by Tara Brent
"She's not going to be a happy camper at this wedding." Rosie whispers, in case she's within earshot, or she can just hear through the glass.
“Why's that?” I ask, wondering if it is the guy that she has a problem with.
“She doesn't like flowers.” Rosie's eyes lit up.
We laugh uncontrollably until tears are gathered in our eyes and we have to wipe them away.
“So, how are things going today with Logan?” Rosie asks, winking at me and giving me a quick nudge.
“Good, he came over late last night. Dustin wasn't feeling good, so he called to break our date, but he showed up later with flowers.” I grin at her.
“Dustin's his son, right?” Rosie asks, trying to remember what I had told her. I had filled her in this last week, I wondered if she had been paying attention.
“Yes. Such a handsome boy. Very nice and well mannered.” I grin.
“Everything's falling into place for you. The perfect guy, the perfect child.” Rosie grins at me and gives me a quick hug.
She's not jealous of me, she’s happy for me, that I see in her eyes and I grow sad.
"Cheer up, you're going to find the right one someday," I told her, hugging her to me now.
"I'm staying off those dating sites from now on. Since Peter, I don't dare to trust another man." Rosie shakes her head back and forth and then shudders.
I see the fear in her eyes. It's only been a week or two since the attack and I feel bad for her. I want to hug her all over again. I want to take her pain away, to erase the time she had with him.
“Not every man is like Peter. We will find you someone. When we do we will go on a double date. We will continue doing that until you're comfortable.” I assure her.
“Thanks.” Rosie smiles at me, a little brighter than the last one she gave me.
I want her to be as happy as I am. I pray that she finds the one that she's meant to be with. I never thought that Logan would come back into my life. I consider myself lucky, even though he's the one who left. And he's the one who assures me every day that he's not going anywhere.
I can't wait for the day to be over so that we can go to Grace's for dinner. This time it's going to be nothing but a great night with the family that I've known for almost my whole life. Plus with an added bonus-Dusty.
Humming to myself and watching the customers roll in the day gets busy, Rosie helps with as many arrangements that she can. I go out and deliver the arrangements that were ordered for today's date.
There aren't many but enough to keep me busy for an hour or two.
I think about seeing Dustin and Logan again. Which makes me wish the day away a little faster.
Chapter 28: Logan
Finally, the day has ended and I'm in a hurry. Dustin is feeling better, running around the office. I know he's bored.
"Do you feel well enough to go to Grandma's for dinner? We haven't seen her in a little while." I tell him, shutting down the computer and making sure that I have my briefcase in hand. Showing him it's time to go.
“We haven't seen Amber in a long time either.” He points out to me. Trying to wiggle his eyebrows up and down quickly but he hasn't mastered the technique yet. He looks funny doing it and I burst out laughing.
“Yes, we're going to see Amber too. Do you like her?” I ask him as we head out of the office and I lock the door for the night.
I wave goodnight to Brent and let him know that we're going to be out late. Not too late of course because since Dustin is feeling better he has daycare the following day.
He waves at us, talking on the phone. He seems happy, I wonder who he's talking to but I don't have time for that.
Amber should be home getting ready for dinner. I pray that we're going to have a good night.
“I like Amber. Do you like her?" Dustin throws back at me, hopping as he walks alongside me. Good one I think.
“Of course I like her; I've known her since I was little.” I boast, seeing a look of uncertainty on my son's face.
“How come I ain't seen her but now?” He asks his face so serious.
“It's complicated.” I sigh, pushing the glass door open for him and take his hand so that we can walk safely to the car.
"Tell me." He urges me to continue.
“Maybe when you're older.” I don't have the heart to tell him the complete story. About how I ran away. I’m not proud of that.
He sees me as a superhero, a role model. He will understand when he gets older and besides I came back. Showing him that sometimes it's not okay to run away from the problems at hand.
“What do you think Grandma has made for us tonight?” I ask changing the subject.
“Pie!” Dustin's eyes light up.
His favorite pie. Apple pie. I laugh and buckle him in.
“For dinner?” I give him a strange look, crossing my eyes.
“Sure.” He nods his head enthusiastically and makes me laugh even harder as I close his door and hop into the driver's side seat.
I whistle a tune under my breath as we head in the direction of Grandma and Amber's neighborhood.
I'm thankful that Amber had taken it upon herself to help out with Grandma when I went away. It made her days less lonely, all she could talk about was Amber this and Amber that when I did call her.
It wasn't like I was out of the loop. I just felt as if we'd grown apart, not to mention I thought she was mad as hell at me.
I've come to realize that everything happens for a reason. There was a reason Jessica divorced me. Her own selfish reasons, but that brought me back home and back to Amber. If Jessica had never left me, had never caused the pain she had I wouldn't be here now. I wouldn't have reunited with Amber at all. I wouldn't know the amazing feeling that she sends through me every time I look at her.
Lost in thought I almost drove right by Grandma’s place.
“Hey!” Dustin hollers from the back seat. Looking at Grandma's house, realizing that we aren't slowing down.
"Sorry, kiddo," I tell him, giving him a big smile.
He only smiles when he sees that I'm backing up and finally pulling over to the side of the road.
Sometimes I notice how serious Dustin is and it makes my heart melt. He's a family man just like I am. He cares about his Grandma and Amber, and those are the two most important people in our lives. He just doesn't realize how important Amber is at the moment.
“Get me out.” He waves his arms impatiently.
"Yes, sir." I salute him and get out of the car.
I pretend to rush over to his side and help him unbuckle. The second his feet hit the pavement, he's running for Grandma's door who has it wide open for him.
She knows when we are coming. I swear, even if I don't call her to tell her.
I look over at Amber's house.
“Go ahead, I've got him.” Grandma gives me a stern look. A strong look. I swallow hard and head over to Amber's looking both ways before I cross the street in case Dustin looks back and sees my carelessness.
I lift my fist to knock on the door and it opens just before my knuckles meet the wood.
“What is it with women knowing that we are about to come knocking?” I ask her, giving her a puzzled look.
“I don't know.” Amber laughs at me and steps out of the house.
She's wearing a pretty blue sundress. I love the way it fits her in all the right places. The curves stand out and I can't help but stare at her. And it's hard not to touch her and hold her tight.
“What?” She asks nervously.
“You're going to give me a heart attack one of these days.” I kiss her gently on the lips and take her hand in mine.
Amber rolls her eyes, but she knows I'm telling her the truth. I wouldn't lie to make her feel better. We've known each other for so long. There's no need to give false compliments.
“Think we should tell Grace the outcome of your talk?” Amber asks, refusing to use her name. I don't blame her.
“I think that we should. The look sh
e gave me just now I think she could cast a death spell on me.” I joke.
She laughs slightly and we open the door to walk into Grandma's house.
“I told you pie!” Dustin hollers out when he sees us enter the kitchen.
The faint smell of apple pie runs through my nostrils, as I take a deep breath through it. He's right.
“Not for dinner, for after dinner.” Grandma points out, running a hand through Dustin's hair.
We eat dinner, and then we have milk and a piece of the pie. Of course, Dustin gets to have two slices since it's his favorite and he's grandma's favorite little boy.
While I'm having coffee and the two are having tea Dustin slips off to go upstairs to the playroom. It's where he likes to go most times when we come over.
“So, are you going to tell me what's going on?” Grandma gave me a harsh look. Her tone of voice telling me I better open up right this second, or else.
“I told Jessica I wasn't interested, as you can see. I promised Amber that I'm not going to leave again. I'm a man of my word.” I don't go into all the details of what Jessica and I had talked about.
It was the past and I was looking into the future with just who was in this house and Brent of course.
Thinking I should've invited him over to join us for dinner.
“I never did like that woman. You belong with Amber. I've known it since the two of you were kids.” She sighs, reaching out and covering Amber's hand with hers.
“And you didn't say anything to either one of us?” I pretended to be shocked.
“If I were to tell you then that meant you wouldn't have lived. You wouldn't have that smart grandson of mine playing upstairs right now. Things have to fall apart before you can put them together.” Grandma shrugs her shoulders.
“That I will agree with.” Amber nods her head, nudging me under the table with her leg.
“I've always seen the two of you together in my mind. Even when you didn't like boys Amber.” Grandma laughed and I chuckled slightly when Amber's face turns red.
It was nice that grandma wasn't like the normal older ladies who wanted to play bingo and go on about the “good old days”. She had a sense of humor. She told it how it was instead of pretending to be the sweet woman just waiting for life to end.
Getting ready to finish my coffee I don't want to leave yet. Sparing a little more time knowing that soon I'm going to have to head home and put Dustin to bed.
“You know that he can stay here tonight. You both can.” Grandma was good at reading my thoughts too.
I could. All my things from the office were still in the car, I would only have to call Brent and tell him that I wasn't going to be home.'
Amber gave me a look that was telling me to stay, wanting me to stay.
I took out my phone and smirked at her, dialing Brent's cell phone and putting mine to my ear.
“Yes?” Brent asked, his voice whispered.
Strange.
“I just want you to know that I'm spending the night at my grandma's. Wanted to keep you in the loop.” I say.
"Okay, I'm going to be home late anyway. I'm on a date." Brent whispered back.
Before I could ask who with he had hung up on me. I had to double check that maybe it was a bad connection, but nope. The other end stated call ended and I laughed a little.
That's who he was talking to on the phone at the office. Good for him.
Chapter 29: Amber
I watch Logan out of the corner of my eye. Just as he puts the phone back down it begins to ring. I think that maybe he won't answer it but he does.
“Hello?” He asks, sitting back in his chair.
At the same time, I see him tense.
"He's in bed," Logan states calmly.
There's a long pause and even though I can hear that it's Jessica I can't hear what she's saying.
There's a small smile that comes to Logan's face and then it disappears quickly. What was that about? Why would he smile like that?
I take a deep breath and let it out. I can't help but show that I'm a little aggravated at the moment.
“I will let him know. Are you sure you're going to pick him up at daycare tomorrow?” Logan asks, his eyebrows rising and I can see that he's uncomfortable about it.
“Yes, yes, then I will tell him.” Logan nods his head as if Jessica is standing right there in front of him.
It's a feeling that I can't control. The jealousy that runs through me. This is the first time I've heard them talk since I met her.
I don't like it.
“What?” Logan asks when he puts the phone down and clears his throat. There's a little flush to his face.
“Nothing.” I huff.
“Obviously something is the matter.” He wants to address this now? He wants to address it at the table?
I see that Grace is watching, wondering what's going to come out of my mouth next.
“I just don't see how you can talk so nicely to her, so easy going.” I shrug my shoulders, trying not to show any emotion.
“She's Dustin's mother. I have to prove that I'm the better parent and not lose my cool. I have to practice remaining calm because it takes everything I have to stay calm when Dustin is around.” Logan begins to explain, feeling as if he needs to.
“She's the one who left him. Not the other way around. She's the one who left you. Remember that.” I point a finger at him. Not liking myself right now.
And I do feel slightly guilty for coming on so strong. I know it's hard for him. He has to explain everything to me when I'm in earshot. And Jessica is still the mother. Nothing will ever change that.
At the same time, how many times do they talk on the phone with each other when I'm not around?
That was going to be in my mind repeatedly, not that I want it to. The last thing I want is to cause waves between Logan and me. He chose me. I should be happy with that.
“How long is she staying in town?” I ask, almost hiss. I wish I could be calm like him.
“For a while. She wants to get to know Dustin all over again. I'm not going to be there watching every move she makes if that's what you're thinking.” Logan mutters.
“No, it wasn't what I was thinking.” I shoot back at him, though he knows damn well that it was exactly what I was thinking.
"I have full rights to Dustin. Why would I chaperon the time with his mother?" Logan stated the facts.
My face turns red, I was hot under the collar and I was upset with myself. I had just made myself look like an ass. To me, Jessica being here in Texas felt like a threat. A woman would try anything she could to get what she wanted when she wanted no matter the price she had to pay.
Jessica is one of those women. I wasn't going to trust her with anything that I love. Not Logan and not Dustin. Even though Dustin isn't mine, that's not the point. I'm going to be there for him when she disappointments him. And I know she will, she has before. I realize how much that kid is beginning to mean to me.
“I think you need another slice of pie.” Grace offers, getting up from the table and cutting me another piece.
“Thank you.” I smile at her and take it from her.
Logan doesn't say anything, looking down at his phone. I'm wondering if he would rather be somewhere else at the moment. Anywhere but here.
I don't like feeling like this. I don't. There is just too much history between him and Jessica and it seems like painful ones at that. At least the memories that he and I share are more happy than sad.
Almost as if there's no closure between them. I pray to god that Logan is a man of his word. He always has been, now is the time to keep proving it to me.
As if on cue he turns to me and kisses me on my temple softly, as he puts his arm around my chair.
He can make things better without saying a word to me. Without coming out and telling me that I have nothing to worry about. He sits there and reassures me that nothing is going to go wrong. That he's not leaving me.
Still, the way he looks at
the phone, I wish that I'm a mind reader and hear what he's thinking.
Then again, maybe I don't want to know what he's thinking as I take a bite of the apple pie that I have in front of me.
It makes my mouth water and I smile, it's good. Grace has always been a great baker. A great cook. Great at everything she does.
I finish my pie in silence.
“Do you want me to walk you home?” Logan asks.
It surprises me that he would ask such a thing. He's always walked me home without even asking me. Why do I feel so rushed?
“Yeah.” I nod my head, putting the dish in the sink and hugging Grace before I leave for the night.
Logan and I walk out the door. I'm not sure what's going on in that head of his.
“What's going on Logan? You never ask me if I want you to walk me home.” I sigh, wanting to get it off my chest before I go inside for the night.
“Nothing is going on. I just wish that you wouldn't look at me as if I'm hiding something from you.” Logan groaned, shaking his head as he takes my hand and we cross the street.
“Are you hiding something from me?” I ask him, feeling the warmth of his hand in mine.
“Of course not. Why would I do something like that?” He asks me.
"I don't know," I mutter.
At my door, I turn to him and he's already leaning in for a kiss which puts a smile on my face. The feeling has gone away for the moment. The thoughts disappear as I press my lips to his.
“Hope to see you tomorrow?” I ask him.
“Yes, Jessica is going to take Dustin for the night.” Logan keeps me up to date.
“Do you think that's the right choice?” I feel my body tense.
Dustin's not mine. Logan is free to do what he wants with his son.
“Trust me; I've thought it over a hundred different times. What is it going to show Dustin if I keep him from her this time? She kept herself away from him; I can't do that to him.” Logan shakes his head firmly.
“Okay. See you tomorrow.” I kiss him on his cheek, give him a smile before I go into the house and close the door for the night.
Out of the living room window, I watch as he turns his back and walks slowly across the street. I watch him until he goes back into Grace's house.