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And with that, she turns and shuffles out of the store, off to her next adventure and leaving me to get back to it.
I grab my phone and fire off a quick message.
Me: Dinner at Gram’s house at 6.
Hallie: Should we bring something?
Me: Not necessary. If I know Gram, she’ll have everything.
Hallie: Okay. See you soon.
Smiling, I put my phone away and get back to work.
“See you tomorrow, Logan,” Chip hollers as I carry the register drawer to the safe, deposit bag under my arm.
“Have a good night, Chip,” I reply.
He exits out the back door and will make sure the lumberyard is locked up for the evening, with the gates secured and the lighting off. I type in the code for the safe and slip the drawer inside. I set the deposit bag on the shelf with it, deciding to just run it to the bank in the morning. Tonight, I just want to get to Hallie and go visit Gram.
Just before I go to shut the door, something catches my eye. The envelopes on the top shelf are moved and askew. Weird, since I haven’t needed to check the legal documentation and the extra cash I keep on hand for emergencies in a few years, I straighten them up and finish closing the door, making sure it’s locked.
Finally, I head out, flipping light switches as I go. Once the security system is set, I exit the building, locking the doors and heading for my truck. There’s a little extra spring in my step as I walk, anxious to get to the cabin to see Hallie.
Before I reach my truck, lights from a vehicle pull into the parking lot. I turn and spot the red cherries on top of the SUV, letting me know it’s TD.
He pulls up beside me and rolls down his window. “Headed home?”
“To the cabin to grab Hallie. We’re going to Gram’s for dinner.”
He stares back at me, the start of a knowing smirk teasing the corner of his mouth. “Interesting.”
“What is?”
“The fact you fell in love with her. That’s interesting, considering a handful of months ago, you both couldn’t be in the same place without biting each other’s heads off.”
His statement catches me off guard. “I’m not in love with her.”
This time, he grins from ear to ear. “You sure about that?”
I open my mouth to argue, but nothing comes out.
“Not that my opinion matters, but I really like you two together. She’s a hell of a lot friendlier than your ex-wife, and she actually makes you happy.”
My mind races, spins like a top.
Am I in love with Hallie?
I respect the hell out of her. She’s smart and beautiful and has a heart of gold. She has this natural ability to make me laugh, even if she’s pushing my buttons. She’s nurturing, caring, and is going to be an amazing mother to our son or daughter. It’s one of the things I’m most excited about. Not only meeting the little life we created but seeing her hold the baby in her arms and nursing our baby on her breasts. These are the images I fantasize about now, the ones that keep me company throughout the day when she’s not near.
Is that love?
Hell if I know, but I guess it could be.
I thought I was in love once before, but that felt completely different than this. With Shay, it was wild, and I learned after we separated it was more lust mixed with manipulation. Shay could manipulate me into doing anything she wanted from day one, but it got worse after my dad died. I was lost, desperate to find something to heal the ache in my chest. She didn’t really seem too interested in helping with that, and definitely didn’t want to entertain my idea of having a baby.
What I feel for Hallie is night and day different than with Shay, and if this is love, I’d be all right with it.
“How’s Ellie?” I ask, looking to change the subject.
