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“You too, Logan!” she hollers as I exit the shop and head back to the hardware store.
I don’t even go inside, just climb into my truck and start the engine. I technically get an hour lunch, and while most days I don’t use all my allotted time, I decide I’m taking it today. Backing out of the spot, I pull onto the road and head for the preschool. Her morning class should be ending now, so if I time it right, I’ll get there right when they’re done and leaving.
When I pull onto the street with the church and school, I find the small lot beside the building brimming with minivans and moms. I snort as I pull in and park in the back row, far away from running and screaming children. I hop out, grab the bag of food and flowers, and walk toward the door. I can see Hallie there, sending the kids out as parents step forward to claim them. She’s talked about the process of keeping the kids as safe as possible. When the child arrives, the parent signs them in and notes who will be picking them up at the end of class. This way, Hallie knows who to watch for and can make sure the kid is taken by the appropriate person.
As the last kid is sent out, she looks up and sees me approaching. A wide grin spreads across her face. I also catch several glances from the moms walking away, but I pay no attention to any of them. My eyes are on one woman and one woman only.
“What are you doing here?” she asks when I reach the door.
“I brought lunch,” I tell her, holding out the bag.
“Come on in.” She steps back and allows me to enter before pulling the glass door shut and making sure it’s secured. “We can go down to the small office area.”
Holding the flowers, I follow her past two brightly decorated rooms, filled with small tables and chairs and learning toys. A smile tugs on my lips. I can picture Hallie sitting at those small tables with her students, teaching them colors, shapes, numbers, and letters. She’s made this place a fun learning environment, and I’m certain her little students adore her.
Once we’re in the small office area, I place the flowers on the desk as she opens the bag. “Is this what I think it is?”
Ever since the night of the fire, Hallie’s been talking about Frannie’s tomato bisque soup and grilled cheese sandwich. “I had her add pickles to your sandwich.”
Her eyes widen. “Seriously?” She digs into the bag, surprised when she pulls out one container of soup and one bag with the sandwich. “You’re not eating?”
“Naw, I just grabbed something for you and my baby,” I reply with a wink.
She blushes and looks away. Her eyes settle on the flowers. “Those are gorgeous.”
I shrug, feeling a little silly by my own sudden bout of shyness. “It was an impulse stop after I left the diner. I thought they might brighten your day.”
She unties the clear bag the vase is in and inhales. “They’re beautiful. Thank you,” she replies, giving me a happy smile.
“You’re welcome. Well, I’ll let you eat in peace. I gotta get back to the store before Shay decides to fuck up the inventory system again.”
She makes a face. “Sorry you have to deal with her.”
“Me too.” I shove my hands into my pockets and rock back on my heels. “I can see myself out. Go ahead and enjoy your lunch.”
“Okay. See you at home later.”
I nod, walking out of the office and down the hall, despite the fact I wanted to kiss her goodbye. The entire time I go, I replay her statement. See you at home later. She didn’t call it your place or the cabin. Home. Suddenly, that doesn’t sound too damn bad, and it’s not because she’s having my baby. That’s just an added bonus. It’s her.
The thought of going home to her feels pretty damn good right now.
With a little extra spring in my step, I leave the preschool and head back to the hardware store. Not even Shay’s whining and incessant talking can dampen the mood I’m in. All I have to do is make it through the next six hours of work, and then I get to head home.
To Hallie.
Life has never felt this good.
Chapter Twenty-One
Hallie
One thing I’ve learned over the last few months is life continues to march forward, whether you’re ready for it or not.
It’s late October, and I’m still living with Logan in his cabin. Why? Because I like it.
And him.
I received word last week that my condo was going to be torn down. The smoke and water damage was extensive, and the landlord will be taking both units down. He’s also considering selling the land and letting someone else deal with rebuilding, since he’s in his seventies. He and his wife bought the units a decade ago as a way to give them a little extra cash and him something to do by maintaining them, but now that it requires a complete rebuild, he’s not interested in taking on that kind of challenge at his age.
