He tapped the page, squinting like a scholar. “Hmm. Are you sure? M-O-M... that looks like Aunt to me.”
Amelia collapsed into laughter. “That spellsmom. MOM!”
“Well,” Luke said, shrugging with mock gravitas, “maybe you’re right. Youarevery smart. How old are you again?”
“I’m six,” she declared proudly, puffing up like she’d just won a spelling bee. “How old are you?”
“Six? That explains everything,” he said, nodding solemnly. “I’m thirty.”
Not to be outdone, Therese climbed into his lap and grabbed his face with both hands. “Youhaveto keep reading,” she ordered, her voice full of fire and four-year-old authority.
“Yes, ma’am.” He saluted and dove back in, now armed with voices so over-the-top they belonged on a stage.
By the time he moved on toGreen Eggs and Ham, the girls were thoroughly entranced, hanging on his every word. Even shy Therese, who usually took time to warm up to people, was giggling and chiming in.
I leaned against the doorway, watching the scene unfold. This was a different side of Luke than I’d seen before. His air of ego and self-importance had vanished, replaced by someone funny, lighthearted, and entirely at ease.
It was... unexpected.
Therese snuggled into Luke’s side, tilting her head with the solemn curiosity of a courtroom judge. “Auntie says you’re a lady man.”
I froze, my brain scrambling for damage control, but it was too late.
Luke’s eyebrows shot up, and a slow, amused grin spread across his face. “A what? A lady man?”
Amelia, the self-appointed expert, chimed in, her tone dripping with authority. “No, Therese. Auntie said he’s aladies’ man.”
If I could have evaporated on the spot, I would have. Luke glanced at me, his grin widening like he was thoroughly enjoying the show.
“Well, I’ve been called worse.” His voice was light and teasing.
Amelia tapped his shoulder, her eyes wide with earnestness. “You’re so lucky. You’re spoiled.”
Luke clutched his chest as if he’d been shot. “Spoiled? Did you call me spoiled?”
“Shhh, Amelia,” I pleaded.
But Amelia wasn’t done. “Auntie Anna said it. She said you’re spoiled, and it means you get everything you want. I think that’s lucky. I want to be spoiled.”
“Amelia.” My voice hit a pitch reserved for fire alarms, but the damage was done.
Luke turned to me, his expression the very picture of gleeful mischief. “Did you really say that?”
Amelia, traitorous to the end, nodded vigorously. “She sure did.”
Luke leaned forward, his blue eyes sparkling. “So, what else does Auntie Anna say about me?”
Amelia wasn’t done. “She also said?—”
“Nope. That’s it.” I interrupted. “Let’s let Mr. Luke go, shall we?”
Luke raised an eyebrow, clearly relishing every second. “Go? But I’m having such a great time. I could listen to this all day.”
I shot him a glare that said,Please don’t encourage them,but the amused sparkle in his eye made it hard to stay mad. The girls giggled, and Luke finally shifted his weight, giving me a break from his teasing grin.
He glanced toward the window, then back at me. “I saw a flyer earlier for some street market? Music, food, people dancing in the middle of the day like it’s a perfectly normal thing?”
I tilted my head. “Sounds like New Orleans.”
