Magical Weddings (53 page)

“Kel?”

“
Dan?”
Luke groaned, sitting up hastily in the bed. Sliding out from under the covers, he scrambled to his feet, searching for the briefs that he’d thrown to the floor the night before. Snatching them up, he quickly slipped them on.

Kelly had arisen from the bed too, and was pulling on a robe, when the bedroom door was thrown open. Dan looked grimly at Luke first, before staring at Kelly with obvious concern.

“I think the nomal procedure would’ve been to wait for
me
to open the door,” Kelly said dryly.

“You’re late. I was worried,” Dan said harshly.

“I’m pretty sure that this brunch was listed as
optional,
Dan.”

“Yeah, but you
always
show up at these things. You can’t blame me for thinking something was wrong.” Dan stared at Luke accusingly. “And obviously, I was right.”

Luke stared down at the floor guiltily.

Resting her hands on her hips, Kelly proceeded to give Dan the riot act. “I can’t believe this. I’m twenty-years old, brother dear. Just answer this for me–what were
you
doing back when you were my age?”

“That’s different,” Dan responded, crossing his arms, and glaring back at Kelly.

Luke grimaced. “Whoa, brother, is
that
the wrong answer,” he muttered. And then Luke suddenly grinned, eyeing Kelly slyly.

Kelly grinned back. And from that moment on everything else was forgotten, as they gazed into each other’s eyes.

Dan looked at Luke first, and then at Kelly. “I just don’t know what to think about all of this,” Dan muttered, as he rolled his eyes. Shaking his head, he headed back through the bedroom door, and called out over his shoulder. “I’ll see you
both
downstairs for brunch in about twenty minutes.”

Kelly grimaced. But then she and Luke began to laugh.

Kelly and Luke were strolling side by side along the beach a few hours later. After Dan had exited the suite earlier, Kelly had rushed into the shower while Luke had gathered together the pieces of his uniform, before returning to his own room reluctantly to change clothes.

They’d met downstairs in the lobby. Luckily, the brunch was casual, since Luke had been out of uniform–looking larger than life and sexy in a pair of khaki shorts, and a dark green T-shirt. He’d blown out a long, low whistle when he’d seen her, wearing some very short shorts and a silky sheer top with a tank. And then he’d begun laughing, noticing the glitzy beach sandals that’d adorned her feet.

“I’m glad that we were finally able to go for a walk, Kel.”

Kelly grinned.

There was a slight breeze blowing in from across the lake, while clouds were gathering increasingly in the blue sky above. Rain was in the forecast for later today.

Suddenly, a large black lab ran past them barreling into the lake, and they both began to laugh.

Luke hesitated, before slanting a side glance at Kelly. “I had a dog once.”

Kelly started. “Really?”

“A golden retriever. It about killed me, to have to give Sal up, when my mom married my stepdad.” Luke appeared thoughtful, gazing out to the water. “In hindsight, it was probably for the best. Who knows what would’ve happened to Sally with my stepdad around?”

Kelly shivered, stealing a look at Luke. Well–she’d asked him to tell her about himself, hadn’t she? To understand him, she needed to hear the bad with the good.

“I always wanted a dog, too. But my parents said it’d just be too difficult, with the hours they worked–and, besides, all of us kids were either working or involved with extra-curricular stuff.” Luke’s mood seemed to lighten when she reached for his hand, and clasped it warmly.

But then, all of a sudden, Luke appeared anxious when he looked into her eyes. “So–how do ya think your parents took to the idea–of you, with me?”

“I think that they’ve always seen it coming Luke,” she said softly.

“Yeah, but, how do ya think they
feel
about it, Kel?”

She gazed at Luke tenderly, finally understanding. He’d spent most of his life looking for a place in this world–feeling alienated and unloved. The Callahan family had been like his own when he’d been growing up, and he didn’t want to do anything to gain their disapproval.

But the feelings between herself and Luke had always been too powerful to contain. She and Luke had a connection that Kelly had never come close to sharing with anyone–not ever her twin brother, Jeff.

“They love you like a son, Luke. Even if they’re not so sure about us now, they will be eventually.”

He nodded his acceptance. “Where’s Jeff been this weekend, by the way?”

Yep–they were definitely on the same wavelength. “Kate and Murphy got tired of waiting to get married. It’s been like four years, I think, since they became engaged–and Jeff tried hard, but he couldn’t get back on leave.”

“Yeah, it’s really difficult getting leave these days when you’re on tour overseas. Hope he’s alright.”

“I think. He’s responsible for setting up electronics, computers, support–each time his unit moves to reestablish command–so he keeps telling us his job is tame compared to the other soldiers.”

Luke hesitated.

“What?” Kelly asked, apparently noticing his concern.

“It’s just that nothin’ that we do over there is really tame, Kel. It’s a totally different world over there.” Luke stared hard into her eyes. “Capiche?”

Taken aback, she nodded her understanding reluctantly.

Luke halted, studying a brand new cabin that’d been built overlooking the beach. They’d wandered far away from Dragonfly Pointe, and were strolling on a path beside the bay near the inn’s rental cabins. “Wow,” Luke said. “Wanna go take a look?”

“Sure. Pretty cool, isn’t it? It was built about a year ago.” Although the design of the home was obviously contemporary, since its exterior was constructed with, what appeared to be, weathered logs, the modern cabin fit in perfectly against the backdrop of pine and birch.

Luke tugged at her hand and they began to climb the steep path leading up to the house. Just as they reached the steps for an extended porch that ran alongside the perimeter of the cabin, Jake Loughlin, the owner of the Dragonfly Pointe Inn, strolled outside from the cabin through the front door.

Jake blinked, apparently surprised to see visitors.

Kelly grinned. “Hi, Jake. You remember Luke Bryant, don’t you?”

“Hey there, Kel.” Jake smiled at Kelly before turning to Luke. “Sure do.” Jake stared at Luke hard, with what Kelly thought, was a strange intensity in his eyes. “How’s it going, Luke?” Jake asked, reaching for Luke’s hand.

“As well as can be expected, sir,” Luke answered, shaking Jake’s hand.

Jake groaned, winking at Kelly. “It’s Jake, Luke. I’ve got at least another ten years on Mike Callahan, you know.”

Kelly laughed. “Are you calling Dad
old
, Jake?”

Jake grinned. “Cal would kill me, wouldn’t he?”

Luke snorted. “No kiddin.” He hesitated, glancing at Kelly. “We were just gonna take a look around the house–if you don’t mind?”

“Of course not,” Jake answered. “Would the two of you like to see inside, too?”

“Sure,” Kelly shrugged, and grinned. “I’ll admit, I’m curious to know how you’ve incorportated all the solar elements that Dad’s been bragging about. I can’t believe how cheap the heating and cooling costs for this place are!”

Luke lifted his brow. “Solar heating and cooling? Really?”

Kelly pointed upwards. “See those panels?”

Luke looked up, staring at the panels on the roof curiously.

After a brief discussion about the placement and installation of the solar panels, Jake opened up the door of the house and led them inside. For the next forty-five minutes, they toured the entire four-bedroom home. With high ceilings and an entire wall of windows overlooking the bay, the home was stylish yet homey in its picturesque setting amidst the woods. Not only had the cabin been built green with recycled materials, Jake claimed the construction elements used had been selected in an effort to bring the outdoors in.

The interior was lovely, Kelly thought, as she studied the clean lines in the kitchen and living room. Beautiful glass tiles in shades of green and lavender had been used for the backsplash, and was just the right amount of color against the lighter finish of the sleek maple cabinets and flooring. The entire main level was open concept, and a huge fireplace, also sheathed in tiles of glass, stood before the long wall of windows opened up to the south.

Kelly sighed, staring appreciatively at Luke. He also appeared to be just as impressed as she was. There was something about this place that seemed like home–she’d felt it from the moment they’d stepped inside. And apparently, Luke had too.

Kelly asked curiously, “How come no one lives here, Jake?”

Jake became thoughtful. “Originally, I meant for this to be a home for a caretaker. But the idea kind of fell through after I added extra security–when we discovered that human trafficking ring operating here while I was renovating. Why pay a salary to a caretaker when I’m already paying out money to a security team?”

“You probably have enough employees working at the beach, with the boat rentals and concession stand, to keep an eye on the grounds anyway, don’t you?” Luke asked.

Jake nodded. “Exactly.”

“So–what are you gonna do with this place?” Kelly asked.

“I’m not really sure, yet,” Jake said, glancing consideringly at Kelly first and then at Luke. “I went ahead and had the cabin built here anyway last year–because the property was sitting here wasted. I figured I could rent it out, or if worst came to worse, I could always sell it.”

“Well, I love this place,” Luke said quietly, earning an even stranger glance from Jake.

She couldn’t quite put her finger on it. But Kelly had a sense that there was something unspoken between them–maybe Jake and Luke knew each other a little better than they pretended? But just as she was attempting to solve the puzzle, Jake motioned to a pair of sliding glass doors leading back outside.

Kelly turned to Luke, and he reached for her hand.

“Oh, Jake this is beautiful,” Kelly said, as they moved along the steps from the deck to a path built from wooden planks. Kelly squeezed Luke’s hand excitedly with her enthusiam, staring with awe at the lovely natural landscape surrounding them as they followed Jake into the woods.

“Wait,” Jake said, turning back with a grin. “I’m not finished yet.”

The pier transformed into a bridge that led over a tributary flowing downstream from the bay. They went a little deeper into the woods.

“Whoa,” Luke said, suddenly halting as he stared ahead.

“Exactly,” Jake said, wearing a huge smile. “My wife comes up with some pretty fantastic landscaping ideas, doesn’t she?”

Kelly was standing with her mouth gaped open, as she took in the details of the pond. This wasn’t some natural little hole, that water flowed into from the bay; it was man-made, and had to have been enourmously expensive to construct. A deck had been built at the end of the pier on the other side of the pool, along with a small enclosed gazebo, that apparently served as a guesthouse. And the landscaping that’d been added…everything was breathtaking. Flower pots filled with impatiens and ivy lined the edge of the deck, while charming planter boxes, also filled with flowers and foliage, lined the windows of the gazebo.

Grinning, Jake peeked at his watch. “I think you two can manage to find your way back to the road from here?”

Luke nodded, looking serious as he checked the time on his own watch. “My ride back to base will probably to be waiting for me at the inn in about an hour.”

Kelly suddenly panicked. Luke was leaving
already?
She’d assumed that they’d have the entire day to spend together–and now she wanted to cry.

Jake was staring at Kelly with obvious concern.

Luke began saying his farewells to Jake, as he shook his hand.

“I’ll be seeing you later. Kelly,” Jake said softly. He hesitated, before turning away. “There’s something I’d like to talk with you about–no hurry, though. Maybe in the next few weeks–when you can find the time?”

Although she was slightly curious about what Jake wanted to say, Kelly was just too upset at the realization that Luke was leaving to acknowledge Jake’s request with more than a nod of acquiescence.

Silently, Jake strolled away, stepping down from the planked pier and making his way up another path.

Reaching for her hand, Luke stared at Kelly wordlessly. And then he yanked her into his arms. “This will be the way I’ll be remembering you, Kel,” he whispered softly into her ear, “in this beautiful place, where all that I’m thinking about it how much I want you.”

The tears were falling down her face. She hadn’t even had
time
to think about their future–she hadn’t thought that far ahead.

Luke groaned. “I wish we had more time.”

“I thought that we did,” Kelly sobbed softly. “Why didn’t you tell me you’d have to leave so
soon?”

“Awe, Babe,” Luke said tenderly, cupping her chin and staring into her eyes. “I just didn’t want to ruin our day.”

Luke continued to hold her tightly in his arms–wiping away her tears–patiently awaiting her acceptance.

Finally taking in a long deep breath, Kelly gave Luke a wobbly smile as she reached for his hand. They took a final look around at their surroundings.

“Someday,” he whispered softly, as he gazed at her reassuringly, “we’ll come back here, Kel, and finish what we started–okay?”

“Okay,” she answered quietly, as Luke tugged at her hand and led her up the pathway to the road.

****

It’d about killed Luke to leave Crystal Rock–and Kelly.

Luke’s friend, Alex, long ago dubbed Hawk, was silent as he pulled his truck into a parking space on base in Madison six hours later. “I’m surprised that Mel didn’t come along to with you today,” Luke said. Hawk’s girlfriend usually drew out her goodbyes until the last moment.

Hawk slanted him a side glance, before twisting the key in the ignition and shutting down the engine. He settled back into his seat. “Took you long enough to notice, Eagle Eye,” he said, pocketing his key. Luke had a sixth sense in the air, and his tattoo had only helped solidify the tag name he’d earned by the members of his team.