“You do not want to anger us; it will get you nowhere. So stubborn, just like the other one. When will you both learn that It’s easier to comply?”
“The other one? I’m sorry. I have no idea what you mean.” Everything I have learned about Logan is rushing through my mind. Is this what he was talking about? Goddess, I hoped not. I turn to face the person speaking to me, and there’s no one there.
“You’re more powerful than he is, but not smarter. You’ve known about your heritage for a long time, so that makes you more guarded. That is why you can’t see me.”
“Or maybe it’s you who is afraid.”
His presence is starting to irk me. I feel anger coursing through my veins. I instantly think that I need to protect my kids. If he’s here, then he can get to them. That can't happen. I won't allow it.
“You should not tempt me. It’s not wise. I’ll see you again soon.”
Just like that, all the air came rushing back, and my skin began to thaw. Something isn't right. I need Logan, and I need him now. Just as I’m thinking that, I hear a crash by the back door. I try to force my legs to move, but it’s like they were frozen. Adrenaline is flooding my system, while the flight instinct is pressing all over my skin, but I’m moving nowhere. Logan rushes into the room and practically flies to my side.
“Are you okay?” His voice is strained. Filled with panic, his eyes are searching the room. He gets into a defensive posture in front of me. It’s like he is encircling me with his body. If I wasn’t stuck to my spot, freaking out inside, the way he is wrapping himself around me would be too much to keep me from kissing him. Maybe this is the universe telling me to let go and have faith everything will be okay. His arms come to touch mine. As soon as his skin makes contact with mine, he pulls his hands back.
“April, you are freezing. Can you talk to me? I need to hear that you’re alright.”
“I’m off-fine. I just dddon’t have feeling ii -in my lllegs yet.”
I never realized having chattering teeth could be so annoying. Logan runs to the back room and comes back with a blanket. I can already feel the blood rushing to my legs, and I start to tilt to the side.
“Whoa. Easy there April. Let me help you.” He gently moves me to the floor. I’m sitting half on his lap and half on the floor. He’s alternating rubbing my arms and legs trying to cause friction to warm me up. All I can do is sit there. The only thing going through my mind is please god, goddesses, universe, or whoever, please protect my boys.
“Logan, when you said that a guy told you that you were theirs, or whatever, did you feel like you were frozen in place?”
He doesn't even have to answer me. I can tell by his face turning white and his widening that he had experienced what I just went through before. It was the same guy, and now he is coming for me. At least I think he is...? All he said was that I was more powerful then Logan. He never said who he was after.
“He was here?” I’ve never heard his voice sound so angry.
“Yes, no, I don’t know. I couldn’t see him, but I heard him. It was just like howwe’re talking now. He said that I’m more powerful than you, and he said that I couldn't see him becauseI’m more guarded than you.”
“Did he say what he wanted?”
“No. He just told me that I’m stupid, and I shouldn’t challenge him. He also said that you and I are alike, except that I’m more powerful than you, whatever that means. He said he would be back.”
“We need to talk to Gran.”
“Logan wait. There's something I want to ask you, now more than ever. We can wait until Gran comes into work to talk to her. He won’t be back for a while, not with both of us here. Just don’t, please don’t leave me alone please.”
I know I sound weak. I’m never weak, but the man disappeared when he knew Logan was coming, so I’m scared he might come back if Logan leaves. I sound weak, but I don't care.
“I wouldn’t leave you even if you tried to make me.”
An overwhelming sense of love was flowing through me, but that's not possible. I’ve only known Logan for a few weeks. How can I already be in love with him? It’s there though; I can feel it. I look over at him to see him watching me. He has the same expression on his face that I would assume is on mine, so I do what I always seem to do when he’s around. I blush. This causes him to smile, a real genuine smile that reaches all the way up to those gorgeous eyes.
That’s when Gran walks in. She looks around and notices that there’s no one in the store. She turns back to the door, locks it, and flips the sign to close. “April, I need to talk to you right now. Logan, go grab us some lunch from Jack in the Box.”
Logan tries to protest, but she cuts him off before he could get a word out of him mouth. I look at him and still see worry on his face.
“It's okay Logan. Gran is here. I’ll be fine,” I say, trying to smile at him, which doesn't feel right, and from the grimace on his face, I can tell he doesn't buy it either.
Gran grabs my hand, and my body goes rigid. I don’t remember walking, but I’m now sitting down at the table where Gran and I met for the first time. She hands me the necklace she was making me and tells me to put in on, so I do. The minute the Onyx touches my skin, everything around me pulses. I feel all of my emotions melting away. Then love and the feeling of protection take over my entire body. It’s a different type of protection than I’m used to feeling. Someone is protecting me, rather than the other way around.
“Gran, who added these three stones?” I ask in wonderment. I know that the first two stones symbolize love and protection, but I’m unfamiliar with the moonstone. It might have something to do with new love becauseI’m definitely sensing love. I can feel my entire body coming into alignment. The fear I was harboring is taken away, leaving calmness and love in its place.
“Logan,” she says it like it’s no big deal, while shrugging her shoulders.
Why would Logan have picked out these stones for me? An internal battle is raging within me. I’m confused thinking about why I could be feeling love towards him so quickly, why he picked these specific stones out for my necklace, and what was coming for my family.
“Before you worry your pretty little head too much, I need you to do a few things for me. First, calm your mind. When you get emotional, your thoughts are very loud, and it’s messing with my concentration. Second, love just happens. There’s no time frame for it; it just is. Third, the man who was here is the same one Logan had to face when he was 18. He was also right that you are more powerful than Logan. Do you know why that is?”
I take everything she just said into
consideration and think about all of it. Do I know why I’m more powerful than Logan? No. Then a memory surfaces...
I was 18 and my mom took me on vacation here to Vegas. We had our cards read buy this psychic who said I was an Indigo Child.
As I remember that, I know why I’m more powerful than Logan. I look up at Gran, who has a smile on her face.
“It’s because I’m an Indigo Child, isn’t it?”
“Very good. Do you know what an Indigo Child is, April?”
“I've some a little research. I’m supposed to possess special traits, know my purpose, and be an old soul.”
Come to think of it, I never believed the psychic, well not completely. I always knew I was an old soul because there have been so many things that reminded me of a past life, like being drawn to Wicca, anything Native American, and Las Vegas. I really feel the pull to Vegas when I’m in the Red Rock Mountains. I could be having the worst day and just driving through those mountains gives me instant relief.
“All true. So do you know what your purpose is?”
What is with all the questions? Shouldn't she be telling me what I need to do? I know she knows what my purpose is. I knew what it was the day my dad had Mathew. My purpose was to be here for those boys and to provide them with the opportunities they wouldn’t have had if they stayed with their biological parents.
“Yes I know my purpose. The boys have, are, and will always be my purpose.”
“What boys? April, what are you talking about?” The deep husky voice that normally sets my heart on fire has me frozen in place.
I didn’t want Logan to find out about them this way, but I’m relieved that I can finally let go of this secret. Taking a deep breath, I say, “Logan, maybe it’ll be better if you sit. I have some stuff to tell you."
He makes his way over to the table. You could cut the tension in the air with a knife. I mentally and emotionally prepare myself for the brush off that I’m sure to get from him after he hears everything.
I continue once he sits down, “Before what happened earlier, I was going to invite you to hang out tonight.” I pause and look up at him to see him smiling. While I'm memorizing his face, it shifts from looking happy to worry at what I’m going to say next. “I had a conversation with one of three guys that are extremely important to me and he agreed that I should ask you to come hang out with us.” He has this look that says he is confused and trying to put pieces together. His eyes are expressionless though, like he’s trying to hide his emotions from me.
I let it sink in for a moment before I begin again. “I’m a Mom of three little boys, Logan. Everything I do is for them. They’re my sole purpose which is why it makes this,” I gesture between us, “so hard, not to mention confusing. I stopped dating, going out, and drinking, becausethey’re my life.”
Chapter 28
Logan I’m completely speechless. I honestly don’t know what to say. What I do know is that she is one hot mom. How can anyone look that great after having three kids? She won’t look at me. She is keeping her eyes down on the table while her hands fidget with the necklace that Gran made her. Oh my gosh, those are the stones I picked out. I look at Gran, who is smiling like she knows a secret. Maybe she does. She always knows things.
I’m really curious now why I chose those stones. I know this thing I have with April is something meaningful, especially after we got to know each other a little bit. I chose two stones that represent love; is that that a coincidence or fate? The cat’s eye is for protection; obviously that is something she needs as well.
I look back at April, who looks worried because I haven't responded. I guess my inner ramblings took longer than I thought. “April.” I wait until she looks up at me.
“April, were you worried about what I would think if you had kids?”
“Well yeah. I like you Logan, but you are young. Kids don't usually fit into most young guy's lives,” she whispers.
“I’m not like most guys April. You should know that. I take it their dad didn’t stick around after the last one was born?”
That’s when she gives me the strangest look, looks at Gran, and they both start laughing. Totally not the reaction I was expecting.
“Umm, why are you laughing? That’s a good question.”
“Oh Logan you think they’re my kids, as in I gave birth to them?”
“Well yeah. I mean, aren’t they?” I’m so completely lost with why they’re still laughing.
“Logan let me explain,” she sighs like she’s told this story a million times.
“My dad divorced my mom when I was 17 because he got into some trouble. He knocked up this girl Tiffany, who had told him she was 21. Well, she wasn’t; she was actually 16. Anyways, they got married and had three boys. My dad has always been a loser, and their mom was no better. The boys got taken away by CPS, so I went to get them. For two years, I fought with my dad, CPS, and their mom until finally I won. In
December of this past year, the judge in the family court signed the papers
granting me adoption of the boys. So my kids are really my half-brothers.”
I’m in complete awe of this girl. What am I supposed to say to that? She is absolutely amazing, and my need to kiss her is increasing by the second.
“Wow. That’s so amazing of you to take on that kind of responsibility at such a young age.” Totally not what I wanted to say, but that’s what came out.
“I appreciate that, but I would hope anyone else in the same position would do the same thing. I promised them I
wouldn’t let anyone come between us, and that if I had any interest in someone, I would talk to them about it first.”
“Is that why you left so suddenly that night when the phone interrupted us?” Please let her say yes, because if she just didn’t want to kiss me, I don’t think I could take that.
“Of course that’s why. You don’t know how hard it was for me to get into my car and drive away from you.”
I knew the exact feeling because I was the one watching her drive away.
“I have an idea. So we can hang out tonight?” Suddenly, everything else seems less important. All I want to do is spend time with her
“As long as you don’t mind playing with the boys. If so, then we can definitely hang out tonight.”
“Oh, I don’t mind at all.” I do mind a little, but because I want some alone time with her. On the other hand, I’m very excited to meet the kids that completely have her heart.
“Good,” she smiles, “I promised them we would have a water balloon fight in the backyard. That reminds me. You might want to get some grungy clothes because it’s going to be super messy!”
She’s so excited that I can’t help but feel the same way.
“Okay you two. Before you start planning your evening, we may need to discuss the encounter today," Gran says. She is always the voice of reason. It makes me wonder about her past.
“You're right Gran. Do you know why he came after April?”
“I don’t, but I do know that as long as you’re both together he won’t be able to take on the both of you. April told me what he said, and there’s truth behind his words. What he wants, however, will just have to be revealed in time I suppose.” *****
We all just hang out at the
bookstore talking until It’s time to go pick up April’s youngest son from school. She tells me that Michael is hard of hearing, and he has to wear hearing aids. It makes me a sad to know that she has to deal with this alone. She said her mom and her older brother help out with the kids, but who’s there for her? We pull up to the school, and I freeze. They go to the school where the fire was, the school that still haunts my dreams. April sees my
hesitation, and I smile at her. She walks to the gates to get Michael while I wait in the car.
God she’s beautiful. The way she looksat Michaelispure love anddevotion. Ihope Iget tosee that look on her face directed at meone day. She puts him in the car. He looks right at me and smiles, so I smile back.
“Michael this is,” she looks at me like she doesn’t know what to call me, “umm, Logan. He’s going to come hang out with us today. Can you say ‘Hi
Logan’?”
She’s so adorable . He repeats her, which surprises me. For some reason, I didn’t think he would be able to speak very well. Once he’s buckled in, we head to her house. At first I think we’re going to my house, but then we past my street. She livesin the same neighborhoodasme. Hmm, I don’t know now why, butit feels like someone hasbeen interferingwithour lives. My suspicions that she is the one I’m supposed toprotectmake more andmore sense.
We pull into her driveway, get out, and walk inside. April’s home is so... homey. She has a brown leather couch and this huge bean bag chair that I
immediately jump in. Michael jumps in right next to me, and we laugh. I look to see where April went. She's still standing by the door watching us with the biggest smile on her face. I could get used to this. Coming home. I haven’t felt this way since Mom died .
She makes her way around us and heads to the kitchen to make a snack for Michael, while we watch Tom & Jerry. I loved that cartoon when I was a kid. It looks like he does too. So we sit there in the humongous bean bag with our water and apple slices.
“Hey April. When do the other two get home?”
"Umm, what?”
I s
mile, “What time do the other two boys get home?”
“Oh, sorry! They get out of school in an hour.” I love it when she blushes. This time I know it’s because I said home, as if this was my home too. I’ve become a huge sap since meeting her.
“Cool. Do you mind if I stay here with Michael. We can get the water balloons ready.”
“No, not at all. I’ll warn you now though, Mathew and I are a team. We’re pretty awesome at this,” she laughs.
God, I love her laugh and the way it lights up her whole face. It has easily become my favorite sound. She’s still looking at me with that megawatt smile. Her eyes are shining like emeralds today, and she has that look, the same one that she had when she was talking to Michael. Does that mean what I hope it means?
“Oh, don’t worry. I got Michael and Lee on my side. Your team is going down!” I say with a wicked laugh
following.
“Ssh, watching ttd,” Michael points and stares at me before facing the TV again.
April laughs at my confused
expression,” T.V. I keep trying to get him to say the V, but it comes out ‘ttd’.”
It totally makes sense now, so I join in the laughter. Michael pins us both with another glare, so we stop laughing
immediately. April takes the dishes to the sink, grabs herself another bottle of water, and when she walks by us, she bends down to give Michael a kiss on his head. She starts to do the same thing to me, but then stops. She ruffles my hair instead, “I’ll be right back after I pick up the other two.” Then she’s out the door, and I’m stuck with this image of her bending down to kiss me goodbye. I miss it already. I crave it.
Two boys come running through the door a few minutes later and stop when they see me. April walks in behind them with a smile on her face. I’m never going to get tired of how beautiful she looks.
“Mathew, Lee this is Logan, Logan this is my other two monkeys.”
“Ah Mom, do you really have to call us monkeys in front of him?” Mathew, the older one, asks.
“Would you rather I call you stinker, Mathew?” She asks.
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