Love Inspired October 2015, Box Set 2 of 2 by Rebecca Kertz

Author:Rebecca Kertz
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781459290792
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2015-02-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

“If you’re going to follow her home like a pitiful lost pup, you should at least ask her out.”

Luke’s younger brother Grady eyed him as the two of them flipped over another of the heavy benches and placed it, seat-side down, on top of an oak-slabbed table. They’d worked in unison from one end of the Hunter’s Hideaway dining room to the other, almost without thinking, having done this nightly for most of their lives to make for easier cleaning under tables. That is, of course, except for the dozen years before Luke—the prodigal, his brother called him—had returned home.

While he hadn’t been turned away at the door and Mom and Grandma Jo were beside themselves with joy at his return, it wasn’t as if Dad had prepared a fatted calf on his behalf. Grady, who hadn’t turned his back on Hunter’s Hideaway, was still his father’s golden boy. Now his brother was poking his nose in where it didn’t belong and thought he should ask Delaney on a date? Fat chance.

“Butt out.”

Grady grinned, his lopsided smile and sturdy build reminding Luke of photos he’d seen of Grandpa Hunter in his younger days.

“Ask who out?” their little sister Rio called from the far side of the empty room where she was wiping down one of the booth tables. Little sister, of course was relative, considering she’d be twenty-one years old next spring and had been turning male heads since she was sixteen. Ever since Luke’s timely return to Hunter Ridge, he and Grady had been keeping those they believed to be unworthy suitors at a distance. Which wasn’t always something Rio appreciated.

But a brother had to do what a brother had to do, right?

Luke gave Grady a warning look as Rio approached with a curious light in her eyes. Dressed in her usual workday attire—boot-cut jeans, a too-well-fitted chambray shirt and Western boots—her layered, flaxen hair cascaded down her back. A tough little gal who saw to the welfare of the Hunter horses, she wasn’t much interested in froufrou. And thus was Anna’s idol.

“Ask who out?” she repeated, sidling up to Grady where they both fixed their gazes on their oldest brother.

“That cute youth group worker who’s leasing Charlie and Emma’s old place for the summer. He followed her home this evening.”

Rio’s eyes warmed. “You did, Luke?”

“No, I didn’t. I—” But he had. Technically, anyway.

“Yeah, he did.” Grady nodded in his direction.

“Oh, really?” Rio clucked her tongue thoughtfully.

“When I was coming home tonight,” Grady continued, “I saw Luke sitting out in his truck in front of her place while she unlocked the door, then waved goodbye.”

“Poor boy,” Rio taunted. “She didn’t invite you in for a cup of java? A good-night kiss?”

“If he doesn’t ask her out soon, the reputation of the Hunter males will be shot.” Grady, who played the field himself, shook his head, a mournful look in his eyes. “We’re not known for doing pitiful.”

Luke huffed a breath. “I saw her safely home from Bachelor Bob’s place after the youth group parents met there.

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