Fix Me

“Luke, I hope I’m not that much work. If you want to take the day to spend with her, I’ll be okay on my own.”

“No!” he blurted out. “I mean, no thank you. I’d like to do my job.”

“Okay, that works,” I said feeling how off he was. “She can hang out with us.”

I heard what sound like a groan. “I suppose she has to.”

“Luke, is everything okay?” I asked.

“It’s fine. Do you need anything?”

“No, I’m good. I made my coffee and toast. I think I’ll go back for a second cup.”

“I can make it for you,” he said.

“I can make it for myself, but thank you. Where is your mom?”

“She’s at the cottage,” he mumbled.

Once again, I got the feeling something was off. And, just like before, he didn’t want to tell me. I told myself not to jump to conclusions. He was having an off day. We all had them. I knew he and his mom had a bit of a strange relationship. I wasn’t sure what the dynamics were, but I got the feeling it wasn’t a great relationship. Maybe he would tell me one day.

“You can invite her over—if you want.”

“Thanks. If she’s a problem, just tell me and I will send her back to the cottage.”

“I’m sure she’ll be fine,” I insisted. His sister had been abrasive and off-putting at first, but once I got to know her, I liked her. I imagined his mother was the same way. I could handle it.

“I’ll be back,” he said with resignation. “I’m sorry about this.”

“It’s fine, Luke. Did she bring a sw

imsuit? We could go swimming. If not, maybe we could go into town and do some shopping.”

“I’ll ask her,” I heard him say before the door closed behind him.

I took a deep breath, shaking my head. I thought I had drama with my dad. Luke didn’t seem to be very excited for his family to visit him. I thought it was cool that they went out of their way to see him. They obviously loved him a great deal. I smiled, thinking about the man my heart beat a little faster for. There was a lot to like about Luke. It was no wonder his family would travel thousands of miles to see him.

I finished my coffee and cleaned up my mess. A few minutes later I heard the door open. “Bree,” Luke said. “We’re here.”

I smiled and very carefully navigated around the center island in the kitchen and moved towards his voice. “Hi.”

“Mom, this is Bree. Bree this is my mother, Charlene.”

I held out my hand, hoping she would do the rest. Instead of shaking my hand, she pulled me in for a hug. It was a good thing, even if it nearly knocked me off balance with my bum foot. It gave me the chance to size her up. She was a short woman, a little plump and I could feel her shoulder-length hair.

“Mom,” Luke growled.

“It’s fine,” I said when she released me.

“You’re just a little thing,” she commented. “And just so pretty. I can see why my son is smitten with you.”

I smiled, feeling a blush spread over my cheeks. “Thank you. That’s very kind.”

“It’s the truth!”

“So, what’s the plan for today?” I asked, excited for something different.

“Your foot is still healing,” Luke said. “You can’t walk around on it too much or you’re going to tear those stitches.”