Page 100 of After We Fall

He exhales. “Yes.”

“I’m sorry.”

Raw relief washes over his face. He leans in and gently rests his forehead on mine. With an exhale, he says, “Okay.”

He settles us back on the glider, tucking me into his side, my head resting on his chest.

In the silence, I stare out at the field. Two cows moo from the black beyond. I wonder if they’re having their own argument.

“Luke,” I whisper.

“Right here, baby.”

“Do you still like me?”

“Not anymore,” he says, humor lacing his words. “I think it was just a phase.”

I giggle.

He releases another heavy sigh. “That’s my problem, isn’t it.” It’s more of a statement than a question, so I don’t respond. “I like you. And it isn’t just a phase.”

I wrap my arm around his waist and squeeze. “Merry Christmas, Luke.” Yes. Apparently I am the kind of woman who allows jewelry to sedate an argument. And liking the man who gifted me with said jewelry isn’t just a phase for me either.

He runs his hand through my hair and cradles my head, and I wrap my hand around the back of his neck. He draws me in for a kiss, his thumb sweeping lightly across my cheek. The kiss lingers. Gentle. Warm. Sweet. When he pulls back, he rests his feet on the porch railing, and I sink further into his hold.

“Merry Christmas, Penelope.”

A few more beats and the pills start to do their job, smothering the pain in a blanket of medicine and taking the burden of the headache from me.

“When does Claire get here?” Luke asks.

There’s that draft in my blanket again, sending cold air onto my cozily warmed body.

“Tomorrow.”

“How’re you doing with that?”

“Do you think if I short-sheet her bed and put plastic wrap around the toilet seat, she’ll get annoyed and not want to take the job?” I may have learned a trick or two during my foster care days.

Luke chuckles. “From what I hear of her, she won’t scare that easy.”

“I know. She’s amazing.” I rub my cheek into the soft flannel of his shirt. “That position with the Arizona Cardinals is still open.”

“They have a pretty good quarterback right now. You trying out for linebacker?”

I giggle, and he pulls me in closer. “You don’t sound the slightest bit worried that I’ll interview for the assistant position.”

“Are you kidding? Your claws are buried deep into the soil of Twelve Bluebells Ranch. You’re not going anywhere.” He squeezes me at the waist. “You belong here.”

I belong at the ranch? Or I belong in his arms? “I’ll have to leave if I lose my job.”

“Have you told Meredith that you want the program director job yet?”

“No.”

“Why not?”

“I want to show her I can earn it.”