He pointed to a wooden box where he stored the bags of loose minerals. “But you don’t have to—”
She strode off before he could finish. Watching her, Logan fought a grin. She was stubborn enough, that was for sure. And hanged if he didn’t find that attractive as all get-out.
Blowing out a breath, he headed toward the automatic watering tubs. Temperatures at night were cold enough to allow ice to form. He removed the thin layer then went back to the barn to draw a couple of pails of hot water from a sink in the tack room. Once the troughs were full, he shut off the water to the tub and moved on to the hay feeders. All told, it was almost an hour before he headed back to the barn in search of Leesa. He found her huddled next to a sheep in one of the ewe stalls.
At his entrance, she looked up, a dream-like smile on her face. Logan’s breath caught.
“This one’s pregnant.”
Feeling a touch guilty but helpless to resist, he rested his forearms on the top of the stall and enjoyed the view. “I know. Dr. Norwood said she’s due next spring.”
“Do you have any others due around the same time?”
“A few. I just keep Ella in here because she seemed a little sluggish. I wanted to make sure she wasn’t coming down with something.”
Leesa gave the sheep a pat and rose. “Good idea. I’ll keep an eye on her the next few days.”
Obviously, she planned on making a habit of her visits. Though it shouldn’t have, something inside roused at the idea. He kept his gaze fixed to her as she crossed the stall to stand in front of him, and though he tried not to let it show, his breathing quickened.
“So?” She rose on tiptoes and flashed a saucy grin. “Do you name all your animals?”
Even with the stall wall between them, heat spread through his body.
Back away!
Reason screamed for him to move, add to the distance, yet he remained rooted, transfixed by her dancing blue eyes. “Most.” He forced the word through dry lips. “Not the birds.”
A crinkle formed between her brows. “Why not? What’s wrong with the birds?”
“Nothing. It just,”—he gave a small shake of his head—“it tames them, somehow.”
The teasing faded from her face, replaced by the barest of smiles. That, and the look of admiration that melted over her features, almost knocked him down.
“And you want them to remain wild.”
Her voice had softened, yet it stirred something fierce inside him. He tore his gaze away. “We should head toward the house.”
He spun, not waiting for her answer. Too bad there wasn’t another icy trough around. He’d dip more than just his hands inside. Loosening the buttons on his coat, he strode up the hill, past the corral, toward the back door.
Confounded woman, anyway. What was it about her that kept him consistently off kilter? It was like he was back in high school and she…
She was the girl he’d spend the next few hours trying to pry from his thoughts.
Chapter 6
Adrenaline coursed through Leesa’s veins as she pulled into the Bethlehem Community Church parking lot. The entire cast would be at the first nativity rehearsal tonight, including Logan.
Her heart thudded just thinking his name. A moment passed between them at the farm—a blistering interlude that made her insides quake and her knees weak. He’d felt it, too, if the look of panic that crossed his face were any indication.
She climbed from the car, her hand lingering on the handle. She didn’t want to be attracted to Logan any more than he did her. To that end, she’d simply make sure things stayed professional—no smiling, no eye contact, no…flirting.
Squaring her shoulders, she wove in and around the other parked cars until she reached the church entrance. Many of the cast had already arrived, Kate Walters included. She beckoned as Leesa entered and motioned toward a row of half-full pews near the front. Someone handed her a list with names and phone numbers. Leesa added hers then glanced around the room as she passed it on to the next person.
No Logan.
Her stomach sank, a feeling she quickly and firmly quelled. If she reacted every time she saw him—or didn’t—she could pretty much pack up any hope of maintaining an air of professionalism. Directing her gaze forward, she focused on the instructions Kate relayed.
“Now, if for any reason you cannot be at one of the scheduled practices, please let me or Pastor Mike know. Any questions?” She paused for responses, smiling brightly. “Okay, then I think the next order of business is for us to introduce ourselves. Why don’t we begin at the back and work our way to the front? Betty, will you start?”
One by one, the cast introduced themselves, from Betty, who played the innkeeper, to the wise men, angels, and finally, the shepherds.
“Leesa McElroy. I run the veterinary clinic on Main—”
The door at the rear of the sanctuary swung open, and Leesa’s head swiveled with everyone else’s.
“Mr. Franks! Welcome.” Kate’s confident steps echoed throughout the sanctuary as she strode to the back. “We’re so glad you could join us.” She swept one arm wide. “Everyone, this is Logan Franks. He’s agreed to loan us the use of his animals. He’ll also be playing one of our shepherds.”
Light applause sounded, and Leesa inwardly groaned. Logan would despise the attention. Indeed, he glowered like a thundercloud on a blustery day. She cleared her throat and stood.
“Excuse me, Kate, what about costumes? Will each of us be responsible for finding our own?”
“No, no, not at all. We have several left from last year, but we will need to head to the costume room so Marge can get some measurements. If you will all come with me.”
Light chatter swirled as the members of the cast rose to follow Kate from the sanctuary. Except for Logan. He lingered at the door as though he hadn’t quite decided whether to stay or bolt.
The scowl slipped a bit as she approached. In fact—and she almost stumbled when she saw it—he actually smiled. “Hi.”
“Hi.” She resisted the urge to rub her palms on the legs of her jeans. “You made it. I thought maybe you forgot.”
He shook his head. His gaze drifted in the direction Kate and the others had taken. “Thanks…for that.”
She shrugged. “So…the animals?”
“I didn’t bring them. I figured I’d better get a look at the size of the corral we’ll be using first.”
“Right. That would be Kate. I mean Kate would have to show you. The corral.”
Stop. Talking.
She jammed her hands into her pockets. Just in time. Her fingers itched to flail. “We should probably go ahead and get measured.”
“Right.”
Though he agreed, he searched her face a moment longer. She yearned to ask what he looked for, but knew she’d never find the courage. Instead, she spun and headed up the aisle. Logan reached the door at the same moment. This time, she waited, and like before, he dragged it open and motioned for her to precede him.
The hall outside the costume room hummed with chatter as people gathered to sort through costumes, assembly-line style.
“Wise men?” a dark-haired man yelled, hoisting a labeled box over his head.
“Over here.”
The box passed from hand to hand until it reached Fred Miller, who would be playing one of the wise men.
“More like wise guy,” Betty quipped, which stirred a ripple of laughter.
“Okay, okay,” Fred said, plunging his hand into the box and plucking out a jeweled turban. He plopped it onto his head and then preened in front of everyone. “Either way, it’s a good look for me.”
More laughter. Leesa’s heart clutched. How good it would feel to be a part of this group, to join in their banter.
She glanced up at Logan. Like her, he seemed moved by the group’s closeness. His face wore a bit of melancholy in the lines around his eyes and the sad smile on his lips.
“Excuse me.” A youngish man—probably in his mid-to-late-thirt
ies—stood with a box cradled in his arms. “Logan, is it?”
Logan nodded, and the man extended the box with a smile. “Here you go. Shepherds’ robes. Staffs are in the costume room closet. Also, there are lanterns and other odds and ends tucked up on the shelves. Feel free to pick out what you want.”
Logan took the box. “Thanks.”
“Name’s John Roland.” He turned and smiled at Leesa. “Good to have you both with us.”
Leesa smiled. “Thank you, John. It’s good to be here.”
“Listen, after we finish up here, a few of us are going to head over to Gino’s for some pizza.” He glanced between her and Logan. “You’re welcome to join us. It’s a good way to get to know the people you’ll be working with, if you know what I mean.” He grinned and jerked his chin toward Fred.
“Sounds good,” Logan said before she could reply. As John moved off, he shifted the box to his hip, quirked an eyebrow at her, and added, “Unless you have other plans?”
“No plans,” she squeaked. What was she, a mouse? She pointed toward the costumes. “Why don’t we see what’s in the box?”
His eyes twinkled as he dropped to his haunches. Next to him was far too close. Leesa chose to settle across from him with the box in between. Inside were plain robes of various sizes, belts made of rope and twine, and several linen towels.
Logan tugged one out. “What are these for?”
“Your head.”
His eyebrows rose. She giggled and took it from his fingers. “It goes like this.” Reaching over to him, she draped the towel over his head then fastened it with a length of cord. “See? Instant shepherd.”
“I’ll have to take your word for it.”
“Good.” She grinned and pushed back as though to stand.
“Uh-uh.” Logan caught her hand.
“What?”
He pointed to her head. “Your turn.” He fished through the box, found a towel in a hideous shade of orange, and held it high.
“No way.”
“I let you pick mine.”
True. She folded her hands in her lap and expelled an exaggerated sigh. “Fine.”
She fought a swell of laughter while he fastened the towel to her head. Finished, he sat back with a wolfish grin. “Perfect.”
“I doubt that.”
“You’ll have to take my word for it.”
“Or I could just find a mirror.”
“And ruin the surprise?”
He flashed a smile that made her insides melt. So much for keeping things professional. She swallowed a nervous knot as he dipped his head and went back to digging in the box. He pulled out a robe, eyed it critically, and then handed it to her.
“This one looks about your size.”
She took it from him and stood. Laying hold of a second robe, Logan did the same. He held the garment up by the shoulders. “Shall we?”
Despite her trembling fingers, Leesa managed to slip the robe on. Poking up through the neck hole, she let the fabric ripple down past her shoulders, to the floor. “Mine’s too long—”
Glancing at Logan, she broke off midsentence then clapped her hand over her mouth. He stood, arms jutting out from his sides, peering down at himself with a skeptical frown. The robe barely skimmed his wrists and fell to just below his knees.
“Uh…”
“It’s perfect,” Leesa said, swallowing a grin.
He narrowed his eyes at her. “Right.”
“Okay, so maybe Marge will have to adjust the size a bit.” A giggle tickled her throat. She grabbed the sides of her robe and lifted. “Or maybe we should trade?”
“Ya think?” He dropped his arms, splitting the seam on one of the shoulders. Horrified, he reached up…and succeeded in splitting the other seam.
It was too much. The giggle quickly erupted into laughter. A second later, Logan joined her.
Kate wove down the hall toward them, smiling. “Well, don’t you two look great!”
Her comment only made them laugh harder.
“What’d I say?” she asked, propping her hands on her hips. Her gaze bounced from Logan to Leesa.
“Nothing,” Leesa said, wiping a tear from her eye. She squeezed her lips together and somehow managed to keep a straight face.
“Okay, well, Marge is ready whenever you are.” Kate eyed them skeptically then shook her head and moved back up the hall.
Warm breath tickled her ear. “Marge is ready whenever you are.”
A bark of laughter exploded from Leesa’s mouth. Whirling, she dragged the towel from her head and used it to slap Logan’s arm. “Stop.”
“Why?” He ducked out of reach before she could smack him again. His eyes sparkled with glee. “I haven’t laughed this hard since…”
He didn’t have to say it. She knew when. And she hadn’t laughed so freely since leaving Bangor and…
Rafe.
Her throat tightened as memories of pain and betrayal swirled through her. But then Logan’s gaze fell, and she thought only of him. His feelings. His pain. He reached up and removed the towel he wore, but she grabbed his hand before he could turn away.
“Maybe it’s time. For both of us,” she encouraged softly.
For some while, he said nothing, only maintained his tight grip on her fingers. When he finally lifted his eyes, she thought she saw a glimmer of moisture there, rimmed with aching sadness.
“Sorry,” he said, his voice gruff. “It sneaks up on me sometimes.”
She nodded. After a moment, he took a deep breath and motioned toward the costume room.
“Ready?”
“Yeah.”
Yes, she clarified silently. She was more than ready—to leave Bangor and its heartache behind. Her hand still tucked into Logan’s, she moved with him down the hall, glad he’d trusted her with his grief, gladder still that he knew he could.
But she was terrified, too, she realized. Once before, she’d allowed another person space in her deepest heart. Two people. And they’d betrayed her.
She glanced down at the strong hand holding hers. Logan was nothing like Rafe. She could trust him, just as he’d done her, and they could move forward. Both of them.
Together.
Chapter 7
Gino’s Pizza was packed for a weeknight. By the time Logan and Leesa arrived, the only places left to sit were a couple of spots near the end of the table. He helped Leesa with her coat then draped it over the back of one of the vacant chairs, thinking. Something had happened tonight. With just a smile and a moment of shared humor, she’d reminded him there was more to life than grieving.
He held her chair then sat next to her, glad for the comfortable hum of conversation and laughter.
At the head of the table, Pastor Mike was seated next to a pretty, brown-haired woman with sparkling brown eyes that watched him adoringly. His wife? He rose and held up his hand. “All right, everybody.” He nodded his appreciation as the noise faded. “Thank you all for coming. I know many of you have done the nativity before, but for some, this is your first time.”
Smiles flashed toward Logan and Leesa.
“We truly are looking forward to getting to know you all better, which is why Kate and I”—he nodded toward the town manager—“thought it might be a good idea to get everyone together for pizza and fun.”
Kate rose and stood next to him. “The food is on us tonight, so please, enjoy getting to know one another, and thank you again for your time and commitment to the nativity.”
The moment she finished, conversation resumed, louder than before and more cheerful. He’d missed time with friends, Logan realized with a glance around the table. Missed the camaraderie.
“I’ve missed getting together like this.” Leesa’s wave encompassed the table. “Most of my friends are back in Bangor.”
He lifted an eyebrow. “I was just thinking the same thing.”
“Really?”
He nodded and reached for his water glass.
A pretty blush colored her c
heeks. “Guess we have something in common.”
More than one thing, though he had yet to figure out the cause behind the flashes of sorrow he glimpsed in her eyes. He took a long drink from his glass. And earlier…when she’d taken the awkward attention off of him and put it on herself…
Warmth flooded him. He’d been more grateful than he could say in that moment. He cleared his throat. “Leesa—”
“Drinks?” A pert waitress waited at his elbow, her pencil hovering expectantly over her order pad.
His gaze flashed to Leesa.
“Diet Coke, please,” she said.
“Same,” Logan replied.
The waitress scribbled the order and moved on. Leesa placed a light touch on his arm, and Logan startled.
She tipped her head toward him and smiled. “You were going to say something?”
Amazing. He meant only to glance at her, but the moment their eyes met, he was snared. A lock of her hair slipped to lie against her cheek. Resisting the urge to tuck it back behind her ear, Logan rested his arms on the table and laced his fingers.
“I was just going to say I’m glad you talked me into this. Thank you.”
Her warm gaze said she knew there was more he’d left unspoken, but she smiled anyway and accepted his thanks.
“We’re all glad, actually,” Betty said from across the table, obviously not embarrassed to be caught eavesdropping. “We couldn’t have done the nativity without you this year.”
“That’s right,” several others added.
Suddenly, the circle that had consisted of only him and Leesa expanded to include everyone.
Logan turned his attention to Betty. “I’m glad to help.”
Curiosity sparkled from her brown eyes. “Kate tells me you have quite a collection of animals out there on your farm.”
He nodded and leaned forward to brace his elbows on the table. “That’s true.”
“All exotic?”
“No, some are domestic—sheep, cows, a few birds.”
“Really? What kind of birds?”
Their conversation had drawn the attention of others, but Logan didn’t mind as much this time. He told them how he’d come to start the farm and the types of animals Miranda had been interested in studying. Most of the questions were easy—those pertaining to feeding and caring for the livestock. The ones he found awkward were of a more personal nature—how he and Miranda met and if he’d shared her love of animals. Acutely aware of the woman sitting to his right, Logan shot her a sidelong glance. Her gaze was fixed on him, her lips curved in a sad sort of smile that made his chest hurt.
Christmas Comes to Bethlehem - Maine Page 16