Page 11 of Loyally, Luke
Luke:I know. I regret that too.
Penelope:BTW, I’m a great driver. I’m glad Pete is with you. SOMEONE needs to share some positive energy. Imagine being alone with all your sourness.
Luke:I smile every time I have that dream.
Evidently, Pete hadn’t slept in a sleeping bag before either, because the guy tossed, turned, and groaned most of the night, occasionally attempting to start a conversation with Luke.
But Luke had learned long ago that only desperate times called for answering anybody’s poke at a conversation in the middle of the night, so he kept his eyes closed and breathing steady. The cabin really wasn’t so bad. No holes for critters to sneak in, and a fire that kept the main room nice and toasty through most of the night. Though Luke would be lying if he didn’t admit to missing warm water for face washing and a fresh cup of hot coffee.
No matter. Pete had secured them breakfast at a B&B in town, along with access to a shower too.
A few children had already made their way outside when Luke and Pete reached Cambric Hall, and as Luke exited the car, he caught sight of the two little girls from yesterday. They stopped their talking when they saw him and, with shy smiles, came a little nearer.
Kids were his kryptonite. He’d never admit it to anyone, especially his sisters, but he was drawn to spending time with and helping them. He coached baseball back home for that very reason. It was good for his heart.
Though baseball was made up of boys.
He had less practice talking to girls. He nearly groaned. Which proved true no matter what ages the girls were, in fact.
“Did I happen to see you two young ladies spying on me yesterday?”
The redhead giggled. “You sound funny.”
“Do I?” Luke’s grin spread. “Well, I’m from a different place.”
The dark-haired girl’s eyes grew wide. “You aren’t from Nigeria.”
Ah, from her accent, he wondered if that might be home for her. “No, I’m from America.”
“Why don’t you wear a coat?” the red-haired girl asked, scanning his flannel shirt and ball cap. “Aren’t you cold?”
He lowered himself to a squat to be closer to their eye level. “Not at the moment. I like the cold.”
“I do not.” The dark-haired girl shook her braids. “I feel it in my bones.”
“My name is Faye,” offered the red-haired girl, pointing to herself. “And this is Amara.”
“Nice to meet you, ladies. My name’s Luke.”
“Are you here to adopt a child?” This from Amara. “Because I cannot be adopted. My grandmother is coming for me.”
“I’m afraid not. I’ve come to help fix some things around the place if I can.”
Faye’s expression deflated and hit him straight in the heart.
“Luke,” Pete called from the doorway. “Ms.St.Clare is waiting inside.”
“You ladies have a fine morning.” Luke tipped his hat to the girls and resurrected their smiles. “If I stay on, I hope to talk to the two of you again.”
Luke met Pete at the door, and the latter doffed a mischievous grin. “Charming the ladies, are we?”
“That age is about the only ones I can charm.” Luke shook his head and followed Pete through the door. “I’m pretty useless the older they get.”
They took the path they’d followed the day before, Mrs.Kershaw leading the way, and Luke took further inventory of the architecture and stateliness of the orphanage. He could spend a good month just investigating the bones and beauty of this place.
Mr.Holton greeted them at the office door, a practiced smile in place. “Good morning, gentlemen. I hope you enjoyed your first night in Crieff.”
“I’m certain we’ll like it better when the electricity works in our cabin,” Pete said with an uncharacteristic frown. “And we have beds.”
