Page 49 of Betrayed

Chapter Sixteen

Six Years Ago—August

Logan ran through the house, five-year-old Bree tearing after him with shouts of “I’m going to get you, Daddy.” Logan collapsed on the couch, and Bree launched herself, diving right into him. He caught her, holding her close, tickling and nuzzling her neck. She exploded in giggles.

“Now who’s got whom?” He couldn’t control his own laughing. He lifted her petite body up into the air.

She wiggled and giggled. “Put me down, Daddy.”

He lowered her to the floor, and she took off running. “Catch me!”

“You’re so fast I don’t know if I can.” He shoved off the couch and pursued her around the kitchen table of their little house. He and AJ had managed to buy the little three-bedroom ranch two years ago because Granny had saved all their rent money and given it back to them for a downpayment. God had been so good. They’d both finished college, even with a newborn. He’d gotten a job at the police station right out of school, and they were doing fine for themselves. One of these days, they’d give Bree some siblings to play with too.

In their chase around the table, Logan pretended not to be able to catch Bree, but she just laughed harder, which slowed her down.

When she could barely move for her laughter, he scooped her up and snuggled her. “I love you, little girl.”

AJ came from down the hall. “What is all this ruckus?”

He looked at Bree. “Let’s get Mommy!” He set Bree down, and she squealed and darted toward AJ.

“Oh no!” AJ bounded over the back of the couch.

But Bree darted the other way and cornered AJ in the middle of the living room. Logan went over the couch. They had her.

Bree ran at AJ and jumped into her open arms. The little girl tried to tickle her mom.

But her little fingers weren’t very effective. Logan joined them. With his arms securely around the ladies he loved, he made certain to have a hold on Bree. He tickled AJ, who collapsed against him in her own fit of giggles.

They all fell onto the floor and laughed until not one of them could catch their breath.

Logan laid back with his arms out to each side. AJ snuggled up against him and Bree sat on his chest. So much for breathing. She only weighed thirty-five pounds, which didn’t seem like much until that weight was on top of him.

But he didn’t care. He was with his girls.

Thank you, Lord!

Logan’s heart was full to the point of bursting. Only a week ago, Bree had come to them and said she wanted to give her life to Jesus. She loved Him so much and wanted to live for Him forever. He and AJ had the privilege of praying with their little girl and welcoming her into the family of God. Wherever they went, she told everyone she met how much Jesus loved them. She was going to make a big impact on this world.

Present Day

At four o’clock on Thursday afternoon, AJ drove into the cemetery and parked in her usual spot. Trying not to think about her actions, she grabbed the bouquet of black-eyed Susans from the front seat, tossed her bag over her shoulder, and walked robotically down the path that led her through the perfectly manicured lawn.

At the junction of another path, she looked up and met Logan’s eyes.

In the last five years since they’d split, they had never ended up here together. Occasionally, she’d spotted his bike and come back later or noticed he drove away because she was there, but she hadn’t seen him today.

“I’m sorry. I’ll come back.” She was about to turn away when Logan stretched out his hand to her.

“Today isn’t about us. It’s about our daughter. She’d want us to be here together.”

AJ nodded and took Logan’s hand. Together they walked toward Bree’s grave.

How had it been six years to the day since they’d lost her? They’d been so happy. She’d given her life to Jesus. She hadn’t even been five for a month. Then she was gone.

AJ stopped. “I can’t do this.”

Logan didn’t let go but turned toward her.