Free Heart's Desire by Catherine Lanigan Page B

gone but the sting of the loathing in Maddie’s eyes would remain for a long time, he feared. “That’s the thing about Maddie. You always know where you stand with her.”
    “That’s very true,” Sarah said.
    Timmy and Annie worked their way through the group and stood in between Luke and Sarah. “Maddie thought you were a ghost,” Timmy said boldly, looking up at Nate.
    “I thought she was kidding, little guy,” Nate replied.
    Luke introduced the children to Nate. “This is Nate Barzonni. He was in my graduating class at Great Lakes. We go back a long way,” Luke told his kids proudly.
    Nate’s head jerked up to face Luke. “You have kids? The last I heard, you were in Afghanistan. Or was it Iraq?”
    “Both,” Luke said sternly and without further explanation.
    Sarah slipped her arm through Luke’s.
    Nate turned to his parents. “Luke was one of the ones who spent most of his tour of duty overseas and seeing the world.”
    Luke rubbed the back of his neck. “Yeah. I did. I don’t know if that was lucky or not. Came back alive. Nate, these are Jenny’s children. She died several years ago.”
    Nate felt sincere remorse for his friend as the weight of Luke’s information rolled over him. “Oh, God. Luke, I’m so sorry. I liked her. Jenny was so beautiful and so much fun. Gosh, I just...” Nate raked his hand through his hair. “I just didn’t know. I’m sorry. Jenny was great.”
    “She was,” Luke replied in a low voice, and then he brightened as he put his arm around Sarah. “But I’ve been blessed again. I found Sarah, or she found me or something. Anyway...”
    “We’re getting married in June,” Sarah said before Luke could finish his thought.
    “Wow. You’re kidding!” Nate was happily surprised and shook Luke’s hand again. “This is great. Congratulations. Sarah is one of the best friends I had in high school. Remember, Sarah?”
    “I do,” Sarah replied.
    Nate saw pain flash in her eyes. He realized that when he’d left Indian Lake without telling anyone, he’d hurt Sarah, too. Maddie hadn’t been the only one.
    “Nate, dear,” Gina urged politely, touching her son’s sleeve.
    “Oh, sorry, Mom.” Nate turned to Luke. “Listen, we still have our brunch, and I’m sure you guys have your Easter plans, as well. Why don’t we get together one day soon.” Nate patted his pockets. “Ah, here. My new card. That’s my cell phone. Give me a shout. We’ll catch up. Okay?”
    “Absolutely,” Luke replied, and shook Nate’s hand one last time. “Come on, kids. Let’s check on Mrs. Beabots.”
    * * *
    I N THE PARKING LOT , Maddie was furiously tapping her Italian high-heeled shoe against the gravel.
    “Are you okay, Maddie?” Sarah asked as the kids piled into Luke’s pickup.
    “I’m contemplating the purchase of some brass knuckles at the moment,” she fumed.
    Olivia helped Mrs. Beabots into the passenger’s side of Maddie’s car. “You did great, dearie,” Mrs. Beabots commended her, giving her a thumbs-up.
    “Thank you,” Maddie said, and blew the elderly lady a kiss.
    “Listen, Sarah. I’ll take Mrs. Beabots home, and then would it be okay if I came over and talked to you this afternoon? Or are you fixing a big dinner or something? I won’t be intruding, will I?”
    “I’m cooking dinner, and you can help me. Mrs. Beabots is making her sugar pie. Please come over. Luke can tell us both about his days in the navy with Nate.”
    “His what?”
    “Oh, right. You left before you heard all that. Seems Luke and Nate graduated boot camp together at Great Lakes.”
    “Nate went to the navy? That’s where he’s been?”
    “Apparently. Come over later and let’s see what we can piece together. Something tells me we’ll both learn a lot.”
    “Sarah, you’re the best,” Maddie said, hugging her friend.

CHAPTER NINE
    M ADDIE SAT AMID the family chatter and kitchen clamor as Sarah placed a leg of lamb in the oven and yelled for Beau to come eat his