She breathed more freely when they were gone. It wasn’t easy running a store frequented by women renowned for their beauty, but she rarely felt a twinge of insecurity around them. The only explanation for her reaction to Laurel was that she’d seen her with Logan.
Jessica had almost regained her equilibrium when the model returned a short while later, but at least she was alone this time.
“I know Logan mentioned me coming to your street fair, but he forgot to say you were one of the people in charge. Is it okay with you?”
The vulnerability in her eyes made Jessica sigh. Beneath the skin, they were both dealing with insecurity. “We’d love having you, Laurel.”
“Thanks. Logan has all my contact information. I need to get going. My agent called and they want a preproduction meeting. Anyhow, Logan had to leave before we could really talk. Something about the movers. I...I’ve been needing a friend and he’s always been someone I can confide in.”
Jessica tried not to reveal her amazement. Maybe Logan was better at relationships than he seemed to think, or maybe it was different when a gorgeous woman commanded his attention. “You’ll probably have time if you’re staying until after the Flash Fair.”
“True. Oh, and see?” Laurel gestured to the rutilated quartz pendant at her throat. “I couldn’t wait to wear it.”
“Great. I’ll see you a week from Saturday.”
As the model left, Jessica told herself it was wonderful to get so much help on the fund-raiser. She emailed Nora the news about Laurel Stevenson, then sat on the stool behind the counter, wishing she wasn’t in the usual afternoon lull between customers. It gave her too much time to speculate whether Logan and Laurel were more than friends.
They weren’t, were they? None of the signs had been there...the secret, unspoken communication, the casual touching, the little smiles meant only for each other.
Jealousy reared its head again and flutters of panic hit Jessica. She couldn’t fall for Logan. It would only lead to heartbreak.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
THE FOLLOWING THURSDAY Logan waited at the airport for his parents’ plane to arrive. Smiles wreathed their faces when they spotted him, though they’d insisted it wasn’t necessary to be met because they were renting a car.
“It’s so good to see you,” his mother declared with her usual hug.
His father hugged him, as well, which wasn’t usual. He’d been prepared for a firm handshake.
“I’m glad you’re here,” Logan said, meaning every word. At first he’d decided to make the best of things on their visit. Then he’d remembered the bleak resignation on Jessica’s face when talking about her own parents and had decided he should do better than “make the best of it.”
He conducted them first to claim their baggage and then led them to the car rental area. He made sure they had the agency address to put into the GPS and went to collect his own car. Since they wanted to check into their hotel before coming to Moonlight Ventures, he stopped to see how a new client’s first job was going. The model was all smiles and the photographer was pleased, saying she was refreshingly easy to work with.
Logan drove into the agency lot and parked as Jessica was locking her car. “Aren’t you late getting here?” he asked.
“It was my turn to bring snacks to Cyndi’s classroom, so Grams opened the store. You look pleased with life.”
“I am. I just visited a job site for one of my new clients. She’s off to a good start. It’s nice to think I played a role in that happening.” He paused. “Is that similar to how a parent feels when their kid does well?”
“A little, but parenting is a marathon, with endless ups and downs.”
“I suppose parents have to be careful not to get too invested in their child’s successes,” he said, thinking of the struggles his friend Adam had experienced with his mother and father on the same issue.
Jessica nodded. “Isn’t that what stage moms and dads do? I’ve seen a version of it at soccer and Little League games.”
“I guess.” Logan shuddered. “I’ve met stage parents who could curl your toes. Just to reassure you, Cassie Wilding isn’t like that. She’s keeping Tiffany and Glen grounded and Adam is helping.”
“Everything I’ve heard about the Bryant twins is positive. We’re going to have autograph stations in the park for our celebrities, but nobody is being asked to do more than a two-hour stint. The assigned times are shown in publicity releases, along with signs to be posted around the fair.”
Just then his mother and father arrived. They got out of their rental and looked at Jessica curiously.
“Hi. I didn’t expect you so soon,” Logan said.
“Our hotel room wasn’t ready, so we came straight over.” His mother smiled at Jessica. “I hope we aren’t interrupting.”
Logan saw speculation churning in her eyes and groaned silently.
* * *
JESSICA INSTANTLY KNEW the couple was Logan’s parents.
He closely resembled his father, a distinguished man whose hair was lightly peppered with gray. And his mother was so perfectly dressed and coiffed she could have stepped off the cover of a fashion magazine. How did they look so polished after a plane ride, especially a red-eye?
“Mom, Dad, this is Jessica Parrish,” Logan said. “She rents one of the spaces in our building. Jessica, these are my parents, Thomas and Regina Kensington.”
Jessica smiled. “It’s lovely to meet you, Mr. and Mrs. Kensington.”
“Please call us Tom and Regina,” his mother said quickly.
“Logan told me you were coming to visit and see his new home. You’ll be impressed—it’s a beautiful place.”
“You’ve been there?”
“I live in the same town and had a chance to tour the house before it sold,” Jessica explained. “Mostly out of curiosity. My daughter and I live on the other side of my grandmother’s duplex.”
“She must appreciate you being so close.”
“I’m the lucky one, and Cyndi loves having her great-grandmother next door. She thinks I don’t know how much Grams spoils her.”
Regina’s smile widened. “What an amazing coincidence, son. Jessica rents a space in your building, and now you’re buying a house in the town where she lives. How lovely.”
Oooh.
Jessica choked down a laugh. Logan had mentioned his parents were longing for grandchildren. Did his mother hope the “amazing coincidence” was founded in romance?
“Not so amazing,” Logan said. “I saw the house when I went to do a photography presentation for Cyndi’s girl rangers troop. Cyndi is Jessica’s daughter.”
“I see.” Thomas nodded in a solemn, grave manner. “It’s important to encourage children in their interests.”
“Jessica, how old is your daughter?” Regina inquired.
“Seven, almost eight.”
“That’s a wonderful age. When Logan was seven we were in...” She cocked an eyebrow at her husband. “Was it Tokyo, or were we living in Rome by then?”
“Rome,” Logan interjected. “We visited the Colosseum on my eighth birthday.”
“That’s right. You were fascinated when the embassy aide said the early Romans filled it with water and fought mock sea battles.” She let out a light laugh. “And then the aide made a joke about Lucrezia Borgia poisoning people, and you informed him that Lucrezia was a victim of unfounded rumor and he should know better than to keep blackening her name. It lacked tact, but I loved your sense of fair play.”
Logan grinned as if he hadn’t expected his mother to remember that level of detail.
Jessica made a show of checking her watch. “Tom, Regina, it was great to meet you, but I should get to work.”
Pleasant goodbyes sounded and she went inside to where her grandmother was tidying shelves.
“Hey, Grams. Thanks for the help.”
“Fabulous.”
Large pieces, with equally large price tags, were slow sellers. But Jessica had spent hours cleaning the geode a few days earlier. She was pleased her work had paid off.
“Who are those people outside?” Grams asked.
“Logan’s parents. We may see them at the Flash Fair.”
Tom and Regina were very cosmopolitan and sophisticated, but from the little she’d seen, Jessica thought the family might be able to have a closer relationship.
Was it Tokyo, or were we living in Rome by then?
Imagine not being able to recall which fabulous city you’d been living in at a given moment. And Regina’s designer suit must have been purchased in a very exclusive boutique. Just another reminder, as if Jessica needed one, that Logan came from a very different world. She couldn’t fit into that world, even if she wanted to. But life was all about choices, and despite the mistakes with her ex-husband, she was satisfied with her life.
Her satisfaction was harder to remember when Laurel came into the shop a while later.
She gave the model a determined smile. “Hi. Let me introduce my grandmother, Penny Parrish. Grams, this is Laurel Stevenson, though she’s so famous she might not need an introduction. Laurel is one of Logan’s friends.”
“Not famous,” Laurel protested.
She might be uncomfortable with her supermodel status, but a lot of people knew who she was.
“Coffee?” Jessica asked.
“Actually, my mother’s birthday is coming up. I’m looking for a gift.”
“Let me know if I can help.”
Laurel bobbed her head and began perusing a display case of necklaces, rings and earrings. Though the Crystal Connection wasn’t a fine-jewelry store, Jessica had brought in a selection of unique, hand-crafted pieces as an experiment. Sales had been brisk, and despite the uncertainty of her rental situation, she’d ordered more.
Logan arrived several minutes later. “Hey, Laurel, I thought I’d find you here. My parents just left for their hotel. Sorry I was tied up for a while.”
“That’s okay. It gave me a chance to shop. I’ll be done in a minute.”
She quickly chose a pair of opal earrings and Jessica put the purchase in a gold gift bag. Logan waved as they left and she ground her teeth. He hadn’t said a word to her, which should suit her fine but didn’t.
“Is everything all right?” Grams asked a few minutes later.
“Of course. Why do you ask?”
“You look annoyed. Did you have a fight with Logan?”
“I’m fine,” Jessica assured her, but was glad when her grandmother decided to stay and help for the remainder of the morning. It was comforting to have her warm, loving support.
While Jessica served coffee and checked her inventory, Grams answered the portable phone and rang up purchases. On the latest call, she put her hand over the mouthpiece and gestured to Jessica.
“It’s Logan. He wants to talk to you.”
Jessica took the receiver, wondering if there had been a decision on the rental. “Hello?”
“Hey, I was calling to see if you’d be free after the store closed, but since Penny is there, can I steal some of your time right now? It’s personal. Not for me, for Laurel. She has a decision you might be able to help her with. Do you mind?”
“It’s fine. I’ll come right over.”
Jessica hoped the model didn’t want to discuss being in love with Logan. Surely not. After all, why would he think someone else could help with that one?
Next door, Chelsea sent her to the Moonlight Ventures break room, where both Logan and Laurel were waiting.
“This is so nice of you, Jessica,” Laurel said. “I hate taking up your time.”
“No worries.”
Once they were seated around the small table, Laurel drew a deep breath. “I’ve told Logan about my problem and he thought you’d understand because of the situation with your daughter and ex-husband. You see, my...my biological father contacted me a few weeks ago. I’ve never met him. He says he’s sorry that he hasn’t been there for me and wants us to get acquainted. I’m torn about what to do. Logan mentioned your daughter might face the same decision one day.”
“That’s right.”
Jessica had often wondered what she’d do if Aaron asked to see Cyndi. As Logan had pointed out, she and Cyndi wouldn’t be difficult to locate. And what if Aaron waited until after Cyndi was eighteen? Cyndi might come to her mother for advice, but the decision would rest on her shoulders. Jessica shivered, sensing the years rushing away.
“Um, are you angry at your biological father?” she asked.
“In a way, though I don’t know the whole story. From what I understand he and my mom had an affair and it was over quickly. Mom may have insisted he stay out of our lives.”
Logan leaned forward. “Jessica, do you think Cyndi will be angry about her father eventually?”
She shrugged. “It’s hard to know. Right now she’s a little curious because so many of her friends have daddies and she doesn’t. But someday she’ll start asking hard questions. I won’t bad-mouth Aaron, but I also won’t pretend he’s helped support her or asked to be a part of her life.”
“I’m also afraid Mom will be upset about this, so I’ve wondered if I should tell her,” Laurel explained. “How would you react if Cyndi was my age and decided to meet your ex-husband?”
Jessica thought for a moment and realized she would be upset. Not with Cyndi, but with Aaron. She didn’t blame him for walking out on her, but he’d also walked out on his child and never acknowledged her.
Her gaze caught Logan’s and she had the oddest feeling he understood what she was thinking.
“I’d have mixed feelings,” she finally admitted. “But our circumstances might be different from your situation. Did your biological father know about you from the beginning?”
“I don’t know. My mom has never wanted to talk about it.”
“But you’re curious,” Jessica guessed. “How could you not be?”
“Yeah. What do you think?”
“I’d want Cyndi to meet her father, if that’s what she really wanted. At the same time, I’d be livid if it didn’t go well and she got hurt. I can’t speak for your mother, but if you don’t say anything, it becomes a secret, and secrets can turn into walls between people.”
Laurel looked forlorn. “You’re right.”
They talked for another few minutes until the alarm on Laurel’s phone chimed. “I have to get back to the set,” she exclaimed. “I’ll see you on Saturday. ’Bye.”
“I hope that wasn’t too hard for you,” Logan said when they were alone. “She needed to talk to someone who understands and is good with people.”
“It’s fine, and it gave me a taste of what could be in the future for Cyndi.”
“I’m sure you’ll handle it well. And from what I’ve seen, Cyndi will, too.”
“Thanks.” Although nobody could predict what the future would bring, a surge of confidence went through her. Motherhood had its ups and downs, but if she could offer something of value to someone like Laurel Stevenson, she must be doing okay.
* * *
PENNY FURIOUSLY CHOPPED the pecans on her cutting board.
“What do you have against those nuts?” Kevin asked. He’d come over to help make candy to sell at the Flash Fair.
Penny stirred the mangled pecans and sighed. “I’m just working out my frustrations. I spent the morning at the Crystal Connection. Logan came in looking for Laurel Stevenson, who was there, shopping for a birthday gift.”
“That’s the supermodel doing a series of commercials up in Bellevue. The newspaper interviewed her and she d
id a fine job of promoting the street fair. Attendance could triple with folks coming to get her autograph. It’s a great development.”
Penny whacked the pecans again. “Yeah, great. Logan is very friendly with her.”
Kevin reached over and took the knife. “He must know a thousand models.”
She swept the pecans into a bowl. So far she’d made several double batches of fudge and two trays of peanut brittle. Now she was starting on English toffee. Divinity was her personal favorite, but nobody seemed to eat it these days. Tomorrow morning she’d make soda cracker candy.
“Never mind me,” she said briskly. “We thought we were doing the right thing by giving Jessica the Crystal Connection, but now it could all fall apart.”
Kevin frowned. “I thought Logan and the others were seriously considering her idea.”
“They are, but all we can do is wait, and I’m terrible at waiting. I go after what I want. I don’t just sit around.”
He laughed. “Eric once said you were a human tornado and people were wise to get out of the way, but good things generally followed.”
Pleasure stirred inside of Penny. She and her husband had been opposites. She’d rushed around to make things happen while he’d quietly done his work, taking life as it came. They’d balanced each other beautifully.
“It could be an adventure to just watch and see how everything unfolds,” Kevin suggested.
“Except adventures don’t always have happy endings.”
It didn’t feel like an adventure when she couldn’t do anything to fix a problem. That was how she’d felt when she saw Laurel Stevenson’s closeness with Logan. Jessica had pretended not to notice, but Penny knew her granddaughter too well.
If Jessica honestly didn’t care, that was one thing; but if Logan was too blind to fall head over heels with such a wonderful woman, he was a fool and didn’t deserve her anyhow.
“Penny, give it time,” Kevin cautioned. “You did your best by giving Jessica the Crystal Connection, but you can’t manage her life. She has to find her own way.”
It pinched, but he was right. Everyone had to make their own decisions.
Finally, a Family--A Clean Romance Page 16