Here We Come (Aggie's Inheritance) (32 page)

“That’s
just
about
the
most
incredible
thing
anyone
has
ever
said
to
me—except
maybe
a
girl
I
know
who
said
she
loved
me.”

“Well,
that
too.”

“And
numbers?”
Luke’s
voice
sounded
suspiciously
emotional.

“I
really
wanted
to
consider
having
only
those
people
who
would
take
seriously
an
admonition
from
our
wedding
sermon
to
‘hold
us
to
our
vows’
in
hard
times.
I
wanted
everyone
to
celebrate
with
us,
but
only
those
who
understand
the
sincerity
and
seriousness
of
our
vows
to
be
there
to
witness
them.”

“I
see
that…”
His
mind
and
jaw
worked
double
time
until
he
nodded.
“I
like
it.”

“Really?
I
just
want
someone
to
say,
‘
I
was
there
the
day
you
got
married.
I
witnessed
those
vows.
You
said
in
good
times
and
bad.
This
is
the
bad.
You
vowed.
Now
let’s
get
back
there
and
I’ll
help
you
work
it
out
’
if
I
ever
even
hint
that
I’m
‘done.’”

“I
pray
I
never
make
you
think
that.”

She
smiled.
“You
won’t.
It’ll
be
all
me.
I
know
me
all
too
well.”

Their
eyes
locked,
enchanting
messages
flying
back
and
forth
between them
,
until
Luke
gave
himself
a
little
shake
of
the
head
and
dropped
his
eyes
to
the
pile
of
papers
on
the
coffee
table.
He
flipped
through
them,
visibly
trying
to
distract
himself,
which
caused
Aggie
no
little
amount
of
delight.
There
was
no
doubt
about
his
feelings
toward
her,
and
it
seemed
as
if
he
understood
her
heart
as
well.

One
slip
of
paper,
scrawled
on
yellow
legal
paper,
grabbed
his
attention.
“What?
Did
you
read
this?”

“The
yellow
one?
No.
What
does
it
say?”

“
‘There
should
be
a
breath
holding
contest.
This
will
give
the
little
girls
a
chance
to
win
something.
C
ari
and
Kenzie
can
hold
their
breaths
much
longer
than
I
can.’”

“A
breath
holding
contest?”

“It’s
futile.
They’ll
lose.”

Aggie’s
eyes
asked
the
obvious
question,
“Why
do
you
say
that?”

Luke
stood,
squeezed
her
hand,
and
dragged
himself
to
the
door.
“No,
don’t
get
up.”

“But
why—”

“Because
I’ll
be
holding
my
breath
until
March.”

Libby says:
Have you seen my Luke tonight? He’s not home and he’s not answering his cell phone. With this weather, I’m a little worried.

Libby says:
Oh, and hello! Sorry.

Aggie says:
Yes!  He just left.  When was the last time you  tried to

call?

Libby says:
Oh, about ten minutes ago?

Aggie says:
He was right here ten minutes ago. Either his battery is dead, or he left his phone in the truck. I’m sorry.

Libby says:
If he’s all right, I am too. I’ve not gotten to chat with you since you returned. I loved the video!

Aggie says:
All his doing. I was clueless.

Libby says:
Yes, well, you made him very happy. He hasn’t quite touched ground yet.

Aggie says:
I know exactly how he feels.

Libby says:
I know he wanted to talk about dates with you…

Aggie says:
Well, we both liked Saturday. What do you think?

Libby says:
As in this Saturday, or as in the best day of the week?

Aggie says:
This Saturday. We’re already planning a birthday party for Tavish and Ellie, so it’d be convenient—everyone here already and everything.

Libby says:
Are you teasing me?

Aggie says:
Not at all. We both talked about it and that really was the date that suited both of us best.