Taming Emma(38)

“I think you should go, Luke,” Emma said. She took Celia’s hand and led her to the door.

“What happened? The baby?”

“He was born too early but he’ll be ok. We’ll be able to bring him home soon,” Nate said.

She turned to watch Luke’s expression as he relaxed.

“I’m glad,” he said. “I want to talk to Emma.”

“No,” Nate said.

Emma and Celia watched.

“These weeks have been hard and we’re all tired. Just leave her be, she doesn’t need any more heartbreak in her life,” Nate said. He too sounded tired.

“I…” Luke started, then turned to meet Emma’s eyes. “I don’t intend…”

“Go home,” Nate said and turned to follow Emma and Celia inside.

“Nate, you shouldn’t…” Celia began, but Nate pushed the button to lower the garage door.

“Celia, no,” he said, his tone telling everyone the discussion was over.

“You ok?” Celia asked Emma once they were inside.

Emma shook her head, her throat too tight to speak. She looked out the window to watch Luke while he stood for a few moments staring at the closed garage door. He looked lost, like a frightened child left alone in the dark. He shook his head, looking down and running a hand through his mussed hair before getting into his car and driving away from the house. It took all she had to turn away.

Hope was a silly thing. It could break your heart.





Chapter Twelve





Luke drove home unsure of everything. The sight of Celia without her big belly, the look on their faces. When he was very young, his mother had said something to him that had stuck and crept up throughout his years, the shadow of the words repeating far too often. “A broken heart belongs to this life,” she’d said. She’d been right.

His phone rang and he answered without checking the display. He needed the distraction.

“Hey, brother.” Jake’s slight drawl came over the speaker.

“Hey, Jake,” Luke said, smiling a little. Jake, who was younger than he by two years, could always make him laugh. Even just the sound of his voice did it. Luke could imagine him sitting behind his desk, drinking a whiskey, his cowboy boot clad feet up on the desk.

“Alec told me about your dad’s passing,” Jake said. “Just wanted to say if you need anything, I’m here.”

It took Luke a long time to answer. So long, that Jake had to ask if he was still there.

He was. But his brother’s non-judging kindness, on top of everything he’d been through ever since that night at the party, finally consumed him.

“Thank you,” Luke said. It was all he could manage. He wondered if his stepbrother heard his voice crack.

“Why don’t you call me when it’s a better time,” Jake said. “Or better yet, pay a visit one of these days.”

“I will, Jake.” Luke pulled into the parking lot of his building. “I appreciate you calling. Really, more than I can express with words.”

“It’s what family’s for, brother.”

Luke only stared straight ahead. “I have to go.”

“All right. Take care, Luke.”

Luke hung up and shut off the engine, but remained in his car in the dark lot. He covered his face with his hands and rubbed his forehead. He’d flown in from London earlier that day after having spent some time with his aunt and finally seeing his father after so many years. But in all the time he was there, he’d only been able to think about Emma. About how he’d hurt her and left her like he had when he’d been the one to push her to trust him, to allow him to see her.

And now he was walking away, again.

He punched the steering wheel and muttered a curse before starting the engine. He was done walking away like a coward.







Emma was upstairs when she heard his voice.

“I’m sorry, Nate, but I’m not going anywhere until I talk to her,” Luke said.

“Is that Luke?” Celia asked when Emma walked out of the master bedroom and into the hallway.

“Luke, if she wants to talk to you, she’ll call…”

“Emma!” Luke called out.

Emma stood at the top of the stairs, her heart racing.

“God damn it!”

That was all she heard before the scuffle began and Emma flew down the stairs. “Stop it!”

They had each other by the collars of their shirts, arms tugging, ready to strike.

“Just stop!”

It was like they didn’t hear her. Before she knew it, they were on the ground, both of them talking but neither listening.

“Stop!” she called out again, this time grabbing hold of Luke’s arm. “Luke!” she screamed. He turned to her and in the moment of his distraction, Nate struck him, his fist catching Luke’s jaw.