“Are you okay?” Luke asked me, stepping up next to Ben.
I was still trying to breathe regularly as I took inventory and tried not to be affected by Luke’s concerned expression. “She didn’t bite me.”
“I don’t think llamas bite people,” Luke said, grinning, probably loving that I looked like a big idiot.
“I’m not sure what she was doing,” Ben said. “Did you give her a cookie or something?”
Sitting up and turning so my feet hit the ground, I shook my head. “I don’t have any cookies. I was just sitting here minding my business when she appeared out of nowhere. I sat super still, hoping she’d keep on going, but she came straight for me. It was freaky.”
“Both times I’ve helped you wrangle her before, she ran away and made us chase her,” Luke said to Ben.
“This rebel always runs,” Ben confirmed, patting the beast’s neck. “Except for tonight.”
Luke held out his hand as if to help me up.
I was shaken enough I took it without thought. As his big palm closed around mine, his rough, calloused skin shot me back in time. His hands had been working hands even in high school, though he was bigger, stronger now. I remembered how I’d been so fascinated by the contrast of our hands—mine so much smaller and softer, and his tanned, coarse, and powerful, even then.
Our eyes met for a weighted moment, as if he was remembering too. Then he released me.
I caught my throw blanket before it fell to the ground.
Holding Esmerelda’s lead with one hand, Ben pulled me into his side for a half hug with the other. “You’re really okay?” he asked. “I’ve never known her to be aggressive before.”
I leaned into Ben but kept all my parts on this side of him, not wanting to tangle with Esmerelda on accident. “She just…nuzzled me, I think. I had my eyes closed. She was aggressive in a…an interested way, but I guess not a threatening way.” I could see that now that I’d lived through her ambush.
“What were you after, girl?” Ben asked his funny-looking, giraffe-necked pet.
Esmerelda swiveled her head to look up at Ben, who stood mere inches taller than her, then those big, intent eyes found me again.
I straightened and stepped away from the vet before his llama craned her neck any closer. “I’m good. Just…it’s not every day I’m accosted by a llama in my own yard.”
Ben frowned and shook his head. “I’d say we need to have a talk, Esmerelda, but I know very well you don’t listen.”
I avoided looking at Luke, whose gaze I could feel on me.
“I’m sorry that happened to you, Magnolia,” Ben said. “She’s harmless, but I’m sure that was disconcerting.”
Disconcerting. Yeah.
I forced a carefree smile and waved him off. “I’m okay. No harm done.”
I’d definitely be checking up and down the alley before I relaxed on the swing again.
“Let’s get you loaded up and locked in the barn, miss,” Ben said to the llama.
“Hand me your keys,” Luke said. “I’ll go pull the van closer.”
As soon as Ben handed him the keys, Luke jogged off without saying goodbye. Which shouldn’t have surprised me. He hadn’t apologized for shutting me down years ago either.
Obviously that moment when he’d grasped my hand had not made an impact on him after all. I must have imagined we’d shared even a split second of memories or connection. He still wanted nothing to do with me.
I said good night to Ben, my eyes locked on his pet, who stared back at me, and went up the stairs, reminding myself the past was the past. That spark of “connection” was my mind playing tricks on me. I did not want anything to do with Luke Durham either.
Chapter Twelve
Luke
“You sure you don’t want me to follow you home and help get her to the barn?” I asked Ben.
