“Patty is a good woman,” Hank added with a nod. “And we were all sorry when things didn’t work out, but I have to say, it’ll be nice having a pretty young woman around here again.”
I blushed, then realized what Hank had just said. “Patty?”
My eyes shot to Luke’s face and he tilted his head in question. “Patricia’s Matty’s mom, and my ex-wife … She didn’t tell you?”
I shook my head, confused that Patricia had got me this job, in her old home, and never told me the ties she had to this family.
Why would she do that? I wondered, then began to eat, eager to have a distraction from the strange turn of conversation.
“Hmmm,” Luke murmured, seemingly wondering why Patricia had held back that information, then took a bite of his lunch. His eyes shot to mine in surprise. “This is delicious.”
I felt a rush of pleasure at his compliment, then flushed when Hank added loudly, “Damn, girl, you can cook.”
A giggle escaped before I could bite it back, causing both men to grin at me. No more words were spoken as they ate with a gusto, until they stopped and asked me for seconds.
When they stood and said they had to get back to work, I was torn between sadness at being left alone again and eagerness to contemplate Patricia’s actions.
I walked them out and stood in the doorway, watching as they mounted their horses.
“See ya soon, Belle,” Hank called with a wave, and Luke tipped his hat.
I waved my farewell, and stayed there as they galloped away. Then I shut the door and proceeded to clean up the mess from lunch, thinking about how pleased I was about the success of my first meal, and that it was even nicer to work here than I’d imagined it would be.
Chapter 22
After a quiet supper with Luke, I went to my room and called my sponsor, Sarah. She was the person I could talk to whenever I felt the need to have a drink, or just needed to talk about something. We’d met at the rehab center when they’d had an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting. She’d been sober for five years, and sought me out after I got up and told my story. Sarah had started drinking after the death of one of her children, so she thought that she’d be able to help me, and so far she’d been great.
I’d called her just to check in and give her an update on my new job, not because I was struggling with the need to drink. She’d encouraged me to keep have an honest and open dialogue with Luke. It was when I bottled things up that I tended to get the urge to mask my feelings with alcohol.
When I hung up I felt lighter, happier, just like I always did after our conversations.
I shot a quick text to Ginger, not sure if she’d be on her way to work yet or not. I hadn’t been allowed to have electronics while I was in rehab, but Ginger and I had kept in touch through the mail. We’d sent each other letters, cards, and even pictures, but I hadn’t talked to her yet since I’d been out and I was eager to hear her voice again.
It was too early to go to bed, but too late to do any work, so I wandered out into the living room to see what Luke was doing.
He was kicked back on his leather couch, feet up on the ottoman in front of him, with football playing on the TV. He looked relaxed in jeans and a T-shirt with his feet bare.
“Is it all right if I join you?” I asked softly.
“Of course,” he responded, sitting up and dropping his feet to the floor.
“You don’t have to get up,” I protested as I sat in the recliner farthest from him.
“And you don’t have to ask permission to come into the living room.”
I chuckled softly and replied, “I’m just not sure how to act yet.”
“You’re welcome in here any time you’d like. I don’t expect you to be holed up in your room when I’m home,” he said with a kind smile. “I want you to feel comfortable here.”
“Thank you,” I replied. “I’m sure we’ll get used to each other soon.”
We sat back and watched television for a while, neither of us saying anything. I didn’t really like football, and didn’t follow what was watching, but it felt good just to be in the same room with someone … with Luke. It was comfortable, and I felt at ease with him, which was a nice surprise.
“I usually go for a walk before bed, to check things out and wind down. Would you like to join me?” Luke asked.
“Yes, that sounds great,” I responded. “I’ll just go grab my shoes.”
“You may want a jacket. It gets chilly at night.”
I nodded, then rushed to get my things. I was back seconds later, and followed him outside eagerly.
We walked side by side in silence, the sounds of crickets and other nocturnal creatures filling the void. I could barely make Luke’s face out in the dark, but could see his eyes searching the fence line as we made our way farther from the house.