Page 84 of The Clause in Christmas
He shoved the envelope into her hand. “Cash it or don’t, it’s up to you. But the money is yours.”
Hesitantly, Cassie slid the check from inside the envelope. She gasped, gripping the back of the chair for support.Twenty-thousand dollars!Quickly, Cassie slipped the check back into the envelope, holding it out to Frank. “I can’t take this. It’s too much.”
“If it makes you feel any better…” Frank’s lips twitched. “That’s not even half.”
Cassie gaped at him, but Frank merely shrugged. “I’d give you more, but I had a feeling you were going to be difficult about it.”
At first, Cassie didn’t know what to say. Frank was callingherdifficult? The irony caused a giggle to rise to the surface, transforming into a full-on burst of laughter.
Cassie laughed so hard she almost couldn’t breathe. And before she knew it, Frank had joined her.
After a few minutes, they were both wiping tears of laughter from their eyes.
“Frank, I don’t know what to say.”
Before he could respond, a loud clamor outside drew their attention.
Frowning, Frank led the way down the hall toward the source of the commotion.
Throwing open the front door, he teetered in shock, and Cassie braced his elbow, grinning from ear to ear.
Five pickup trucks were parked in the driveway. Luke, Jack, Reed, and a few other men from town unloaded wood, toolboxes, and other supplies while Penny and Eliza, along with her parents, unpacked paint cans and a plethora of rollers and brushes. Maggie, Dolores, and several women from their knitting circle carried enough cleaning supplies to spruce up a farmhouse twice its size. Glancing their way, Luke waved, followed by a few others.
“What—” Frank gasped, his gaze darting to Cassie.
Cassie smiled, her face glowing with affection. “Think we made too many cookies, now?”
Still stunned, Frank looked out across the driveway where a tiny construction crew converged on his front lawn, ready to mend his neglected house—and heart. “Why?” he croaked.
“Because, like it or not, you’re a part of this town. And we care about you.” Tugging on his arm, she added, “How about we brew a fresh pot of coffee for all these folks?”
Nodding slowly, Frank turned, his steel-gray eyes glistening.
As they headed back inside, Frank reached for her hand. Giving it a shaky squeeze, he placed it in the crook of his arm.
Side by side, they walked down the hall, accompanied by the sounds of life outside Frank’s front door.
* * *
Afew hours later, as Frank served the group another batch of cookies, Cassie stole a minute with Luke.
Once they were hidden behind Luke’s pickup, he scooped her into his arms, pressing a kiss to her lips.
When he finally released her, Cassie beamed up at him, breathless. She didn’t think she’d ever get used to that.
“You’re amazing,” he murmured, pressing his forehead to hers.
Melting inside, she smiled. “So are you.”
“I mean it, Ru.” Pulling back, Luke gazed into her eyes intently. “You’ve changed everything. Since the moment you stepped foot in Poppy Creek, nothing has been the same. In the best possible way.”
Cassie’s heart stilled and time seemed to slow down as Luke took both of her hands in his. “Being with you these past few weeks, watching you fight for the important things in your life…” Pausing, Luke swallowed.
Offering encouragement, Cassie tightened her grip.
Luke took a deep breath, running his thumbs along the backs of her hands. “I’ve decided to do the same… Pursue something important in my life.”
It took all of Cassie’s strength to remain standing as anticipation weakened her knees. Was Luke about to…
