“It’s not about me,” Stella insisted. “Yes, I had no idea what was going on with you and it threw me. But knowing you’re going through this type of turmoil is the bigger issue. I’m so sorry that you’re suffering.”
When she looked into his eyes, Stella could see shame infused in their brown depths. “I’m supposed to be stronger than this.” He let out a ragged sigh. “Strength is what got me through SEAL training and all my years of service. It’s something I’ve always had in abundance.”
“You’re human, Luke. And what you went through was traumatic. Being affected by it doesn’t mean you’re not strong. But you’re not Superman. Unless of course you’re hiding something from me.” To lighten the mood, Stella reached out and lifted up his shirt as if she were trying to find his superhero costume. All she saw was a washboard stomach and abs of steel that made her suck in a deep breath.
“I always wanted to be Spider-Man, anyway,” he teased with a slight smile. It was good to see Luke joking with her despite their heavy conversation.
“Well, if you know your Spider-Man lore, Peter Parker went through some hard times, especially when his uncle was killed. That’s how he transformed into Spider-Man.” She squeezed Luke’s shoulder, wanting to comfort him. “Not even superheroes are unscathed by life.”
“Waking up in that hospital and finding out that Kenny and Aaron had been killed still haunts me. Maybe it always will. And I made a vow that I would see their families face-to-face and offer my condolences and answer any questions they might have about our mission and what happened. It’s only right.”
“If that’s what you want to do, then I think you should make it happen,” Stella said. “It might give you closure. And that doesn’t mean you won’t still grieve the loss of them,” she added, “but it might help you move forward.”
Luke nodded his agreement. “I think it would do a world of good to see their families and talk about all the amazing things they accomplished.”
“Why don’t I make some tea and we can chat? I’d really like to hear about your friends, Luke. Sometimes when we lose people it helps to talk about them.”
Luke nodded. “I haven’t really been able to do that much, but I’d like to try.”
While Stella made the tea, Luke took out teacups and saucers. He asked her where the sugar was and she pointed him toward the pantry. Luke went into the fridge and pulled out some milk, depositing it on the table.
“Are you hungry at all?” she asked. “I have some of your chocolate chip cookies over in that tin and some zucchini muffins my mom made, not to mention a variety of chips.”
“A muffin sounds good. I’m always hungry,” Luke said with a shake of his head. “My mother still worries that I’ll eat her out of house and home when I come over.”
“It sure doesn’t show,” Stella said, her eyes zooming in on his sculpted frame. “You’re in great shape.” Stella tried her best not to stare, but Luke made it hard not to admire his finely honed body.
“Running has always helped,” he admitted. “I need to get back to the gym, because running is off the table for the foreseeable future. It’s jarring for my injury. I’m really working on strengthening this leg through physical therapy.” Luke wrinkled his brow. “I’m learning about all kinds of things that will help my knee, like the benefits of swimming and certain stretches to help improve movement. Don’t be surprised if you see me taking a dip in the waters on Blackberry Beach.”
Hearing that Luke had committed himself to a regular physical therapy program was wonderful news. The idea of Luke pushing his body past its breaking point had worried her. Spending so much time with Luke over the past month had shown her that he was a man who demanded excellence of himself. His standards were so incredibly high that he sometimes failed to see that his expectations were beyond reason.
“Why don’t we go in the sitting room, where it’s more comfortable?” Stella asked. She loved her cozy kitchen, but she wanted Luke to feel comfortable and completely at ease. The sitting room was one of the most inviting rooms in her home and it would be a perfect spot to talk about Luke’s SEAL team members. She knew it wouldn’t be easy for him to discuss the two men who’d passed away, but keeping his pain locked up inside him was tearing him apart.
Stella poured the tea, then placed the cups, saucers, a creamer jug, and a bowl of assorted sweeteners on a beautiful rattan tray. Stella then laid out a few muffins and grabbed some napkins. “I think this will tide us over for a bit.”
“Let me carry that,” Luke said, reaching out and taking the tray off her hands. Grateful for the gesture, Stella led the way to the sitting room and showed Luke where to place the tray. They ended up next to each other on her plush salmon-colored couch. A housewarming present from her parents, it had always been her favorite piece of furniture in the house. The color made her smile, and more times than not it reminded her of her parents and home.
Luke sat back on the couch and they both drank their orange tea while avoiding what they were supposed to be discussing. Stella tucked her legs underneath her then leaned forward to place her empty teacup down on the coffee table.
Stella decided to dive right in. As much as she wanted to help Luke, her curiosity had been piqued about the two men. “So what was Kenny like? Tell me about him. I want to feel that I knew him.”
He put his cup down and looked over at Stella. “Kenny was the heart of our team. He was a romantic, always talking about one day meeting the girl of his dreams.” Luke chuckled. “He liked to say she would be a mixture of Beyoncé and Misty Copeland. His idea of a perfect meal was a lobster roll and handcrafted chips with a hard cider to wash it down.” He drew in a deep breath. “We were supposed to meet up here in Maine for a meal in Bar Harbor. That’ll never happen now.” His voice was thick with emotion. “I’d give anything to see Kenny fall in love, to be a guest at his wedding and to see him with silver at his temples. But none of that’s going to happen.”
Luke shifted his position on the couch, moving his body forward and leaning over with his hands crossed in front of him. The expression on his face was one of deep contemplation.
“Aaron was the single most competitive person I’ve ever known. He would routinely organize a game night for the team members and pretty much dominate every game. No matter what it was, Bingo or Monopoly or Old Maid, this guy had to win or else.” Luke let out a deep-throated laugh. “He had the most extensive repertoire of knock-knock jokes I’d ever heard. And each one was cornier than the next.” Luke rolled his eyes. “He always kept us laughing though. Aaron said it was his job to keep us smiling despite the stress of being deployed in the Middle East.
“When his twins were born, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a happier man. I’m so glad he was able to be a part of the delivery via Skype. Then he got to spend some time stateside and see them in person. They’ll always know that their dad moved heaven and earth to meet them.”
“That’s a beautiful legacy they left behind. Both of them will always be remembered for the joy they brought to those who loved them.” She reached over and touched Luke’s arm. She sensed that he needed some physical contact in this emotional moment. “I can tell how much you adored them, Luke.”
He steepled his fingers in front of him and placed his chin on top of them. “I did. We all did. The fact that they’re gone…taken in an instant—”
“It isn’t something you can wrap your head around.” She bobbed her head. “That’s how I felt when Kara died. We’d just made plans for a girls’ night out the following week. When I got the call about the accident, I was in such shock that I raced over to the hospital because I couldn’t believe she was gone.” Stella shut her eyes tightly as the memories of that horrible day came back to her in painful waves. “I still have moments when I pick up the phone to call her before remembering that I can’t.” She tried to blink away the tears, but they ran unchecked down her cheeks.
As soon as he saw her tears, Luke reached for her, enveloping her in his arms. The scent of old-fashioned soap rose to her nostrils—a sweet, comforting smell. Stella felt so safe in his embrace, as if nothing in the world could hurt her with Luke holding her so tightly. A huge part of her wished the hug would never end. She might just be content staying like this for the rest of her days.
“I’m sorry for getting so emotional,” Stella apologized. “I’m supposed to be supporting you right now, not falling apart.”
