Welcome to this week’s Tuesday Tales. This week our prompt is CREAM. A apologize for being 19 words over, but I wanted to finish the scene. Here’s Forever in my Heart.
Luke turned his hand and grabbed Mike’s, his grip painful.
“You … have to promise me…”
“Anything, man, anything.”
“The girls … take care of them…”
“Of course, and I’ll see that the staff looks after the ranch until you’re on your feet again.”
Luke coughed, blood leaking from the corners of his mouth.
“Both know … that won’t happen.”
“Don’t be a cream puff. I’ve seen guys in worse shape than you,” he lied.
“Callie’s … going to … blame me … again…”
Mike frowned. Obviously he meant his wife. He didn’t know anyone named Callie.
“Cassie understands. Not much you can do when you meet something that size.”
Luke’s grip tightened. “Not Cassie … Callie, her sister … twins … but not like us. Fraternal. I was supposed … to marry her … met Cassie … couldn’t go back. So similar and yet different…” He struggled to speak and went into a coughing spasm, blood coming out and seeping down his chin.
“Don’t talk. Rest,” Mike begged, fighting to keep his tears at bay.
Luke closed his eyes and opened them again. “Need to tell you … We tried … couldn’t make her see the love … wouldn’t forgive us … Find her … Make it right.”
“Those must be some good drugs you’re tripping on,” he said, confused.
Cassie might have a sister, but a twin? A twin wouldn’t have stayed angry all these years. He couldn’t have, that was certain.
“Talk to Calvin Ross … he’s got all the papers … he knows. Make it right, Mike … Marry her … Give the girls a family … Promise me.”
“You have my word. I’ll take care of everything. You just rest, now.”
He would’ve promised to lasso the moon if it made Luke rest easier.
A coughing fit, followed by huge amounts of blood pouring from his mouth shook Luke.
The monitors all started beeping at once. The paramedic rushed to his side. He gave Luke a shot of epinephrine, ripped open what had once been a cream and black plaid shirt, and started CPR.
Complete emptiness filled him. Mike blinked, praying the pain would return. Luke was gone.
Tears rolling down his cheeks, Mike reached out and touched the EMT’s shoulder.
“He’s gone. Leave him be. It’s better this way. Let him go.”
The EMT looked over his shoulder and nodded.
Mike let the tears fall. His beloved brother was gone, and he’d made him a promise he had no idea how to keep.
Stay safe and don’t forget to check out the other Tuesday Tales
Living the Dream 
No, no, no. I feel so terrible for Mike even though I’m intrigued about the sister. Great job!
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Wonderful snippet!
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Oh dear!! Although this is the outcome I’ve been expecting, it still doesn’t make it any easier. My heart is breaking. But the way you wove that mysterious thread in there…excellent! I can’t wait to read more of this fascinating story.
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