Leah did not appreciate being told what to do, but she was in no condition to do otherwise. Luke disappeared into the thick of the tavern crowd. A moment later, he returned, looking grim.
“Trouble in paradise?”
Luke ignored the cheeky comment and grabbed her hand. “Let’s go.”
“Wait. Where are we going?”
“Home.” His grip was strong and warm, and she felt her insolence give way. She allowed Luke to lead her back down the narrow hallway and out through the restaurant to the sidewalk. As soon as they hit the fresh air outside, Leah felt steadier.
“Where’s your car?” he asked, glancing up and down Main Street.
“Back at the shop.”
“Good. It can stay there until tomorrow. I’ll drive you.” Luke seemed intent on getting her home, and suddenly she didn’t want his help. He was on a date. He would probably be coming right back here to finish it. And she did not want to think about how his date would end.
“Look, I can get an Uber,” she told him, straightening. “Brad is back at the house, so I can call him, too.”
This got his attention. “Brad is at your place?”
“He’s staying with me now. His grandmother asked him to leave.”
“That’s really nice of you,” he said.
“I’m a nice girl.” The words were out of her mouth before her brain could catch them.
Luke’s eyes crinkled with laughter. “I know you are. It’s another reason I’d feel better driving you home, myself. C’mon, I’m parked up by the church.”
The church was at the opposite end of Main Street. Leah trailed behind Luke on the sidewalk. Several times he stopped so she could catch up. Finally, after she bumped against a passerby, he wrapped an arm around her waist and they walked together.
“Sorry it’s so far. Town was crowded tonight.”
“I don’t mind,” she said. In truth, she wished he’d parked a mile away, or ten. Pressed against Luke’s side like that, the alcohol humming through her veins and all her predicaments with it, Leah felt time slow. They passed the chamber of commerce booth where she worked one summer in college; past Yankee Ingenuity, her father’s favorite shop of curiosities; the Eldredge Library where her mother used to take her as a child. She had so many memories here, and Luke was among them.
When they finally reached his truck, he held the door for her and helped her in. Suddenly Leah was so tired, her eyelids so heavy.
“I’m just going to rest my head a little,” she said, curling up on the bench seat.
“You do that.” Luke climbed into the driver’s side and started the engine.
As they rolled down Main Street, Leah lay very still, her head resting next to Luke’s thigh. From that position she could see the signs and awnings of the buildings they passed, the gentle glow of the streetlamps, and Luke’s strong jaw, set in concentration. Her eyes fluttered with fatigue, but she fought it: she didn’twant to miss any of it. And then a thought jerked her out of her reverie. “Are you going back after you drop me off?”
“Back where?”
“The Squire. Isn’t Holly waiting for you?”
Luke put on the indicator and she felt herself slide gently against him as they made the wide turn around the rotary. “Not tonight.”
Leah almost felt bad for him. “Is she upset you left with me?”
“Holly will be fine,” he said, finally.
Leah thought about that. “Holly is lucky.” Had she said it aloud, or just thought it? Luke didn’t say a word. Maybe it was just a thought. Maybe she should close her eyes and give in.
The sky grew dark as they left Main Street behind. When they turned again, up Old Queen Anne, Leah knew she was almost home. The scenery from where she lay became treetops and leafy branches, silhouetted against sky. Her eyelids grew pleasantly heavy. So, too, did the warm hand she realized was resting on her head.
When she woke up the next morning, Leah was safe in her bed, the blankets pulled up to her chin, her clothes from the night before still on. There was a piece of paper folded on her bedside table. Leah squinted at it in the early light.
She reached for it.Good night Leah Powell.
