Page 81 of So Right
They’d discussed it briefly this week. Actually, Luke had brought it up, and Kelsey had neatly changed the subject. File that right along with keeping love at bay. “Not right now.”
The light in Gram’s eye faded. “Is something wrong?”
“No, not at all. Everything’s great. I’m just taking things very slowly.”
Gram patted her shoulder. “As you should, dear. I’m sorry if I’m being insensitive. You two just seem to be getting on very well. I like seeing you happy as much as you like seeing me that way.”
Of course she did. She leaned over and kissed Gram’s cheek. “Thank you.”
George came back and said he’d agreed to take over driving the tractor so that Luke could have a much-deserved break. Hearing that, Kelsey asked if Gram would mind watching the cookie table so she could grab something for Luke to eat. Gram was eager to help, and so Kelsey took off into the winery to fetch a sandwich and a Coke for Luke. She grabbed a Diet Coke for herself and juggled everything as she hurried back outside.
The afternoon had turned bright and warm. She blinked against the sun and contemplated going back inside for her sunglasses.
Then Luke came toward her, his handsome face creased in a smile as his gaze dipped to the sandwich in her hands. “You brought me lunch.” He dropped a lingering kiss on her mouth.
The anticipation she’d felt earlier curled into an irrepressible joy. “Yes. Do you want to sit?”
“Nah, I’m good. Been sitting in the tractor most of the day.” He took the sandwich and led her to a table near the winery, where they had extra arts supplies stocked and ready if they needed them. Marci was doing a great job with the craft table.
She opened his Coke and set it on the table, then opened her can. “This has exceeded my expectations.” She looked around at the families enjoying the beautiful fall day and just felt happy to be a part of it.
“Mine too.”
The soft, sultry sound of his voice drew her to look at him. He was staring at her as if he’d been referring toherinstead of the event.
“Are you being a dork?”
“Probably. You make me act all dorky.” He made a silly face before taking a bite of sandwich.
She chuckled before sipping her Diet Coke.
After he swallowed, he took a drink. “Cam asked if we wanted to join him and Brooke tonight for dinner at The Arch and Vine. We all agreed we’d be too exhausted to cook.” Cam and Brooke were, of course, busy pouring wine today and hopefully expanding their club membership as well as selling cases and cases of their latest vintage.
“Sure, sounds good.”
“Kelsey!” Gram waved from the cookie table. “I need more sprinkles.”
“Oops, I better go.” Kelsey turned, but Luke shot his arm around her waist and pulled her against him.
“Can I have a kiss first?” Something about the way he’d physically stopped her from leaving rankled her.
“We’re in the middle of everything.”
“Not really, we’re off to the side.” He let go of her, his eyes clouding. “Sorry. Did I do something wrong?”
No. He’d just reminded her of Noah, who’d been fond of asking her to bestow kisses on him at all sorts of odd times, like in the middle of the grocery store or while they were waiting in line at the movie theater. But she wouldn’t make the same mistake she’d made with the flowers. Luke hadn’t intended anything other than doing what boyfriends did with their girlfriends.
She stood on her toes and kissed his cheek. “No. We’re good.”
As she made her way back to the cookie table, she couldn’t shake the feeling that all this happiness she’d been feeling would disappear, that she was doomed to crash and burn. That was the outcome she was familiar with. Happily ever after, it seemed, was for other people.
It had been an exhausting day, but Luke couldn’t think of any place he’d rather be than laughing over dinner with Kelsey, his brother, and his brother’s fiancée. They’d already decided to make today’s event an annual thing, which in Luke’s mind bound him to Kelsey, assuming she was still Ribbon Ridge’s librarian.
Luke reached over and took Kelsey’s hand beneath the table. She clasped her fingers around his but didn’t look at him since she was chatting with Brooke. The book charm from her bracelet fell against his hand. She’d worn it every day since he’d given it to her. He smiled.
Cam finished his beer and picked up the pitcher to fill his glass to the halfway mark. “Another beer?” he asked Luke.
“Sure.” Luke pushed his glass toward his brother across the table. “About the same.”
