Page 96 of Betrayed

Chapter Thirty-One

They didn’t get back to AJ’s dad’s house until pushing three o’clock in the morning. It had taken a bit of coaxing, but Logan finally got AJ to go to bed. He went to the kitchen for a glass of water before heading to the couch.

AJ’s dad came into the kitchen. “I’m glad you’re safe.”

“Thank you, sir.”

“It’s Dad. We’ve gone over this before.”

“That was a long time ago. I haven’t exactly turned out to be the man you were hoping for—for your daughter.”

“Son, none of us are perfect. You both made your fair share of mistakes, like her mom and I did. I’m sorry we weren’t a better example for the two of you as to how to make a marriage work.”

Not sure how to respond, Logan sipped his water.

“I’m proud of the both of you for not taking the easy way out.”

“Ignoring each other was the easiest thing we could do.”

“But you didn’t get divorced because you both knew your marriage was worth fighting for, even if you didn’t actually fight for it.”

“I should have. I will now.”

“I know, and I couldn’t be prouder of the way you are coming back together.”

Logan nodded. “Thank you. Means a lot to hear these things from you.”

“I’ve always liked you, even if I wasn’t impressed with how you behaved with my little girl.”

“I get that more now. Though Bree was so little …”

“She was. But even if she was still with us, she’d always be your little girl.”

Logan ruefully smiled at the thought. She would have been beautiful, but oh such a handful. She was her mother’s daughter through and through. He missed his baby.

“Bree would be happy to see her mom and dad back together.”

“It would have broken her heart to see how we grieved.”

“Here’s your opportunity to make up for lost time.”

“Yes, Dad.”

The older man grinned and slapped Logan’s shoulder. “Now, you two are married. There is no reason you need to sleep on the couch.” Dad left the room and threw a good night over his shoulder.

“Good night.” Logan shook his head, finished his glass of water, and debated what to do.

With all that was happening, he simply wanted to hold AJ, know she was close. He turned the light off and padded to her room. With as quiet a motion as possible, he opened and reclosed the door.

AJ slept with her back to him. He lifted the blanket on the double bed and slid quietly in behind her, laying close but not too close.

He rested his hand on her arm.

She startled.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you.”

She rolled to her back and then toward him. “What are you doing in here?”