Chapter 23
H arper was running late. Max had slipped his collar after spotting the beagle from three houses down running loose. She spent half an hour chasing them down, returning the beagle to a very grateful Mr. and Mrs. Scotts and then carrying Max in a vice-like grip back to the house.
Luke had called a morning staff meeting, and Harper wanted to get the latest numbers in front of him beforehand. Her hair was still damp from a very hasty shower, and she was pretty sure she had missed a button on her blouse.
It wasn’t until she was dashing out the front door digging for her keys that she realized they—and her car—weren’t there.
Luke pulled the door closed, wrangling a travel mug and a stack of papers. “You’re riding with me today.”
“Where’s my car?”
Luke started down the front porch steps. “It’s at the garage.”
“Why the hell is my car at the garage?” She followed on his heels.
He sighed and turned to face her so they were eye to eye. “I asked Shorty to give it a tune-up.”
“It runs fine,” Harper said with a measured glare.
“Bullshit.”
He said it so calmly it didn’t register for a full second.
“I’m not leaving you with a car that barely runs.”
“Luke, that’s not your concern.”
He sighed. “You’re my concern, and that extends to any metal container that you strap yourself into and hit highway speeds in.”
She was equally touched and annoyed by his gesture. Was it worth fighting over with 72 hours left together? She sighed. “When will it be done? ”
“Should be done tomorrow end of day.”
“Two days? What are they doing to it?”
“Anything it needs.” He cut off her outraged reply with a hard kiss on her mouth. “Now get in the truck.”
“Fine, but don’t even think for a second that you’re paying for this,” she yelled at his retreating back.
“Truck, Harper,” he called over his shoulder.
She climbed in in a huff.
“Listen,” Luke said, sliding the key in the ignition. “I want you safe when I’m not here to keep an eye on you. I’ve gotten kind of attached to you being alive and in one beautiful piece.”
“Don’t you think you’re being just a little overprotective? Especially for someone who is basically breaking up with me in a matter of hours.” They backed down the driveway into the street.
“Can we talk about something else for a minute, and then you can go back to complaining?”
She rolled her eyes and sighed. “By all means.”
“I saw you started packing last night.”
She had. It was just some clothes tucked into a bag and a few boxes of odds and ends. “I didn’t want to leave it all until Friday. Too depressing.”
“I know you’re planning on leaving, and I was thinking maybe you could stay a few more days. After I’m gone.”
Harper shot him a look, but his gaze was fixed on the road. “Why?”
“It might be a little hard on my family if we both leave the same day.”
“You haven’t told them yet?”
He shook his head. “I couldn’t think of the right way to do it. Dad’s always wanting to tell me about something great you’re doing in the office. Mom’s always shoving baked goods at me for you.”
“That’s kind of sweet.”
“Yeah, you try crushing their dreams with the truth.”
“So what are we going to do? I’m not just supposed to disappear one day, am I?” She watched the tidy neighborhood slide past her window and forced the lump in her throat to release.
“I did something I never do and asked Sophie’s advice.”
“I’m suddenly intrigued.”
“I told her I didn’t want either one of us coming across like a jerk.”
“Good call.”
“So her solution is for us to announce that you’ve just landed your dream job somewhere else and we’re parting as friends.”
Harper mulled it over.
“When do we tell them?”
“I was thinking about doing it at the dinner?”
“Before you leave?”
“It’s either that or you tell them after I get on the bus.”
“That is so not going to happen.”
“Dinner it is then.”
With her future decided, Harper leaned against the headrest and tried not to think about it.
Harper smoothed the golden waves away from her face and secured them in a clip, leaving the rest hanging loose around her shoulders. She took a deep breath to steady herself before tackling the makeup. She wanted to look perfect.
She even bought a new dress. The white sundress had a fitted bodice with a scoop neckline and a full skirt that floated away from her body. It was too fancy for dinner, but she wanted to be memorable.
“Harper.” Luke’s voice carried up the stairs. “We gotta go, baby.”
“I’m ready,” she called back. One last look in the mirror and another deep breath and she told herself she was ready. One last night.
She sailed down the stairs and smacked soundly into Luke as he came around the corner from the living room. He caught her, hands at her waist. “Hey there, beautiful.”
His voice was a caress. One she would miss for a very long time.
He was dressed in charcoal slacks and a thin black sweater that fit like it had been poured over him. Perfection. Harper ran her hands across his chest provoking a growl.
“Baby, if we get started, we’re going to be late.” He ran a hand up under her dress to gently stroke the barrier of her silky underwear. “Very late.”
“I can’t believe this is the end,” she whispered, tracing her fingers lightly up his chest to his shoulders.
Luke stared into her for a long moment, bringing his thumbs up to trail a gentle path along her jaw and down her neck. “You look beautiful,” he said finally.
“I wanted to be memorable.”
“Baby, it would take more than all the time in the world for me to forget you.”
“I love you, Luke.” So much so that she thought it would burst out of her. Love and pride flowed through her veins, feeding her heart. He was the man she had always dreamed of.
He pulled her in tight, resting his chin on top of her head. “I’m going to miss you.” There was a fierceness in his voice that had Harper closing her eyes to fight back tears. She took a deep, shuddery breath.
“Okay, Captain. Let’s get you to your party,” she said brightly, taking a step back.
“We’ll take your car.” He held up her keys and dangled them in front of her.
“It’s back? Yay!” She snatched at the keys, which Luke held just out of her reach.
“It’s back,” he affirmed. “But you can only have it on one condition. ”
“I’m not getting naked. We’re already late.”
He smirked. “Not that condition. You have to promise that you’ll take care of her. Change the oil regularly. Don’t ignore the check engine light. Check the fluids and the tire pressure.”
“Yes, sir.” Harper saluted sharply. “Now gimmie!”
He handed over the keys and followed her outside. Her squeal of delight had Max charging the front window to bark ferociously.
“It’s so clean! And look! They fixed the tear in the roof.” The paint job, brought back to life by a professional wax, glowed a glossy blue in the late afternoon sun.
Harper slid in behind the wheel and lovingly stroked the dash. “Are these gauges new?”
Luke leaned in the open passenger window. “Why don’t you start her up?”
Harper obliged and clapped her hands when the engine caught on the first try. “Oh my God! There’s no squealing at all. Shorty is a genius!”
Luke opened the door and slid into the passenger seat. “I’ll tell him you said that.”
“Thank you so much for getting her all fixed up, Luke! This is going to take a giant chunk out of my apartment and comfy couch fund, but I don’t even care. It’s the best she’s ever looked!”
“Your fund is intact. This is on me. Consider it a going away gift.”
Harper opened her mouth to argue, but Luke clamped a hand over it.
“Before you start yelling, this past month has been the best I’ve had in…
I don’t even know how long. You made my house a home, you took away the chaos at work, and you gave me what I didn’t know I needed.
You. So this is my very small way of thanking you for bringing me back to life.
If I thought for a second you’d let me get away with getting you a new car, I would have. But I know you.”
He removed his hand from her mouth. “Okay. You can yell now.”
“Dammit, Luke. I can’t yell now.”
“You also can’t insist on paying me back without looking like an asshole,” he smirked.
Damn that sexy dimple. The perfect picture. Him grinning at her, aviators on, that soft sweater that clung to every muscle. And the sun setting low behind him.
This is how she would always think of him.
Harper sighed. She would go to her grave loving Luke Garrison without regret.
He patted the dashboard. “Now that I’ve won the gift giving competition, let’s go. I’m hungry.”
Harper backed down the driveway and put the car in first gear. “Is this a new engine?”
Mr. Romanos himself led them through the restaurant to the small back room reserved for special occasions.
Harper paused with Luke in the doorway and took in the chaotic scene.
Josh had crawled under a table, and Ty was trying to coax him out.
Sophie was topping off wine glasses. Charlie was in deep discussion with Aldo and James while Claire and a short, plump woman with salt and pepper curly hair had their heads together.
“That’s Aldo’s mom, Mrs. Moretta,” Luke whispered in her ear, nodding in the woman’s direction. She threw her head back in booming laughter. “She’s on the feisty side, so try not to get into an argument with her.”
Stu and Syl were having a disagreement over the basket of rolls while the frazzled-looking waitress promised to bring a second order out. Frank sat by himself nursing a beer.
“I am going to miss this,” Luke sighed, drawing her into his side.
“Me, too,” Harper nodded. “Well, we might as well make the most of our last night. ”
He squeezed her waist and winked. “Uncle Stu, put the bread down,” he ordered as they entered the room.
Cheers went up and they were surrounded by hugs, handshakes, and slaps on the back. Everyone was talking at once.
Josh poked his head out from under the table. “Uncca Luke!” The toddler bolted for his uncle, and Luke picked him up, tossing his nephew in the air.
“Uncca Luke! Camo!” Josh pointed to the camo t-shirt he was wearing. “Like you?”
“When you come back, he’s going to be twice that size,” Ty teased. “Kid eats fifteen pounds of mac and cheese a day.”
“I don’t doubt it,” Luke laughed. Harper skirted around the crowd to Sophie who handed her a glass of wine.
“Hanging in there?”
Harper nodded. “Yeah.” She watched Luke juggle Josh to one side so he could hug Aunt Syl. “Did he tell you what he did to my car?”
Sophie rolled her eyes. “Has my brother ever willingly told anyone anything?”
“Good point.” Harper laughed and filled her in.
“The big softie.” Sophie sighed and blinked her watery eyes. “He loves you, you know. He protects you like family.”
“I know he cares for me, but I don’t think he’s ready for the L-word. I, on the other hand…” Harper trailed off and sipped her wine.
“I knew you were just what he needed, and now you’re leaving, too,” Sophie sniffled.
“Oh my God, don’t you start, or it’ll set me off, and then Luke will get pissed at both of us,” Harper said, blinking her eyes to fight off the tears that blurred her vision. “Please tell me something funny!”
“Last year, Mom took Josh overnight so Ty and I could have a night out. We stayed in instead and drank an entire bottle of Kraken. Then we ordered a pizza, and I bet him he wouldn’t answer the door wearing my pink pajama pants with kitties on them. I lost.”
Harper slapped a hand over her mouth, but it was too late. The laughter was already erupting. They both doubled over in hysterics.
“Pink kitty pants?” she gasped.
Sophie, lost in silent laughter, could only nod.
“Ladies, am I gonna have to arrest you for public disturbance?” Ty said, approaching.
It set them off again and had Harper clutching Sophie to stay upright.
“What did you do to my girl, Ty?” Luke appeared at her side, a beer bottle in his hand.
Harper wiped the tears from her cheeks, thankful that she went with waterproof mascara tonight. “Sorry. Sophie was just telling the funniest story.”
“If you’ve recovered your oxygen supply, I’ll introduce you to Mrs. Moretta.”
Harper nodded and straightened her shoulders. “All recovered. Excuse us, Soph, Mr. Kitty.” She clawed the air in front of Ty as she walked past.
Sophie started giggling again.
“Damn it, Soph. Why are you spilling secrets?” Ty sighed behind them.
They eventually got everyone seated long enough for the waitress to take the group’s order. When everyone’s drinks were refilled, Charlie got to his feet, glass in hand. Luke squeezed Harper’s thigh under the table.
“It’s Garrison family tradition to send our boys off with some words of wisdom. Luke, Aldo,” he nodded at both, “I’ve witnessed you grow from trouble-making kids to trouble-making teenagers. Now you’re grown men, and you still occasionally make trouble. ”
Harper smiled at the laughter that bubbled around the table.
“But I couldn’t be prouder to know you both. You’re good men who lead with heart. You believe in loyalty, friendship, family. Thank you for your service, and come home safe.” Charlie raised his glass. “Cheers.”
“Cheers,” everyone echoed, raising their glasses.
Luke squeezed her leg again and stood up.
“Thanks, Dad. I’d just like to point out that we learned our trouble-making from you.
I don’t usually do this toast thing, but I wanted to thank you all for your support.
For us, leaving is never easy. But it eases our minds with all of you picking up the slack for us at home.
I may not say it often enough, but I appreciate all of you and everything that you do. ”
Luke laid a hand on Harper’s shoulder. “A lot of you know that Harper has made pre-deployment a lot easier for me at work. At home, she got dogs and furniture and generally brought a lot of chaos.” The group chuckled.
“We’ve talked a lot about what to do with me leaving, and we’ve decided that it’s for the best for us both if we go our separate ways.”
Harper stared at her lap and pretended not to hear the gasps.
Sophie, on her left, poked her under the table with her foot.
“Harper was on her way to Fremont when we met. And that’s where she’s headed in a week or two. She got some opportunities that she’s really excited about, and I’m happy for her. She’s a great girl.” Luke paused awkwardly, and Harper sneaked a peek around the table. Shock, disappointment, confusion.
“Geez, when you got up, I thought you were going to propose to the girl,” Mrs. Moretta announced. No one laughed.