Chapter 19 #3
Father cleared his throat. “We are terribly sorry to hear of your brother’s passing.
” A beat of respectful silence followed.
“Your family business has done well, I understand. Dupont & Son is highly regarded. Several of my clients have used your services, in fact, and sing your praises. Was this always your ambition, or do you have others?”
“I hadn’t planned on following in my father’s footsteps until after my brother, Franklin, died.
I studied architecture at Harvard and in Paris before the war.
Back then, I considered using salvage in architecture and design as cheating.
But now I see it as saving what’s valuable even when everything else is crumbling down around it.
The pieces that survive decay or destruction should not be discarded.
It’s not always better to start from scratch.
It’s better to preserve that which retains beauty and integrity whenever possible.
To tell you the truth, working for my father has been a humbling experience that has taught me things I never learned at Harvard. ”
Elsa found nothing of the arrogant aspiring architect in this version of Luke Dupont. “Have you ever shared that with your father?”
His lips pressed flat. “Probably not.”
“I think he’d really like to hear it,” she said quietly.
Father agreed. “And is this your long-term plan?”
“One day I’d like to restore historic buildings, too,” Luke said. “Instead of taking out the few pieces worth saving, it would be nice to save the entire structure when possible.”
Mother smiled. “Any interest in designing Manhattan skyscrapers one day?”
“You’re looking at the only Harvard-educated architect who isn’t.” Luke chuckled. “I’d rather preserve historic buildings in danger of being torn down and lost to us forever. Just because something is a little broken-down doesn’t mean it isn’t still precious and valuable.”
“In your line of work,” Father went on, “I suppose you’ve learned to place proper value on foundations and structural integrity, and not be so concerned with window dressing.”
Elsa had a feeling Father was veering into the philosophical now.
She wondered if he meant to imply that Elsa had a good foundation and integrity, even if she wasn’t much to look at.
But instead of taking offense, she smiled in amusement.
She never felt unattractive around Luke.
And more and more, she knew her parents loved her.
Soon, Mother stood and tugged Father up with her. “We really ought to be heading back home now,” she said.
A crease appeared between Father’s eyebrows. “Are you sure? I’m quite enjoying the company.”
“I’m sure.” Mother gave him a look that told him he ought to be, too. “Let the young people have some time before it gets too dark.”
Understanding sparked in Father’s eyes. “Quite right. Luke, will you see our daughter home?”
Luke shook Father’s outstretched hand. “I will, sir. You can count on me.”
Mother looped her delicate hand through Father’s elbow. “I do believe we can.”
“I’m glad you got to meet them,” Elsa told Luke as soon as her parents had disappeared from view. “Thank you for putting up with all the questions.”
“Putting up with them?” Luke laughed, and they resumed their seat on the bench.
“Other than you, it’s been a long time since anyone asked me so thoroughly about myself.
It didn’t feel intrusive. It felt like they cared, about me, but also about you.
They wouldn’t care who I was if not for my relationship with you. ” He stretched his arm out behind her.
She smiled. “That’s true. They’ve surprised me lately.
I had built them up in my mind as these formidable people who only cared about image and status.
But I think I’ve gotten them all wrong. Or at least, if my perception was ever correct, it isn’t anymore.
Maybe they’ve changed, or maybe I’m just now seeing them as they really are.
” She told him about her father’s apology last week and about the episode at Macy’s with Mother earlier this evening.
“Are you all right?” he asked, clearly focusing on the part where she almost blacked out on the escalator.
“I feel fine right now. But sometimes I feel broken-down. And I’m not sure if anything can be done to restore me.”
His fingers brushed her shoulder. “You are precious exactly the way you are.”
She didn’t know how to respond. She ought to have taken a few moments or just resolved not to say anything at all. Instead, words escaped without her permission. “To you?”
“To me.” Luke’s smile pushed back the scar in his cheek.
Elsa took his hand, her fingertips memorizing every crease and callous.
“Earlier this evening, you asked what I was looking for. Funny thing about bird-watching. Sometimes you don’t know what you want to see until it’s right in front of you.
Before I met you, I wasn’t looking for you, either, Luke.
But now that you’re here, being with you is always the highlight of my day. ”
“Then you won’t mind if I insist on seeing you even after our work at Elmhurst is through?”
A thrill uncurled inside her. “You mean, you might run into me in the park like this?”
“I mean to be a lot more intentional than that. But only if my pursuit would be welcome.” He swallowed, and his expression showed the first glimpse of vulnerability she’d seen all evening.
Elsa squeezed his hand, when what she wanted to do was throw her arms around his neck. “You are welcome,” she told him. “And how.”
He chuckled. “I was hoping you’d say that.” He brought her hand to his lips and pressed a kiss to her fingers. “Now let’s get you home.”
Leaving their bench, they walked hand in hand out of the wooded path and into the evening’s last gentle rays of liquid gold.