Finally, a Family--A Clean Romance

by Callie Endicott

  “We want the clinic for our niece,” Jim explained when Perry had hurried away. “It’ll be convenient for us, but Sandy has childhood diabetes and needs a drop-in facility closer to where she lives.”

  At the end of the morning, the committee announced they’d raised almost five thousand dollars between ticket sales and extra donations. Cheers sounded, but Logan couldn’t tear his gaze away from Jessica.

  Her smile lit up the room.

  * * *

  ON MONDAY MORNING Rachel dropped by his office with a broad smile. “Tiffany and Glen Bryant are going to attend that street fair you told me about. They’re really excited about it. Since they’re teenagers, I’d suggest a limited autograph period, though. Maybe a couple of hours in the morning.”

  “That’s great news. I’ll email Jessica to let her know.”

  Tiffany and Glen were two of Moonlight Ventures’ most successful clients, both as actors and models. They were also Adam’s niece and nephew by marriage and he had become their de facto father.

  After work Logan drove out to the house and found the cleaning service had done an impressive job. Everything was spotless. He stood for long minutes gazing out the back windows. No buildings were visible, and it would stay that way unless he built something himself—the property extended to the rocky outcropping on the hill.

  A doe with two young fawns came into view, nibbling on grass. He automatically reached for his camera, only to remember he’d left it in his SUV. After a while they disappeared into the undergrowth.

  Nice.

  He went out and began carrying boxes into the house, stowing them in the master bedroom closet. There was more than enough space; it was bigger than some bedrooms.

  Though he wouldn’t be spending the night, he headed into Regen Valley to buy food and soft drinks to offer the movers when they came the following afternoon. Several customers said hello, including Perry Eastwood, while others just smiled or waved. Thanks to Jessica’s insistence on name tags, Logan recognized John Beck, who’d worked on frying the sausage links, and Elinor Boudreau, who had to be at least eighty.

  It gave him a warm feeling. As if he belonged.

  He left everything at the house before returning to Seattle. At his apartment, he checked his email and found one from his mother.

  Dear, Logan,

  We were pleased to get your message about buying a home in Regen Valley. I presume that’s one of Seattle’s bedroom communities. Suburban life could be interesting for you. Let us know a time to visit that would be convenient. Perhaps in the next week or two?

  Love, Mom and Dad

  A headache began pounding in Logan’s temples. He’d sent an email with his new address but hadn’t expected his parents to decide on a visit. He would have to consider the right way to put them off. Now that they’d retired, they could come anytime. It didn’t have to be this month.

  The next morning he hurried into the Crystal Connection for coffee, needing something to jolt his tired brain into action.

  “Give me whatever is fastest and has the most caffeine.”

  Jessica grinned and filled his mug.

  “In case I haven’t told you,” she said, “thanks for recruiting Tiffany and Glen Bryant to attend the Flash Fair, and for sending the info to us so quickly. I forwarded your message to Nora Silvers, who’s in charge of publicity.”

  Logan pressed a finger to his aching temple but couldn’t come up with a face to attach to Nora’s name.

  “The amazing thing is that Tiffany and Glen aren’t just local celebrities,” Jessica continued. “Their new network television series is a huge hit.”

  “Rachel is the Bryants’ agent. I just passed the request to her,” Logan said, reluctant to take credit.

  “You came up with the idea. The students at the high school are frantically promoting their appearance. They’ve even started a fan club.”

  “That was fast.”

  “Never underestimate a teenager.”

  Logan shook his head, hoping the fog would drift out of his brain. “Glen and Tiff are good kids—fraternal twins who get along. Adam’s wife, Cassie, is their aunt and also their guardian.”

  “Regardless, it’s really going to boost our attendance.” Jessica cocked her head and studied his face. “You look like something the cat dragged in, as Grams would say. Are you sick?”

  “No.” He poured sugar and cream into his coffee for added energy and selected a pastry from the display case. “I got an email last night. My parents want to visit in the next couple of weeks—to see me and the new house. I spent most of the night trying to think of a nice way to head them off. Not forever, just a few months.”

  Jessica’s eyes widened.

  “You seem surprised,” Logan said.

  “Oh, well...it’s just that I’d love having my mother and father want to visit and wouldn’t care if they came when it was inconvenient. Back east, Cyndi and I were only forty miles away, but we only saw them on a handful of holidays. They haven’t been out to Washington since we moved.”

  Logan wasn’t sure how to respond. “My folks try to do what’s expected of them,” he said at length. “Convention says they’re supposed to connect, so that’s probably why they’re making the effort.”

  Jessica wiped the gleaming coffee bar with a damp towel. “Maybe it’s more than that. You’re moving into a new house. Unless they plan to help you unpack and get settled, the conventional choice would be to wait. They must sincerely want to be part of your life.”

  He frowned. Perhaps he was too much in the habit of seeing his parents as gracious diplomats, wholly concerned about appearances. Looking deeper hadn’t occurred to him. Admittedly, it wasn’t the first time. As much as he’d disliked Jessica’s contention that he saw people as surface images instead of looking deeper, she wasn’t completely wrong.

  “Possibly,” he conceded. “But that doesn’t change this being a terrible time for a visit.”

  “It’s just that... Never mind.”

  “Go ahead.”

  “No. I’ve said too much already and it’s none of my business.”

  Logan’s frown deepened. He wasn’t convinced that was true, but it seemed rude to push.

  * * *

  JESSICA WANTED TO dive behind the coffee bar and disappear. Logan’s relationship with his parents was none of her business, but she’d given her two cents’ worth, anyway.

  “Can I get you something else?” she asked.

  “I’m fine. About the street fair, I may get more names of clients able to participate by later today, but I’m leaving work early to meet the movers at my house, so I might not be able to let you know until tomorrow.”

  He strode out the door.

  Logan might be groggy from a short night of sleep, but he was the sort of man who moved with confidence. The speed with which he’d purchased the Satterly House seemed in character, as well. Once upon a time she’d been more impulsive and sure of herself, but time and bad choices had made her cautious.

  After adding Logan’s purchases to his computer bill, she studied the new online catalog her grandmother had prepared. Penny Parrish hadn’t actually retired; she’d simply given up certain parts of her work. She had friends all over the world and continued to help them sell their products at decent prices.

  Yet the memory of Logan’s frustration kept interfering with Jessica’s concentration. His parents wanted to see him and he preferred waiting for a more convenient time? Her mother and father loved their children, but it was a detached love. An occasional email or phone call was enough for them.

  Abruptly the shop door swung open and Logan marched back inside. He put his mug on the sales counter with a thud.

  “Finish the thought you started. ‘It’s just that what?’”

  Jessica closed her laptop. “I told you, it’s none of my business.”
<
br />   “I still want to know.”

  Drat him. He had an irritating habit of pushing her to say more than she ought to.

  “All right. Did you ever think that having your parents want to visit is a gift? If someone is trying to fix a relationship and you miss the opportunity, there’s no guarantee you’ll get another chance.”

  Logan’s annoyed expression turned thoughtful. “Fair point. Did you learn that from experience?”

  “My problem was more about jumping the gun,” she said wryly.

  “How’s that?”

  Jessica shrugged. She’d already told Logan more than he needed to know, but her mistakes weren’t a secret.

  “Well, I told you about Grams falling for Granddad and chasing after him. I followed her example with my ex-husband, and you’ve already heard what a mess that turned out to be.”

  Logan scowled. “Is this about you taking too much blame for your divorce?”

  His outraged expression was rather sweet.

  “Not exactly. I’m just explaining. My parents aren’t bad people, but I’ve never felt very important to them. My twin brothers had each other when we were growing up, but I felt invisible. By the time I went to college, I was practically obsessed with finding someone who would love me the way Granddad loved Grams.”

  Logan nodded. “I understand, but that still doesn’t make it all your fault.”

  “Aaron would probably disagree. At least I got counseling after he left. I was afraid of messing up Cyndi or asking too much from her, even subconsciously. I still worry about it. Her job is to grow up happy and secure, not fill an empty hole in her mother’s life.”

  “You have nothing to worry about—you’re a great mom.”

  Jessica attempted a grin. “I try, but vigilance is important. Anyhow, what I said about your parents stems from my own hang-ups.”

  The corners of Logan’s eyes crinkled as he smiled. “But you’re right. I ought to be grateful Mom and Dad want to visit. It just didn’t occur to me with everything going on.” He lifted his hand and gently brushed her cheek. “We all have our blind spots. Thanks for the words of wisdom.”

  “You’re welcome...for what they’re worth.”

  “They’re worth a lot.”

  Taking his mug and giving her a casual wave, Logan hurried out again.

  Jessica stood with her eyes half-closed, skin tingling from the contact with Logan’s fingers. Her body didn’t understand that he wasn’t coming on to her or intending anything romantic; it had simply reacted.

  She had to find a way to deal with the awareness he roused. Even if she moved the shop out of the building, he would still be living in Regen Valley and involved with the work on the clinic project. Avoiding him was impossible.

  * * *

  LOGAN RETURNED TO the agency with his thoughts churning. Jessica had a way of making him see things in a different light.

  Though he had little in common with his parents, they loved him and he loved them. However unusual his childhood had been, he’d seen more of the world by the time he left for college than most people saw in a lifetime. And he hadn’t seen that world alone. His mother and father had taken him with them when they visited spots like Machu Picchu and the Valley of the Kings in Egypt. True, his dad had lectured like a history professor and his mom had screeched that she didn’t want her son breaking his neck climbing the Great Pyramid so he could get a picture at the top, but even that was a fond memory.

  Since he’d gone to college, he’d only seen his parents occasionally. His work had rarely brought him close to where they were posted, and for the same reason, they’d had trouble catching up with him. But now Logan recalled a number of times they’d wanted to get together and he’d put it off, blaming his schedule. Maybe that was why they had simply arrived in Seattle last year unannounced, knowing he’d be there for a few weeks.

  He went straight to his computer to send an email.

  Mom and Dad, glad you’re able to visit. Come whenever is best for you. I’m always busy, but want us to spend time together, regardless. Let me know when you’ll be here.

  —Logan.

  After hitting the send button he wondered if the wording could have been improved, but he’d never pretended to be a great communicator. It was a skill Thomas and Regina Kensington hadn’t been able to teach him, no matter how hard they’d tried.

  Of course, now he needed to think about sleeping arrangements in case they wanted to stay with him. But before he could decide how to handle that, his mother emailed back saying they’d fly in the following week on Thursday and had reservations at a hotel in downtown Seattle.

  He checked the calendar and realized their visit would coincide with the Flash Fair, but he decided it would work out all right. Attending together could smooth over any awkwardness. Besides, his parents were really good with people.

  The phone rang on an outside line and he picked it up. “Moonlight Ventures, Logan Kensington speaking.”

  “Goodness, you sound crisp and professional,” said a familiar voice. “It’s me, Laurel.”

  Logan leaned back in his chair with a smile. He’d worked often with Laurel Stevenson since she’d become a model. The camera loved her. “Hey, Laurel, don’t tell me you’re looking for a new agent. I know one who’s available.”

  She laughed. “Actually, I’m in Washington doing a series of commercials for a cosmetics company. We don’t start work until tomorrow, so how about having lunch with me? I’ll get something and bring it to the agency.”

  “Sounds good. But get me real food, not one of those weedy salads you like.”

  “Will do. I’ll be over later.”

  At noon, Chelsea buzzed to say Laurel had arrived. He went out to the reception area and she rushed forward to hug him.

  “Logan, I’ve missed you. How is your move working out?”

  “It’s great.”

  Laurel knew all about Moonlight Ventures. Because she could find it difficult to relax in front of a camera, he usually kept up a running commentary about anything and everything as a distraction. Their last commercial shoot together was just a few months ago, so she’d gotten an earful.

  After they’d eaten, he showed her around the agency and then took her into the atrium. “We also have rentals at the other end of the building,” he explained.

  “I’m impressed, but I saw a sign for coffee at that crystals place. Mind if we get a cup? I flew in last night after a month in Italy, so I’m dragging.”

  “Sure.” Logan knew all about hopping time zones. What surprised him was that she’d called so quickly after arriving. He’d invited his friends in Los Angeles to get in touch if they came to Seattle, but he would have expected her to spend her first day resting. “The Crystal Connection serves a mean cup of coffee. By the way, are you interested in helping a good cause?”

  “Of course. What do you need?”

  “I’m buying a house in a nearby town called Regen Valley—I actually have to leave before long to meet the movers. Anyway, the town is raising money for a drop-in medical clinic. The next fund-raiser is a street fair, the weekend after next. I volunteered to invite celebrity attendees, so having you show up this way is serendipitous.”

  “Oh.” She flushed. Laurel had never gotten comfortable with her semi-celebrity status. “I guess. We won’t be working weekends.”

  “Terrific. Let’s get our coffee.”

  * * *

  JESSICA LOOKED UP when the door opened and her welcoming smile wavered. It was Logan with a woman. A very beautiful woman.

  “Jessica, this is Laurel Stevenson,” Logan said. “Laurel is in Washington for a photo shoot, but she’s still on Italian time and needs a java pick-me-up. She’s also volunteered to be one of the celebrities at the Flash Fair.”

  “Oh, that’s great. What would you like?”

  Laurel glanced
at the list of coffees offered. “The Southwest Twist sounds interesting.”

  “I didn’t bring my cup, but I’ll take an espresso,” Logan said.

  Jessica gritted her teeth as she headed to the coffee corner. The model was just as striking as Logan’s two female partners, but they were comfortably married. Laurel’s present marital status was unknown, but a few months ago her name had hit the headlines with speculation that she was being romanced by a European prince.

  “Is something wrong?” Logan asked. He’d followed her, leaving his companion, who was looking at a collection of quartz crystals.

  “Not at all. Why?”

  “You seem tense. Thanks for what you said earlier about my folks visiting. I emailed an invite and they’re flying in next week on Thursday. I’ll bring them to the Flash Fair.”

  “That’s nice,” Jessica murmured.

  She was not, repeat, not jealous. On the contrary, Laurel’s appearance in the store was a healthy reminder of how silly it was to engage in romantic wistfulness. Besides, the hollow expression in the model’s eyes suggested something was bothering her. Nobody’s world was perfect.

  “Is everything okay with your friend?” Jessica asked in a low voice. “She looks unhappy.”

  “Probably just tired. Those long flights are killers.”

  Jessica wasn’t so sure, but she put both cups on the coffee bar and smiled at Laurel when she came over. “Here you go.”

  “I’d like to buy this,” the model said, holding out a sterling silver necklace. The pendant was a quartz cabochon, shot through with gold needles. “Your informational material says this kind of stone may help with decision-making. I can use all the help available.”

  Jessica didn’t dare look at Logan for fear of laughing. Poor guy, he was surrounded by people willing to consider something beyond what they could see in front of them.

  “That’s right.” She rang up the purchase and put the necklace in a nice box. “Have a good day.”