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“You called him about substituting.” She gives a dramatic nod. “It’s sweet. It—”
“No,” I interject. “I—”
“Well, I certainly didn’t call him. So, you must have.”
“It isn’t like that.”
“So, you didn’t call him?” She stares, waiting for my answer.
I huff out a sigh. “Yes, we’re friends. I—I called him. Are you happy now?” I cross my arms and grit my teeth. It’s not as if I can deny it.
Rachel holds one hand over her heart. “Immensely. I love that boy like a mama elephant loves her calf.” She sighs. “And that’s a lot. I watched a documentary.”
“You’ve known him a long time then?”
“Only his whole life. The boy comes from good genes. He had no other choice but to be good.”
My arms slip from their fold. “You knew his parents? I guess that makes sense. Were they like him? Was it weird when they got married? They were so young.”
“They were young. They were also the best people I ever met. Joseph was a decent man. He had a high moral standard. He wanted to do things right by Janie. Logan’s like that too.”
“I guess it just feels strange. Benjamin doesn’t even believe in marriage, and Logan’s parents weren’t out of high school while making huge commitments.”
Rachel wrinkles her nose. “I guess it can feel odd in today’s age,” she agrees. “It was a little strange then. People thought all kinds of wicked thoughts about the Heyborns, but they were just happy, hardworking, regular people. They never let it bother them. And it didn’t take long before people stopped talking about it. No one really brought it up again until that sad day when they both passed.”
“Such a tragedy,” I say.
“Logan was a child who quickly became an adult. It about killed him. His family and most of this town took him under their wing. We let him know he wasn’t alone.”
“Most?” I nibble on my lip. I can’t imagine what Logan went through.
“Oh, there were some who started up the wicked talk again.”
“Did Amelia have thoughts about the Heyborns?” I can’t help but wonder what my grandmother’s take on Logan’s family was.
“Oh, sure. They were neighbors. She’d give a mouthful to anyone who spoke badly about those kids. Young love isn’t a crime or a sin, she’d say. She adored all three of them. But most of all Logan. She would be thrilled to see the two of you getting along so well.”
My cheeks warm. “Sadly, I would never have met Logan if Amelia hadn’t died.”
Rachel peers at me with the truth I’ve dropped. She opens her mouth to speak, then clamps it shut. That’s okay—I don’t like that truth either.
Twenty-Five
I am becoming a champ at riding a bike in four-inch heels.
With the thought of my new job as a substitute teacher giving me an ulcer, I ride to Farmer’s. Apparently, I can afford eight bucks for ice cream with the extra pay I’ll be earning. I lock Gary up, not caring that Logan would laugh. Or that this is Wyoming and people “don’t steal bikes here.” I can’t risk it. Besides my books, Gary is the best purchase I’ve ever made.
“Hello there, Olivia.” Joe Farmer, sporting his bright orange hunting vest, waves as I enter the market.
“Hey, Joe. I’m looking for Ben and Jerry’s.”
He grins and motions to the back of the store. “Very back, right-hand side.”
“Thank you.” I march to the back of the market, my heels clicking, and find just the carton I want: Chunky Monkey. I restrain myself from going down the candy aisle next. My need for sugar is being tested.
I pull up to my house and walk Gary onto the porch. Inside, I slide the pack from my back and retrieve the two pints I bought. I shove one into my freezer and snag a spoon from the drawer. Back outside, I dip into the creamy goodness. I stroll over to Logan’s, a country tune blaring from his open garage.
His grease-stained jeans poke out from beneath an old-fashioned car. Tools and gadgets that mean nothing to me scatter on the ground around him. He bends one knee and readjusts his position beneath the vehicle.
