Two Times as Hot

by Cat Johnson

  “Don’t be silly. I can get next door on my own. Go on in. I’m sure your mother is wondering what’s taking you so long to come inside as it is.”

  “You sure? I can just—”

  “Logan. Yes, I’m sure. I’ll see you tomorrow?”

  “Yes, ma’am. You will. I’ll stop over first thing. Promise.”

  “Good. I’d like that.” Emma was starting to get used to having breakfast with Logan every day.

  He smiled at her. “Night, Emma.”

  “Night, Logan.”

  He hesitated, as if he might kiss her again, then didn’t. She understood why. If he had, they might have ended up making out in the driveway, this time without the small bit of privacy the truck interior had provided.

  This time, she was the strong one. With a small good-bye wave, Emma turned away from Logan. She even made her way to the back door of the house after looking back at him only once.

  Inside, she found Becca waiting for her in the kitchen.

  “Emma. Thank God you’re home.”

  “Why? What happened?”

  “I was talking to Tuck’s mother and one thing led to another and before we knew it the subject of Logan being almost forty and still single came up.”

  “Oh, Becca. You didn’t ask her, did you?” Emma felt the blood drain from her face.

  “No, she kind of volunteered the information. Anyway, stop being angry with me because I found out something pretty important about Logan’s past.”

  “And. What is it?” Emma couldn’t possibly imagine how important it could be since she’d been spending lots of time with him and nothing had come up.

  “Tuck’s mom told me that Logan was engaged. Years ago before he joined the army.”

  “Okay.” Emma considered this good news. It meant at least at one point in his life he’d thought about being married. “That must have been like twenty years ago. Did she say what happened?”

  Becca ran a hand over her face. “That’s the bad part. He apparently broke off the engagement.”

  “Did she say why?”

  “No one knows. Neither Logan or the girl explained why.”

  “Something must have happened.” The Logan Emma knew needed a good reason to do just about anything. Breaking off an engagement would require a huge one. “Who knows? Maybe she cheated on him.”

  Her sister’s brow rose. “Maybe he cheated on her.”

  “Becca!”

  “Just exploring all the options.”

  “Well, stop. You’re not helping.” Emma knew Logan well enough to know he wasn’t a cheater. “Did you talk to Tuck about this?”

  “No. He doesn’t like when I pry. He’s going to yell at me.”

  “Oh, stop. There’s no way he’d ever get mad or yell at you, so suck it up. I need to know. Go ask your husband or I will.”

  Becca hesitated, and then let out a breath. “All right. Did you say anything to Logan tonight?”

  “No.” Judgment—make that disapproval—was clearly written in Becca’s expression. Emma hated that she felt the need to explain. “I was planning on maybe telling him tomorrow, but now you’ve got me all turned around with this news. I’m not telling him until I find out some answers.”

  Becca’s eyes widened. “No, Em. Don’t change your plans. You have to tell him. What are you going to do? Wait until the day before you leave for home?”

  “No. Stop pressuring me. I still have time before I go back.” Emma shot her sister a frown. “Go find your husband.”

  “I can’t. He took the truck to the store to buy lumber before they close.”

  “Lumber? What for?”

  “He and Tyler are going to build a wheelchair ramp next door for Logan’s dad. He’s coming home tomorrow.”

  “Tomorrow. Wow. I wonder why Logan didn’t tell me.” Maybe Logan wasn’t as forthcoming as Emma thought he was.

  “Emma, don’t look like that. He probably didn’t know. The doctors just told his mom tonight. She came over on her way home from visiting his dad.”

  “Okay, that makes sense.” It still didn’t ease Emma’s racing mind about the mysterious broken engagement. “But the minute Tuck is back, you have to ask.”

  “Fine. And as soon as you know the answer, you need to tell Logan.” Becca waited, looking expectant. “Em, promise.”

  Emma blew out a big breath. “All right, I will.”

  Maybe.

  “Hey, Mom. What’s going on here?” Logan glanced around at the chaos in what was usually a quiet house. It was after dark, yet his mom was wide awake and as busy as if it was nine in the morning rather than nine at night.

  She paused, a batch of sheets in the laundry basket held in her hand. “They’re releasing your father tomorrow. I have to get the house ready for him.”

  “Really? They think he’s ready?”

  “Yeah. The docs say he can come home. There will still be a lot of rehabilitation, but they said he could do it here. He hates being in that place. They think his being at home will help his state of mind and make the recovery go faster. The physical therapist will come once a day to work with him.”

  “That’s wonderful.” Surprising, but good news.

  “There’s so much to do. All the furniture needs to be moved so he has a clear path for the wheelchair. The physical therapist said we needed to install bars in the bathroom, both next to the toilet and in the shower. I still have to measure the bathroom doorway to make sure the chair is even going to fit through it.” Pressing her lips together, his mother shook her head and looked overwhelmed.

  He wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “Mom, we’ll get it all done. Don’t worry.”

  “I know. Thank you. You’re such a comfort. And the Jenkins family, too. I don’t know what I can ever do to repay their kindness.”

  “Not necessary.” Tuck walked through the door at just that moment.

  “Well now, Tuck. Let’s not be too hasty.” Tyler followed his brother into the room. “I do remember some cookies you make every Christmas. They have some sort of raspberry jam in the middle.”

  “Tyler, the woman more than has her hands full right now. Don’t you dare hint she should bake you cookies.” Tuck frowned.

  “You’re talking about my thumbprint cookies,” Logan’s mother said, and smiled. “And they’re Mr. Hunt’s favorite, too. As soon as he’s home and settled, I’ll happily make a big batch for both of you. He’d love some, I’m sure.”

  “See.” Tyler sent Tucker an’ I told you so look.

  Tuck rolled his eyes and then turned to Logan. “We’ve got all the supplies we need to build the wheelchair ramp. We laid it all out on the grass. Do you want to come and take a look? See how steep an angle it’s going to be to get from the ground to the top step.”

  Logan glanced outside and saw how dark it had become. “It’s late. You sure you want to do this now?”

  “Sure.” Tuck dipped his head in a nod. “If you all don’t mind, we’ll lay it out now. That way we can get right to work on it at first light.”

  “I don’t mind a bit. I have a dozen things to do before bed tonight anyway.” Logan’s mother glanced at the overflowing laundry basket.

  Logan hadn’t seen his mother this excited in a while. She was happy to have his father coming home, while he was getting a little worried thinking about installing ramps and grab bars. Caring for a man recuperating from a stroke at home was going to be challenging, but he wasn’t about to burst his mother’s bubble. Instead Logan agreed. “All right. Let’s go on out and take a look.”

  They’d just cleared the front door when Tuck asked, “How’d the date with Emma go?”

  “It wasn’t a date. We just drove over to the lake. I showed her around the place. We grabbed some of the old barn boards from the shed, then we came home.”

  “Mmm, hmm. Sure.” Tyler’s comment earned him an elbow in the gut from Tucker. “Ow. Stop that.”

  “Stop being a smart ass.” Tuck returned the dirty look Tyler had giv
en him for the elbow.

  “Sorry. I was just saying—”

  “Well, stop.” Tuck cut off Tyler and turned back to Logan. “So, how are you two getting along?”

  “He means, are you in love yet?” Tyler stretched the word love out like he was a kid teasing his friend in the schoolyard.

  Tuck spun on his brother so fast, Tyler had to jump out of striking range. He stayed a safe distance away with his hands up in surrender. “Okay. I’ll be quiet.”

  Even with all the excitement, Tuck still turned his focus back to Logan. Confused, Logan asked, “What?”

  Tuck knocked his hat back and glared at Logan. “You and Emma? What’s going on?”

  Logan laughed. “The better question is what’s going on with you? You’ve never given a shit who I’m seeing. Is this because Emma is Becca’s sister?”

  Tyler stayed uncharacteristically quiet, watching and waiting for Tuck’s answer. That was Logan’s first clue that maybe something was going on. The second was Tuck’s hesitation, and the expression of pure agony on his face. “I . . . It’s just I’m stuck in the middle here, Logan.”

  “Is Becca bothering you about my intentions toward her sister?”

  Tuck ran a hand over his forehead. “Something like that.”

  “Tell your wife she doesn’t have to worry. I’m into Emma.”

  At Logan’s comment, Tyler let out a snort and laughed. “I bet you are into her a lot.”

  Logan reevaluated how to word what he was trying to say. He sent a warning glance in Tyler’s direction and then continued, “Meaning I like her. A lot. I’m not going to do anything to hurt her, Tuck.”

  That didn’t seem to appease Tuck, who kicked the toe of his cowboy boot into the grass at his feet. “You, uh, see yourself maybe getting serious with her?”

  Something was definitely going on here. Becca must really be putting the pressure on Tuck for some answers.

  Logan had always been a private person. He didn’t tell tales about the few serious relationships he’d had in his life. Which was what made it doubly strange when he felt compelled to confess the truth. “Yeah, I think I can.”

  Tyler’s wide grin caught his eye. Logan turned to him. “What’s making you so happy? What do you care?”

  “Hey, I like that I can say I was there from the very start. Like cupid but instead of using arrows, I hook up lovers with condoms at wedding receptions.”

  “Jeez, Tyler.” Logan felt his face heat. He couldn’t bring himself to look at Tuck.

  “Relax, Logan. It’s okay. Tuck already knows.” Tyler’s statement didn’t make Logan feel much better.

  “How?”

  “I told him.” Tyler shrugged.

  “You’re nothing like cupid, dumbass.” Tuck shook his head at his brother and then glanced at Logan. “It’s okay, Logan. I’m not one to judge anyone on his or her behavior. I’m just glad you and Emma are getting along. You know I love you like a brother. Sometimes more—”

  “Hey.” Tyler frowned, looking insulted.

  Tuck continued, “So you know nothing would make me happier than to have you as a brother-in-law.”

  Logan laughed. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Emma and I are still getting to know each other. I don’t want to rush things.”

  “Dude, we’re way past worrying about that. Believe me.” Tyler slapped Logan on the back and then bent to grab one of the boards. “Tuck. Grab the other end of this for me?”

  “Sure.” With one final glance at Logan, Tuck dipped his head and moved to take the board. No yelling at Tyler to shut up. No comment at all about Tyler’s strange statement, leaving Logan to wonder what the hell they knew that he didn’t. It was a feeling he didn’t like. Not one bit.

  Chapter Nineteen

  The atmosphere at the Jenkins breakfast table was the strangest Logan had felt in a long time. It was as if everyone seated at the table was watching him and Emma, waiting for something. What that something was, he didn’t have a clue. Still Tuck, Tyler, and Becca all kept shooting him looks.

  He glanced sideways at Emma, trying to see if maybe during yesterday’s encounter by the lake he might have unconsciously given her another hickey and that’s what they were all intrigued by. There were no marks on Emma that Logan could see. At least, not from this angle. Then again, he couldn’t get a good look at her from the other side.

  This was too crazy. To be dealing with this shit at this point in his life felt ridiculous.

  Mrs. Jenkins stood at the stove in her usual position, flipping pancakes today instead of bacon. She seemed normal. Happy. Chatty. Mr. Jenkins had already left for work. Whatever this involved, it was limited to the younger members of the family.

  Maybe Emma had confessed to Becca what had been happening between them? That would explain Becca and Tuck’s strange behavior, but not Tyler’s. And honestly, Logan and Emma were two single consenting adults. They could choose to engage in a physical relationship if they wanted to. Hell, it was allowed, unlike Tuck and Becca’s relationship had been when they were blatantly breaking OSU’s faculty non-fraternization rule by dating last year.

  Damn. He was dying to get Emma alone and ask her what was going on. But his father was coming home today and there were still things to do . . . And that was the perfect topic of conversation to break the tension hanging in the air.

  “So right after we eat, we’ll finish up that ramp? It shouldn’t take too long, right?” Logan glanced from Tyler to Tucker.

  “Shouldn’t take more than an hour or so.” Tyler nodded. “After we’re done, I’m gonna have to leave and get to the ranch. We’re moving some bulls today.”

  Tuck eyed Logan. “What are your plans for the rest of the day?”

  Why did Logan feel as if he was being interrogated? “I guess I’ll check in with my mother and see what time they’ll be releasing my father. That way I can drive over to the rehab facility and help her get him and the wheelchair into the car.”

  “I talked to her this morning, Logan. She thinks they might not let him go until after lunch.” Mrs. Jenkins walked over and put a platter stacked high with pancakes in the center of the table. “Everyone help yourselves while they’re hot. Don’t be shy.”

  She walked back to the stove and started cleaning up. Logan swore, in all his years hanging out in this kitchen, he’d never seen the woman sit down and eat herself.

  Tyler glanced around and when no one made a move, he stood and stabbed three pancakes with his fork. “Don’t mind if I do. Somebody pass the syrup.”

  Becca handed him the bottle of maple syrup and then lifted the platter of pancakes. She took two for herself, and handed it off to Tuck. “If your father gets released this afternoon, that will leave all morning free. Logan, why don’t you and Emma go to the store and see how the signs look?”

  “You started painting the signs already?” Logan turned to Emma, surprised. “When?”

  She glanced up from the plate of pancakes as she passed it to Logan. “Don’t forget, I’m used to east coast time. I’m usually awake a good hour before the rest of the household. I sketched the lettering out with a pencil, and then found some old paint in the garage. Here, I have a picture.” Emma pulled her cell phone out of her pocket.

  Logan glanced over and looked at the screen. “You’re amazing. Some old wood and leftover paint and you turned it into that?”

  “Don’t be too impressed. I only did that one, but I’m almost done with the second. I’ll be finished by the time you guys are done with the ramp. You should look at what I’ve got so far. Make sure you like them.”

  Logan smiled. “I’m sure I’ll love whatever you do.”

  He glanced up from his breakfast to find he was the subject of scrutiny again and stifled a sigh. Maybe it was obvious to everyone else that he had feelings for Emma. So what? What should be obvious to his supposed friends was that his relationship with Emma, no matter what it might or might not be, was none of their business.

  “Here’s an idea.
” Tuck, laden fork poised over his plate, turned to Logan. “You go to the store with Emma and get it all fixed up with the new sign and everything. I’ll help your mother with your father, and we can bring him over to the shop on the way home as a surprise.”

  Again Tuck was pushing Emma and him together. If Mrs. Jenkins’ pancakes weren’t so damn tasty, this family would have already ruined Logan’s appetite. “I don’t know, Tuck. That seems like a lot for Dad to handle on the first day.”

  Tuck shrugged. “How about we play it by ear? See how he’s feeling. If he’s too tired, I’ll call and let you know that your mom and I are bringing him straight home. Then you and Em can meet us at your house.”

  Logan glanced at Emma, not missing how Tuck had once again included her in his plans without asking either one of them. “What do you think?”

  “It won’t hurt to go over and make sure the place is all put back together, even if your father can’t make it over today. And not to sound selfish, but I’d love to see how my new signs look with the displays.”

  “You’re anything but selfish, Emma.” Logan looked at this amazing woman next to him and resisted reaching out to grab her hand. “All right. I guess there’s no reason we can’t go to the shop. I still have to screw in the grab bars in the bathroom, but I can do that quick. We’ll go over right after the ramp is up.”

  “Sounds good.” Emma smiled. The sight warmed his heart, until Logan noticed the satisfied look on Becca’s face, the relief on Tuck’s, and the interest on Tyler’s.

  Something was going on here, and he’d be damned if he didn’t get to the bottom of it before day’s end. Enough was enough.

  Logan put his plan to figure out what was up with everyone into action the moment he left the Jenkinses’ kitchen. Thinking like the military leader he was, he chose the target he judged would be the easiest to break—Tyler.

  He waited until Tuck went to the garage to cut some two-by-fours to length. As the whine of the table saw filled the air, Logan turned to Tyler. “What was going on at the breakfast table this morning?”