Page 10 of Luke (Rogue County Rangers #1)
Marie
“I can’t believe you’re going to live in a box,” my mother huffs.
“It’s not a box,” I laugh. “It’s a very nice three-bedroom home.”
“Three-bedroom box,” she corrects as she looks around the vast empty space that will soon become my living room. “Why don’t you and Luke buy that abandoned brewery? It’s small, but the space is so unique.”
“You’re insane,” I say. “We can’t raise our future children in a renovated brewery.”
“I raised you in a renovated bakery,” she points out.
In the past six months, she’s made incredible strides. She officially had her last round of chemo last month and her hair has started to grow back. Her doctors are confident the cancer is gone for good.
“My bathroom only had three walls,” I retort. “Don’t worry if this place doesn’t have character right now. Luke and I are going to add character, personality, and memories.”
“You better or else we’re having Christmas at my house until the end of time.”
“I already assumed we’d do Christmas at yours,” I say.
“Well?” Luke asks as he strides into the empty space. “What do you think, Alice?”
“I think you’re going to have to breathe some life into it,” she says. A smile appears in one corner of her mouth. “I think you two will be able to pull it off.”
“High praise,” Luke laughs. “Are you sure you don’t want to move in with us? We have three bedrooms now.”
“I’m not an invalid just yet,” my mother winks. “When I am, this is the first place I’ll come.”
“Noted. Our boys will have to be content with sharing the second bedroom,” Luke nods.
“Our boys?” I raise my brow. “I think our girls will fight over closet space.”
“What if you have a boy and a girl?” My mother asks.
“Then we’ll build you a She Shed in the backyard,” Luke grins.
“This man has thought of everything,” she laughs. “Your eventual children are going to grow up in a fairytale.”
I’m not pregnant. At least, not yet. Luke and I agreed that while we could get engaged and married within the month, we want to date. We want to have the experiences we should have had in high school.
Marriage and children are in the future. We talk about it as easily as we talk about what to make for dinner or watch on TV.
As eager as I am to embark on that part of my life’s journey with him, I also want to savor every moment.
No more stolen fantasies. No more looking in from the outside. No more wishing. It’s all become my reality.
When we first started walking out and about together, people looked at us strangely. At first, my old fears resurfaced. I worried everyone would think I wasn’t the sort of girl he should be with. Then, I simply stopped caring. I’m too damn happy to let my fear stop me from having what I want.
“I’m going to head home. It’s nearly time to take my meds.”
I give my mother a hug goodbye. Luke walks her to her car.
When we’re all alone, he takes me in his arms, and kisses me hard enough to make me forget my name.
“This is a nice, spacious house,” he says.
“It is,” I agree, pulling him in for another kiss.
“There are a lot of rooms,” he says.
“Indeed.”
“We better get started now if we’re going to christen all of them before the furniture arrives.”
I giggle against his mouth. “Let’s start right here.”
To be continued…
Enjoyed Luke Get it Here
You’re in for such a treat! ;-) Here’s a taster.
Rhodes
“The Rangers are going to lie low until the drug dealers relax again,” the Chief explains. “Unfortunately, Ellie will need to spend a few days in protective custody.”
“That’s not necessary,” Ellie speaks up.
“You told them exactly who you are,” I point out. “They know how to find you. Hurting you would be a good way to establish their turf in town. It’s not a bad idea to keep you at the safehouse for a little while.”
“I’m glad you think so, Rhodes. You’ll be joining her,” says the Chief.
“What?” I sputter. “Why?”
“They know your face. They know where you work. They know your name because it’s stitched onto your shirt. You’re not safe.”
“I can handle myself.”
“I will not have a shootout in the streets if they come after you,” the Chief snaps. “You two will stay in the safe house. The Rangers will watch your homes. If someone comes looking for you, we’ll grab them, and get our investigation back on track. Two birds, one stone.”
I want to argue, but I can’t. There’s a protocol to be followed, though I never thought I’d see the day where we actually have to follow it, yet here we are.
“Fine,” I grumble.
“Not fine!” Ellie snaps. “You can’t stick us in a safehouse. I have a job to do.”
“And I don’t?” I fire back.
“Enough,” the Chief sighs. “You will both be escorted to the safehouse. Once there, you will have the opportunity to send a Ranger to your homes to gather one duffel bag worth of items.”
“One bag?” Ellie gasps.
“Essentials will be provided to you,” the Chief goes on.
“I haven’t agreed to this,” Ellie protests.
“This isn’t the kind of thing you agree to,” I say. “You’re not bringing cookies to a bake sale. You’re hiding from drug dealers.”
“I gathered that, thank you very much,” she hisses.
“I can’t take any more of this.” The Chief presses his fingers into his temple. “Your escort is waiting for you. Try not to kill each other while you’re in lockdown.”
“No promises,” I grumble.