“Yes, among other things. You believed in me and my ability enough to push me. And even though I was angry and scared, I am glad you did.” Emily wrapped her arms around herself.
“Are you?”
“Yes. Although it was rather a risk on your part, do you not think?”
“No. I knew you could do it. I had complete faith in you.”
“And you were right. I can do it.” Emily reached into a pocket an procured a bundle of clues. “Every clue I read, every word… They feel like a gift.”
“They are not gifts, they are simply the rewards of your own hard work.” Luke replied as they began to walk.
Emily fell into step beside him, the smell of her perfume catching on the wind. “And your expert tutelage.”
“You are a very good student.” Luke smiled at her.
“It has been so hard trying to contain my excitement. It feels like it has just been bubbling out of me this whole time.” Emily spun in a small circle, throwing her arms wide and grinning broadly. “And I could not share it with anyone. Natalie just thinks I am very committed to this whole adventure.”
Luke watched her spin, preparing to catch her if she fell. “I can imagine that must have been hard for you.”
Her joy filled him, seeming to course through his body. A lightness overtook him, and he felt an urge to spin like she was, but he stopped himself.I am getting caught up in the excitement, that is all.
“I kept all the clues. I wanted to remind myself how far I have come.” Emily stopped spinning, and said a little breathlessly. “To remember this day because it proves that I can do it.”
“I have been telling you this the entire time.” Luke laughed softly as she swayed on the spot, clearly a little dizzy.The flush in her cheeks, the pride, she can finally see just how much she can be.“You can do anything you set your mind to.”
“Thank you.” Emily blushed and looked away. “I wanted to read some for you, to show you… Well it seems rather silly now.”
“It is not silly. I would love to hear you read them.” Luke said gently, his chest squeezing as he did so.
“Very well.” Emily held out some slips to him. “Why don’t you pick a few? Then you will know I have not cheated!”
“I trust you. I do not think you would cheat.” Luke smiled, he knew that she wanted him to pick because then she would have to read them again, unprepared. “But I will do as you ask.”
Their fingertips brushed against each other as he took three slips of paper from her. Warmth spread through him, and he looked away from her as he handed her back the papers. He cleared his throat.
“Read on.” He gestured to her.What is wrong with me?
“Are you well?” Emily asked.
“Yes. Of course.” Luke tried to calm his thundering heart.She is supposed to marry your brother.“Please, read for me.”
“Very well. The first one says, “I can be made a variety of ways, but to use me, you must first break me.”” Emily’s voice was clear and confident as she read the words. “The answer was an egg of course.”
“Of course.” Luke gestured for her to continue, watching as her whole face lit up with joy.
“Then we have, “I have keys but no locks, I have strings but no puppets.” And then finally, “I grow on trees, but am not a leaf. I have juice, but am not a lime. I am round, but not a ball.”” She gave him a satisfied look. “Natalie figured out the answer to the last one, it was orange. But I figured out the other two.”
“That is amazing. You sounded so confident, so clear when you read. And you not only read the words, but you understood them.” Luke felt his own excitement build.
“Thank you. I know they are only simple things really, but-” Emily began but Luke shook his head and interjected, “- there is no but. You have done exceptionally well in a very short time. Do you know how difficult it is to not just read the words but to understand them?”
“I did have to read them more than once.” Emily admitted.
“Most people would, and all that means is you pushed yourself time and time again. Honestly, E- Miss Pembleton, your tenacity is breath taking.” Luke felt a surge of adrenaline.I cannot let myself slip, we cannot be that familiar with one another.
“Thank you. But I could not have done it without you.” She met his gaze, her smile no longer teasing, but shy and earnest.
“Perhaps not. The fact remains, you should be proud of all that you have achieved.” Luke moved towards her, and then stopped, remembering himself.
