Page 39 of The Long Way Found

The drive to Mara's took ten minutes. The house was a two-story craftsman with toys scattered across the front porch and warm light glowing in every window.

Before Jack could knock, the door flew open, revealing Marco, grinning. "Uncle Luke!"

"Hey, buddy." Luke ruffled his hair. "Say hi to Jack."

Marco looked up at Jack and asked, "Did you bring your uniform?"

"Not today."

"Aw, man."

Nita appeared behind her brother. "Uncle Luke, I got a new book," she said eagerly. "Will you read it to me?"

"After pizza," Luke promised.

Inside, the house smelled of cheese and oregano. Mara emerged from the kitchen, wiping her hands on a towel. "Hey, you two," she said. "Help yourselves to drinks. They're in the fridge. Pizza's almost ready."

Julio waved from the living room, where he was setting up the coffee table for Uno.

"Luke, tell your friend that cheating is not a valid strategy."

Luke laughed. "He's talking about Marco, not you."

Jack grabbed a beer for himself and a can of sparkling water for Luke. The kitchen was small and warm, filled with everyday signs that a busy family lived there—backpacks on hooks, crayon drawings on the fridge, a dog bowl in the corner.

This was part of Luke's world. It wasn't just The Ridge, the gym, or the carefully maintained house with the hot tub. It was this, too. Pizza boxes, board games, and people who loved him without question.

They ate at the dining table—four adults, two kids, paper plates, and three different kinds of pizza. Nita insisted on sitting next to Luke. Marco wanted to know if Jack had ever shot anyone. Mara quickly redirected that line of questioning.

"Did you have fun at soccer today?" Luke asked Marco.

"Yeah! Coach said I'm getting faster."

"That's because you actually ran this time," Julio said, "instead of picking dandelions."

"That was one time last season!"

They moved to the living room to play Uno. Jack sat on the couch while the others spread out on the floor. Clearly in his element, Luke teased the kids, gave Julio shit, and laughed when Nita made Julio draw four cards.

"That's cheating!" Nita yelled.

"That's strategy," Luke corrected, ruffling her hair.

Jack watched more than he played, taking in the scene. The way Luke folded into this family made it seem as if he'd always belonged there.

Because he had.

At one point, Nita climbed into Luke's lap with her new book, something about a dragon and a princess. "Read it, Uncle Luke. Please?"

"Okay, let's." Luke opened the book, and Nita settled against him.

Jack felt something well up in him, almost like pride, as he watched them. This was Luke's warmest gift, his ability to be fully present with people. Maybe it's easier with children. They're clear about what they need, so you have no choice but to give it to them if you can.

Later, while Julio, Luke, and the kids were picking up the pizza boxes, Mara caught Jack alone in the kitchen.

"Can I say something?" she asked quietly.

"Sure."