Page 66 of Christmas at Hart's Ridge

My brain whirled. “A job? So…you’re quitting Goat’s Tavern?”

He laughed. “Well, yeah. I’m not going to commute an hour each way to work in my brother’s bar. I’ll find a restaurant in Asheville. Or maybe a bookstore. I’ve always wanted to work in a bookstore.”

“But what about Goat’s?” I pressed. “What about—”

“I already talked to Luke. I told him I’d stick around until we could find my replacement and get them trained up. But he…he let me off the hook. He told me not to put my life on hold a second longer.”

I sat there like I had been turned to salt. Luke had donewhat?

Ethan swallowed hard. “I know I talk a lot of shit about him, but…Luke’s a good guy, Bethany.” His voice was gruff. “A really good guy.”

Yes. Yes, he was. Ethan didn’t know the half of it.

I stared at him. “He didn’t tell you.”

“You didn’t tell him!” I shrieked.

In hind sight, maybe it would have been smarter not to startle a man wielding an axe, but it was too late now. He paused in mid swing, the blade hovering over his shoulder. Fortunately, he wasn’t incompetent. Luke tossed the axe aside and whipped around.

“You talked to Ethan?” His eyes on me, he wiped the sweat from his forehead and tugged off his gloves one at a time.

“I talked to him. He said he’s leaving for Asheville.” I put my hands on my hips. “FuckingAsheville, Luke.”

“Did you get everything cleared up between you two? It’s all good?”

His concern for my friendship with his brother was touching. Deep down, Luke really was the most sentimental, caring man I had ever met. Ethan was a close second, though. Those Buchanan boys were a handful and a privilege.

“Yes, Ethan and I are fine. Thank you. But, Luke—”

I couldn’t get another word out. The rest of the sentence was smothered by Luke’s mouth, hot and insistent on mine. He kissed me like it had been ages since we had last touched, when really it was only yesterday. Not that I was complaining. God, I had missed this—missedhim—so much.

“You’ve been avoiding me,” I chastised when we came up for air.

He nuzzled my nose with his. “Not avoiding you. Giving you time to make things right with Ethan. I didn’t want my little brother on your mind while I was fucking you. My name is the only one you’re allowed to scream.”

“I don’t think you have to worry about that,” I said breathlessly. “I barely remember my own name when you’re fucking me.”

“Good. That’s how it should be.”

He nudged me with his hips and thighs, walking me backwards. To the house, I realized. Most likely to his bedroom. And while that certainly appealed, we needed to talk some things over first. I planted my feet.

“You didn’t tell him about the Appalachian Trail,” I said. “You didn’t tell him you’re leaving.”

“That’s because I’m not.” He nudged me backward again.

But I refused to budge. Which wasn’t easy, considering he had a good sixty pounds on me. If he wanted to move me against my will, he could do that. Luke, gentleman that he was, didn’t do that. “You’re not what?”

“I’m not leaving.”

“Yes, you are,” I insisted. “You’ve been planning this trip for a year. You’re definitely going.”

“Bethany.” Luke sighed. “You know I can’t.”

I crossed my arms over my chest and stared him down. “Idon’tknow that, actually.”

“Ethan and I talked. He needs to get out of Hart’s Ridge for a while. I get it. It’s on me that I didn’t realize it sooner. Heneedsthis, Bethany.”

“Luke,” I said softly. I cupped his face in my palm. “What about whatyouneed?”

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