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Luke rolled his eyes, but his amusement was still clearly visible. There was nothing that beat the love he had for his daughter. From day one, he sacrificed everything for her. But no one could blame him. Losing his wife during childbirth was bad enough. To lose his only connection to her would be a death sentence.
He lifted his gaze to meet Allie’s and once again it was like she was connected to him though some kind of electrical cord. Her insides went haywire, and she almost forgot to breathe. In that exact, unfortunate moment, someone else leaving the church building bumped into her, forcing her to stumble into Luke. His hands shot out to steady her, grasping her upper arms to prevent her from losing her balance.
Allie stared up into Luke’s dark eyes and for a moment she could pretend that he’d pulled her in for a hug.
But it was just for that moment, because he gently held her back at arm’s length before putting his hands into his pockets. “It was nicebumpinginto you,” he chuckled, “twice.”
Molly giggled. “You’re so dumb, Dad.”
He pulled a hand free from his pocket and placed it on Molly’s shoulder. “Come on, sweetie. Let’s go get some lunch. I have a feeling that Uncle Brent and Aunt Jackie might be making enough for us to crash their party.”
“Aunt Jackie always makes enough for us…” Molly’s voice faded the farther they got from Allie.
She watched until they got to the corner of the small block where the church sat and then she released a pent-up sigh.
“What’re you lookin’ at?” Pippa sidled up next to Allie and peered down the street.
“Nothing,” Allie murmured.
“Yeah, right.” Her best friend craned her neck but didn’t seem satisfied with what she could see. “There’s always a reason someone is staring off into space like that.”
Allie shook her head, forcing a smile. “Nope. Nothing. Just thinking.”
Pippa flipped her dark hair over her shoulder then looped her arm through Allie’s. “You know what I was thinking about today?”
“I dunno,” Allie murmured as they headed down the chapel steps, “maybe the sermon that Pastor Petrie was giving us?”
“Nope,” Pippa laughed, “though that would probably have been the right thing to be thinking about, huh?” She released Allie’s arm and faced her once they reached the sidewalk. “I was thinking about how we’ve been friends for twenty years.”
“Has it been that long?” Allie’s urge to glance down the street where Pippa’s brother had disappeared was so strong it made her chest hurt. “It doesn’t feel that way.”
“Yep. We met in third grade. And you know what else? I think we should celebrate. Who says anniversaries are just for married folk? We should do something fun to commemorate our friendship.”
“I’d love to do something! But gosh, I’m so busy now that school’s started back. Th restaurant can’t spare you, either. I know I’m not wrong about that. How can we fit something in?”
Pippa pouted. “Sounds like you’re trying to get out of it.”
“I’m not! There just really is a lot going on. I’m just being practical.” Allie put a hand on her hip and tilted her head.
“I’m not interested in practical. You know that. Why can’t we just plan something for next weekend?” Her dark eyes, so similar to Luke’s, brightened and she grasped onto Allie’s hands. “What if you came by the restaurant after we close and we can bake something like we used to when we were kids?”
Allie gave her a pointed look. “I think you remember those times a great deal differently than I do.”
Pippa laughed again, her voice light and beautiful. “Okay, you want honest? I’ll admit I remember doing all the cooking and you and Luke doing all the eating. But it was still fun.” She slugged Allie in the arm just like Luke had. “I know, we could make a whole big thing about it and invite Luke—”
“No,” Allie said far too quickly. She cleared her throat and gave in to the blush that crept across her cheeks. “I mean, he’s probably busy, too. He’s got Molly and his work. If we’re going to do something it should just be the two of us, like you said.”
Pippa’s eyes narrowed as she studied Allie. “Is this about your crush on Luke—”
“No, it’s not about Luke. It’s not about anything.”
“Allie…” Pippa drawled. “Are you already forgetting that this is our twenty-year friendiversary? Iknowyou. And I know you’ve had a crush on my brother since we were kids. That sort of thing doesn’t just go away.”
“Well, this time it did. I don’t have a crush on him anymore. That would be ridiculous. He got married, he has a kid for heaven’s sake. I’m not going to spend my whole life pining for a guy who doesn’t have the slightest interest in me.” Her voice had risen and a few people glanced in her direction.
Allie covered her face with one hand and groaned before meeting her best friend’s eyes. She lowered her voice and forced a smile she had no business wearing. “Just because I don’t want to hang out with your brother anymore doesn’t mean that I still have feelings for him.” Pippa probably knew she was lying, but Allie didn’t care.
She didn’t want to talk about this anymore and she certainly didn’t want to admit that it wouldn’t matter how hard she tried, she’d never be able to get over Luke. A seed had been planted, and like a weed it had grown out of control. There was not a prayer in heaven that she’d be able to get over him.
