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Luke smiled right back, immediately liking Emma’s grandfather. “That’s kind of you.”
“It was nice to meet you, Luke. And I’ll see you later, kiddo.” Liam kissed Emma on the top of her head, then left to head inside. Luke and Emma were now alone in the parking lot. They smiled at each other politely as each of them tried to think of something to say. Finally, Emma was the first to speak.
“It’s funny.”
“What’s that?” Luke asked.
“How we keep bumping into each other.”
“Well, it is a small town, right?” So, are you volunteering too today?”
Emma nodded. “Only for a couple of hours. I’m getting ready to head out now. I’ve got a backlog of things to catch up on at the house, like replacing the knob on the backdoor, so Riley doesn’t get out again.”
“How is Riley doing? Is he assimilating back into his new home?”
Emma laughed, the sound light and carefree. “I think so. He hasn’t destroyed anything yet...I left him behind today, and he didn’t seem to mind. Of course, I made sure all the doors were closed and locked when I left.”
As Luke watched her laugh, he couldn’t help but notice the sparkle in her eyes, causing his heart to flutter like a group of butterflies taking flight. “That’s good. But if he ever does get out again, you know where to find him now.”
“I suppose you’re right. I’m really impressed he found his way back, but we do walk all over this town together. I shouldn’t be surprised Riley knows how to get around Hadley Cove like the back of his paw,” Emma said, chuckling as she scratched behind Riley’s ears.
Luke smiled, watching the interaction between Emma and Riley. “It was nice having him around. He’s a good boy. He reminded me a lot of my childhood dog,”
“Oh really? Was he a golden retriever too?” Emma asked.
“No, a husky. His name was Moose.”
Emma’s brows lifted as she smiled. “Moose? Is there a story behind the name?”
Luke nodded. “Yeah, Moose. I was five years old when I named him, and I like to think that I was pretty creative back then. Moose and I used to do everything together. There was a park across the street from my dad’s apartment, and I would walk him around it every day before school. And then again when I’d get home later in the day. He slept at the foot of my bed every night, and he’d wake me up in the morning by licking my face.”
“Aww. Riley does the same thing,” Emma remarked, her tone gentle.
“I noticed,” Luke told her. “Riley’s a special dog. Just like Moose was.”
“I’m glad you think so. Now I’m a little bummed I didn’t bring him with me.”
Luke shrugged his shoulders. “Well, that’s okay. So, do you have any plans for the day, other than fixing your door knob?”
“Just driving my grandfather here, fixing the doorknob, and them picking him up later,” Emma said, gazing at the rescue.
“Well, how about going for a walk?” Luke suggested. “I haven’t really explored the beach yet, and maybe we can grab something to eat later. Are you hungry?”
Emma nodded. “Sure, I’m down for that. And there’s a secret spot on the beach tourists don’t know about. I could show you.”
Luke’s heart skipped a beat, and he grinned. “That sounds awesome. Lead the way.”
Chapter 13
Emma
It was a perfect day for a walk, Emma thought, as her footsteps echoed rhythmically on the pavement, crossing the street with Luke by her side. The sound of the waves crashing on the shore could be heard in the distance as they made their way down to the beach.
As Emma spent time with Luke, she found herself drawn to his easygoing nature, his thoughtfulness, and his genuine kindness. He was a breath of fresh air compared to Chad, and she felt comfortable around him in a way she hadn’t with her ex-husband.
Continuing down the boardwalk, Emma confided in Luke, giving him advice about Jeremiah, and he listened attentively, showing a level of care and understanding that touched her heart.
But beneath her newfound happiness, Emma couldn’t shake off a nagging feeling of doubt. Memories of her failed marriage with Chad haunted her, reminding her of the façade that some men put on in the early stages of a relationship, only to reveal their true colors later on. Emma was no stranger to ignoring red flags in the past. She had hoped Chad would change, so she turned a blind eye to the warning signs, only to end up where she is now.
