Chapter 24
Luke
As he gazed into the mirror, Luke grinned from ear to ear. Emma had that effect on him. Every time they were together, he felt like the luckiest man alive. And tonight was no exception, they were celebrating her birthday, just the two of them.
He sensed her reservations about the idea on the phone. Luke hated that she felt she couldn’t celebrate her own birthday because of her ex-husband. But this evening he was determined to make her feel like the most special woman in the world.
As soon as he finished shaving, he splashed his face with water and strode into the bedroom. Tonight was a special occasion, and he had planned his outfit accordingly—a sharp suit with a matching tie. Time was ticking away, so he dressed in a hurry, bending down to tie his shoes when he heard the front door creak open.
“Dad, are you home?”
Luke hurried down the stairs and into the kitchen. “Hey, Jer. How was school?”
“It was fine.”
Jeremiah took off his backpack and slung it across the kitchen table. He walked over to the fridge and pulled out a carton of orange juice.
Luke leaned over the counter. “How about the rescue?”
“Pretty good,”
Jeremiah said, pouring the juice into a glass.
“That’s great to hear. I’m glad you found something you like doing for those community service hours. But you know at this point you’re going beyond what the court required you to sign up for, right?”
Jeremiah shrugged his shoulders. “I guess it turned out to be better than I thought it was going to be.”
“I told you it wouldn’t be that bad. You get to help animals, and you’ve always had a soft spot for dogs. And not to mention, who knew you’d be hanging out with a pretty girl at the same time? Now aren’t you glad you didn’t pick the roadside clean-up job?”
Jeremiah chuckled and shook his head, acknowledging the truth in his father’s words. Luke was proud of the progress his son had made and even noticed he seemed less hostile than before. Perhaps it was that pretty girl he was working with, but he didn’t want to pry too much.
“Do you have any plans tonight?”
Luke asked.
Jeremiah walked over to put his glass in the sink. “No, I’ve got some homework to catch up on.”
“But it’s your night off. You don’t want to go out?”
“I guess not.”
“Hmm. Well, I’m going to meet up with a few friends in Savannah. Will you be alright here by yourself?”
“Yeah, Dad I’ll be alright. I’m not twelve.”
“Right. I know,”
Luke said. “Sometimes I forget you can take care of yourself. I’ll leave you some money for pizza, or there’s still that leftover lasagna in the fridge.”
“I’ll figure something out.”
Luke pulled out his wallet and laid out two twenties on the counter. “I probably won’t be home until late.”
“Okay. Drive safe.”
Luke grabbed his keys and headed toward the front door, waving behind him as he went. It was a little strange Jeremiah wasn’t going out tonight, but he guessed he shouldn’t complain. If he was at home, that meant he was staying out of trouble.
As he stepped out into the driveway, a surge of excitement coursed through his veins. The evening ahead promised to be an unforgettable one, and he couldn’t wait to share it with the woman he loved. The car door opened with a satisfying click, and he slid into the driver’s seat, relishing the familiarity of the steering wheel in his hands. The engine purred to life, and he took a deep breath, savoring the moment. The night was full of promise, and he was ready to seize it with both hands.
Luke’s heart raced with anticipation as he drove up I-95 toward Savannah. Emma was in for a surprise, and he couldn’t wait to see her reaction. The heliport they were heading to was just outside the city, and he hoped the traffic wouldn’t delay him from arriving before she did. He didn’t want her to show up to the airfield lost and confused.
Thankfully, luck was on his side, and he arrived well before the driver. The engine of his Range Rover hummed as he parked it in the lot and stepped out, the cool air tingling on his skin. He strode into the small building and met with the pilot, checking, and rechecking every detail to make sure everything was perfect. It had all been arranged in a few days, and he didn’t want anything to go wrong.
The pilot escorted Luke to the helipad as a sleek black sedan pulled up. His heart raced as he watched the driver walk around to open the back door.
And then Emma emerged, breathtakingly beautiful in a long, black dress that hugged her curves in all the right places. Her dress was elegantly designed with a slit up the side, revealing a tantalizing glimpse of her leg. The v-neckline added a touch of sensuality to her look, making her even more irresistible to him.
Luke’s heart skipped a beat as she approached him, her smile illuminating her entire face. He struggled to find his words, his gaze locked on her dress, marveling at the way it complemented her fair complexion. He thought about how lucky he was to be standing next to the most stunning woman he had ever laid eyes on.
Luke walked toward Emma, his heart racing as he took in her elegant appearance. “Wow, you look amazing,”
he stuttered.
Emma put her hands on her hips, a hint of uncertainty in her voice. “Do you really think so?”
Luke stepped closer and put his arms around her, looking into her eyes. “I’ve never seen you wear a dress like this before. It’s stunning on you.”
Emma’s smile faltered as she crossed her arms. “Is it too much? I have a wrap I can put on.”
Luke leaned in and kissed her gently, tucking a loose curl behind her ear. “No, no, no. You look perfect, absolutely perfect. Don’t change a thing.”
Emma breathed a sigh of relief and unfolded her arms. “Okay great. I’ve been wanting an excuse to wear this dress, so I took a risk tonight.”
“I’m glad you did. You look gorgeous,”
Luke replied, kissing her again. “And now, are you ready for our ride?”
Emma’s brow furrowed in confusion. “A ride? What kind of ride?”
He gently turned Emma around to face the helicopter parked nearby. “That ride,”
he said, a note of excitement in his voice.
Emma’s expression was unreadable. “Luke, what do you mean?”
Taking her hands in his, Luke looked deeply into her eyes, hoping to convey the depth of his feelings. “Emma, Lisa told me about how Chad ruined your birthday last year and didn’t let you go on the helicopter tour with your friends. And tonight, I wanted to make it up to you and give you a birthday you’d never forget.”
“Luke, I don’t know what to say. This is so thoughtful and nothing I would ever expect.”
Luke saw the glimmer of unshed tears in Emma’s eyes. He pulled her into a warm embrace and felt her body relax against his. He knew that he had done something special for Emma, something that her ex-husband had denied her. And he hoped that she felt how much he cared for her, even if she couldn’t express it in words.
He held onto Emma’s hand as they walked over to the helicopter. The pilot opened the door for them as Luke helped her into her seat. He hopped in next to Emma and held her hand tightly.
Luke handed her the headset and she put it on as the pilot began to speak. “We’ll be in the air in just a minute folks, flying over Savannah, then up the coast to Hilton Head and then down through Hadley Cove before we return. Sit back and enjoy the ride.”
Moments later the helicopter took off. The sun was setting, painting a molten golden hue over the vast and serene Low Country landscape beneath them. The marshes and rivers seemed to come alive, reflecting the vibrant colors of the sky, while the distant ocean glistened in the fading light, its waves dancing in an enchanting rhythm.
Emma snapped her gaze to the window and sucked in a sharp breath. “It’s so beautiful.”
Luke turned his head toward Emma, his own eyes taking in the stunning scenery. “It truly is,”
he agreed, a sense of wonder in his tone.
The pilot’s voice was muffled by the sound of the rotor blades as he pointed out various landmarks during the flight. As the helicopter soared higher, they took in the stunning panorama of the coastline. They saw the intricate network of creeks and tributaries winding their way through the lush green marshes, while a flock of seagulls soared gracefully below. The view was simply magical, and for a moment, it seemed as if they were suspended in time, in a world that existed only for them.
As they made their way back toward Savannah, Emma leaned into Luke’s shoulder and sighed contentedly. “This is absolutely gorgeous,”
she whispered, her voice crackling through the headphones.
Luke pulled Emma even closer to him, his eyes sparkling mischievously as he gave her a playful wink. “Not as gorgeous as you.”
Emma smirked, a hint of a blush on her cheeks. “Oh, you’re such a charmer,”
she said, playfully nudging him with her elbow.
The pilot’s voice boomed through the headphones, interrupting their conversation. “Alright folks, we’re heading southbound for the finale.”
Emma’s gasp echoed through the cabin as her beloved Hadley Cove came into view. The marshlands sprawled out before them like a patchwork quilt, with shades of green, brown, and gold intermingling in a beautiful chaos. The sandy beach shone in the warm glow of the sun, and the Bridwell Lighthouse stood majestically against the horizon.
Luke’s eyes scanned the view, a mix of awe and nostalgia flooding through him. He thought of their walk on the beach, with Emma’s hand in his and the warm sand between their toes and how they had danced at The Point. He remembered how she had playfully coaxed him into sneaking into the lighthouse, and how he’d caught a cramp in his leg as they climbed the stairs to the top. And he thought about their first kiss, how he knew in that moment that she was the one for him.
As the helicopter turned back toward Savannah, the skies darkened with a deep shade of indigo, and the stars began to twinkle above them. Emma leaned her head onto Luke’s shoulder, and he wrapped his arm around her, holding her close. He looked down at her and smiled, grateful for this moment, for this woman, for this love.