Page 118 of Loyally, Luke
Maeve:I suppose Taugen House is on alert for any unhappy headlines.
Ellie:As usual. So far there’s been nothing, so perhaps the camera did fall into the lake.
Maeve:Or the photos were too blurred for recognition.
Ellie:Right. Or they’re waiting for the weekend edition.
Maeve:Or the news of the storm damage and lives lost are taking up airspace, so they’re waiting until they can get everyone’s attention?
Ellie:That’s so horrible it might actually be true.
Maeve:El, whatever happens, I’m in agreement with Lifesaver Luke. You are strong and you will get through this. And the people who really know you, KNOW you.
Maeve:As a reminder, I’m fine with hand-me-downs from princesses, especially when they wear flannel, save lives, and are excellent snugglers.
Ellie:Maeve, I have never experienced anything so absolutely wonderful in all my life (not the falling in the lake part, to be clear). But just being with him. It makes me imagine what private life could be like. I think I could handle any public disaster or media catastrophe with him to come home to.
Maeve:You need to tell your parents, El. They need to know the truth of your feelings. Maybe there is a way...
Ellie:I can’t imagine one where one of us wouldn’t have to give up our family and our responsibilities to be together.
Maeve:Your parents still need to know.
Maeve:How did your parents respond to everything?
Ellie:So far, they’ve been too busy to have a proper conversation. Or perhaps they’re on edge about the possible headline too. Father intimated that he planned to phone Luke to thank him for his quick thinking and care of me.
Maeve:And what happens with Luke now?
Ellie:He’s already gone to Skern to spend the last few weeks making small renovations on a cottage for Lewis Gray. Then he has his cousin’s wedding. Then he returns to the U.S.
Maeve:So the cabin was goodbye. Oh, El.
Ellie:We didn’t say goodbye.
***
Luke’s phone buzzed to life on the table beside him as he finished up a few final emails to Mrs.Kershaw and Mr.Holton.
Unknown number? He shrugged off the curiosity and went back to the email, giving a detailed account of all the finalized pieces of the kitchen remodel.
His phone buzzed again. Same number.
He tapped on the icon and two messages appeared.
Ellie:I don’t think I properly thanked you for rescuing me yesterday.
Ellie:So, thank you for being my hero.
Familiar warmth filled his chest, and he couldn’t suppress his rising grin. After she’d left the cabin yesterday, he wasn’t too sure he’d get another chance to connect with her. And after her last words—the fact she’d chosen him no matter the consequences—well, something in him broke and fit right back together all at once.
Shechosehim.
Just as he was.
She didn’t want him any other way.
His eyes stung, so he took a long drink of coffee.
