“He lost out on having an amazing daughter in his life.” Luke said while he stroked her back.
“Damn straight.” She said trying to sound lighthearted. Her mind wandered to the young girl who rang up her sale, with the same eyes as Cara’s, her sister.
“I was fifteen when I left for good and started to stay with your family. That girl I saw today she’s just about fifteen.” She blew out a breath. “He seemed like the perfect father to her, but I know the animal he’s a capable of being. I mean, if I forget today ever happened and he hurt her, that’s on me, because I could’ve stopped it.” She propped her head up and looked up at him. “Do you think I should leave it alone or do you think I should pursue it?”
“That’s your call, but maybe even if there is nothing left to salvage with your old man, there is a chance you can get to know your sister.” He pressed his lips to the top of her head.
“It’s definitely something to think about…” She said, holding back a yawn.
Luke reached over to the nightstand and switched off the lamp before settling back against the head board wrapping Cara in his arms.
“Whatever you decide I’m with you, all the way.” He paused. “Get some rest Spunky.”
She turned in his arms and leaned up pressing her mouth softly to his. It was a kiss of promise. In that moment she promised silently that she would continue to try to find herself so that she could be whole and give herself to him body and soul.
Chapter Nineteen
It was Christmas Eve, and his family was in Cabo preparing for Sam and Nick’s wedding. Luke had left Cara and Ava amongst all different types of cookie dough as they turned his kitchen into a cookie factory. They had been at it for hours before Luke actually decided to take a ride, deciding that if he sampled another cookie he’d burst or end up in a sugar coma.
He climbed the grassy hill of the cemetery with the tattered envelope in his hand. He didn’t plan on visiting Jake. It was more of a spur of the moment type thing than anything else. He was sitting in his living room, staring at the Christmas tree, listening to the giggles that sounded from his kitchen and the urge snuck up on him, the urge to wish his brother a Merry Christmas in heaven.
He hadn’t visited his brother in months, since Cara had been in Lakeview. Starring at the flowers, trinkets, and a Christmas tree that adorned his grave site, Luke was suddenly consumed with his guilt. It was as if everyone but him had been a constant visitor. He was about to turn on his heel and make his way down the path he came feeling too ashamed to stay, but he stopped himself. He took a deep breath, being a coward was not his style, turning back he stared at his brother’s headstone all the while clutching the sealed envelope he had been carrying for months.
“Hey Jake… Merry Christmas,” he said hoarsely and kneeled down on one knee as he ran his fingers along the words carved into stone that read beloved brother. He realized then that part of the reason he hadn’t been there to pay his respects was the fact that he didn’t know where to start. Should he start with all the reasons he was sorry? He felt ridiculous pouring his heart and soul to a slab of granite, but what choice did he have? That’s all there was left of their brotherhood.