Free Tatted Cowboy by Kasey Millstead

myself, but I know deep down it’s to no avail.
    Being the sneaky old bat she is, Gran decided to call Luke up and take him up on his offer of helping me move.  I had fully planned on ‘forgetting’ all about his offer, but clearly Gran had other ideas.  She didn’t bother to tell me before she called, no, because she knew I’d do everything in my power to stop her calling.  Instead, she just walked out of the house, calling it out to me as she passed by, like she was telling me the day would be mildly overcast.
    “Oh, by the way, Luke will be here shortly to help out.”
    Damn woman!
    So now, she is dutifully avoiding me by busying herself packing up some of her knick-knacks she is handing down to me.  I walk past, catching her eye as she watches me.  She quickly pretends to wipe some invisible dust off the ornament, a small smile playing on her lips.
    I shake my head and cart more boxes from my bedroom to near the front door, where I’ve been stacking them before I load them into my car.
    I hear a knock on the front door and walk out, expecting to see Luke.  I’m not going to lie, my heart starts beating funny and my hands are suddenly sweaty.  They soon dry up and my heart returns to its normal rhythm when I see my mum and dad standing in the kitchen.
    The smile on my face threatens to split my cheeks.  “Hey, Dad.  Hey, Mum.”  I quickly walk up to them, going into my dad’s arms first.  He holds me tight, giving me an extra squeeze before he releases me.
    “You look…”  He pauses to shake his head slightly.  “Laura,” he says, his voice cracking with emotion. “You look so good, darlin’.  So alive,” he chokes out, whispering the last word.  His eyes fill with unshed tears, causing my own to burn.  It’s in this moment I begin to realize the depth of pain my parents have been feeling.  Not only did they lose their grandson, but for a while, they lost me, too.
    I go up on my toes to kiss his cheek.  “I’m really happy here, Dad,” I tell him honestly.  I smooth back a stray strand of his salt and pepper hair and smile at him. 
    I feel a hand on my arm as Mum pulls me around to her.  “I’ve missed you,” she whispers in my ear, meaning every word.  “But, this was the right thing for you to do.  I’m so proud of you, honey.”
    “Thanks, Mum.”  My tears spill over and slide down my cheeks, unchecked.
    “Enough of those tears,” she laughs, wiping her own away.  “Let’s get you moved. I can’t wait to see the house. Gran said it’s beautiful.”
    “It is,” I confirm.  “You’ll love it.”
    “Oh! Look who’s here,” Gran says with a clap.
    I feel him before I see him.  My skin starts buzzing, the vibrations getting stronger with every step he takes toward me.
    “Mornin’ all,” he greets, his husky tone washing over me.
    I turn and give him a friendly smile.  “Morning, Luke.  You really didn’t have to help. I’m sure you’ve got a lot more exciting things to be doing with your day than helping me move.”  I’m not trying to come across as ungrateful, because it is really nice that he offered.  But, I’m sure he was only trying to be nice when he said he’d help. Gran didn’t have to take him up on it.
    “It’s fine. I’m happy to help.”  He gives me a look to say he’s not bullshitting me, then he turns to my parents.  “G’day, I’m Luke.”  He holds out his hand to my father, who takes it immediately.  I watch as Dad smiles wide.  “Mitch Carlisle.  This is my wife, Leesa.”
    I watch as Luke leans in to give my mum a quick peck on the cheek.  “Nice to meet you, Leesa.”
    “You too, Luke.”  I see her eyes go to his muscular arms.  “You certainly look like you’ll be able to handle moving a few boxes.” A pink tinge settles across her cheeks.
    I groan, slapping my hand over my face. “Jesus, Mum.”  You would think she was a bloody teenager, the way she’s acting.
    Dad cocks his eyebrow at Mum, a