadeverythingshe wanted. He was smart and handsome and he treasured her. Why else would he bring her flowers for no reason or surprise her with reservations at a beautiful outdoor winery an hour away? Or an overnight at a quaint bed and breakfast when she was stressed? Then there was his century-old family compound, not to mention his intact, traditional family. And his aspirations to be the best he could be. So he was a little edgy lately. She might be, too, with all that stress.

Then why, oh why, was her body so traitorous? She’d always had a thing for bad boys. Well,thatbad boy in particular. But she’d worked hard to flush all that out of her system. Hadn’t she learned anything from life? From heartbreak?

This grown-up Lukas seemed ... a whole lot more complicated. Trying so hard for Stevie, kind to her students ... he was so much more than the sexy swagger, the low, sensual voice, and those warm brown eyes that showed every feeling. Not to mention all that thick black John Stamos hair (circa 1993), and oh, God, that body. Lean and muscular with all those badass tattoos ...

“Oh, Meg,” she said, feeling a little desperate.

They both watched Lukas cross to the next car in line in front of them. “Wow, Sam,” Meg said, “he’s a lot hotter than he was six years ago.”

“Meg!”

“Just saying. I’ve always liked Lukas. I always thought of him as a diamond in the rough. I’m proud of him for achieving so much with the hard start he had in life.”

“Even though he left six years ago. Gone with nothing left behind but a rusty Camaro and a key chain.”And me.

Meg gave her that worried big-sister look. It was one of the reasons Sam loved her so much. They were sisters-in-law but Meg from the beginning had always felt like the sister she’d never had. “Look, come over later. The kiddos are in bed by eight thirty. We’ll have a glass of wine and talk, okay?”

“Well, I’ll try, but—” Just then Sam felt a bump on her shoulder. Lukas grinned and said a quick “excuse me” and put his arm around her to steady her as he came up next to her at the car window. His skin was wet and warm from the sun, and he smelled like summer. Sam tried for nonchalance, but it was just so hard when he wastouchingher.

“Hey, Meg,” Lukas said with a grin. Meg immediately reached over her door to hug him.

“Mommy, is he a real rock star?” James asked.

Lukas scanned the back seat. “Wow, Meg, you and Dr.Ben have been busy.”

“Lukas, it’s so nice to see you,” Meg said. “Meet James and Sophie.”

“Are you a real rock star?” James asked, his eyes wide.

“I’m a rock musician,” Lukas said. “Are you Batman?” he asked, clearly noticing the shirt and cape James wore.

“Me Batman,” Sophie said evilly.

“She’snotBatman,” James said a little forcefully.

“Okay, it’s nap time,” Meg said pleasantly. She turned toward Lukas. “We’re having a big family birthday party for James tomorrow. Why don’t you come and bring your little guy, too?”

Lukas looked reluctant.

“There will be a lot of little kids there—he’ll meet friends.” And Rushford brothers. Lots and lots of them. That would be a minefield for Lukas. Especially Brad.

“Mommy,” James said in a singsongy voice. “It stinks in here.”

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