Page 10 of The Clause in Christmas
Uncomfortable with the sympathetic edge to his voice, Cassie sprang from the stool and busied herself with finding two bowls.
Cassie had only ever broached the subject of why they left Poppy Creek once. And the haunting reflection of anguish that sparked in her mother’s eyes had been visceral enough to forever silence her on the subject.
Even now, being in the home where her mother grew up felt like a betrayal.
More so because she found herself enjoying it.
Luke clicked off the burner and set a lid on the saucepan. “Let’s leave the stew to sit a minute and go check out the lights.”
At the look of pure excitement on Luke’s face, Cassie tried to muster some enthusiasm as she followed him outside.
Standing in the gravel driveway facing the house, Luke said, “Close your eyes.”
Cassie wrinkled her nose. “No way.”
“Humor me.”
“Okay, fine.” Cassie sighed dramatically.
“And no peeking!”
Cassie would have rolled her eyes if they weren’t already shut, deciding to respond with a sarcastic quip instead. But as soon as her lips parted, her breath faltered.
Luke’s large, rough hands grabbed both of hers, drawing them toward her face. His touch sent her heart racing, although she tried to pass it off as purely surprise.
He placed her palms over her eyes, his hands lingering on hers as he said, “Stay here, and don’t open your eyes until I tell you to.”
Cassie held her breath. He stood so close his body heat spanned the short distance between them. He couldn’t have been more than a few inches away. Why did the realization send tingles down her spine?
“Okay,” she murmured, embarrassed by the catch in her throat.
She felt the absence of his presence before she heard the sound of his heavy footsteps against the wood planks of the front porch. Even behind the shield of her hands, Cassie could tell the instant the light changed.
“Ready?” Luke asked, standing beside her again. His husky tone conveyed his eager anticipation.
Cassie slowly lowered her hands and her eyelids fluttered open.
She gasped in astonishment as the brilliance of the golden glow overwhelmed her in the best way possible.
Luke had strung white glittering lights across every eave and roofline, along every window and door frame, and even around the porch columns and railings.
“What do you think?”
“I—” Cassie hesitated, unsure how to describe her rush of emotions. “I think it’s magical.”
“Good.” Luke nudged her playfully with his shoulder. “That’s what I was going for.”
Cassie glanced up, losing her breath for the second time.
Something in the way he looked at her made her at once thrilled and terrified.
* * *
Luke pulled into the weathered barn and shifted his pickup into park as the automatic overhead lights flickered to life. He let the key dangle in the ignition, debating on whether or not to listen to the five voicemails cluttering his mailbox.
His gaze drifted to the other side of the barn, which he’d converted into a makeshift woodworking shop. It wasn’t fancy, but it served its purpose. And with the help of a few space heaters, the bone-chilling air would warm up in no time.
The unfinished rocking chair he’d started a few weeks ago beckoned to him.
