Luke and Raven walked away.
Outside, Raven was silent.
Luke waited.
Finally:
“He’s right about one thing.”
“What?”
“Everything changes when people learn.”
Luke looked at her.
“Things changed for me.”
She stiffened.
Luke continued.
“I learned you’re annoying.”
Raven stared.
“You negotiate every meal.”
“You answer emails at two in the morning.”
“You think buying things solves emotional problems.”
“You’re terrible with carburetors.”
She almost smiled.
“And?”
Luke took her hand.
“I still like you.”
Raven looked down at their hands.
Then back.
“Terrible standards.”
“Single father. Limited options.”
She hit his arm.
He laughed.
The first serious fracture between them came four months later.
Luke received a certified letter from a law firm representing Steele Industrial Development.
He opened it at the kitchen table.
Raven was sitting across from Emma helping with multiplication.
Luke read the first page.
Then the second.
His face changed.
Raven noticed.
“What?”
He placed the letter on the table.
She read.
Her expression collapsed.
Steele Industries intended to develop a regional advanced-manufacturing facility outside Mill Creek.
Preliminary land plans included twenty-three parcels.
Luke’s six acres were one.
Voluntary acquisition offer:
$780,000.
Far more than the property was worth.
Enough to erase every debt.
Enough to relocate the garage.
Enough to change his life.
Luke felt nothing but anger.
“You knew?”
Raven looked at him.
“No.”
“Your company.”
“Yes.”
“Your name.”
“Yes.”
“Your signature.”
She looked at the page.
The authorization bore an electronic executive signature.
Raven’s face hardened.
“I approve development budgets.”
“Not individual parcels.”
Luke laughed.
“Convenient.”
Emma looked between them.
Raven lowered her voice.
“Luke.”
“How long?”
“I don’t know.”
“You started coming here four months ago.”
“The project could predate that.”
“You expect me to believe you had no idea your company was trying to buy my property?”
“Yes.”
Luke stood.
“Of course.”
Raven rose too.
“Do not do that.”
“What?”
“Turn me into Graham because you’re scared.”
That stopped him.
Emma stood.
“Dad?”
Luke saw her face.
He immediately softened.
“Go upstairs, sweetheart.”
“Are you fighting?”
“We’re talking.”
“That’s fighting.”
Raven crouched beside her.
“Your dad and I are upset.”
“Not at you.”
Emma looked toward Luke.
“Are you mad at Raven?”
“Yes.”
Raven nodded.
“And he’s allowed.”
Luke stared.
Emma looked worried.
Raven continued.
“Adults can be angry and still care about each other.”
Emma considered.
“Mom used to say that.”
Luke felt the room shift.
He nodded.
“Yes.”