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“My little boy,” she said, pulling Logan into a hug. He towered over her, but that didn’t stop her from squeezing him tight. “I’m so glad you could visit.”
“Mom, I’m thirty-four.” He shook his head and grinned. “How old do I have to be to no longer be your little boy?”
“You’ll always be my little boy,” she said with a sniff, releasing him. “And don’t you forget it.”
He smiled fondly down at her and turned toward Rachel. “Mom, I want you to meet Rachel Knight.”
She turned her hazel eyes toward Rachel and gasped. “Michael’s little sister?”
“The one and only, I’m afraid,” Rachel said, extending her hand. “It’s an honor to meet you, Mrs. Madison.”
“Well, aren’t you just a doll?” She tugged her into a bone crushing hug.
With her head pressed to the side of the sweater, Rachel got a st
rong whiff of coffee and vanilla. She inhaled deeply, loving the comforting scents. This was what coming home was supposed to feel like. At least, in her imagination.
“Call me Nancy,” Logan’s mom said when she finally released her. “It’s so nice of Logan to finally bring a girl home. I was beginning to lose hope for him.”
“Mom!” Logan’s ears turned red and he shot her a pleading look.
“Oh, don’t be shy, sweetheart.” She turned back to Rachel. “I really shouldn’t be surprised, though. He was a late bloomer, after all. It took twelve years to convince him to give up his blankie and teddy bear. I’m pretty sure he was twenty before he had his first date. Thank goodness potty training didn’t take that long.”
“Mom, is that the telephone I hear ringing?” Logan asked, swiftly stepping between the ladies.
“Oh, it might be,” she said with a sharp inhale. “I’ve been waiting on a call from your aunt all day. I’d better run and catch it.”
She shuffled toward the house and Rachel couldn’t help but giggle. Colorado was the last place she’d expected to end up today and she certainly hadn’t been expecting to meet Logan’s parents. But already she loved everything about this place. The cool air, the heavy scent of pine needles, the lake, and most of all, Logan’s family. They were easy to love. Just like their son.
“Come with me,” Logan whispered to her as his father pulled the pickup into the matching log garage tucked behind the house. He took her hand in his, interlacing their fingers. “I’ve got something to show you.”
She nodded reservedly, wondering what exactly he could have in mind. This whole trip had been a puzzle to her. She’d wanted to apologize to Logan a million times, but he wouldn’t let her. Not yet. So she allowed him to bring her on this crazy trip, knowing that soon their time would be over.
He led her to the house and through the side screen door. Nancy was chatting on the phone somewhere very close. He put a finger to his lips and they snuck past the kitchen into a grand living room with a vaulted ceiling covered in gorgeous timber that came to a peak under giant wooden beams. A massive stone fireplace stood silent on one end, surrounded by comfortable looking recliners and a matching sofa. Logan held her hand tight and pulled her toward a wall covered in framed photos.
“My mom calls this her wall of memories,” he whispered as he tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, causing delicious shivers to run down her back. “This is what I wanted to show you. This, and my family.”
She quirked a smile at him, unsure why they’d traveled so far just for a few dozen photos. But as her eyes traveled over the wall, Logan’s reasoning started to become clear. There were several shots of a chubby little blue-eyed cherub beaming at the camera. She could only assume those were baby shots of Logan. And then progressing photographs of his childhood. A shot of him fishing with Ned. Another of him covered in flour, making Christmas cookies with Nancy. Family photos from every year. Shots of him nestled between his parents, the love between them so evident it almost hurt to look at.
The sight brought tears to the corner of her eyes. Logan may have grown up poor, but he had never lacked for anything real. His family truly loved each other. It was everything she’d ever dreamed of.
“Do you see why I brought you here?” he asked, gripping her hand tightly.
She nodded, holding back the rush of emotions. He didn’t need to convince her anymore. She knew she’d made a mistake. She knew that she was broken inside.
“I know you’re having a hard time trusting,” he said, gently grabbing her shoulder and turning her toward him. “But I need you to hear me. I know the value of love. I would never forsake it, not for all my billions.” He put a finger under her chin and lifted her head until her gaze met his. “Please, trust me.”
She felt foolish for making Logan jump through these hoops. Of course, she trusted him. It was her own stupid heart she didn’t trust. It had hurt the wonderful man standing in front of her. She didn’t deserve him.
At that moment, her future was crystal clear and it included a first-class seat to Paris.
“Logan, I trust you,” she said, clearing her throat and preparing herself mentally for this final break. “I just think...”
At that moment, Nancy came striding up to them, an apron tied around her waist. Logan dropped his hand from Rachel’s chin and took a step back. His mother fixed them both with a cheery smile and rubbed her hands together.
“You two love-birds ready for supper? Ever since I retired from teaching, I’ve been practicing my culinary skills and I think you’re going to be impressed. No more kitchen fires. Ned’s set the table on the deck. We can watch the sunset while we dine.”
Rachel’s smile didn’t reach her eyes. She’d have to find a way to break the news to Logan somehow tonight. The longer it took, the more it was going to hurt.
