Page 19 of Legends Luke

He cleared his throat and took a swig of his tea. “Do you have to work Saturday, or are you free?”

“Free for what exactly?”

He shrugged, thinking she’d be scared off if she knew how hard he was fighting his attraction for her. “I can show you around town.”

He tensed, waiting for her response. He couldn’t decide if he wanted her to agree to the date or refuse him. If she refused him, he would have a reason to keep his distance from her. She wasn’t the type of woman he usually wanted, but hell if he could come up with a reason why. She was beautiful, smart, and sexy. He could see whyEaston had been attracted to her the first night at the bar, and he was glad his brother had decided not to pursue her.

He wasn’t sure he wanted her for himself, but he was damn sure he didn’t want his brothers with her. Or anyone else for that matter.

“Yeah, okay. Saturday’s good. I’ll give you my number before we leave, and you can let me know the details.”

She dived back into her meal. Luke sat back and watched her, feeling a strange sensation in his chest. He chalked it up to relief at not being turned down by her. Though no one was around to hear their conversation, he didn’t underestimate the Fire Creek grapevine. Word would spread quickly about his lunch with Melody, and if she’d told him no, his brothers would hear about it. The grief they would give him would be merciless.

Luke took a big bite of his sandwich, his mind already formulating plans for Saturday. Fire Creek may not have a lot of things to keep people entertained, but he would make sure to show Melody just what made his hometown special.

Chapter Nine

Aghost of a smile played over Melody’s lips as she slipped her purse strap over her shoulder. She purposely kept her pace slow. She had no reason to rush, but the idea of possibly seeing Luke made the urge to hurry strong. Since their lunch earlier in the week, she’d considered going backto Jed’s for lunch each day, but today was the first time she gave into temptation. She wanted to believe it was because she was tired of grabbing a quick lunch at the deli. Only she knew it wasn’t true.

She’d thought of Luke since the day she’d gone there with him, but when he never called to confirm their plans for Saturday, she wondered if he was regretting the invitation and didn’t know how to politely get out of it without sounding like an ass. She almost texted him with her own excuse to cancel but decided she didn’t want to let him off easy.

A chance meeting at Jed’s could be the opening she needed to find out where his head was at. Not that he was an easy read. Other than the infuriating smirk which was as much a part of his handsome face as his unusual eyes. But she had to know if he had changed his mind. If he was ghosting her, he wouldn’t be the first, but shecouldn’t bring herself to let him get away with it. Her mind chastised her for being a glutton for punishment, but her heart convinced her he was worth the effort.

She stepped inside the eatery and glanced around at the patrons, searching for a familiar face. Since there were only five people occupying tables, it didn’t take her long, and no one stood out to her. She hesitated, torn between leaving before someone noticed her, sitting down and ordering anyway in case Luke made an appearance, or getting her order to go with the excuse she had things to do at the office. All of them had their appeal, but when Thea stepped out of the kitchen carrying plates over to a table, Melody quietly made her way to the table she’d shared with Luke the first time she’d come. Thea appeared at her side almost before she’d completely settled in her seat.

“I thought you might be back, but I figured you’d come with your sexy mechanic.”

Melody pasted a smile on her lips. “I’m by myself this time. I couldn’t resist coming back to see what Jed had on the menu today.”

“Well, honey, I’m glad to see you back, and don’t you worry none about Luke. He’ll be joining you back here before you know it. He never stays gone long.”

Melody tilted her head. “Gone? What do you mean?”

Thea’s dark eyes widened a bit before she tucked her order pad back in her apron. “Well, I would have thought he told you. He headed out of town early this morning. He and his brothers travel from time to time. Something about checking on English’sbusiness ventures elsewhere. He probably didn’t mention it because he doesn’t expect to be gone long.”

“I’m sorry. Did you say English? I don’t know what that is.”

Thea shook her head. “Well, honey. First things first. We have spaghetti and meatballs with Caesar salad and garlic bread, and we have chicken fried steak with gravy and a biscuit, corn, and green beans on the side. Cheesecake for dessert. What will you have?”

“Oh, um, spaghetti. And a water.”

“Be right back. Don’t you go anywhere.”

Thea disappeared into the kitchen, and Melody almost sped-walked to the door without looking back. She had no idea what to expect when Thea returned, and her mind was already churning with what she’d been told so far. Luke was more than a mechanic. He was a businessman who had to travel to look after his interests. What was English? Was it the name of a corporation? If phone reception inside Jed’s wasn’t so spotty, she could do some internet searching to see what she could find out.

She had just unlocked her phone when a plate of food appeared in front of her. The Italian seasoning wafting from the bread and meatballs caused her mouth to salivate. Then her food was forgotten as Thea dropped into the seat across from her.

“You didn’t ask for dessert, but I brought it anyway. The cheesecake’s one of my favorites, but don’t tell Jed I said that. Go ahead. Eat up. I’ll do most of the talking.”

“What do you mean? I didn’t come here to gossip about Luke or anybody.”

Thea frowned. “I don’t know what you heard about me, but I don’t gossip. Whatever I tell you is common knowledge. Anything more you’ll have to get directly from the source. You got me?”

“Why tell me anything?”

“Because you can’t fool me, sweetheart. I’ve seen way too much. You like Luke. Can’t say I blame you. Had a rough go of it, but he grew up to be a decent guy. And I think you could be good for him. Don’t think I didn’t notice how much he smiled and laughed when the two of you were here the last time. Jed noticed too. Luke’s brother found him a woman, a good one but feisty. Just what he needed to keep him on his toes. About damn time Luke found someone like that.”

“I’m not looking for something serious with him. I have a career, and I haven’t lived here long. I’m too busy—”

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