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“Not sure where you’re going with this, but I know I don’t like it.”
A vise had clamped around his chest. He decided it was time to leave.
“I know after your mom left it was hard to trust women.”
“I don’t like talking about her.” His tone was now hard and cold. “Because she has no bearing on my life.”
“You’ve had good role models since then. Maybe you should think about that instead of her leaving you.”
The accuracy of Mrs. L’s words stopped him before he stepped off the bottom of the ladder. His fingers clenched around the cold metal.
“Obsessing over what was, is not helping anyone. But looking at what is before you does. I don’t like to insult one of my favorite boys”—she smiled up at him—“but you’re being a coward, Luke.”
“Quinn said that to me yesterday,” he said before he could swallow down the words.
He stepped off and made himself look at her. She was so small, the top of her head reaching his neck. What he’d never given Mrs. L credit for was being insightful.
“Well, she’s right. Boy, you’re a big, strong, and intelligent man now. Your past does not define you, so don’t let it.”
“When did you get so smart?” His tone was gruff.
“I’ve watched you, Luke Trainer. Smiling, friendly, and helpful, but always keeping women at a distance if they want to get too close. Mind you I’m glad you kept that celery stick at arm’s length.”
“Yeah, she’s a real peach.”
Her lips twitched. “I kumquat have put it better.”
Luke laughed, then hugged her. “Thanks for the pep talk. I need to go.”
“Don’t let her leave if she means something to you, Luke. Tell her.”
“She’s leaving anyway.”
“But maybe she’ll have a reason to come back more often?”
Would she? Walking out the door, he thought about what Mrs. L had said. He’d lived his life avoiding commitment in case a woman hurt him. He didn’t want to keep Quinn at arm’s length. The realization was not a comfortable one, but he let it settle inside him as he headed for A.S., where he knew his family would be. He’d believed he was keeping himself safe, but was it wrong to not think about a future? A family of his own?
When he entered, the Trainers and their extras were doing what they did best: eating, drinking, and talking. And they said men couldn’t multitask. Nixon, he noted, was there too.
“Family.”
“You’re not in uniform?” Bailey called.
“I have it in this bag, but I told you I’m not doing it unless I have to.”
“What constitutes a have to?” Rory asked. “Lack of funds accumulated simply because it will be women auctioned instead of men?” The words had a snap to them.
“Back off Susan B. Anthony. I didn’t say that.”
Rory bared her teeth at him.
“Nice work on winning the pumpkin roll. The celery stick is still crying foul, and the last I heard of Slick Sam is that Pearl is packing his bags and he’s leaving town,” Jack said.
Luke grunted. “How many bachelorettes are there?” he asked.
“Not entirely sure, but we asked ten,” Pip said.
She wore a fire-engine-red skirt and black floaty top. It looked good on her, but then she could wear anything and always look good. Of course, he was biased, as she was his cousin. Dylan was dressed like the Trainer brothers in jeans and a button-down shirt.
