Chapter 14
Unexpected Guests
It was a quiet Sunday morning when Emma received a knock on her door. She opened it to find Luke standing there, a sheepish grin on his face.
“Hey,” he said. “Hope I’m not intruding.”
Emma raised an eyebrow. “This is unusual. What’s going on?”
Luke held up a small bundle of mittens and scarves. “Thought you might need these. And… maybe some company. My parents are visiting Ashford today, and I… well, I’d rather not face them alone.”
Emma laughed softly. “You’re dramatic. But come in. You can’t drag them here—at least not yet.”
An hour later, Luke’s parents arrived, warm smiles on their faces.
Emma could tell they were curious about this girl their son had been spending so much time with.
Despite her nerves, she found herself relaxing as Luke subtly guided the conversation, making jokes and letting her share small stories about her life and sketches.
By the time his parents left, Luke leaned against the doorway with a relieved sigh. “Thanks for today. You made that… easier than I expected.”
Emma smiled, brushing a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “You’ve got a lot of charm, you know. It helps.”
He chuckled and stepped closer, their shoulders touching. “Charm isn’t the only thing I have. I’ve got… patience, too. Especially with you.”
Emma’s cheeks warmed. “Patience? You don’t need much of that. I think we’re… fine.”
Luke’s grin softened into something more serious. “Yeah. But these little tests… they show me I don’t want anyone else by my side. Only you.”
Emma’s heart skipped a beat. The warmth of the room, the gentle snow outside, and the sincerity in Luke’s eyes made everything feel perfect. “Only me?” she asked quietly.
“Only you,” he confirmed, his hand brushing hers in a tender, unspoken promise.
As the evening settled, Emma realized that every challenge, every little interruption, only strengthened the bond they were nurturing. With Luke, even the unexpected moments felt like home.