Chapter 22
Luke
As the sun rose, painting the sky with a palette of warm hues, Luke’s heart stirred with emotions he hadn’t experienced since Kate’s tragic passing.
For months, he had struggled to find his footing in a world without her, unsure of when, or if, he would ever find happiness again. But now, Emma had entered his life and had rekindled his hope for new beginnings.
In her, Luke had found the courage to open his heart once again to a love that could lead him to a future brimming with joy and endless possibilities.
Although Luke was exhilarated by Emma’s presence in his life, there lingered a twinge of trepidation deep within him whenever he contemplated moving on from Kate. The thought of starting anew with someone else seemed daunting, as though he were betraying the memory of his late wife. Her passing had left a deep scar on his heart, one that he wasn’t sure would ever fully heal. And yet, being with Emma had lifted a weight off his shoulders that he didn’t even realize he was carrying. With her, he could breathe again, laugh again, and feel a sense of hope that had died along with Kate. But he was afraid of the judgment and the whispers that would come with moving on—and that the world, and especially Jeremiah, wouldn’t understand.
Luke knew that he had a long road ahead to help his son come to terms with his mother’s passing. Jeremiah’s struggle was evident, and Luke knew the idea of him with someone new would only make it worse. Despite that, Luke could not deny the connection he had with Emma.
Although they had to keep their relationship a secret for now, Luke was willing to do whatever it took to protect his son from any unnecessary pain. He longed for the day when he could share the joy Emma had brought into his life and show Jeremiah that it was possible to find happiness again, even in the face of tragedy.
In their clandestine relationship, Luke and Emma savored every stolen moment. They took turns planning each outing, carefully avoiding any public places where they might be spotted. Emma had suggested they drive to the neighboring town and catch a movie at the colossal fifteen-screen cinema. For their next date, Luke arranged a dinner cruise, sailing the Savannah River. The sunset views and coastal air breezing against their skin aboard the Georgia Queen left them in awe. Each rendezvous was a mini adventure, and Luke couldn’t remember the last time he had enjoyed himself this much.
Together, Luke and Emma found joy in the simple moments, and it didn’t always involve extravagant outings. They cherished the times when they would just unwind and enjoy each other’s company, whether it was cooking dinner together at Emma’s cozy home or baking dog treats to fulfill orders. Thankfully, Emma’s cottage was tucked away from prying eyes, making it challenging for anyone to spot Luke’s Range Rover parked there.
Jeremiah didn’t seem to miss Luke’s presence much since he was always busy with friends. Luke was glad he was finally getting out of his room and venturing out to the town. He only hoped Jeremiah would stay out of trouble.
One Saturday afternoon, while he waited outside the rescue for Jeremiah to finish his volunteer shift, Lisa passed by. She smiled as soon as she spotted him and walked over.
“Hi Luke. Thinking about adopting a pet?”
Luke chuckled and shook his head. “No, not today. I’m waiting for my son to come out. How have you been?”
“Good, except for missing my friend who has been mysteriously occupied every time I call her to hang out.”
Luke feigned innocence. “I’m not sure I know what you mean.”
“Mm-hmm.”
Lisa gave him a knowing eye. “I’m kidding, of course. I’m thrilled that she’s finally dating. Especially with her birthday coming up and everything—”
“Birthday?”
Luke’s eyes widened. “When is it?”
“September twentieth. She didn’t tell you?”
“No, she didn’t. And that’s next week!”
“I guess I’m not surprised. She doesn’t usually mention it to anyone.”
Luke furrowed his brows. “She doesn’t tell anyone? Why not? It’s her birthday; why wouldn’t she want to celebrate it?”
Lisa let out a sigh. “She used to, but Emma hasn’t really celebrated her birthday in years. Her friends and I buy gifts and make a cake every year for her, but that’s it. She’s never made a big deal of it.”
“I don’t understand. Is she upset about getting older?”
Luke asked.
“No, it’s not that. It has to do with her ex-husband.”
Luke remembered his brief encounter with Emma’s ex-husband at The Point and knew he was a scoundrel, but he didn’t realize he was this cruel. “He didn’t celebrate her birthdays?”
“Well, he’d still get her a little something for the occasion, but it was never thoughtful,”
Lisa said. “I thought it was strange that we never did anything for her birthday, so I finally told her I was going to plan a big party with all of her friends for her. And that’s when she told me what Chad had told her.”
“Which was?”
Luke asked, almost dreading to hear the answer.
“He somehow convinced her it was narcissistic to celebrate your birthday. It was fine to do when you’re younger, but not as an adult.”
“This guy is really something,”
Luke said.
“I agree wholeheartedly. And you know, it’s a little ironic Chad always used to put Emma down about celebrating birthdays, since he was so into himself, and always bragging about his own accomplishments. I swear whenever I went out to dinner with both of them, it would turn into the ‘Chad Hour.’ I couldn’t be happier that he’s out of her life.”
Luke couldn’t believe what he had heard. His anger was rising, and he bit down on his lip to control it. Emma was a sweet and caring person, and the fact that she felt bad about celebrating her own birthday wasn’t right. He knew he had to do something special for her.
“Lisa, I want to do something for Emma’s birthday, but I’m not sure what yet. Can you help me out?”
Luke asked, his voice heavy with determination.
Lisa’s face lit up with excitement. “Of course! I’m more than happy to help. Here, take my number. Let me know what you need, and I’ll be there.”
Luke pulled out his phone and quickly saved Lisa’s number. “Thanks a ton. I’ll brainstorm some ideas and reach out to you soon.”
“Perfect! Emma would be happy with anything you did for her, but I know something she has always wanted to do is take one of those coastal helicopter tours. For her fortieth birthday last year, I had one booked for us and some of our girlfriends, but Chad told her she couldn’t go,”
Lisa explained, a hint of disappointment creeping into her voice.
Luke nodded, a spark of determination igniting within him. “Okay, we’re going to make this a day she’ll never forget.”
At that moment, Jeremiah walked out of the rescue and Lisa said her goodbyes, walking back toward town.
Later that evening, Luke went into his office determined to plan the perfect celebration for Emma’s birthday. With the weight of secrecy on his shoulders, he knew he couldn’t risk being seen in town. Every detail had to be executed flawlessly, without a hint of suspicion.
Sitting down at his desk, he began to scour Google for inspiration, poring over countless pages and websites. As he sifted through the options, one idea stood out: sending a bouquet of Gerbera daisies to her at school on the morning of her birthday.
With a sense of excitement, Luke made arrangements for the flowers to be delivered, ensuring that they would arrive at the right moment. For Luke, every detail mattered. In his heart, he knew that this was more than a birthday celebration, it was a chance to show Emma how much she meant to him. And as he worked, his heart overflowed with joy, knowing that he was creating a day that she would hold on to forever.
As the week progressed, Luke found it difficult to contain his excitement and keep his plans a secret from Emma. He worked tirelessly to prepare for their special dinner date, anticipating the moment when she would see the surprise he had in store for her. But first, it would all begin with the delivery of the flowers.
When the morning of Emma’s birthday arrived, Luke anxiously checked his phone for any confirmation that the flowers he had ordered had been delivered. However, there was no update or photo confirmation from the florist yet. Trying not to worry, he continued with his morning routine, taking a shower, and making breakfast.
By the time he dropped off Jeremiah at school and headed back home, his phone still remained silent. Luke started to wonder if he should call the florist to inquire about the delivery. Perhaps there was a mistake or delay.
But as he pulled into the driveway, his phone chimed, interrupting his thoughts. Luke parked his SUV and retrieved his phone from the dashboard. A sense of relief washed over him as he saw a photo of a stunning bouquet on the reception desk at Emma’s school. They looked even more beautiful than the online stock photo. Though Emma was likely in class, she would surely see them during her morning break. Luke exhaled, glad that the flowers had arrived on time. He unbuckled his seatbelt and entered the house, ready to prepare for a conference call.
As the morning sun rose higher in the sky, Luke found himself distracted, checking his phone every few minutes for a message from Emma. He had included a note with the bouquet, so she would know they were from him. But there weren’t any texts from her yet, which sent a twinge of worry into his chest. What if she didn’t like them?
He considered sending a text himself but decided against it. Taking a deep breath, he reminded himself Emma was a busy woman and would reach out when she had a chance.
Luke sat down at his laptop, his mind still preoccupied with thoughts of Emma and the flowers. He tried to focus on his work, answering a few emails and checking his schedule for the rest of the week. But every few minutes, he found himself glancing over at his phone, hoping for a message from her.
Once Luke had finished catching up on work, he settled back into his chair, and collapsed against the soft, pillow-like material. His eyes transfixed on the screen of his phone as he scrolled through pictures they had taken on top of the Bridwell Lighthouse, a place that had become special to both of them. He smiled as he reminisced about the night they had shared their first kiss. It had been magical, and he hoped that this evening, planned with so much care, would be as unforgettable.