Loyally luke, p.28
Loyally, Luke, page 28
“My head knows you’re right. My heart is struggling with the consequences of my choices and people’s reactions.” Her perfect posture deflated. “It’s so hard not to let their words beat at my insecurities, Luke.”
“I can’t even imagine what life is like for you, but the woman I’ve come to know is compassionate, kind, funny, determined, creative.” He gave her shoulders another squeeze. “And you have a whole lot of strength inside of you too.”
“Do I?” She frowned. Not a pretty look on such a pretty face.
“You have a track record that shows it. Over and over again, folks have tried to keep you down, and you’ve stood right back up and moved forward. Just like what Rocky says.”
“Rocky?” Her smile improved upon that frown very nicely. “The old boxer movie?”
He nodded. “Goes like this: ‘Nobody is gonna hit as hard as life. But it ain’t about how hard ya hit. It’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward. How much you can take and keep moving forward. That’s how winning is done!’”
“You remember that whole quote.” Humor danced in her eyes.
“I’ve got a whole lot of information in here.” He tapped his temple. “But most of it is useless. That quote, however, is not. Focus on who you are, really, at the soul level and how many people love who you are. And do what you can, when you can, to make right the wrongs. That’s all any of us can do. You’re only going to stumble if you keep looking back when you’re trying to step forward.”
Her smile softened. “I feel as though I should start calling you Obi-Wan for some reason.”
“Well, at least you chose a good character. Though I’m partial to Yoda.”
Her lips tipped into a broader grin and she opened her mouth to speak, but the sound of a loud engine broke into their quiet. Cam was here.
Luke blinked to attention and took her clothes from the couch. “Here, go get these on real quick so you won’t have even more to explain.”
She rocked up on tiptoe and pressed a kiss to his lips as she took the clothes. “Thank you, Luke.”
Within minutes, he’d opened the door to Cameron, and Ellie met him on the threshold.
Cam looked as serious as ever. “The power should be restored within the next few hours. Will you be fine until then?”
“I should be fine.” Luke dipped his chin. “Wood is stocked and I have a solar-powered emergency charger for any electronics.”
Cam nodded and turned to Ellie. “We are ready for you, Your Highness.”
Luke shifted forward a step, drawn toward her. But he knew, they both knew . . . this had to be the end.
Ellie started to walk and then paused, turning back to Luke, the door closing off Cam. Stepping close, she lowered her voice, holding his gaze with those sapphire eyes of hers. “Just so you know, I don’t regret choosing you today. And you are wonderful just as you are, Luke. More wonderful than I ever imagined anyone could be. If things could be different—” Her fingers wrapped around his, squeezing for a second. “No matter what happens, I loved choosing you.” She stepped back and pressed a fist to her chest. “I’ll never regret it.”
Chapter 20
Text from Maeve to Ellie: I’m still trying to process your phone call.
Ellie: It’s all quite the story, one I hope doesn’t make it into tomorrow’s headlines.
Maeve: How did the donors respond?
Ellie: Holton announced that I’d been hindered from arriving at the banquet due to the weather, which was true. And Holton relayed that the donors only sang my praises and were proud to have me as their patron. Even Mrs. Kershaw spoke highly of my work and care for the children. All of it could be ruined if that reporter took any photos worth publishing, though.
Maeve: Maybe the reporter didn’t make it out of the storm alive.
Ellie: Maeve!
Maeve: Just saying what you’re hoping.
Ellie: I am not! Though I wouldn’t mind if his camera fell in the lake or he slipped and fell in the lake holding his camera.
Maeve: Like I said . . . didn’t make it out alive.
Ellie: But HE made it out. Not the camera.
Maeve: Details.
Maeve: I suppose Taugen House is on alert for any unhappy headlines.
Ellie: As usual. So far there’s been nothing, so perhaps the camera did fall into the lake.
Maeve: Or the photos were too blurred for recognition.
Ellie: Right. Or they’re waiting for the weekend edition.
Maeve: Or the news of the storm damage and lives lost are taking up airspace, so they’re waiting until they can get everyone’s attention?
Ellie: That’s so horrible it might actually be true.
Maeve: El, whatever happens, I’m in agreement with Lifesaver Luke. You are strong and you will get through this. And the people who really know you, KNOW you.
Maeve: As a reminder, I’m fine with hand-me-downs from princesses, especially when they wear flannel, save lives, and are excellent snugglers.
Ellie: Maeve, I have never experienced anything so absolutely wonderful in all my life (not the falling in the lake part, to be clear). But just being with him. It makes me imagine what private life could be like. I think I could handle any public disaster or media catastrophe with him to come home to.
Maeve: You need to tell your parents, El. They need to know the truth of your feelings. Maybe there is a way . . .
Ellie: I can’t imagine one where one of us wouldn’t have to give up our family and our responsibilities to be together.
Maeve: Your parents still need to know.
Maeve: How did your parents respond to everything?
Ellie: So far, they’ve been too busy to have a proper conversation. Or perhaps they’re on edge about the possible headline too. Father intimated that he planned to phone Luke to thank him for his quick thinking and care of me.
Maeve: And what happens with Luke now?
Ellie: He’s already gone to Skern to spend the last few weeks making small renovations on a cottage for Lewis Gray. Then he has his cousin’s wedding. Then he returns to the U.S.
Maeve: So the cabin was goodbye. Oh, El.
Ellie: We didn’t say goodbye.
* * *
Luke’s phone buzzed to life on the table beside him as he finished up a few final emails to Mrs. Kershaw and Mr. Holton.
Unknown number? He shrugged off the curiosity and went back to the email, giving a detailed account of all the finalized pieces of the kitchen remodel.
His phone buzzed again. Same number.
He tapped on the icon and two messages appeared.
Ellie: I don’t think I properly thanked you for rescuing me yesterday.
Ellie: So, thank you for being my hero.
Familiar warmth filled his chest, and he couldn’t suppress his rising grin. After she’d left the cabin yesterday, he wasn’t too sure he’d get another chance to connect with her. And after her last words—the fact she’d chosen him no matter the consequences—well, something in him broke and fit right back together all at once.
She chose him.
Just as he was.
She didn’t want him any other way.
His eyes stung, so he took a long drink of coffee.
Luke: I don’t usually respond to unfamiliar phone numbers unless they refer to my hero skills.
Ellie: I’ll make sure to remember that for future correspondence.
Ellie: In all seriousness, Luke, thank you. You can’t know how much it meant to just . . . be with you yesterday.
His chest twinged in response. Just being with her fit too. Much like the crazy emotions slamming together inside him. But how could he fix this? How could he bridge the impossible gap between their lives? The more time he spent with her, the more he wanted to rearrange everything about his life and convince a king to let a pauper take care of his daughter for the rest of their days.
A renewed sting pricked at his eyes and tingled at the bridge of his nose.
Nope.
And he took another gulp of coffee.
Luke: Besides the near-death experience, the simple cabin seemed to suit a certain princess well enough.
He could almost envision the subtle tip of those lovely lips of hers.
Ellie: The princess would call it an almost perfect fit.
Luke: Breakfast wasn’t fancy enough for Your Highness?
Ellie: Breakfast was lovely, especially the classy scones.
A chuckle shot out of him as another message popped onto his screen.
Ellie: Though scones paired fairly excellently with eggs and bacon.
Luke: Some things can fit together surprisingly well. Class and common?
Ellie: Perhaps the best kind of combination. And the surroundings were nearly perfect too.
Luke: Did I need to add a few more animal heads on the walls, or were the frou-frou coffee fixings not to your liking?
Ellie: Well, you could always increase the coffee fixings, but I think the cabin would be simply perfect if it were a little bigger to fit a dog or two.
Luke: True. The perfect cabin needs a dog or two.
Ellie: And a couple extra bedrooms in case the class and common needed to add a few wee bairns.
Bairns? Children? His breath lodged in his throat, both of them tiptoeing around a dream. His throat tightened.
Luke: Seems reasonable to me.
Ellie: And maybe the children wouldn’t mind occasional travel back and forth across the ocean.
God, how could this work? If Luke could turn the world upside down to be with her, even swallow a life as a royal, at this moment, he’d choose it all to be with her.
And the very idea of making that choice hit him like bricks in the chest. Could he ever convince her dad to take him on as more than an advisor for forestry and building, but a man who would take care of his daughter’s heart? The possibility seemed . . . truly impossible.
Her family wanted a native Skymarian.
And an aristocrat.
And Luke was neither.
But with each additional text or conversation or kiss, the grip on his former life and desires loosened. He felt like his chest was being ripped wide open.
Luke: Well, I reckon if it started getting unwieldy for them, their parents could figure out a different plan.
Ellie: Perhaps the princess could take a sabbatical to cozy up next to a cabin dweller.
Would she even contemplate such a sacrifice? Didn’t seem fair to ask.
Luke: Or the country boy could take up residence in a castle for a while.
A pause followed, almost as if Ellie felt the same impossible desire too. Luke’s body bent, deflated from the pull and push of wanting something he couldn’t have. He closed his eyes, a prayer pooling through him for guidance . . . wisdom . . . miracles . . . anything.
Ellie: I want you to know that I am so grateful we met. You can’t know how much your kindness and authenticity have meant to me. You are wonderful just as you are, and I hope you know that. And I’m grateful to call you my friend.
Pain sliced through him. He knew what was happening. This was the end. Her way of saying goodbye. He’d convinced himself he’d accept it, but now, now when he had to . . .
Luke: I’m honored to be your friend.
Luke: Ellie, you are amazing. Remember that. It takes a strong person to come back from what you have to try again. Over and over. So don’t let your past dictate your future. Don’t settle, if you can help it. You are braver than you think and your heart is full of compassion. And you’re funny. It’s an underrated life skill, so just think how much more prepared you are because you have a sense of humor.
A pause. He’d already typed so much, but . . . to his own surprise, he needed to say more. If this was the last time she heard from him, he needed her to hear the truth.
Luke: I don’t know all the protocols and rules you have to live by, but I do know you have so much to give to the people around you and the ones you serve. I’m proud to know you, and will watch from afar as you show Skymar who you really are.
He paused. Trying to sort out what to say next.
Ellie: I don’t want to type goodbye.
Luke: Then don’t. Good night, Ellie.
Ellie: Good night, Luke.
Luke: Keep checking things off your list, all right?
Ellie: I will.
* * *
Text from Penelope to Izzy and Luke: I know you explained things on your video call, but I still wasn’t prepared for today’s headlines, Luke. Have you seen the photo?
Luke: You’re up either really early or really late.
Penelope: Late. I’m working on some last-minute prep stuff for our first performance at the Ashby since reopening. Matt is picking me up in a few minutes, so I’m waiting by the theater door with my umbrella. Maybe he’ll sing in the rain to me.
Luke: Gross.
Penelope: He’s done it before. It’s swoony. Maybe not as swoony as saving someone from drowning in icy water, but still noteworthy.
Izzy: Oh my goodness! I just saw the headlines when I read Penelope’s text. What exactly is happening in that photo? She’s lying on top of you in the snow!
Luke: That picture is actually of us right after I pulled her out of the water. But the jerk reporters put their own spin on it, didn’t they?
Penelope: Of course—she’s wet! You can easily tell from her hair if you know what to look for.
Luke: Well, whatever the papers say, it’s not true.
Penelope: Of course it’s not true. Izzy and I have actually watched the movies I sent you to prepare you for this very moment.
Luke: I don’t watch those kinds of movies.
Penelope: Not even Princess Diaries 2?
Luke: I refuse to watch that one on principle.
Penelope: What? But it has Julie Andrews in it!
Luke: It also has Chris Pine in it, and after suffering through listening to you girls talk about him ALL THE TIME when we were younger, I refuse to watch him.
Luke: Except in Star Trek. But also on principle.
Izzy: You may act like it’s not a big deal, but you can’t really be as nonchalant about the whole media thing as you’re pretending to be.
Luke: Nope. I’m not. But after chopping a load of wood at daybreak, I’m feeling a little less like threatening people’s lives.
Izzy: And Brodie’s mom will be so grateful for your hard work to stock her wood supply while curbing your inner Braveheart.
Penelope: Speaking of movie references, I would try to predict your future again, but Hallmark movies don’t usually include lifesaving moments followed by nasty paparazzi. Thus the reason I sent Princess Diaries 2. I know what I WANT to happen next for your life, but my confidence level in my accuracy has dropped.
Luke: I know what I’d prefer to happen too, Penny-girl, but it would be selfish and not what Ellie wants or what Skymar needs.
Penelope: For her to give up the crown and move to the States?
Luke: But then I think of what she loves and how great she’s going to be at making a difference in Skymar and it doesn’t hurt as bad. I’m so proud to know her.
Luke’s phone buzzed to life in his hand and Penelope’s name flashed on the screen. He pinched his eyes closed and raised the phone to his ear.
“You know you’re totally worthy of a princess, right? This is nothing at all like Clara.”
Her voice shook, likely from trying to keep her tears in check. “I know she’s not Clara, Penny-girl.”
“But you have to know, Luke, that she can’t do better than you. Ever. I’m being serious right now. Not only are you the best guy I know, only equal to Matt—”
The highest praise.
“—but you’re a perfect match for a princess. You’ve shown that my whole life. You don’t mind urging other people out in the spotlight to see them shine. You actually love it. It’s a gift of yours too.” She sniffled. “I can’t tell you how many times your presence behind the scenes in my life made me brave because I knew you were there. Cheering me on in your gruff, sometimes needlessly sarcastic way.” She sniffled again. “Everyone needs a safe set of arms to find strength and comfort and courage. You may not even know it, but you are that person. You always have been for me.”
He lowered his head and released a long breath to steady himself. His baby sister tended toward the dramatic, but her words hit home in her attempt to cheer his heart and ground him.
“Thanks, sis.”
“Don’t lose heart, Luke. I don’t know what’s going to happen with Ellie, but I just can’t believe the story is over yet. She’s too smart to let someone like you out of her life.”
“I appreciate your unending optimism, but sometimes stories don’t have a perfect ending and we learn to live with that anyway. I’ll be okay, sis.”
Though his heart didn’t seem to agree. At all.
They talked for a little longer, with Penelope finally sobbing into the phone how much she loved him and then saying her goodbyes.
He leaned his head back against the couch and tried to quell the ache in his chest.
Text from Matt to Luke: Thanks for having Penelope in tears when I came to collect her from the theater.
Luke: I’m sure it wasn’t the first time.
Matt: True. But she’s less consolable than usual.
Luke: I had to tell her a hard truth about not getting what I want but hoping that a certain princess gets exactly what she needs.
