Luke's Recovery Read online

  Luke’s

  Recovery

  Cedar Springs Series

  Book 3

  By: Angela Franklin

  Cover by: Liz Elmore

  This book is a work of fiction. The town, characters, and situations have no bearing in the real world. If you expect it to be true to life, please do not read this, but if you want to let your imagination wonder, enjoy!

  I would like to dedicate this book to my Mom. She encouraged me to write, and even helps with editing, and not to mention she takes my cover pictures. Love you Mom!

  Welcome to Cedar Springs, NC

  Where the ladies are voluptuous,

  And the men are good ole country boys

  Trying to corral them!

  Chapter 1

  Luke was sitting in the living room looking out the window of the ranch house. Today was the big day, Chase was marrying Callie and Jacob was marrying Chasity. It had been a long process trying to get everything together, but the yard looked beautiful and there were people everywhere. He and Chase hadn’t been in town for very long, but in a town as small as Cedar Springs, North Carolina the entire town turns out to celebrate. Callie and Chasity both were born and raised here so it was like the town was family to them.

  The girls were upstairs getting ready, while the guys were at his cabin, no one was willing to risk the bad karma of seeing the brides before the wedding. The girls had three bride’s maids, which meant they had to have three groomsmen too. He was happy for his family, but seeing them so happy made him wish he had someone too. Turning his head, he looked over and saw the twins in the playpen. He had never seen his brother as happy as he was the day they were born. Grant and Lily were perfect, sure they cried and pooped a lot, but they were still perfect. Walking over Luke saw that Grant was awake and picked him up.

  “We have to get you ready soon little man.” He told the baby boy. The twins were now six months old and holding themselves up, and babbling. Little Grant just looked at him making noises no one could understand.

  “I know, but you have to try really hard to stay clean. If you spit up, it will be on me and you both. I would rather not take pictures with that white crap all over me and we don’t have extra clothes like we usually do.” Luke told him seriously, as if the baby would do as told. He gently set the baby back in the playpen and went up the stairs to find the girls.

  As he went up the stairs he thought about all the times he had watched Callie and Chasity go up and down them. When Callie was on bedrest, the house had been overrun with people. Chasity liked to threaten to hurt him, but he loved her like a sister and Callie always seems so fragile. He would do anything for these women, even the ones who didn’t like him at all. Lindsey Clark a.k.a. Lindy was the one who hated him. He never had figured out why, he treated her as nice as the others or at least he tried. Sometimes he was a little short with her, and made comments and jokes that offended her. For some reason when he got close to her all of his good sense went out the window and he had no filter between his mouth and brain. With Kara and Taylor, he was fine, he laughed and joked, but something about Lindy just got to him.

  “Ladies, may I come in?” Luke asked as he knocked on the door to the master bedroom.

  “Luke, you can’t see the brides before the wedding.” Kara called back.

  “Ah, that only applies to the grooms. I am the brother so it doesn’t count.” Luke said back through the door. “Come on, you know you want to let me in.”

  “That man is evil.” He heard Lindy murmur. “Be nice, he is our brother.” Callie told her. “Come on in.” She said as she answered the door.

  “Wow, you look gorgeous.” Luke had always thought she was beautiful, but in her white lacy dress she looked like a walking dream. “And you, sweet Chasity, are a vision.” She wasn’t a frilly kind of girl. Her dress was silk and fitted.

  Luke kissed both of them on the cheek before turning to the other girls. All the girls had the same dress. They were navy with lace over the top and a wide neck that barely touched the edges of their shoulders. With all the girls being pleasantly plump the dresses showed all of the best parts. The skirt stopped just above the knee showing just a little leg. He could only see Kara and Taylor so Lindy must have gone into the bathroom.

  “Ladies you are lovely.” Luke told them both. “Be careful at the reception or we may be having more weddings soon.” He said with a wink.

  “Yeah right.” He heard Lindy snort as she came out of the bathroom behind where he stood.

  “Lindy, always nice to…” Luke started, but cut off as he turned to look at her. “You can’t go out like that.”

  “What?” Lindy asked him confused.

  “You can’t wear that. You need to change.” Luke ordered her as he glared at her robe.

  “Luke, she hasn’t finished…” Kara started.

  “Luke, you have no control over what I wear. If I want to go out naked I will. I am tired of you trying to boss me around.” Lindsey told him glaring back at him.

  “You will not. Lindsey, there are a lot of people out there, and you need to cover up.” Luke was losing his cool and he knew it.

  “Dammit Luke! Just go back to your cabin. It’s almost time.” Chasity told him.

  “I can’t leave knowing she’s wearing that.” Luke told her.

  “She’s not. We have to finish getting ready. Why did you come up here?” Callie asked him calmly.

  “I need the clothes for Grant.” Luke told her remembering why he came over.

  “They are on the bed.” Callie told him.

  “Promise me, Callie.” Luke told her.

  “What?” Callie asked him confused.

  “Promise she isn’t wearing that.” Luke said pointing to Lindy.

  “Luke, she isn’t. She has to put her dress on so we can go get Lily ready.” Callie told him smiling.

  “Okay see you out there.” Luke retreated out of the room with Grant in one hand and his little suit in the other.

  *****

  “What was his problem?” Lindy asked anyone who was listening.

  “I have no idea. I mean you have on a robe now.” Chasity said confused.

  “I think the better question is, why do you always bait him?” Taylor asked her.

  “What are you talking about?” Lindy asked them.

  “Oh, come on Lindsey. You go out of your way to pick a fight with him.” Kara told her.

  “I do not.” Lindy told them as she turned to grab her dress.

  “Yeah you do. All you had to tell him was that you still had to put your dress on, but instead you told him you would walk around naked.” Taylor said staring at her.

  Lindy looked around the group of women wondering why she did that. She wasn’t normally a pushy or mean person, but when that man got near her she became a different person. It was like she was possessed and her mouth started going before her brain knew what was happening.

  “I don’t know. I just can’t seem to stop what comes out of my mouth. He seems so nice to y’all, but when he sees me it’s like he gets mad simply because of my presence and then I get mad because he is.” Lindy told them honestly.

  “He does seem to be different with you.” Callie confirmed giving her a curious look.

  “Let’s finish getting ready. Kara, will you go get Lily so y’all can get her ready while I finish getting dressed?” Lindy asked her changing the subject.

  Lindy went to the corner where her dress was hanging and took it off the hanger. She couldn’t wait to get this over with so she could go back to her apartment over her little boutique. She had worked hard to be able to open the boutique. She spent six years as a CNA at the hospital saving the money for what she really wanted. She loved taking care of people, and still worked
enough to keep her license, but her little boutique was her passion. She slipped on her dress thinking about the last two years. A lot had changed. Two of her best friends were getting married, and one of them had kids. She hoped to someday have what they did, but she was a big girl and most guys wanted little girls.

  “Are you ready, Lindsey?” Callie asked her.

  “Sure, let’s go get you two married.” Lindy said putting a big smile on her face.

  Lindy took Lily as they went to leave the room. Kara and Taylor were going to help Chasity and Callie get down the steps where they were going to wait on the groomsmen to meet them after everyone was seated and they were set to begin. Mr. Stevens was waiting at the bottom to walk his daughters down the aisle. Lindy was supposed to put Lily in a wagon with Grant. Her and Luke were going to pull them down the aisle and since Lily was too small to throw the flower petals someone would do that before they walked out.

  “Is everyone ready?” Tray asked as he came in the door.

  “Yeah, as soon as Luke gets here and we get the babies in the wagon we are ready to roll.” Lindy told him.

  “Great. You look beautiful.” Tray said as he kissed her cheek, then walked over to Chasity.

  “How’s my girl. It’s not too late to run. We can be gone before he even has a chance to look for you.” Tray said wagging his brows at her.

  “Be still my heart. I think I’ll stick with the sure thing.” Chasity told him with a wink, then she hugged him close.

  Cameron, the sheriff, came in next and nodded to them all before standing to the side waiting for go time. She could hear Luke talking to Grant before he walked in. As he walked in, he scanned the room and stopped when he saw her. He smiled, then brought over Grant to put him in the wagon.

  “Be sure y’all buckle the safety belts.” Callie called over.

  “This ain’t my first time, Callie.” Luke looked over winking at her. “She acts like I don’t take them for rides all the time.”

  “She just worries.” Lindy said as she buckled in Lily.

  “Everyone ready? There were two very anxious guys waiting at the other end of the aisle when we left them.” Luke said as he stood up.

  “Yeah, let’s go.” Chasity called out.

  First out the door was Kara and Tray. The big flirt was happy to guide her outside and to the walkway and beautiful arch they had set up for the wedding. Then it was Taylor and Cameron. He took her arm and nodded politely before following the others at the appropriate distance. Then it was their turn.

  “You ready to go?” Luke asked as he looked over at her.

  “Yeah, let’s not make the girls wait any longer.” Lindy nodded.

  They had to open the door and carry the wagon down to the bottom of the steps before setting it down for Luke to pull behind him. Luke reached out and pulled her hand through his arm before reaching back and taking the handle of the wagon to pull along. Her hand tingled where he had touched her and she wondered what would make that happen. It was almost like he had shocked her. Yeah, that must be it. The wagon was plastic so they had probably gotten static from it. Shaking her head, she looked up at him and put a smile on her face as he began to lead her down the aisle. It was so beautiful. They had used the flowers that were growing around the ranch, so there were daisy’s and lilies and all other kinds that grew wild. At the end of the aisle, Luke walked her to her place, then pulled the wagon to sit in front of the three women.

  Any of the women could handle the babies if they fused so they decided it would be better to have them close to them. They had also placed toys and a bottle for both babies in the wagon to keep them occupied during the service. After Luke had taken his place behind the grooms the music started for the brides. Lindy watched as Chase and Jacob both lit up at seeing their brides. The service was short but sweet. She caught herself looking at Luke a few times which was unusual. After they had all kissed their brides and been pronounced man and wife, it was time to go back down the aisle.

  Luke walked over to her and placed her hand on his arm before taking the wagon handle again and the tingle happened. The air must be really dry. She would have to use extra lotion tonight. She smiled brightly as they made their way to the end of the aisle to wait for everyone else so they could take pictures. When they got to the end, she let go of Luke and moved to pick up a baby. He looked down at her and shook his head. She tilted her head and he reached down taking her elbow and pulling her up.

  “Remember, they want them in the wagon for a few pictures before we take them out.” Luke whispered to her as Kara and Tray joined them.

  “Oh, yeah, I forgot.” She said giving him a smile.

  They posed for what felt like a million pictures. Lindy was getting tired, thank God, they were wearing flats. When they were released to go to the reception they had to get back in order to walk in and be introduced. This time Luke placed his hand on the small of her back to lead her in. She felt a tingle, but surely it wasn’t static. At least after this she wouldn’t have to do more than sit beside him.

  *****

  Luke was glad the pictures were over. It felt like his face was going to crack from the smile he kept plastered there. He was always beside Lindy and that was getting frustrating. They hadn’t been fighting, but he felt like he was waiting for it to start. He had to sit beside her at the reception too, but all the others were there to keep his attention off her. Chase and Jacob had gone all out for this wedding having a caterer and getting a DJ. Right now, everyone was dancing while the wedding party ate. His gaze strayed to Lindy more than he would admit even to himself.

  She didn’t seem to be eating much. He tried to ignore the urge to tell her to eat. He talked with Cameron and Tray, trying to focus on anything but her. Tray was a good friend and he had gotten to know Cameron pretty well too. Unfortunately, they couldn’t distract him, even talking and flirting with the other girls couldn’t do that.

  “Lindsey, you really should eat more.” Luke leaned over and whispered to her.

  “Leave me alone, Luke.” Lindsey snipped back at him.

  “How come you aren’t eating much?” Kara asked her.

  “I’m just not hungry.” Lindsey told her with a smile.

  “Here try this.” Luke held up a shrimp to her. The choices were shrimp or chicken, and he hoped maybe she just wasn’t in the mood for chicken.

  “Luke, you don’t have to…” Lindy started, but then glared at him when he stuck it in her mouth while she was talking.

  “See, it’s really good. Why don’t you eat some of mine?” Luke said as he put a few on her plate.

  “I said I’m not hungry, Luke.” Lindy told him with a huff.

  “I know, but you haven’t eaten enough. Come on, just a little more. You’ve got to keep up your strength in case you get stuck on baby duty.” Luke told her knowing she would do whatever it took to take care of them.

  “Fine, but you need your food. I can eat my own.” Lindy said as she tried to push the shrimp back on his plate.

  “Nope, you eat them.” Luke told her with a smile.

  “Fine, but at least take part of my chicken.” Lindy said cutting it in half and giving it to him.

  Luke smiled at her and continued to eat. It really shouldn’t make him happy that she was smiling at him, but he couldn’t seem to help it. He went back to trying to ignore her as he ate the rest of his food. He snuck glances to see if she was eating and thankfully she was. Everyone else around the table had finished their food and was looking around for the newlyweds.

  “Time to cut the cake.” The DJ called over the speakers.

  “Time to go watch them cut it so we can eat it.” Kara said as Tray helped her from her seat and lead her away, then he looked over and saw the sheriff had helped Taylor up as well.

  “Shall we?” Luke said as he stood holding his hand out to her.

  “Sure.” Lindy said pushing back and getting up without his help, then she turned and walked off leaving him standing there.

&nbs
p; He walked over to stand behind her as she watched them get set up for both couples. He knew she did that on purpose, but he couldn’t figure out why she disliked him so much. He watched as his brother and Jacob chickened out on smashing cake on their new brides faces, however his sisters had no problem doing it to them. They both laughed and kissed their wives. He wished he had someone to share that with. After they all got their cake they went to the table to sit and eat. He snuck glances at Lindy again and noticed she had cake on the corner of her lip. He smiled to himself knowing if he pointed it out she would get mad.

  “Lindy.” Taylor called out. When she looked up Taylor wiped her mouth and Lindy did the same.

  “Ladies and Gentlemen, we would like to invite the brides and grooms to the floor for their first dance.” The DJ called and they watched as they went to the dance floor.

  He watched as the couples seemed completely wrapped up in each other. They cuddle close barely swaying as they talked and kissed. It looked so sweet. He was almost at his limit for the mushy stuff for the day, but after today he would be able to go to the fire house and escape most of the mushy stuff. The cake was amazing, but anything Chasity made was.

  “For the next dance, they would like for the wedding party to join them on the floor.” The DJ called over the speaker. Luke looked up to see that they were apparently pairing up with the girl they went down the aisle with. Crap.

  “Come on, Lindy.” Luke said holding out his hand.

  “No, thank you.” She said looking away.

  “Lindy, would you please do me the honor of this dance, please?” Luke said trying to be as nice and polite as possible.

  “Luke, it wasn’t how you asked. I really just don’t want to dance.” Lindy told him with a smile.

  “I understand, and if it was up to me I would head to the cabin and call it a night, but this is for them.” Luke said nodding to the dance floor where everyone was waiting for them.