Page 45 of Loyally, Luke
Ellie’s gaze zeroed in on Nessa, who did nothing to hide the pixie glint in her eyes.
The woman knew Ellie’s situation. Had basically lived through it with her for the past five years. As a longtime friend of Ellie’s mother, Nessa should be well aware how any sort of relationship with a nonnative was out of the question, but here the woman was, smile in perfect form, wearing an apron that read “Make Love Not War.”
And playing matchmaker for an impossible match!
With a tight smile at the two men, Ellie took Nessa by the arm and steered her out of earshot into the book section.
“What are you doing?” Ellie whispered, peering over Nessa’s shoulder into the next room to make sure Gordon and Luke weren’t following.
“Making dinner for friends, as I always do on Friday evenings.”
Ellie narrowed her eyes at the woman. “Nessa, just because you are one of Mother’s oldest and dearest friends doesn’t mean you should meddle.”
“Meddle?” Her brows shot high. “I dinna know what you mean, dearie. I was simply being hospitable for a lad who’s new to our wee village. If that’s what—”
“You know very well what I mean.” She sighed. “Why would you even contemplate such a thing when it will only lead to someone getting hurt?”
“Hurt?” She tsked and shook her head. “Havin’ nice friends who will treat you well is never a bad thing, Ellie. I dinna know if there’s any romance brewin’, but I will tell you this: the lad in the next room is a one-of-a-kind sort and is worthy of your friendship, if nothing else.”
Nessa returned to the room, casting a knowing look over her shoulder. Ellie followed, attempting not to grumble like a disappointed six-year-old. As soon as she turned the corner, her attention fell on Luke. He’d changed from his work clothes and was wearing a simple green T-shirt and dark jeans, his jean jacket hanging open. He had a wonderful wave to his dark hair, as if it was brushed back by the wind.
He didn’t seem the sort to spend a lot of time fussing over his hairstyle, so the wave must be natural, softening his face probably more than he’d ever want to know. She pinched her lips tight to keep her grin intact. The fact she knew him well enough to guess such a thing made the wave even more tempting.
Her gaze traveled down him with a thrill of appreciation.
Friendship?Have mercy.Mere friendship wasn’t exactly what her heart wanted to investigate with Luke Edgewood.
At all.
And her response proved two things: the Ellie of the past was still alive and well, and this time she may very well be in real danger of losing her heart.
Chapter8
When Luke had gotten a call from Nessa Frasier about some special period-appropriate tile Gordon had located for Cambric Hall’s kitchen, the question of Nessa calling him instead of Gordon only flickered through his mind.
He’d just check out the pieces and have them sent up to the castle if they fit with the new backsplash. It wasn’t but a mile or two walk from the village to the hall, and the clouds didn’t seem threatening. Pete promised to meet him there after his date.
Little did Luke know that the threat inside the shop was much more dangerous than any possible one outside.
Nessa had invited him to stay for dinner along with Ellie St.Clare.
And from the twinkle in the older woman’s eyes, her intention was clear.
Matchmaking.His lips fought a snarl. It was like he couldn’t escape it.
Nessa’s subtle hints about Ellie’s history of betrayers and her need to have trustworthy people in her life didn’t help Luke’s struggle against attraction at all. The protector in him rushed to the defense.
Luke raised his gaze to hers across the table.
She had her hair pinned on the sides again today and she’d worn blue. Two things that, for some reason, brought out her beauty all the more. He’d noted the vulnerability in her words a few times during their past conversations. Something about brokenness.
Whoa there, pal. It is not your sole purpose to prove chivalry still lives! Nope.
“Is this your first visit to Skymar, Luke?” Nessa asked, cutting him a piece of some sort of cake.
“No, ma’am.” He nodded his thanks as he took the cake. “Last fall, my youngest sister worked at a theater in Mountcaster and I came over in December to help with some of the set work for their year-end performance.”
“The Darling House theater?” Ellie asked.
