Page 29 of More Than This Land

“I’ve been doing this all wrong.” The admission escaped before he could stop it.

“I can show you what to do, Luke. I can point you toward water, but you’re the one who has to drink.”

A rough laugh shook his shoulders. “That’s terrible.”

Claire grinned. “I’m really bad at metaphors.”

“Stick to accounting.”

“Speaking of which.” Claire waved the bottle side to side under his nose. “I was sent to find you. Your mother needs help carrying food out. Your brothers are all busy with cattle.”

He washed the bottle and followed Claire into the sunshine.

Mom stepped off the porch and waved at them. “Luke! Claire. Come help carry these platters out.”

Luke hurried over, Claire right beside him while his brothers shot them knowing looks that he roundly ignored. He grabbed serving dishes and carried them to tables filled with twice the number of people who’d been here at sunrise. Word had spread. Neighbors had shown up. The community hadn’t forgotten them.

Not because Luke had perfectly executed some strategic plan but because people wanted to believe in 4C Ranch again. They wanted to trust that the place that had been a blessing for generations could be that again.

Luke could give them that. One relationship at a time. One act of generosity at a time. One choice that prioritized people.

He could learn to lead with both wisdom and heart and build something profitable and meaningful, honoring what his grandfather built.

And if Claire kept challenging him, kept showing him what generosity looked like in action, kept making him want to be better just by being herself?

Well. That was something else to work on.

Even if the thought spiked his pulse and turned his palms clammy. She was worth the effort of learning how to do better…how to be better.

Especially then.

Chapter Eight

Claire pulled a navy dress from her closet, the one with the modest neckline and three-quarter sleeves that Granny Mama claimed was “just right for worship.” A nervous flutter flipped her stomach, and she smoothed nonexistent wrinkles from the fabric. She had absolutely no reason to be nervous, so why did she do a little spin in front of the mirror to check if the dress hadn’t magically made her look frumpy since the last time she wore it?

Church is not the place for flirting or even thinking about anything other than worship.

“Claire, honey, we need to leave in twenty minutes.” Granny Mama’s voice carried down the hallway.

“Almost ready.” Claire fastened diamond studs in her ears, gifts from her mother on her sixteenth birthday that always put a little sadness in her heart.

She’d been to Haven Ridge Baptist Church three times since returning to Covenant Creek. Three services where she’d slipped in late and left early, trying not to get too attached to a place she might not stay. People here made it so easy to make friends. She couldn’t help herself.

Even Luke’s sometimes harsh demeanor didn’t put her off from offering a hand in friendship. She glared at her pink-cheeked reflection, pressing her cold hands to her flaming face. It did nothing to help the heat. “Stop it. You’re his consultant. That’s all.”

Except it wasn’t all. Not anymore. Maybe not ever.

The drive to church included Granny Mama humming hymns under her breath while Claire sang along. Gran drummed her fingers on her purse and smiled at Claire. “You’ve been smiling more this week.”

Claire kept her eyes on the road. “I’m happy.” She tamped down the urge to shrug. “I love being here with you.”

“Mm-hmm.” Granny Mama’s tone suggested she heard way more than Claire’s words. “And I suppose spending time with Luke Calloway has nothing to do with your good mood.”

Her heart did a complete whirl that stole her breath. “Luke is…Luke.”

“And he looks at you like you hung the moon and painted the stars for good measure.” Granny Mama patted Claire’s knee. “And you look at him the same way, honey. No shame in that.”

Claire pulled into the church parking lot, grateful for the distraction. Cars filled most spots already. She recognized several trucks from Friday, including the distinctive navy Calloway ranch vehicle parked near the entrance.