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A stab of disappointment pier
ced her insides. It hadn’t been Luke’s decision to end things. “I’m sorry. That stinks.”
He grinned at her. “Not really. Violet and I had great affection for one another, but there was always something missing. The romantic feelings were seriously lacking for both of us. And when she broke things off, Violet mentioned you.”
“Me? Why would she mention me?” Morgan asked in a high-pitched voice. She did not want to be dragged into Luke’s breakup.
Luke stepped closer toward her, eating up all the space between them. “Because she knows I’m in love with you.”
A small sound escaped Morgan’s lips. It made her sound like a squeaking mouse.
He reached out and wrapped his arms around her waist, pulling her closer toward him. Luke looked down at her, his eyes darkening with emotion. “She knows that for me, there’s no other woman who stands a chance of capturing my heart.”
“Luke.” She breathed his name like a prayer. A part of her had desperately wanted to hear these words from his lips, even though she still wasn’t sure she deserved it. Two years ago she’d been weak and insecure and foolish. Walking away from the love of a lifetime was cowardly. And she still wasn’t sure if she was brave enough to claim this love. No matter how much she wanted to be with Luke, she didn’t know for certain she could go the distance this time.
“Two years ago I let you walk away from me. I was so wounded by your decision to end things I could barely see straight.” Luke’s voice had a ragged edge to it. Morgan knew he was speaking directly from his soul. “I didn’t really question it until you were settled into your new life in France. My pride wouldn’t let me follow you across the Atlantic, even though I wanted to see you and talk things out. I wanted to take you in my arms and show you that there was nothing to be afraid of. I needed to make you understand that for me, there’s only you. Then. Now. Forever. That’s not about to change. I love you, Morgan.” He placed a kiss on her forehead. She closed her eyes and nestled against his chest.
Oh how she wished time would stand still so this moment wouldn’t end. She hadn’t felt this safe or loved in such a long time. And this was the first time Luke had ever told her he loved her. He’d shown her in so many ways during their relationship, but hearing it come from his mouth was extraordinary.
She opened her mouth to say she loved him too, but then closed it. Saying those three words was so life altering. She felt safer just to wait this out and see what happened. There was no sense in rushing headlong into this. It had been over two years since they’d been together! Surely there were things to figure out between them.
“I came here tonight to tell you that I plan on the two of us getting back together, Morgan. I want to get back to what we had. Only better this time.”
“Luke,” she said in a halting voice. “I don’t know what to say.” Her voice broke. She was so choked up with emotion. “I’ve missed you.” She’d never been very good at expressing her feelings to Luke. Why was it so hard to just tell him how she felt about him?
“Trust me, Morgan. I know this is coming at you hard and fast. But I promise you, I’m going to court you. I’m going to take this as slow as you need me to. I’m not going anywhere.”
Morgan felt a smile tugging at her lips. “I’ve always trusted you. Ever since we were little kids. Trusting myself has always been the hard part.”
A look of sympathy flared in his eyes. “Because of your father?”
Morgan nodded. “He did a lot of damage. I’m still sifting through it.” She didn’t talk often about the wounds her father had inflicted. His desertion had left her feeling not good enough. She bore the scars under a heavy coat of armor. Morgan still wrestled with the question of how could a man ever truly love her when her own father hadn’t?
“I understand what it’s like to have the past grab you by the throat. But you’re a strong woman, Morgan Lucas. Way stronger than you realize.”
Morgan felt like a bud blooming into a vibrant flower. Luke’s words gave her wings and made her feel like she could soar. He was always so encouraging and wise.
“I do think I’m a lot stronger now than I was before,” she acknowledged. Life had made her a little bit more courageous. “I like to think I navigate life much better now.”
“I really want to kiss you right now, but I’ve given you a lot to think about. I promise not to rush things between us, although I can’t help but think we need to make up for lost time.”
Morgan nodded. She wanted Luke to kiss her…badly. It had been something she’d dreamed about in the quiet hours between darkness and dawn when she’d felt restless and couldn’t sleep. Be patient, she reminded herself. Her heart was filled to almost overflowing with gratitude. God had made all of this possible. Despite all of her past mistakes, Luke loved her enough to give her a second chance.
Tonight was a new beginning filled with endless possibilities. Because of Luke’s relationship with Violet and her own missteps with Luke, she hadn’t dared to dream of this. Hope hung in the air like a free-floating kite.
“Can I ask you something?”
“Of course.” At this point, Luke was tugging so hard on her heart strings she would have agreed to almost anything.
“I’m not in this alone, am I? I’m not imagining your feelings for me? Because when I look into your eyes, all I see is our future. And I think you see it too.”
If she hadn’t already loved him madly, Morgan would have fallen for him right at this very moment. In true hero fashion, Luke was staking a claim and laying his heart on the line in the process. He was throwing down the gauntlet and asking her to be a part of the journey.
“We’re on the same page, Luke. I think you’ve always known my feelings, even when I’ve had trouble voicing them.”
He raised her hand and pressed a kiss on it. “I’ll just have to be the voice for the both of us, until you’re ready.”
“I’d appreciate that,” she murmured. “I’m so happy you came by here tonight.”
