When she drove through the familiar archway and was about to park in front of the house, something seemed off.
She had to concentrate and look carefully at the scene.It was like her mind refused to acknowledge the visual image in front of her: Luke’s silver Porsche was parked just outside the ranch house.
Chapter 71: The Surprise Guest
Even as she rushedinto the house, Hallie still tried to deny that he could be here.
Maybe someone their family had invited for Thanksgiving had purchased that same exact car.Though it was not a very common brand for Texas ranchers...
When she blasted through the entrance hall and into the dining room, she saw the unthinkable: Luke was seated at the table with her family, enjoying a late afternoon fancy tea.
He had the same seat, next to Hallie’s usual place.Terry and Bill looked up in surprise, along with mama and daddy, but Luke himself was too busy saying something to Gigi and her boyfriend while twirling a biscuit in his hand.
“I don’t believe this,” Hallie exclaimed.
“Good afternoon to you too,” her daddy replied.
“What is he doing here?”she pointed at Luke, forgetting about all rules of politeness.
Luke finally seemed to acknowledge her presence.He was as handsome and smug as ever, decked out in a burgundy bowtie decorated with a diamond pin.“I got an invitation, so I’m here.”
“You got an invitation from my parents, not from me,” Hallie said.
“Hallie, I didn’t raise you to be rude to a guest in your home!”her mama exclaimed.“It doesn’t matter who invited him.Luke is here, and I expect you to show him the same hospitality as you would any person under our roof.”
“They’re having trouble with their relationship, dear,” Gigi cut in, “don’t be too hard on her.”
“Why didn’t you tell us about this?”Vivian wondered.“Are you two having a fight?What’s going on?”
Hallie hesitated, now that her love life was suddenly in the spot light.Luke raised one eyebrow slightly, as if letting her know the ball is in her court.
He had nothing to lose, but Hallie’s newfound status as the favorite child was under threat if her parents suddenly found out the relationship was at an end.
As much as she hated Luke at the moment, she still hadn’t told mama and daddy they had broken up.
“Uh...we’re working through some issues,” she began.“So I was surprised to see Luke here.Sorry, I didn’t mean to yell.”