The Marine's New Family. Roz Dunbar
she had not eaten a single bite.
“Sarah made it. Luke just loves it. Seems he can never get enough of it,” Annie added, giving him a meaningful look.
“Why, thank you, Miss Annie. It’s my mama’s recipe, but I brightened it up a bit by adding a few more herbs. Luke does love my cooking.”
“I can see why,” Tess murmured politely.
She did not know what was going on between the aunts, Luke and Sarah, and frankly, she did not want to know. All she wanted was to go home and sit on the veranda with a good book. The morning had gone from pleasant to awkward at warp speed.
“Luke, are you and Caleb coming by the house after breakfast? Mama and Daddy would love to spend time with you.”
“I’ll have to pass, Sarah. Caleb and I have plans to go fishing this afternoon. Besides, I have duty tonight and have to get to the base after that.”
“Base?” Tess hadn’t realized that she had spoken aloud until Luke answered.
“Yes, Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Base. It’s a few miles up the road. I’m stationed there.”
“Luke’s a marine, and an excellent one!” Annie spoke up.
“Oh, is he?” Tess said faintly. She didn’t know quite what to say as she remembered the last encounter she had had with marines. They had saved her life. Literally.
“Thank you for your service to our country,” she said sincerely as she looked at him. She tried to hold on to a smile, but it was a struggle as a wave of grief seemed to wash over her. The marines had saved her...but there had been so very many beyond saving.
Looking directly into her eyes, he said with equal sincerity, “You’re welcome, Tess.”
Sarah’s gaze narrowed slightly as she looked from Tess to Luke and back again.
“It’s a shame you can’t come by, Luke.” She gave a small pout. “Sure you can’t make it? And where is Caleb going to be while you’re working?”
“Positive. We’ll stop by next Sunday. Caleb is spending the night at the Masons’. Excuse us, ladies.” Luke cleared his throat as he stood up, picking up his empty plate and walking to the trash can situated near the front door. Without saying a word, the young boy followed suit, but then hesitated and turned back to the table.
“It was nice to meet you again, Miss Tess.”
Tess was touched and surprised. “Thank you, Caleb. It was nice to meet you again, as well.”
The youngster nodded and hurried after his father. Tess also stood, cane in her left hand and plate in her right. This was as good a time as any to make her exit, while Luke was talking to some men standing near the door. They had the same short, military haircut that he had, and she assumed they were also marines. She needed to go back to the cottage and put this odd morning behind her. She needed to think, or rather not to think. She just wanted to get away from everyone right now.
“Aunts, I think I’m going to leave now. Thanks for everything. You’re both dears. Sarah, it was nice meeting you.” Leaning down, she kissed Katie and Annie on their soft, wrinkled cheeks.
“So soon, dear?” Annie seemed a little disappointed.
Katie looked at Tess closely. “Yes, I think you need a bit of rest. Go home and change, put your feet up and we’ll call you later to check on you.”
Tess disposed of her uneaten food in the nearest trash bin and headed as quickly as her leg would allow her to a side exit, far away from where Luke was standing. The serenity of the cottage beckoned like the beacon of a lighthouse in stormy weather. Once outside in the bright warm sunshine, she took a deep breath and headed for her car; her only thought to get away from the church.
“We need to talk.” Startled, she jumped as Luke’s voice rumbled softly near her left ear.
* * *
Luke put out a hand to steady her, but she pulled away as she turned to face him. Slowly he lowered his hand, nodding as he acknowledged her withdrawal. There was something wrong here, but he didn’t know what the problem was. He noted her pale face and guarded expression.
“You scared the life out me!” She had a hand on her chest as she looked at him accusingly.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to startle you. I didn’t want to say anything in front of the others. I just wanted to tell you that I’m glad you made it, Tess.”
“Excuse me? What are you talking about?” Her expression had gone from accusing to politely baffled in the blink of an eye.
He looked at her in confusion. He could have sworn she had recognized him earlier. Did she really not remember? His eyes moved to the faint scar on her temple before searching her eyes intently. The head wound. Did she have amnesia? It was possible. It had been a bad wound. And it was normal for there to be some memory loss immediately surrounding a traumatic injury. But there had been that connection in the fellowship hall, that moment of what he’d thought was recognition in her beautiful eyes. He was certain of it. So what was she playing at and why?
He took in the puzzled look on her face. She really didn’t have a clue, he realized. He decided then that his best course would be not to force the issue with her. Instead, he gave her a genuine smile.
“I just wanted to say that I’m glad you’re healing well.”
Her faced cleared. “Thank you,” she said lightly. “It really was nice meeting you and your son, and I appreciate your help with the grocery shopping. It saved me from trying to do it all myself. I’m still not good at carrying things with one hand, but I’m getting there.”
“If you need help with anything at all while you’re on the mend, I’m here. That includes grocery shopping.”
“Random acts of kindness?” Her eyes sparkled as she laughed lightly.
Luke held the car door open for her as she slid behind the wheel.
She had a beautiful smile. It lit her face and he found himself wanting to see more of it as he watched it dance along the lines of her full pink mouth.
“I’m all about them, as you know.” He spoke before thinking.
Oh, great. Luke, you’re an idiot, he thought. For a man who prided himself on choosing his words carefully, he mentally kicked himself for being so thoughtless. Suddenly, he felt like a gawky sixteen-year-old. He hadn’t meant to remind her of anything he had done. His words just didn’t sound right. But she didn’t miss a beat as she put on a pair of black sunglasses and started the car.
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