Page 23 of Luke

"Exactly. That's the point we need to make—that this is a great place to visit, and we'll keep it running while he's traveling the world. He doesn't ever have to come here if he doesn't want to, but if he does want to, we have fun things for him to do. He loves nature and adventure. I think appealing to that side is probably the best bet."

"We'll help," Shari said. "Whatever Brad and I can do, and the rest of the staff will put in their best efforts, you know that. But you need to tell everyone what's at stake."

"I will at the staff meeting this afternoon. Brad mentioned that he's taking a group up to Wolmer Falls tomorrow. Maybe we can get him to stick around for that. He loves to hike. He'd probably want to go past Last Chance Rock because he is the ultimate daredevil."

A light suddenly entered Shari's eyes. "Wait a second. It's all making sense now. I thought I knew the name. Luke Brannigan—he makes the documentaries on extreme sports."

"Yes, that's him."

"I wondered if he was related to Colin. We have three of his DVDs. Brad loves Luke's films and his adventures. He's going to be over the moon when he hears Luke Brannigan might go hiking with him."

She smiled. "Good. Then he'll be inspired to get Luke to go."

"Definitely."

Shari tilted her head, her gaze thoughtful. "Tell me something, Liz. Do you still have feelings for Luke?"

"No, of course not. It's been a decade."

"That doesn't mean anything—not when you love someone."

"Well, I don't love him—not anymore."

Despite her words, her cheeks burned at the thought of their very recent passionate kiss. But that had just been a moment of insanity. They'd each wanted to know if the sparks were still there. And they were, but that didn't mean anything would happen. In the end, they'd be right back where they were before…Luke wanting to leave and her wanting to stay. She definitely didn't need a rerun of that painful show.

"It's okay, you know," Shari said, "if you still like him."

"It's definitely not okay," she replied. "I have too much to lose, and it's not just about me anymore. I have to consider Kaitlyn. She's been through so much, and she still has a long way to go. She's such a mixed-up, angry girl, and I can't blame her, but I can't seem to help her, at least not quickly. I need time. And that time has to be here."

"I know. I get it. Kaitlyn is a tough nut to crack. I thought we were getting along, but since I've gotten more visibly pregnant, she's pulled back. It's weird. Something about me being a mother bothers her."

"Maybe it makes her think about her own mom more. I don't know, either," Liz said. "But I hope one day I'll see her smile again, and not in that bored, sneering, sarcastic teenage way she occasionally does now—but the way she used to, when she was happy, when she was whole."

"It will happen; you just have to be patient. You're doing a good job with her, Liz. Someday she'll see how much you've given up for her."

"Not just for her, for my sister. Kelly saved me when we were little. She was more of a mom to me than my own mother. I owe her. I have to do right by Kaitlyn." She drew in a breath, then let it out. "But one problem at a time. Luke has now jumped to the top of my list, because if we have to leave here, I'm going to have to start all over again."

"I don't think that's the only reason he's at the top of your list," Shari said with a small laugh. "Tina said he's gorgeous."

"Yeah, well…I can't think about that."

"Good luck."

"Thanks. It's about time I had some good luck instead of bad."

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