“So are the two of you going to the Chowder Fest this weekend?” Carolina asked. “You know all the couples in town turn out for it. It’s a great date night.” She groaned. “Not that I would know anything about that.”
Chowder Fest. Stella had honestly forgotten all about it. It was an annual event in Mistletoe where locals participated in a competition to see who made the best clam chowder. Restaurants participated as well as chefs from neighboring communities. The winner received a cash prize and bragging rights. Vendors sold clothing, artwork, crafts, baked goods, and apparel.
“Umm…yeah. Of course we are. We wouldn’t miss it for the world.” Eeek. Why did she say that? For all she knew Luke had other plans. But then again, this entire plot had been his idea. He needed to commit to it just as much as she did.
“Yay! Then I’ll finally get to see Luke up close and personal and meet him. If you weren’t a dear friend, I’d hate you for scooping up the finest man in town.”
Stella laughed but it sounded hollow to her own ears. This was getting stickier by the minute. In order to look like a legit couple, they would have to attend town events together. If they didn’t, Stella knew tongues would be wagging.
They’ve broken up already?
Stella can’t hold a man to save her life.
Poor Luke. She’s still stuck on Rafe.
After saying her goodbyes to Carolina, Stella grabbed her cell phone and dialed Luke’s number. She tapped her foot impatiently as she waited for him to pick up the call. Her stomach clenched at the sound of his rich, deep voice as he said hello.
“Luke. It’s Stella. I don’t know what you’re doing on Saturday night, but we need to attend the Chowder Fest.” She gulped past her nervousness and continued to speak. “As a couple.”
Chapter Thirteen
Luke looked around the town green with complete and utter awe. He was still surprised that Stella had reached out to him about attending this event as a couple. He’d been trying to figure out if she intended to follow through with their plan or bail on him. After all, she hadn’t seemed too keen on the plan in the beginning. Her phone call had let him know that she was fully on board. It had been a relief to know that she’d taken the initiative and contacted him. It reinforced the idea that they were a team working together.
He couldn’t remember the last time he’d attended Chowder Fest, but it had come a long way since then. The organizers had worked really hard to make it a festive event with all the trimmings. A multitude of white tents had been set up along the lawn with gaily decorated banners and flags, lending a festive vibe to the event. The smell of seafood drifted in the air, making his stomach clench and his mouth water. A great number of people had shown up for the event, and it was nice to see old friends and acquaintances, all of whom greeted him warmly. It was the Mistletoe way.
Nick and Miles would be making an appearance later this afternoon, and he couldn’t wait to treat his nephew to whatever he wanted. His parents used to take him and Nick to the festival as a fun family outing. One year he’d eaten so much chowder and cotton candy that he’d gotten sick later that evening. His ten-year-old self had figured it was worth it to indulge in such amazing food. Nostalgia washed over him. His childhood had been wonderful, and this town had been at the center of so many magical moments. Although he knew his nephew’s situation was deeply affected by the loss of his mother, it was a good thing Miles was growing up right here in Mistletoe.
Stella was standing beside him in line as they waited for Kyle’s lobster chowder. As the owner of one of Mistletoe’s most celebrated seafood restaurants, Kyle knew his way around a kitchen like no other. If Luke had to select a last meal on earth, he would pick something from the Lobster Shack’s menu and die a happy man.
“If the length of this line means anything, we’re about to be treated to something wonderful,” Luke said to Stella. He glanced over at her, fully appreciating her skinny jeans that fit her in all the right places. She’d paired them with a floral top and a pink lightweight sweater that skimmed her waist. He still found it impossible to believe that her ex had dumped her and that she was currently single. There should be a line longer than the one he was standing in to go out with a stunner like Stella.
“It’s one of my absolute favorites. As you know, once you’ve gotten a taste of it, you’re hooked,” Stella gushed, her face becoming animated right before his eyes. He loved the tiny freckles on the bridge of her nose and the way her eyes turned different shades of brown depending on her mood. Her mocha-colored complexion glowed. Being in her company was as easy and relaxed as a summer’s day, like he’d known her for way longer than he had. He felt stupid for not taking time to get to know her when they had been younger. He’d been too tied up in Friday night lights and the popular crew.
“By the way, I’ve been wondering about your leg. Did you reach out to any orthopedic specialists?” Her tone radiated concern while her eyes burned a hole through him.
“I haven’t made contact yet,” he hedged, “but I plan to.” Luke didn’t know why he was avoiding it so much. Maybe a part of him was afraid of finding out he’d done more damage. He was supposed to be in the healing process, not making his injury worse.
“You really should,” she said with a firm, no-nonsense nod of her head. He imagined some of her students got the same look. Stella was right though. He couldn’t keep putting it off. One of his surgeons at Walter Reed had given him the names of two orthopedic surgeons in the Mistletoe area who could help him out. He just needed to suck it up and do it.
Once they got their bowls of chowder, they headed toward the patio area and sat down to eat. Many eyes were focused on them, as they’d both expected. Although there were plenty of stares, there were also smiles. He’d forgotten how many residents had been praying for him during his stint in Afghanistan. And he knew from Nick how beloved Stella was. He couldn’t help but feel that folks wanted the best for both of them. Mistletoe had given him so much through the years. He hadn’t always appreciated it, but being in a war zone had taught him to value his hometown. It wasn’t perfect, but it belonged to him.
“Luke Keegan. I thought that was you!” a voice exclaimed. It came from a petite white-haired woman who Luke instantly recognized.
He jumped to his feet. “Miss Botts!” He quickly closed the distance between them and gently wrapped his arms around her. Given her age and her small frame, Luke didn’t want to break her. With her full rosy cheeks and classic features, Miss Botts had always reminded him of a doll. Florence Botts had been Luke’s nursery school teacher and a huge influence in his young life. When he was five she’d encouraged him to reach for his dreams and never settle for less. Her wisdom and belief in him had stuck with him over the years, adding to the confidence instilled in him by his parents.
“Luke, you’re a sight for an old lady’s sore eyes,” she remarked, eyes twinkling like stars in a midnight sky.
He reached for her hand and held on to it. “It’s great seeing you again. It brings back a lot of good memories.”
“You’ve made this town proud,” Miss Botts said. “I always knew you were going to do great things. You had an adventurous spirit and a loving heart. If you remember, you used to share your lunch every day with another student whose family was struggling. No one told you to do it, Luke. It simply came from the goodness inside of you. That still warms my heart to this day.”
“He was my friend, and it didn’t seem right not to share,” Luke said. “But it’s nice to hear I was a good kid.” He chuckled. “By the time I reached high school I may have been ready to shed that image.” Although he hadn’t been a bad kid by any means, he hadn’t exactly been a choir boy. Alongside Nick, Dante, and Dante’s younger brother, Troy, he’d engaged in his fair share of mischief.
Miss Botts shook her head. “I don’t believe a word of it. You were always as good as gold.” She peered behind him. “Hi there, Stella. Nice to see you. As a former teacher, I still have close ties to the Mistletoe school district.” She gifted Stella with a beatific smile. “I hear tremendous things about you. It makes me so proud to see you teaching the next generation.”
“It’s great to see you as well, Miss Botts,” Stella said with a grin that lit up her face. “You’ve always been a great inspiration to me. You were my favorite teacher, bar none.”
Miss Botts smiled, and Luke could tell she was pleased by Stella’s praise. It probably wasn’t every day one of her students went full circle and became an educator.
