Read Online Back to Luke by Kathryn Shay - Free Book Online

had him pulling his punch and turning to leave.
    Outside Harry’s, he leaned against the wall and closed his eyes, trying to quell the mix of emotions swirling inside of him. Rage over the crude remarks about Jayne. Anger at himself for caring.
    And, of course, guilt. Because every time he saw Mick O’Malley, Luke was forced to confront the fact that he was responsible for Timmy’s death.

CHAPTER FIVE

    F ROM J AYNE’S VIEWPOINT on the side porch, the backyard of Eleanor’s house sparkled. Dusk was setting in and tiny white lights twinkled from the trees, while pretty paper lanterns hung from garden trellises and dotted the slate walkways snaking through the flower beds. Of course, Luke’s gazebo, the generous gift he’d given Miss Ellie for her seventy-fifth birthday, was the focus of attention, garnering comments that stroked the man’s ego. Which, Jayne thought, had grown so big it needed a good deal of reinforcement.
    Despite her anger at his reaction to her suggestions about the house plans, she couldn’t seem to take her eyes off him. He was so handsome tonight in a gauzy white shirt rolled up at the sleeves and knife-pressed dark slacks. She recalled how she’d loved his clothes in New York, told him how, sometimes, she couldn’t wait to get him out of them.
    To escape the thought, she turned her attention to his date. The striking redhead with skeins of hair falling down her back, exposed by the halter-top sundress, was beautiful and sophisticated. Was she taking those clothes off Luke these days? The notion hurt more than it should have, given how long it had been since Jayne had done that.
    Behind her, a voice said, “Luke’s got terrific taste in women, doesn’t he?”
    Touching her short locks, Jayne said to Jess, “She’s beautiful.”
    “You are, too.”
    In the past few days, Jayne had bought some jeans and shirts to wear to the work site. She’d also splurged on a couple of dresses. The pale peach Ralph Lauren she wore tonight was silky and strapless. On her feet were high-heeled sandals.
    “I thought I’d be a bit daring with this outfit.”
    “Not your usual style.”
    It wasn’t. Her taste ran to designer suits for work in several colors and styles, and black dresses when she had to go out at night. She wondered why she’d chosen something so different. Her gaze strayed to Luke again. Dear God, had it been for him?
    “Isn’t the gazebo great?” Jess commented. “Luke’s the most generous man I know.” He studied the structure. “I think the posts should have been white, though.”
    Jayne laughed out loud. “He and I had words over that.”
    “You thought so, too?”
    “Hmm.”
    Sliding his arm around her shoulders, Jess tugged her close. His affection so natural, as it had been years ago. “We always were in synch, kiddo.”
    “Jess?”
    Naomi had come to the French doors facing the side of the house. Turning, Jayne saw she was dressed in a short white skirt and camisole of steel-blue, which went beautifully with her eyes and Florida tan. Jayne told her so, and the woman’s response was a crisp thank-you.
    “Come out here, honey.”
    Naomi stepped onto the porch a discreet distance away. Leaving Jayne’s side, Jess went to his wife and circled an arm around her shoulders. She remained stiff and scowling, making Jayne tense. Their proximity wasn’t pleasant for either of them, Jayne suspected. She was just about to excuse herself when someone she didn’t know came up to them.
    “Jess, we need more beer in the cooler. Want me to get it?”
    “No thanks, Joe. I’ll take care of it. I’m bartender tonight.” He kissed Naomi’s cheek. “Be right back.”
    When he left, Naomi started to move away, too. Before she could leave, though, Jayne grasped her arm. She hated these kinds of confrontations but felt compelled to have this one. “Could you wait a minute? I haven’t had a chance to talk to you since I got here two weeks ago.”
    Now, Naomi faced her. Her skin