by Kristi Gold
“I’m not going anywhere, and the wait is why it was too rushed.”
She frowned. “We’ve known each other, for what, a whole seven days?” Oddly, she felt as if she’d known him much longer. “But then I suppose most women don’t make you wait that long.”
“Believe me. Jenna. You’re nothing like most women.”
The wooden headboard felt like a cement block against his back, but Logan didn’t dare move or he risked ruining the moment.
After a light dinner consisting of cold sandwiches, he and Jenna had settled back into bed to talk. But somewhere along the way, while he’d been explaining to her about adding charter planes to his business plan, she’d fallen asleep, her head tucked in the crook of his arm, her hand resting loosely on his chest, her features slack. And that’s where she’d been for over an hour, looking innocent and peaceful. For the past few minutes, he’d watched her eyes twitch behind closed lids and wondered what she was dreaming. If in those dreams she could see again.
He’d begun to realize she was a contradiction—fiercely independent and at times almost vulnerable, although, she tried to hide it behind her strong will. He could relate. No one wanted their weaknesses bared, especially not him. But he’d be damned if she hadn’t chipped away some of his steel shell and made him care about something aside from business and temporary escapes in the beds of women he barely knew. She’d made him feel for the first time in a year—and that scared the hell out of him.
When Jenna turned away, Logan eased his arm from beneath her and carefully climbed out of bed. He slipped on a pair of shorts and walked to the refrigerator to find something to wet his dry mouth, craving a beer and settling for a bottle of soda—and some distance.
After sitting in the lone chair next to the aged plaid sofa, he set the drink aside, leaned his head back and closed his eyes. But he wasn’t the least bit tired even though it was Hearing midnight. In fact, he was too keyed up to sleep. And it was too bad the cabin didn’t come equipped with a TV so he could find some ball game to occupy his mind. He could go for a walk, but he didn’t want to leave Jenna alone. Or he could crawl back into bed, wake her up and expend some energy.
That thought alone brought his body back to life, but the sudden distressed cry brought his eyes wide-open to find Jenna sitting up in the bed, a frantic look on her face. He bolted from the chair and practically sprinted to the bed to hold her.
He rocked her back and forth until she seemed to calm. “It’s okay, babe.”
She pulled away, her expression a mask of confusion. “Logan?”
“Yeah, I’m here. You must’ve had a bad dream.”
She streaked both her hands over her face, as if trying to erase the images. “It was a nightmare.”
A really bad one, if the fear in her brown eyes was any indication. “Want to tell me about it?”
“It didn’t make a lot of sense.”
“Most dreams don’t.”
“I know, but this one was so strange and frightening.” She inhaled a short breath and blew it out slowly. “I was in a small boat on the creek by myself and I saw J.D. on the bank. He looked exactly as he did the last time I could see him. I kept calling to him and when he saw me, he ran away into the woods. The next thing I knew I was chasing him and I couldn’t find him. I had this horrible sense that something had happened to him and I couldn’t protect him.”
Logan realized that her subconscious was playing havoc with her fears. “Have you had this dream before?”
She shook her head. “Not exactly, but I’ve had a few that were similar. I’m hoping it’s not some premonition, although I’ve never believed in that sort of thing before.”
He kissed her forehead and held her tighter. “I’m sure he’s fine. He’s probably in bed asleep, which is where you and I need to be if we’re going to get on the road early in the morning.” With that thought, he reclined on the bed, taking her with him.
“I don’t know if I can sleep until I’m certain John David’s okay,” she said. “And that won’t happen until tomorrow night, if David even bothers to call me.”
“Why wouldn’t he’?”
“Just to prove a point, which is typical of the Leedstone family.”
Logan had to think a minute before he realized where he’d heard the name before. “As in Leedstone Electronics’?”
“That’s the one. He’s in Memphis overseeing the opening of another phase of the dynasty.”
Another instance of money marrying money. “Did you take your maiden name back after the divorce’?”
“I never changed my name when we married. John David’s last name is hyphenated.”
Logan rubbed his chin. “John David Fordyce-Leedstone. Has a nice ring to it, but it’ll never tit on a baseball jersey.”
Finally, she smiled. A tentative one, but still a smile. “Anyway, David says I obsess too much over J.D. and that I tend to overreact. He’s a fine one to talk considering how he treated me when we were married.”
Alarm bells rang out in Logan’s head. “Did he hurt you?”
“Only in the sense that I couldn’t lift a finger without him questioning why I didn’t ask for help, and that was when I could still see okay. He hired a nanny because he didn’t trust I could take care of our child. But I did take care of him and I did it well.”
The bastard. “I’m sure you did. My mother always said that maternal instinct is the strongest instinct in the world.”
“Your mother is a very wise woman.” She felt for his face and touched his lips with a fingertip, then with her own lips. “And she has a very special son.”
He grinned. “Devin is a good guy.”
She punched him in the arm, hard. “Stop pretending you’re not worthy of a compliment, because you are.”
Another one of his mother’s lesson’s intruded into his brain—accept praise graciously. “Thanks. You’re kind of special, too.” Kind of special? That was one hell of an understatement.
She linked her hand with his. “In some ways, I wish we didn’t have to go tomorrow. But in others—and don’t take this wrong—I’m looking forward to being home in time to talk with J.D.”
Leaving the campground and leaving her. were the last things Logan wanted to consider at the moment. If it wasn’t for the all-important communication with her son and Avery’s insistence he bring her home tomorrow, he wouldn’t mind extending the trip a few days. Then they could make the call to her son from his cell phone. He could ignore Avery’s threats. Or they could…
Nah. That was a crazy plan. Insane. Impractical. But doable. “Did you fall asleep on me, Logan?”
He nibbed her arm. “I’m still awake. I’m just thinking.”
“About what?”
“About a phone call I need to make. The cell phone’s on the charger in the car.” He pushed out of the bed and tugged on his jeans. “I’ll be back in a few minutes, so don’t go anywhere.”
She rolled to her side and played peekaboo with the sheet. “Maybe this will convince you to make it quick.”
He leaned over and kissed her. “I’m convinced, and hold that thought.”
She went one better and kicked the sheet entirely away. “A little added incentive.”
The sight of her lying naked in a provocative pose made him hard as a steel beam. “You are one wicked woman.”
“A lack of sight means a lack of inhibition, so set used to it, O’Brien.”
Oh, yeah, he could definitely get used to it. He could also climb all over her, but first things first. “I’m leaving now,” he said as he backed to the door. “Don’t move.”
“I promise I won’t, if you’ll hurry back.”
He sprinted down the porch steps and hiked to the Hummer parked several yards away. He slid into the cab, detached the phone from the charger and hit the speed dial.
When Bob answered with a gruff, “Hello,” Logan didn’t bother to return the greeting. “I need you to do something for me. Bob.”
“Where
are you, boss?”
“Still in Arkansas. Go to your computer and look up David Leedstone’s address and phone number in or around Memphis, Tennessee.”
“That could take a while, boss, especially if the number’s unlisted.”
“Do what you have to do, but have it for me first thing in the morning.”
“What’s this all about?”
None of Bob’s business. “Just get the address. .And clear my schedule Monday. I probably won’t be in until Tuesday morning.”
“I see a big problem with that, ]Ir. O’Brien. You have a two o’clock meeting monday that we can’t move again without losing a prospective client. You also have a meeting with Mr. Fordyce.”
“I don’t recall scheduling a meeting with him.”
“You didn’t. He did.”
Great. “I’ll be in on Monday afternoon, and I’ll give Fordyce call.”
And he would tomorrow, as soon as they were well on their way to Tennessee.
Chapter Ten
How much longer before we’re there, Logan?”
“My best guess is about five minutes.”
Although the sun wasn’t as bright as it had been when they’d left the park, Jenna sensed it wasn’t all that late in the day. “What time is it now?”
“Almost six.”
“I know we haven’t been on the road for ten hours because we didn’t leave until midmorning.”
“Hey. our delayed departure wasn’t my fault. You were the one who wanted to sleep in.”
She felt an annoying blush coming on. “You didn’t let me sleep.”
“And I don’t recall you complaining. Moaning, but not complaining.”
She couldn’t deny that, nor could she deny her continued confusion. “If my calculations are correct, we still have at least three hours to go before we reach Houston, not five minutes.”
“I didn’t say we were almost in Houston. I said we were almost there.”
“Where exactly is there?”
“Hang on a minute. I need to concentrate.” Logan braked and muttered, “Damn. I missed it.” before he threw the Hummer in reverse.
“Missed what?”
“The place we’re going.”
Jenna was growing increasingly frustrated with Logan’s secrecy. “What place’?”
“It’s a surprise. You’ll find out in a minute.”
Occasionally, she liked surprises, but she had one vital issue on her mind. “If you’re intent on stopping, I’ll need to call J.D. from wherever we are.”
“You’re going to talk to your son tonight, Jenna. I promise.”
All day long, she’d thought of little else aside from speaking with John David, when she wasn’t thinking about Logan and what they’d shared over the past few days. Right now she wanted to give him a good tongue-lashing for being so mysterious.
When Logan took a sharp left, Jenna wondered if he’d found a notable restaurant. Maybe a hotel. No. he’d said he’d planned to drive straight through. But straight through to where?
“We’re here,” Logan said, followed by the metallic clank of a releasing seat belt.
Jenna decided not to move until he provided some answers. “Could you please give me a little hint?”
“Okay. We’re about to go inside a house and see some people about something.”
She rolled her eyes. “That’s not very specific, Logan. You should win an award for evasion.”
He had the nerve to laugh. “Tell you what, if you’re not happy with what I have planned, then you can tie me up later.”
Somehow she didn’t see that as adequate punishment. “You’d probably enjoy it.”
“Could be. We’ll discuss that later.”
After Logan helped Jenna from the car. she heard the sound of dogs barking and children playing in the distance. She detected the scent of wisteria as they navigated what appeared to be a walkway.
“There’s two steps up to the porch,” Logan said.
After Jenna managed those without incident, she heard the chime of a doorbell—and an all too familiar voice saying, “It’s good to see you, Jen,” with little enthusiasm.
For a split second she’d thought her ears had betrayed her until Logan replied, “Thanks for having us on short notice. David.”
“It’s a little inconvenient, but come on in.”
As they stepped over the threshold, Jenna’s shock finally subsided and she regained her ability to speak. “What’s going on’?”
Logan caught her free hand and gave it a squeeze. “I promised you’d talk to your son, didn’t I?”
Only then did Jenna allow herself to believe that Logan had granted her an incredible gift. She was going to be with John David, hold him, kiss him. She’d kiss Logan right now if her ex wasn’t nearby.
“Where is he?” Jenna asked as she lowered her glasses from her head to cover her eyes against the harsh light in the foyer.
“He’s in his room.” a feminine voice answered. “Hi, Jenna. I’m Ginger.”
Jenna found herself in the presence of the woman who’d entered J.D.’s life less than a year ago. A woman she’d never met nor seen before. The same woman who hadn’t accompanied her new husband when he’d come to Texas to retrieve his son. “It’s nice to finally meet you, Ginger.”
“It’s my pleasure.” Ginger said as she took Jenna’s hand for a brief shake. “But I’m afraid John David’s rather tired from the trip right now. He’s not in a very good mood.”
Jenna knew how to remedy that. “Just point the way and I’ll cheer him up.”
“I’ll see if he’ll join us in the parlor,” Ginger said.
“That’s probably better, Jen.” David chimed in. “He’ll be more comfortable if we’re with him.”
If they were with him? For all intents and purposes, they were treating her like a stranger. “Fine, but I’d like a few minutes alone with him while I’m here.”
“We’ll see how it goes, Jen.”
She wanted to tell David to quit shortening her name. At one time it hadn’t bothered her, but now it grated on her already frayed nerves. “I’m sure he’ll be fine once he sees me, David.”
“I’ll go get him,” Ginger said. “In the meantime, make yourselves comfortable.”
“A place to sit sounds good,” Logan said. “It’s been a long day.”
“Right this way.” David’s tone reeked with forced politeness, and Jenna suspected he’d already begun to wonder about her relationship with Logan. As if that were any of his business.
Logan guided her to a sofa where she sat as stiff as a post and kept her opinions to herself. She couldn’t let her anger get the best of her, not when she had the chance to be with her son.
Jenna’s excitement increased when heard the endearing voice of the wonderful little boy she’d given birth to. The child she had loved, and still loved, without limits. And that precious son who’d always eagerly answered her phone calls suddenly cried out, “I don’t know that lady!”
When she heard the rapid footsteps heading away, Jenna’s heart began to break one fissure at a time. Her greatest fear had been realized—John David had forgotten her.
She couldn’t bear knowing that her own child had rejected her when she’d come all this way to see him. She couldn’t bear his distress, knowing she was causing it. Right then, she only wanted to get away.
As calmly as possible, she pushed off the sofa with the help of her cane. “This probably wasn’t a good idea. Let’s go, Logan.”
Logan clasped her hand and tugged her back down on the couch. “Just give him a few minutes and let Ginger settle him down. Then you can go tell him a bedtime story.”
“Jen’s right, Logan,” David said. “It isn’t a good idea, and that’s what I told you on the phone earlier.”
“I don’t give a damn what you told me.” Logan’s voice was even, but to Jenna it still sounded menacing. “She deserves some time with J.D., and once he understands it’s really her, he’ll be fine.”
“I’m sorry, Jenna,” Ginger said. “He refuses to come out of his room. Right now he’s very upset. Maybe you should come back some other time.”
Some other time. Ginger acted as though that were something Jenna could manage on any given day. “Thank you for making the effort, and tell John David I love him.”
Again she stood and before Logan could stop her, she headed in what she hoped was the direction of the door, tapping her cane along the walls. The cloying scent of potpourri and polished wood caused her stomach to roil, along with the horrible notion that she’d lost the only thing that meant more to her than anything in the world, even her sight.
When she reached out and contacted the latch, a hand came out and stopped her before she could open the door. “Don’t leave, Jenna. And don’t listen to them.”
Tears began to stream down her face despite her effort to hold them at bay. “He doesn’t want to see me. Logan. He doesn’t even know me.”
Logan took her by the shoulders and turned her aroimd. “He didn’t get a good look at you. He’ll only recognize you if you talk to him.”
She swiped the back of her hand over her cheeks. “What if he doesn’t?”
Logan brought her into his arms. “He’ll remember you. Jenna. You only have to give him the chance to remember.”
Jenna didn’t know what to do. If she left now, she might regret it. or the same could apply if she stayed. But she had no idea when she would have this opportunity again.
“I’m sorry, Logan. You’ve gone to all this trouble for me. and the least I can do is make it worth your while.”
“You need to make it worth your while, and it hasn’t been any trouble at all. It might be if I lose my cool and punch your ex.”
She clasped his hand and smiled. “You’d have to stand in line behind me. And if David does call the police, do you know a good bail bondsman in Tennessee?”
“He’s not going to do that, and if he does. I’ll take care of it.”
For once Jenna didn’t mind relying on someone for support. But Logan O’Brien wasn’t just anyone, a fact that had become all too apparent in the past few days. “I guess, I could try.”
“That’s all you can do. And I’ll be right there if you need me.”