CHAPTER FIFTY-FIVE Tate

Three Months Later

"You use that instead of cash," I explained, handing the debit card back to Luke. "When your statements come, I'll explain how to keep track of your balance."

"And my paycheck goes into the bank without me ever seeing it?"

"Exactly," I said, studying him as he absorbed yet another ‘magical-to-him' thing about a world he'd never lived in. "Your very own bank account. Pretty neat, huh?"

Luke lifted me off the floor and spun me around, kissing my face as many times as he could. His raw strength never ceased to amaze me when he did things like this. I had to admit he looked incredibly sexy in his work overalls, a nice side benefit to his new job.

Luke was a hard worker at the feed store, allowing him to shine in front of customers. One such customer was the owner of a construction company, and he offered Luke a full-time job in construction. The well-known Bend company built houses and apartment buildings. Luke would have to start off as a grunt, but the pay was nearly double what he made at the feed store.

"I'm going out to Half Moon on Saturday," he reminded me. "To check on Ma and David and see whether she's changed her mind about your offer."

"I'll cross my fingers, my love."

My offer to Luke's mother was to assist her with housing in town, and with financial help to get her and David started if they had the desire to join Luke in what they called the outside world. Luke hadn't been successful in getting them to do something as simple as join us for a visit as of yet, but I supported whatever goal he had concerning them.

Of course, I worried about Luke visiting Half Moon Ranch, but he assured me he'd be safe, and besides, we'd heard nothing concerning the discovery of new evidence, or whether it was even Luke they were still looking at.

The investigation bogged down after a couple of months because the detectives couldn't find a shred of physical evidence. There were no blood-splatter stains found on any member of the community's clothing, and surely shooting Franklin at such close range would have the shooter getting blood on their clothing.

The weapon, a shotgun, based on a shotgun shell found in the loft, was yet to be recovered. There were also several interviews with compound members who stated they had seen Luke rushing from the shack he lived in and acting quite concerned when he arrived at the scene. Of course, this didn't present Luke with an ironclad alibi, but added to a mounting pile of evidence that he wasn't anywhere close to the crime scene.

The fact that no blood evidence or shotgun residue from firing the shotgun was ever found on Luke, or his clothing, only added to the probability that it couldn't have been him that killed Franklin. A thorough search of the shack he lived in revealed absolutely zero evidence he could've committed the murder.

Luke, being the ever-present, positive spirit he was, had chosen to move past his troubles quickly, speedily learning his way to a life outside Half Moon. With him living off the ranch now, he discovered an entire world of opportunity, quickly taking advantage of prospects he'd never had. I was proud of his work ethic and his understanding of his potential.

Luke brought such light into my life, giving me someone to root for every day. I'm sure that on paper, people would assume that it was me, the older by thirteen years, boyfriend, who was the one who kept us together, but that was an inaccurate assumption.

Luke may have been hidden away in a religious compound his entire life, but he'd been home-schooled and was an intelligent man. Of all the labels I assumed people laid on him, one being that he was a simple country boy from a repressive system, the chief assumption would be they thought he was dumb. Nothing was further from the truth, and his college entrance scores proved that.

Another misguided judgment of our relationship would be that I take care of him financially. Here again, false. Luke proves to me every day how much he values equality. We share everything and he insists it be that way. Perhaps the concept he grew up in, where an entire community thrived as one, had merit. He certainly influenced our partnership to be set up that way by wanting us to share everything.

My first relationship was a complete reversal of Luke's and mine. I'd been the younger half in that one—like Luke was in ours—and I remember feeling limited and less than because of the income disparity. I never wanted Luke to feel that way because I recalled how much that feeling hurt when people speculated that you're using the older partner.

My new goal in life was to create an equal partnership, and oddly enough, one that was similar to the one Luke grew up around. Surprisingly, I felt if a community could produce young men like Luke, I'd be an idiot not to incorporate some of that teamwork into our lives. And why not? I'd been given the poster boy for that model, and with a few adjustments so he could thrive outside of Half Moon, his journey in my world would set him up for success.

"What are you thinking about?" Luke asked, coming up behind me and hugging me.

"Mostly you," I replied. "Things like how lucky I am."

He spun me around. "You're still worried, aren't you?" he asked, placing fingers in my waistband and pulling me closer.

"Sometimes," I confessed. "I know you didn't kill Franklin, but… yeah, I worry."

Because of the whole six inches taller thing, which I enthusiastically learned to live with, Luke stooped lower to look into my eyes. "How about we just think about today, the right now?" he suggested. "We have a lot of living to do, and I, for one, plan on a lifetime with you, mister."

"How'd you get to be the positive man you are?" I teased. "All that misery you survived, and you still shine. I don't think you see yourself the way I see you."

"I know you love me," he said. "That's all I need to see. And I know that you'll protect me. Besides, the bad stuff from before gives me the appreciation for what I have now."

I was feeling particularly melancholy. "What is it you see for us, my love?"

Luke smiled and led me to the sofa, sitting me down. He squatted on the floor between my knees, holding my hands. "Everything, Tate. I see everything for us," he began. "There are no limits for us because we have each other. You'll push me some days. I'll pull you on others. We'll get there on our own time. Truthfully, I'm in no hurry, as long as I have you by my side."

"I'm crazy for you, Luke," I whispered.

He didn't respond to my admission. Instead, he leaned forward and kissed me lightly, gazing into my eyes. His non-verbal response was in those beautiful eyes of his. The love he conveyed without a single word scared me sometimes.

"You wanna go for a drive?" he asked. "Maybe check to see if that riverfront lot sold yet?"

"It's snowing outside," I complained.

He stood and held his hands out, pulling me to my feet. "I'll keep you warm. I promise."

"Big Macs for dinner?" I suggested.

He winked at me, having developed a spicy sense of humor. "Or something like that," he teased.