Page 50 of Legends Luke

Her stomach did a little flip at the sound of his deep voice. She hadn’t realized how much she missed it until now.

“Hi. Can we talk?”

“Where are you? I can pick you up, and we can grab a coffee or something.”

“I have to get back to work, but what about to—”

Melody stopped abruptly as she saw a car pull up to the front of the center. The center’s door opened, and Erin Bleekley ran outside and slipped onto the passenger side of the car. Melody’s jaw slacked as she watched the car pull away and move down the street.

“Oh, no,” she mumbled as she started her car and rushed out of the parking space, careful to avoid any oncoming traffic.

“Melody? You still there?”

“I’m here. I’m sorry. I need to let you go. I’ve got a little problem I have to fix if I can.”

She drove a little faster than she was normally comfortable with, but soon she had her sights on the car transporting Erin.

“What is it? How can I help?”

“Oh, it’s complicated. It’s my boss’ daughter. She was expelled from school and got caught shoplifting. Anyway, they needed a hand getting her to her community service, and I volunteered. Before Icould drive out of the parking lot, she walked out and got in a car. I’m following her.”

“You’re what? Keep me on the line, okay? I need you to tell me more.”

She felt uncomfortable about sharing the personal details of Sandra’s family issues. “Luke, I’m not going to gossip about my boss. I promised her I would make sure Erin got to her community service. If she missed a day, she could be fined on top of everything. Sandra needed a break from all the drama, and she was in a tough spot because she had to be in court and her husband’s car broke down. I was helping out. I should have known Erin had something up her sleeve. One of these days she is going to do something to get herself in real trouble.”

“Where are you? Can you describe the car she’s in?”

“I don’t know cars like you do. It’s four doors, blue, not new but not an old model either.”

“Can you see the license plate?” Luke asked, and she rattled off what she could see of the plate. “Can you see the driver?”

“The windows are tinted. I swear I’m going to strangle her. Her mom is one of the smartest, nicest people I’ve ever met, and she and her husband work hard to give Erin everything she could ever need. And what does she do? She steals from people. Steals! Just for the hell of it. Just for the attention it’s getting her. Can you believe—what? Wait! No, where…”

“Mel,” Luke’s voice came sharply across the speakers. “What’s happening?”

“They turned. I drove past it before I realized what they were doing. I’ll turn around.” She’d already jerked into a turn lane and waited for the oncoming traffic to clear.

“Don’t bother. Listen, once you turn, there’s a barber shop right there on the right. Park in the front and stay there. I’m coming to you.”

“How do you know where I am? Why are you coming here? I don’t have time to sit and wait. I need to catch up to them.”

“No, not by yourself. Trust me, Mel. I know that’s a lot to ask after everything, but I need you to trust me. I can be there in five. Just wait.”

Was he pleading? She didn’t think she’d ever had a man to beg her for anything before. She couldn’t bring herself to deny him.

“Okay. I’m turning around. I see the barbershop. There’s a spot right in front. I’ll wait for you. I promise. But please hurry.”

“Already on the road.”

Chapter Twenty-One

Luke pulled into a parking spot two cars down from where Melody was, but she had stepped from her car the moment she saw him pass behind her. He didn’t have to wait long before she slipped onto the passenger seat and fastened her seatbelt. He couldn’t stop himself from drinking in the sight of her.

Her thick curls were pinned back from her face, emphasizing her wide whiskey eyes. Her cheeks were flushed a pretty pink to match her full lips. Her slacks were cinched at her waist by a belt tied in a perfect bow at the front. Her blouse was tucked in the waistband enough to drape the fabric enticingly over her full breasts. The slight V at the neckline gave a hint of her collarbone, something Luke never knew could be sexy, but at this moment, he entertained the image of running his tongue along the defined line at her neck.

Damn, he missed her. He hadn’t gone that long without seeing or talking to her, but it was enough to tell him he’d gotten used to her. He looked forward to seeing her smile, to hearing her laugh, and to talking to her about the inconsequential details of his day. He hoped she’d called him because she missed him too. As much as hewanted to ask, now wasn’t the time, not when she was focused on finding the boss’ daughter.

“They turned down the side road right there. Do you know where it leads or how we can find them? I’m guessing you did your computer thing to find me and them.” Melody’s words tumbled from her mouth in a rush, and he bit back a smile at how cute she looked.

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