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Luke’s voice was heavy with emotion as he spoke. “I swore that I would never let my family go through what I went through as a kid. And I thought that meant working all the time, even if it meant sacrificing time with them.”
Emma’s heart ached for Luke as she listened. She knew how much family meant to him, and it was clear that his past had shaped him in ways she had never realized before.
“But you’re here now,” Emma said softly, squeezing his hand. “You’re making up for lost time, and that’s all that matters.”
A small smile tugged at the corner of Luke’s lips. “You’re right. I can’t fix the past. I probably shouldn’t let it get to me like this, but sometimes it still does.”
Emma nodded, feeling a deep sense of love and respect for the man sitting beside her. While she didn’t know all of the details, it was clear Luke had been through so much in his life.
They passed by a sign that said “HADLEY COVE: 5 MILES.” Emma knew they’d be at her house in less than ten minutes, but she didn’t want him to stop.
Luke let out a heavy sigh. “Can I be completely honest with you?” his voice caught in his throat as he spoke.
“You can tell me anything, Luke.” Emma reassured him.
His voice trembled as he shared. “Sometimes I still dream of Kate,” he confided. “I think it’s because there’s so much I should’ve done differently. At least with Jeremiah, I still have time to fix things.”
Emma reached over and placed a gentle hand on his arm. “You can’t keep blaming yourself. You were doing the best you could at the time.”
Luke hung his head in regret as he spoke. “I know,” he acknowledged. “I just wish there would’ve been more time. I should’ve taken her on that trip to Italy she always wanted to go on. I should’ve been home for dinner more often. I should’ve told her how much I loved her every day.”
Emma’s grip tightened on his arm. “I’m sure she knew how much you loved her, Luke. And I’m sure she cherished every moment she had with you.”
“I hope so, Emma. I really do,” Luke said, wiping a tear from his eye. “I’m sorry for bringing this up. I know it must be strange for you to hear about my late wife, but I feel like you understand me in a way that no one else does. I hope that’s okay.”
She smiled, reaching down and giving his hand a reassuring squeeze. “It’s okay, Luke. I’m here for you. Talking about Kate and your past is a part of who you are, and I want to know all about it. I want to know the real you.”
“Thank you, Emma. You don’t know how much that means to me. It’s been so long since I’ve had someone to talk to like this.”
“I’m here for you, Luke. Always,” Emma promised, leaning closer to him with empathetic eyes.
Luke smiled, his tone reflective as he spoke. “You know what’s strange? She had always wanted to live on the Georgia coast. It’s a big reason why Jeremiah and I moved down here. Then I happened to moved into your old house and Riley showed up and now we’re here. Life never turns out the way we think it will. But I’m glad life brought me to you.”
A tear slid down Emma’s cheek. “Me too, Luke.”
As Luke’s car headed down the road leading to her cottage, Emma turned to him with a heart overflowing with gratitude. She couldn’t help but feel an intense affection for him after he had opened up to her with such vulnerability and honesty. She had never experienced this level of emotional intimacy with Chad, no matter how much she had encouraged him to share his deepest thoughts.
With Luke, Emma felt a true connection, and she knew without a doubt that she had fallen for him. The uncharted territory ahead was scary, but at the same time, it was thrilling. As she sat there beside him, Emma realized that this was what love truly felt like. It was the kind of love that made her feel alive again, to take risks and chase dreams, and without a doubt was worth fighting for.
As they pulled into Emma’s driveway, a familiar sound caught her ear. She glanced over at the radio and turned the volume knob up slightly. To her amazement, it was the same song they had danced to at The Point. Emma’s voice rose in excitement. “Luke, it’s our song!”
Luke nodded with a grin and let out a soft chuckle. “I guess it is, isn’t it?”
Chapter 28
Luke
As Luke gazed down at their entwined hands, he felt as though the weight of the world had been lifted from his shoulders. The gentle touch of her hand, the kindness in her eyes, and the soothing words that flowed from her lips had eased his soul in ways he never thought possible.
In the safety of her loving embrace, Luke had opened up to Emma about the darkest moments of his life and the deepest fears that haunted him. He spoke of his late wife, unburdening himself of the pain and guilt from the past year. And yet, she listened with a heart that overflowed with compassion and empathy, offering no judgment or criticism, but only a tender understanding that Luke desperately needed.
Most women, he believed, would have turned away from him at the mere mention of his deceased wife, recoiling from the pain and complexities of his past. But Emma was different. She saw beyond his scars, his brokenness, and his flaws, embracing him fully and unconditionally. Emma had arrived just in time into Luke’s life.
“Thanks for listening. It means a lot to me. I feel like I have a fresh start with you,” Luke said, his voice filled with sincerity.
“Well, you’re already off to a great start,” she said. “None of my other boyfriends have ever taken me for a ride in a helicopter.”
Luke chuckled, appreciating how she always knew when to throw humor into a conversation. He unbuckled his seatbelt and turned the car off. “Stay right there.”
