Page 4 of After We Fall

The girls. Nothing can touch those girls.

“Sounds like Meredith’s doing good things,” Luke says.

Harlan nods. “The women work hard. They just need a little support. We’re grateful Penelope agreed to look after them while we’re on our honeymoon. She can smell when rules aren’t being followed.”

I peer at Harlan out of the corner of my eye. “We’re trying to have a civilization here.”

“I know. It’s your life’s motto. It’s also why you’re in charge while we’re gone.” He wraps one arm around my shoulders and squeezes.

In charge while they’re gone. Hopefully in charge long-term after they come home.

Harlan returns his focus to his friend. “Thanks for handling this, man. I’ll let you work out the rest of the details with Penelope. But, you guys”—his intense stare bounces between Luke and me—“Meredith knows nothing about this. She’s been through enough in her lifetime. I’ll tell her later, but I want today to be perfect for her.”

I square my stance to him, and for the first time in five years of employment with my boss, I make a promise I’m not sure I can keep. “This won’t go anywhere near her.”

As soon as Harlan leaves the chapel, I spin on my heel to face the man who stole my breath away three years ago at a birthday party. I point at his chest. “I knew there was something familiar about you.”

A blinding smile breaks over his face, and he winks.

Whoever said lightning doesn’t strike twice was dead wrong. His sway is as powerful now as the first time I met him. Maybe more so.

“So, you do remember me,” he says.

“Yes.” With my arms outstretched, clipboard still attached to one hand, my voice rises. “How could I forget your opening line? ‘Excuse me, ma’am, I don’t think you’ve had the pleasure of meeting me. I’m Luke.’”

“The one and only.” He grins. “At your service.”

My face flushes with heat. Will he bring up his disappearing act? I don’t have time to be embarrassed. I have a job to do.

I lower my voice. “This situation isn’t a joke to me, Luke.”

All hints of humor leave his face, and he aims his fierce eyes at me. “It’s not a joke to me either.”

“I can’t let anything happen to them.” My whisper carries the weight of my world. This job is my home. The only place I’ve felt like I belonged since I was twelve. “The Holcombes. Meredith. The halfway house girls. Any of them.”

Luke moves one heavy cargo boot a step toward me. “I’m a professional, Penelope. I specialize in the security of large-acreage property. You took great care of them when you called the company for reinforcements.”

I proceed to a pew. Aware of his scrutiny of me, I study the floral arrangement with the out-of-place daisy hanging on the end of the bench. After setting my clipboard aside, I bend down to rearrange the flowers. Maneuvering the blooms with a gentle touch, I shape the arrangement into perfect symmetry with the bow. My boss trusts this man. I need to trust him too.

I rise and turn to him, dusting my hands off. “All right. What’s your plan?”

He scowls while staring at the brown ribbon I adjusted. “Like I told Harlan, I’ll walk the property. I’ve got some temporary cameras I’ll strategically place for additional short-term monitoring. I’ve also got one drone ready to go. Everything is linked to my colleague’s computer at the office. He’ll be in constant contact with me.”

I step to the next pew and repeat the reorganization process with the next floral decoration. “Where will you be?”

“Not far. Watching. No one will get anywhere near the door to the chapel unless they’re supposed to be here.” He picks up the newly pristine spray and messes with my rearrangement.

“What are you doing? That bouquet was perfect.” I grab at the bundle in his possession, but his quick reflexes evade my reach. “I need to introduce you to Hank, the main ranch hand on duty for the holiday. He’ll need to know you’re on property.”

“Thanks, but not necessary. I met Hank through the Holcombes a few years back. I saw him earlier on my way to the chapel and briefed him. He’ll have eyes on this building too.” He rehangs the flowers and moves to the second bouquet. I dart an arm out to snag the decoration, but he uses his body to deflect my effort.

Shifting my foot one step, I attempt to reach around him. To no avail. His brawny mass is a wall. A giant, regrettably attractive wall.

“Well, good. Then you probably already know he’s hard of hearing and often has difficulty understanding others. Half the time, he refuses to wear his hearing aids.” I grunt with the repeated effort of stealing the bouquet, this time grazing his solid bicep.

“I told him to send up a flare if he found trouble. He thought I said something about his underwear.” Luke chuckles and pushes a cream-colored rose in front of a deep-orange daisy. While this is a definite improvement to the arrangement, his finger catches on the brown grosgrain ribbon and pulls one of the loops free.

He pauses, examining his bouquet handiwork. After an approving nod, he flashes a confident grin my way.