“You mean this morning, don’t you? Because you weren’t home last night, either.”
“Shelby—”
“I was with Luke. But just in case you wondered or were worried, I told Vanni where I was going.”
“All night?” he asked.
“All night,” she said firmly, giving her chin a lift. He was quiet for a long time, looking at her from under those fierce, hooded brows. Finally she leaned on her shovel and met his eyes fearlessly, stare for stare. “You have something you want to say to me?” she asked.
“Let’s go for a short ride…talk about some things…”
“I’m going to pass on the ride, Uncle Walt. I have some things I’d like to do this morning. But we can take a few minutes for you to get this off your chest.”
“I don’t know where to start.” His expression softened. “Shelby, honey—”
“Walt,” she said, purposely omitting the Uncle. “Let me help you, because we’re going to get this over with quickly. I like him. He’s very nice to me. I haven’t been impetuous—I gave Luke a lot of thought. There’s no question in my mind—he’s a good man. I know he comes off looking like a reckless tough guy, just like a lot of the men in this town at first glance, but he’s not that way with me. He’s very thoughtful and considerate. He’s real worried about you, however.”
“I don’t dislike the man. It’s just that I don’t know him real well. And I know a lot about men like Luke, I’ve commanded hundreds of them.”
“You mean men like you and Luke—soldiers. Men who fight battles, go to war, get a little roughed up, seem to manage on very little conscience…” He hung his head briefly. “You can thank Vanni for already having this conversation with me—about soldiers, how they’re trained, how they live, that edgy, son-of-a-bitch personality they learn in the army. You have a little of that in you, too, don’t you, Uncle Walt? Covering up your softer feelings? Being hard and resilient and not letting yourself feel guilty about the damage you have to inflict? I suppose it goes with the territory.” She stepped closer to him. “I spent a lot of years around you when I was growing up. I saw young G.I.s shake in their boots when you walked past them, but you always treated Aunt Peg and Vanni like precious jewels. And just like you, Luke has a sweet side.”
“I promised your mother I’d look out for you, watch over you…”
“And so you are,” she said. “I’m sure you’d be more comfortable with me right now if I’d stayed home and waited for some nice young man from church to come by the house and ask your permission to take me out for a buggy ride—but it’s not going to be like that, thank God. I was attracted to Luke Riordan almost right away. The attraction is mutual. I’m having a romance, Uncle Walt. At last, I’m having a romance. I’m way overdue—and you’re not going to make me feel guilty or make him nervous. I appreciate your concern, but it’s up to me.”
Whew, Walt thought, resisting the urge to take a step backward. “If I’m concerned, it’s only because… Aw, honey—I just want you to be happy… I don’t want you to be hurt. You might be getting in over your head…”
She took another step toward him, looking up at him. There was absolute conviction in her eyes. “You thought I’d save myself for marriage?” she asked, lifting one eyebrow.
“I’m a lot of things, but I don’t think anyone could accuse me of being foolish or old-fashioned.” She just tilted her head, questioning him. “Or impractical,” he added grudgingly.
She laughed at him, though softly. “I’m not so sure Luke’s going to hurt me,” she said. “Regardless, there isn’t much anyone can do about that. I don’t know if you can understand this, but I’m glad that I can finally take my romantic lumps just like all the other girls have.” She looked up at him earnestly. “Why does everyone think I’m such a wuss? You think the last five years have been easy? You think it doesn’t take a brave girl to spend the night with a man when my overprotective uncle might be at home, pacing, loading his shotgun? Believe me, even if Luke Riordan breaks my heart, it’s going to be a lot easier in the end than some of the stuff I’ve been through the last few years. This is a new adventure for me—and you’re not going to bully me out of it. Man, if anyone’s earned the right, it’s me!”