Kissing Charlie

by Elsa Winckler

  Lindsay opened her bedroom door and peeped in. “Mmm, I knew you wouldn’t be able to sleep.”

  Charlie patted the bed next to her. “Come on in. I’ve been so caught up with everything else, we haven’t had a chance to talk today.”

  “You mean you’ve been caught up in all things Logan.” Lindsay chuckled as she sat down next to Charlie.

  “How are you?”

  Lindsay sighed. “I’m so angry at Mark, but I’m fine. I’m just so sorry that my mess is now a problem for all of us.”

  “We’re family.” Charlie smiled. “So you haven’t heard anything from him again?”

  “No, but he obviously knows where I live.” Shivering, she crossed her arms. “I was so stupid to fall for his charm.”

  “Don’t you dare scold yourself. You walked away when you realized what he was like—that was very brave. And you’re not the problem, he is.”

  “Uhm...Blake phoned just now. He makes me so mad...”

  Charlie looked up quickly. “I’m glad you answered. He phoned me yesterday because you didn’t take his calls.”

  Lindsay groaned, “I don’t know why I have to talk to him! He’s just another controlling man who feels he has to be in charge.”

  “You can’t see Mark in every man. I haven’t known Blake that long, but from what I’ve seen, he’s one of the good guys. He seems to care about what happens to you.”

  “Well, I certainly don’t need a man in my life,” Lindsay said.

  Charlie stared at her sister for a few minutes before she smiled. “You’ve got a thing for Blake!”

  “Don’t be silly. Of course, I don’t have a ‘thing’ for Blake or any other man, for that matter. I don’t know what gave you that idea.”

  Charlie pointed toward Lindsay’s face. “Maybe the way you blush when you mention his name?”

  “Don’t be ridiculous,” Lindsay said heatedly. “You’re in love and now you’re looking at the world through rose-tinted glasses.”

  A loud knock from downstairs stopped their bantering. Lindsay’s eyes widened. Normally, no one went around knocking on doors this late.

  “I’ll go and look,” Gavin called from the stairs.

  Logan stared at his phone. Earlier, he couldn’t wait to pick up Charlie for their dinner. But then she’d looked so beautiful, he’d struggled to string two sentences together. In a soft, blue glittering top that had dipped low in front, revealing a mere glimpse of the top curves of her breasts, she’d literally left him speechless.

  And he couldn’t tell her what was in his heart because, damn it, he didn’t have the ring yet. He still needed to make plans. Charlie was special, so he’d have to come up with something exceptional when he proposed. Romance was not really his thing, but for Charlie he would try.

  His phone beeped. Finally, a message from Charlie.

  #cornyline2: You’re in my inappropriate thoughts

  And immediately, his body was ready for her. The little minx. He quickly phoned her.

  “Hi,” she answered, slightly breathless.

  “So how am I supposed to sleep tonight knowing you have inappropriate thoughts about me?”

  She laughed. “Good to know I won’t be the only one struggling to sleep.”

  “I love you.”

  “Love you, too.”

  “See you Friday?”

  “See you Friday.”

  After he’d ended the call, he kept looking at his phone. He should feel better, but he was still restless. Friday. Three whole days before he could see her again. Three whole days during which anything could happen.

  “Knock, knock,” his mother called.

  “Come on in, Mom.”

  She had a small box in her hand. “This is your grandma’s ring. I know you think you need to have a perfect plan before you can ask Charlie to marry you, but sweetie, you know, not everything in life needs to be strategized and prearranged. Sometimes, you simply have to listen to your heart.” She put the box down next to him on the bed before she kissed his forehead. “You don’t need a spreadsheet for love.”

  He picked up the small box as she left and opened it. For long minutes he stared at the ring. On top of a fine, gold band was a dainty cluster of diamonds and rubies—stunning, different, exquisite. Exactly like the woman he wanted to marry.

  Without really thinking about it, he put the box in the pocket of his pants and walked out of his room. The light in his mother’s room was on and he knocked on the door. “I’m going for a walk, Mom.”

  The door opened before he could turn away. His mom cocked her head. “Everything okay?”

  “Yeah, I...I just need to clear my head.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Urgh! There’s nothing to clear. You run a very successful business. And yes, you rely on your spreadsheets and on logic, but you also listen to your gut, don’t you?”

  “Yes, but...”

  “That’s what you have to do now, as well.” Blowing him a kiss, she closed her door.

  Deep in thought, he left the house and walked down the street where he’d played as a kid. It had been a great place to grow up in. Like their neighboring town, Livingstone, Alisson was surrounded by three mountain ranges—the Crazy, Absaroka, and Bridger mountains.

  And rivers—closest to Alisson was the Alisson River, a branch of the Yellowstone River, where he and Brooke and their dad spent many summer days catching fish. An idyllic setting for a young boy. For all kids.

  Kids. He’d never much thought about them. He loved his nephew, but would he even know how to be dad? His own had died when he so young, although he still remembered how Dad made everything better.

  His thoughts flitted back and forth. But then he realized his Mom made everything better, too—even if it had been amid chaos. Chaos. For a moment he stood still before he resumed his walking.

  For so long, he’d been so focused on what he’d experienced as chaos when growing up, he’d kind of forgotten what an amazing woman his mom actually was and what a big role she’d played in his life. Was still playing.

  She’d raised two kids on her own while making every day fun for him and Brooke. Yes, his dad had been the steady one, but life without his mom would’ve been extremely dull.

  For a while, he just walked, not really thinking about anything and when he looked up, he’d just turned off into the street where Charlie’s house was.

  But...a cold hand clutched his throat. Was that a police van? In front of Charlie’s house? What the hell had happened?

  He started jogging. Yes, the van was in front of Charlie’s house and all the lights inside the house were on. With his heart in his throat, he ran closer.

  CHAPTER 20

  When they heard Gavin opening the front door, Lindsay jumped up. “Come on. I want to know what’s going on. Fortunately, we’re still dressed.”

  Both of them stopped at the top of the stairs. Two policemen were talking to Gavin.

  Lindsay grabbed Charlie’s arm. “Police? Why are they here?”

  “Let’s find out.” They rushed down.

  “They’ve apparently caught the guy in the white car,” Gavin said.

  Lindsay caught her breath. “Really?”

  “Yes. We got a tip from Mr. Davidson—” the one policeman began, but Gavin interrupted him.

  “Mr. Davidson?”

  The policeman quickly glanced at his colleague, who was shaking his head. “Uhm...yes, Mr. Blake Davidson.”

  Lindsay inhaled sharply. “Blake? But what does he have to do with...?”

  “We are not at liberty to discuss any further details,” the other policeman said, giving his colleague a stern glance. “We’re here to let you know that this guy is behind lock and key.”

  But Gavin still had questions. “So, this guy you’ve caught, what do you know about him? Is he from around here? Or...”

  “I’m sorry, sir, we are not...” the policeman began, but before he could finish his sentence, the front door was pushed open.

  Char
lie blinked. It was Logan. But why?

  He slapped the one policeman on the shoulder. “Come on, Harold, give these folks some info. Surely they have a right to know?”

  His gaze found Charlie’s and within seconds, he was at her side.

  The policeman nodded. “He’s South African. Ex-military. Entered the country about three weeks ago. He’s all lawyered up and not talking. And that’s all I can say. Good night.”

  “So, we still don’t know whether...” Gavin began heatedly, but before he could finish his sentence, Lindsay’s phone rang.

  She quickly took it out of her jeans pocket, and scowled. “It’s Blake.”

  “Well, answer it,” Logan said. “Maybe he can tell us more.”

  Lindsay moved away and Gavin looked at Logan, scowling. “So, what the hell are you doing here again?”

  Just then Lindsay returned, her lips pressed tightly together. “He wanted to know if I was fine, but he didn’t want to answer any of my questions. Seriously, who made this guy king?”

  “Well, from what I can gather, he’s the one who was instrumental in making sure the guy who has been harassing you got caught,” Gavin said.

  “Nobody asked him to help,” Lindsay grumbled.

  Gavin looked at Logan. “Well, I would also like to know why strange men are suddenly interfering in my sisters’ lives. Johnson, you haven’t answered my question,” Gavin said, crossing his arms.

  “Gavin, seriously...” Charlie began, but Logan took her hand. There was a light in his eyes she’d never seen before.

  “This was not the way I thought I’d do this, but my mom has assured me I don’t need so many plans, so I’m going with my gut here.”

  Bewildered, Charlie stared at Logan as he patted his pockets. What was he going on about?

  Logan took out a small, square box, the edges slightly frayed. He took Charlie’s hand again. “The reason I wanted to go to Seattle tomorrow was to buy you a ring. Because you see, Charlie, I want you to know this thing we’re doing here—I’m all in. I want to be with you until I stop breathing.”

  He grinned sheepishly. “I’ve made a spreadsheet of what I should do and when I should do it and how I should do it, but then tonight my mom gave me this ring—my grandma’s—and I finally understood I don’t need columns and plans.”

  He opened the box, but Charlie’s gaze was fixed on his face. “I couldn’t have chosen a more fitting ring if I’d tried. Exquisite, different...” His eyes were dark with emotion. “Unexpected, just like you. Charlie Wilson, will you”—he went down on one knee—“marry me, please?”

  She hadn’t known a heart could literally break, but in that moment it simply splintered into a million pieces. In front of her was everything she’d ever wanted but she couldn’t say yes. It wouldn’t be fair to Logan.

  Shaking her head from side to side, she tried to talk, but her throat was clogged up. “I...” she finally got out, but then a sob from deep inside her prevented her from saying another word.

  Logan frowned. “Charlie, sweetheart, I love you. I’ve been an ass tonight, I know, and I’m sorry but you looked so beautiful and I didn’t know ...”

  “You’re everything I’ve ever dreamed about, but I can’t marry you!” she cried out. “I’ve always had this picture in my head of a loving husband, a ranch, and a few kids but I...I can’t have children and you’d be a wonderful father,” she finally got out, tears streaming down her face. “There is nothing,” she hiccupped, “I want more than to marry you, but I can’t ever give you children.”

  Logan didn’t miss a beat. “I’m asking you to marry me, not give me kids, Charlie. We’ll make another plan if you really want children, but right now, my knee is hurting and I’m waiting for your answer.”

  She tried to wipe her cheeks. “Really?”

  “Really. I love you, Charlie. You. I want to spend my life with you. Nothing else matters.”

  “Even though I’m not your type?”

  He laughed. “You’re not anybody’s type. You’re uniquely you. I love that about you. And I need that. I need you.”

  And finally, she could see in his eyes what her heart was still struggling to come to terms with—he really loved her. Her. The fact that she couldn’t give him children didn’t matter to him.

  She fell forward into his arms. “Of course, I’ll marry you,” she got out before his lips found hers.

  “Well, hell,” Gavin mumbled, somewhere above their heads. “I think I’ve bought some bubbly. Come on, Linds, I’ll get the glasses, phone Eleanor and Brooke. I don’t think anybody’s getting any sleep tonight.”

  They all ended up at Brooke’s house because Connor had already been sleeping.

  His mother had also arrived with a bottle of bubbly she “just happened to have” in her fridge, she’d said with a wink.

  Logan couldn’t stop grinning. He and Charlie were sitting on one of the couches, his arm tightly around her shoulders.

  “Happy?” he asked Charlie, and she looked up at him.

  Her eyes were glittering, her smile wide and carefree. “Very. What about you?”

  “You’re wearing my ring—I’m on top of the world.” He picked up her hand. “I’m amazed that it fit. We can always change it, or if you’d rather have something more modern...”

  She lifted her hand. “It’s absolutely perfect. I love it.”

  “So,” Brooke interrupted. “Tell us about your plans. When is the wedding? And what about after the wedding? Where will you live?”

  Logan shrugged. “We don’t have plans yet...”

  His mother inhaled dramatically. Oh, no! My son doesn’t have a plan? Whatever happened?”

  Logan kissed Charlie’s temple. “I met Charlie. She’s home. Wherever she wants to live, that’s where I’ll be.”

  Clearly stunned, Charlie looked at him. “You can’t be serious? Your work and life are in Seattle.”

  He shook his head. “My office is there, not my life. Today’s technology makes it easy to work from anywhere. I meant what I’ve said—home is wherever you are. And as for the wedding,” he said as got up, “will you excuse us for a while? I think my fiancée and I have things to talk about.”

  “We’ll probably go home before you’re back.” Lindsay grinned. “Will you bring her home?”

  “Of course. But it may not be tonight.” He grabbed Charlie’s hand and pulled her up. “I don’t think I want to leave her ever again.”

  By the time they’d reached Logan’s room in his mother’s house, Charlie was breathless. Her head was spinning with everything that had happened over the past few hours.

  The minute Logan closed the door, he pulled her into his arms and cupped her face. “I should be sorry I kind of ambushed you tonight when I proposed, but I’m not really. Are you okay with this?”

  She nodded. “I am. But you do know we’re very different, don’t you? You’re suits and ties and very tidy hair and I’m—”

  “Glittering tops and bangles and dangling earrings, and I love it. I love you. Please don’t ever wear gray again. You sparkle and glitter, sweetheart—that’s part of why I fell in love with you.”

  The words were wonderful to hear, but she was still worried. “I’m not sure if you know exactly what you’re getting yourself into. I’m going to have colored cushions and I’ll probably mess up your home.”

  But he was still grinning. “I’m counting on it.”

  “Are you sure about...I can’t have children?”

  He kissed her face. “I love you and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. And if, at some point, you feel you want kids, we’ll talk about it. There are various options, I believe. But whether you can have kids or not doesn’t change the way I feel about you.”

  “If you’re sure?”

  “I’m sure. And as far as the wedding is concerned, I only have one stipulation.”

  “Yes?”

  “I don’t want to wait. I’ve waited my whole life for you. Now I want to be with you. Al
ways.”

  She hadn’t thought it was possible to be any happier than what she was, but she was discovering new depths of joy by the minute. Hugging him tightly, she rested her head against his chest. Below her ear, his heart was also racing at an alarming pace. “I’m happy with that. But I would like Gavin to be present, so we’ll have to wait until he’s back.”

  “Or,” he said, lifting her chin with his finger, “we can get married before he leaves?”

  She blinked. “I don’t know if that’s possible.”

  “Anything is possible if you put your mind to it. But can we talk about all of that tomorrow? Now I want to kiss my fiancée.”

  Grinning, she pulled his head down. “You do know I’m going to mess up your hair?”

  “Looking forward to it,” he murmured.

  “Right answer,” were the last words she got out before his lips captured hers.

  And as a whirlwind of sensations lifted her off her feet, she held on tightly. Four weeks ago she hadn’t even met Logan, and now she couldn’t imagine a life without him.

  It was still difficult to get her head around it, but it seemed he really loved her—glittering tops and colored cushions and barren womb included.

  CHAPTER 21

  Wednesday morning Charlie just made it to the bathroom before she was sick. By some miracle, she’d manage to keep her smile in place until after Logan had dropped her off at her house.

  Minutes later, a worried Lindsay knocked and opened the door. “Charlie?” When she saw Charlie sitting in front of the toilet on her knees, she rushed in. “Sweetie, whatever is wrong?”

  “I don’t know,” Charlie got out. “I’m so happy, but I feel absolutely miserable. Maybe it was something I ate...”

  Lindsay brushed Charlie’s hair back. “The doctor was looking for you yesterday. He even phoned me. Did you talk to him?”

  Charlie nodded. “I got his message, but you know what yesterday was like.”

  Smiling, Lindsay sat down next to Charlie. “You got engaged! You’re sure about this?”

  “He loves me, Linds, and he wants to get married before Gavin leaves.”