Luke sighed, glancing at the voicemail icon on his cell. He knew the messages could probably wait. And no one would mind if he didn’t call them back until tomorrow. But the burden of “what if” weighed heavily on his shoulders.
He lifted the phone to his ear, rolling his eyes toward the roof of the pickup as he listened.
As he suspected, no emergencies. Well, noactualemergencies. Frida Connelly seemed to think every tweak to her will was of national importance, but Luke could return her call in the morning.
Climbing out of the truck, his boots sank into the thick layer of sawdust covering the dirt floor. The fresh scent of cedar and sap filled his nostrils as he drew in a deep breath. Few things in the world smelled better than his workshop. Not even his mother’s bakery, although he’d never say so.
Kneeling in a patch of sawdust, Luke ran a hand over the rough walnut, deciding he’d spend a few hours sanding, smoothing out the surface.
Maybe he’d even smooth out his thoughts in the process.
Spending the day, and a good chunk of the evening, with Cassie left a disconcerting churn in the pit of his stomach. He enjoyed being around her more than he wanted to admit. And catching a glimpse of her text message elicited a stronger reaction than seemed reasonable. After all, what did he care if she had a boyfriend back home who missed her? Even if she didn’t, she’d be leaving town at the end of the month, anyway.
Plus, he barely had time to sand a two-by-four, let alone date anyone.
As if on cue, his phone rang, disrupting the still night air.
Recognizing the number of his mother’s bakery, Luke answered. “Hello?”
“Uncle Luke!” The chipper voice of Ben Carter spilled from the speakers.
“Hey, bud. What’s up?” Luke picked up a loose square of sandpaper and gently ran it along the arm of the chair.
“Whatcha doing?” Ben asked casually.
“Working on something in my shop. What are you up to?”
The boy released an exaggerated sigh. “Hanging out with Mom and Grandma Maggie. But they’re still working, and I’m bored. Can you come pick me up so I can hang out with you?”
Luke’s hand stalled over a particularly rough patch. He’d hoped for a night alone, but how could he turn Ben down?
While Ben wasn’t blood-related, he might as well be. Luke had stepped in as a father figure the moment his childhood friend, Eliza, gave birth without Ben’s biological father in the picture.
“I’ll leave in two minutes.”
Ben whooped into the phone before shouting, “Mom! Uncle Luke is coming to get me!”
Luke heard muffled sounds on the other end before Eliza picked up.
“Hey, Luke. I’m sorry he called. You don’t have to come. Your mom and I are working on a big order for the Wilsons’ anniversary party, but we should only have a few more hours left. He can wait.”
“I don’t mind.” Luke gave one more pass with the sandpaper before letting it flutter to the ground. “We’re in the middle of a cut throat game of Monopoly, anyway.”
Eliza giggled, sounding relieved. “Okay. But only if you’re sure. Heisdriving us a little crazy. With my parents watchingThe Nutcrackerin the city, he’s been cooped up here since school let out.”
“I’m on my way.”
After ending the call, Luke slipped his phone inside the back pocket of his faded Levi’s.
Sure, he wouldn’t make any progress on the rocking chair. But babysitting Ben would have its benefits, too. Least of which would be serving as a much-needed distraction.
The last thing he needed was free time to daydream about Cassie Hayward.
Especially if she wasn’t even single.
Chapter 5
Cassie toyed with the silver heart charm draped against her throat as she debated her next move.
