Love me till the end

Chapter 23- last chapter

"How much further?" Steven asked, breaking the awful silence.

Luke and Charlie hadn't said more than two words between them since they'd left the cabin. Luke was leading them for obvious reasons, with Lady at his side. Steve brought up the rear and Charlie was sandwiched between them as they made their way single file toward Cutter Pass.

"Not much. Just over that little ridge up ahead." Luke tossed the remark over his shoulder. Charlie noticed he seemed to be going out of his way not to look at her. She gauged the ridge he was referring to was a little over half a mile away.

"You warm enough, sis?"

She nodded silently, warm as toast on the outside, but too numb with heartache on the inside. She couldn't believe this was it, that in half an hour she'd be boarding a helicopter and flying out of Luke's life forever. Until that moment she hadn't wanted to accept the truth that she wasn't coming back. It had been a hard decision, but the only logical one. If Luke couldn't say he loved her there was no reason to assume that he did. Why leave herself open for more heartache?

Lord, it was going to be hard saying goodbye, but she'd said goodbye to a few people she loved in her lifetime. Each one had left a different void in her life. Time and experience had taught her that as hard as it was, she would survive.

In spite of her determination to remain calm and in control, she felt the betraying sting of tears behind her lids. She bit down on her bottom lip for control. As they trekked on relentlessly the tears began to slip quietly down her cold cheeks. She reached up to wipe her runny nose as unobtrusively as possible and kept her blurry eyes on Luke's backside. She forced herself to put one foot before the other, when what she really wanted to do was turn around and go back. Her mind wandered foolishly at what she might have left behind that they'd be forced to return for, drawing a blank.

Unless losing my heart counts for something

Finally they cleared the trees and crested the slight ridge Luke had been talking about. At the bottom was a vast opening, a meadow in the summertime, buried under a blanket of solid white snow. Animal tracks were evident on the glistening snow. Charlie began to scan the landscape around them, looking for signs of life. She was rewarded with the sight of a moose in the distance, but all too soon it disappeared into the forest, frightened by something, possibly them.

"Right on time," Steve breathed, pointing in the direction of a tiny speck in the sky.

All three came to a standstill to watch the approaching chopper. Gradually the sound of the rotating blades penetrated their peaceful surroundings. As the tears began to flow again Charlie was thankful Luke was in front of her. She bit down on her bottom lip to hold back a sob, certain her heart was breaking in two.

She quickly reached up and wiped her cheeks with the backs of her hands, willing herself under control. Praying she could hold onto it long enough to board the chopper and take off. By the time Luke finally glanced her way, she hoped he attributed her red face and swollen eyes to the blistering cold.

Their gazes clung and she swallowed with difficulty, forcing a smile she didn't feel, knowing it couldn't possibly diminish the sorrow in her eyes. She wondered what Luke was thinking. His expression so guarded and somber and very much like it was the first day they'd met. Only she knew what lie beneath the solid, hard surface was a passionate, caring man.

"Looks like it won't be long now," she said softly, her eyes moving back and forth between Luke and the helicopter as it prepared for landing. "Going to miss me?" Her throat closed up with emotion and she bit the inside of her cheek for strength.

His gaze fell to her quivering mouth. "Maybe a little," he said hoarsely, and glanced reluctantly at the chopper. A muscle jumped in his tense jaw. "Maybe I'll see you again some time?"