Coming Home

Chapter 9

Chapter 9

At Uncle Earl's last words, a loud, angry, yell interrupted him. Before Maggie realized what was happening, she was quickly shoved to the side by Luke. Dismayed she saw that he and Mr. Yanosky were battling for the knife in Mr. Yanosky's hands.

Horrified shouts were heard as women backed away from them.

"He tried to hurt Maggie!" Kristine shrieked as Jason and a few other men rushed to the aid of Luke.

When Mr. Yanosky was safely tied up and moved out of the ballroom, Luke quickly hurried to her, with a worried look on his face. Blood was slowly dripping down his face from a small cut he had gotten in the fight.

Stunned Maggie gawked at Luke.

"You saved me and got hurt doing so." She could feel that her jaw was still opened in shock and slowly closed it.

Luke nodded while staring right into her eyes with an intense look on his face. His eyes were shining with protectiveness; for her.

Moments later maids scurried and pulled Luke away from her, dabbing at the dried blood and helping him clean up.

Uncle Earl had rushed up to her as fast as he could, and now pulled her close into a hug.

"Oh my child! You are safe. Everything will be okay," he patted her back while slightly rocking her back and forth reassuringly.

"Are you okay? Did that crazy old fart hurt you? Did he touch you or manage to do anything to you?" Kristine suddenly stood beside them too, pulling her away from Earl and sweeping her gaze all over Maggie, looking for any injuries. Satisfied that not even one hair was out of place, Kristine finally let her go.

"I could have strangled that man when I saw what he was about to do to you!" she said enraged. "He could have hurt you!"

"I'm okay. Nothing happened." Maggie insisted and tried to push the attention of everyone to someone else.

Once the disturbed crowd had settled down, Uncle Earl led her towards the papers that needed to be signed. As soon as she did so, the guests clapped and cheered with enthusiasm, Kristine, Jason and Luke clapping the loudest.