Page 109 of A Heartfelt Christmas Promise
“I’ve never looked this pretty.”
“I’d give a million dollars to see those girls who teased you about not being girly enough tonight.”
Misty blushed. “How am I ever going to thank you?”
“Be nice to your dad. He was worried to death. He had a tough day. He had to rescue me, then came home to you in a hot mess.”
“Wait a minute. He what?”
“I’ll tell you another day. Right now, your nice young man Luke is downstairs. Alone. With your dad.”
“Oh, no. This is not good.” She spun and practically fled from the room with Vanessa at her heels.
“Coming,” Vanessa announced. “Sorry we got hung up. Girl talk. You know.”
Luke blanched. “Mist? Misty? Wow.”
Mike stared too, only it appeared that he couldn’t utter a word.
My work here is complete.
When Misty hit the bottom stair, Luke walked straight over to her and handed her the clear box he held in his shaking hand. “I thought you said your dress was blue.”
“It was, well, now it’s black. But black goes with everything.” She took the box from him. “It’s beautiful. Thank you.”
“Want me to help you with that?” Vanessa asked.
“I was hoping someone would help.” Luke wrung his hands, shifting nervously from foot to foot. “I don’t know what to do with that thing.”
Mike clapped him on the shoulder. “Been there.”
Vanessa pinned the corsage to her dress, and stepped back.
“It matches your eyes,” Luke said. “You look pretty.”
“Come on, you two,” Vanessa insisted. “We need pictures.” She took them through no less than a dozen poses before she finally let them get ready to leave.
Mike rolled his lips in, pressing them together, but the glint of those tears was unmistakable. He patted his heart with his two fingers.
“I love you, Daddy.” She wrapped her arms around his neck. “Thank you. And you too, Vanessa. Thank you so much.”
“You two have fun,” she said.
Luke turned and looked at Vanessa as if it were the first time he’d noticed her standing there. His face paled and then his cheeks reddened as he muttered, “Ooh, man.”
She watched him visibly gulp.
“I think I owe you an apology,” he said to Vanessa.
“Me?” Vanessa was completely confused. “I don’t understand. I don’t think we’ve met.”
“I didn’t know you were staying in town when we met.”
“We haven’t met.”
“Not formally, but…” He raised his arms out to the sides and squawked.
The falcon!“You!”
