Page 60 of The Clause in Christmas
“What brings you by?” Luke pulled out two stools from beneath his drafting table, dragging them in front of the space heater.
But Cassie’s gaze traveled past them to the unfinished rocking chair. “Luke, this is beautiful.” As though drawn to it, she reached out a hand, running it along the unpolished surface.
“Thanks.” Luke felt a similar sense of pride when his mother had praised the same chair the night before. But coming from Cassie, the words sent a different sensation coursing through him—one that ran so much deeper. “I have a few more hours of work left before it’s finished, but it’s coming along.”
“Is it for sale?”
“I don’t know what I’m going to do with it, to be honest. I just enjoy the process.”
Cassie turned to face him, a softness in her eyes. “I think I know what you mean.”
Resisting the urge to pull her into his arms, Luke offered, “If you want, I can teach you a little woodworking. I’ll even let you use the table saw.”
Cassie grinned. “Is it anything like a chain saw?”
“Pretty close.” Luke chuckled, fondly recalling the night they’d cut down Cassie’s Christmas tree. “You’ll want to remove your coat and scarf first. I try not to wear anything too bulky or loose. Nothing that could get caught in the blade.”
As Cassie slipped off her outerwear, revealing the softest looking beige sweater Luke had ever seen, he asked, “Before I forget, was there something specific that brought you by?” Anything to distract him from how completely huggable she looked.
“Yes! Something huge, actually.”
Luke’s stomach churned, and he prayed it was good news. “Should I be sitting down?” he asked, hoping humor would calm his flash of nerves.
“That’s not a bad idea,” Cassie said, then drew in a breath.
Luke waited, perched on the edge of the stool.
“Frank Barrie…” She paused and glanced at the ceiling as if the words to follow would fall from the sky.
Luke scooted even closer to the edge, barely able to contain his curiosity.
When Cassie met his gaze again, the words escaped her lips in a rush. “Frank Barrie was engaged to my grandmother!”
“What?” Luke lurched forward, catching himself before he fell off the stool.
Cassie laughed softly. “That’s basically how I reacted, too.”
“How did you find out? Did he tell you?” Luke still couldn’t believe it.
“It was sort of… an accident. I stumbled across an old engagement photo.”
“Wow,” Luke breathed, running a hand through his hair. “I had no idea.”
“I don’t think anyone did,” Cassie said.
“Does Frank know you found out?”
“No. And I’m not sure how to tell him.” Distress settled across Cassie’s features. “We’ve come so far. I feel like he’s finally trusting me. I’m afraid if I tell him, he’ll get angry and…”
“Not want to see you anymore?” Luke finished gently.
Cassie’s eyes clouded with sadness.
Leaping from the stool, Luke wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “Hey, don’t worry. Once you explain it to him, I’m sure he’ll understand.” He ran his hand up and down her arm for comfort. “And I have no doubt you’ll find the perfect moment to tell him.”
“Thank you.” Cassie smiled up at him.
Luke’s breath hitched in his throat as their eyes locked.
