Beau broke out in laughter. “You have a point.”
“The problem is, that was then and this is now. How do I close that gap, assuming it can be bridged?”
“I don’t think it can.”
“Gee, thanks,” he muttered.
“That doesn’t mean you and Serena can’t have a relationship.” Beau had a hand against the table. “The thing is, you’re not the same people who were in love thirteen years ago. You’ve had different life experiences that formed who you’ve become.”
“Married people change too, but that doesn’t mean they fall out of love.”
“True, but they’re together and they get to know each other as the changes happen so it’s not a sudden thing, you know what I mean?”
“I think, but what’s your point?” It sure sounded like Beau didn’t think there was a future with Serena, and Lucas didn’t like that opinion.
“If you want to be with Serena, you need to know who she is now, that’s all.” Beau met his gaze and offered a supportive smile. “You can’t base a new relationship together now off of what you felt for each other thirteen years ago.”
“That makes sense.”
Beau breathed a sigh of relief. “Good because I’m not always the best at relationship advice.”
“You’re wiser than you know, brother.”
“If you say so.” Going to the counter, Beau poured another cup of coffee. “How does Serena feel about this?”
He shrugged. “We haven’t talked about it.”
“You’re kidding me, right?”
“No.” He gulped his coffee and helped himself to another cup. “I see it in her eyes, and I’ve caught her watching me. There’s a spark there, but we’ve avoided any acknowledgement of it.”
Beau shook his head. “You’re pretty dense when you want to be.”
“What? Cecily is our primary concern. We can’t just jump into a romance that might not work out.”
“Good grief.” Beau rolled his eyes. “I want you to leave here now, go straight to her, and talk before you leave. This family has had enough heartache because the two of you wouldn’t communicate. You’re not putting us through it again.”
“I can’t. She’s at Pawpaw’s camp cleaning it up for him to sell, and Mom’s expecting me.”
“Do you know where it is?”
“Yes.”
“Well?” Beau made shooing motions. “Go. I’ll call Mom and tell her you’ll stop by later than planned. She’ll be home all day, and I’ll meet you there to say bye.”
“Okay, okay.” He left his half-empty mug on the table, grabbed his bags, and threw them in the trunk.
Beau’s house was on the way to Cecil’s camp on the Bayou Courtableau, which helped cut the drive time, except Lucas needed more time to figure out what to say. His only consolation was that they’d be alone so if the talk bombed, there would be no one else to witness his humiliation.
He prayed for wisdom and the words to say, then prayed for Cecily as she spent the morning working on a service project with the youth group. Man, he would miss her, even if it was only for a few months. Would Serena be willing to bring her for a long weekend in January? Or maybe during the Mardi Gras break in February.
The camp came into view, and his pulse thudded through his veins. If anyone had told them this is how he’d end his leave, he would have laughed in their face. He’d never imagined forgiving Serena, let alone falling for her again.
She came out of the front door and stood on the porch of the old cabin, seemingly unaware he’d pulled in. She wiped the dust from her forehead and unzipped her sweatshirt, tied it around her waist. When he closed the car door, she jerked her gaze toward him. “Lucas? Why are you here? Is everybody okay?”
“Everyone is fine.” He walked toward her, still unsure of what he would say.
“Then why are you here? I thought you were coming by the house later once Cecily’s home.”
