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“I’ll talk to him,” I say, finally making a decision.
“Logan, you don’t have to do that for me.”
“I know I don’t have to. But it’s time.”
And though it would probably surprise us both for me to admit out loud… your happiness means the world to me.
Chapter Eighteen
Logan
I’vegotamissedcall from Mom when I wake up Saturday morning, followed by a message asking me to hang out with Liam so she and Dad can spend the day together. If I’d gotten that message last week, I would have scoffed, but now that I’ve made the decision to talk to Dad—the first step to working things out—I accept without argument.
On my way to pick Liam up, I contemplate calling Dani but don’t. It’s probably better if we keep our visits with Liam separate until we figure out what this is between us. If there is something between us. I know I want it, but does she?
When I arrive, Liam greets me at the door, like always, with his backpack in hand, ready to go.
“Is Dad here?” I ask, peering through the entry, not quite sure I want to venture inside.
Mom answers for him. “He’ll be home in about fifteen minutes if you want to wait, but we have to leave by eleven.”
I know she doesn’t want me to miss out on seeing Dad since I’ve asked, but I can also sense that she’s worried about timing.
“That’s okay. I’ll catch him tonight.”
Mom offers me a thankful smile and helps me get Liam into the car before heading back inside after a rushed goodbye. As soon as I’m in the driver's seat, I turn back to look at the little man that has become so important to me, and I smile.
“Where are we off to today, Booger. Any grand plans?”
His face lights up with an expectant smile, and he nods. “Can we go to the trains again, Loge?”
I should have known that would be his answer. Unless he gets a new idea in his head, he tends to revert back to what he knows, and I took him to the miniature trains the last time we spent the day together.
“Alright, trains it is.”
It’s just under an hour drive to the trains in Sonoma, so we spend the time listening to music and kids’ audiobooks. Liam bounces in his seat when we arrive, the high-pitched toot of the trains already filtering through the open window.
“You ready, little buddy?” I ask, even though I don’t need him to verbally answer as I watch him frantically unbuckle his seatbelt.
“Yes!”
The lines are thankfully short for a Saturday, so we ride the train a few times before heading over to the carousel. My legs ache from being bunched up on the small carriage, but the smile on Liam’s face makes up for it.
“What are you thinking about the carousel?” I ask as we walk. “Do you want to ride a horse, a horse, or a horse?”
“Logan. A horse, of course!”
My mind goes toMr. Ed, but that’s useless, because he won’t know what I’m talking about. In fact, I shouldn’t know what I’m talking about, except that my grandfather used to watch the reruns, putting on the voice whenever I was over. Liam takes off in a run and I chuckle to myself, following along as he drags me toward the entry, eager to get in line.
“A horse is a good choice,” I say when we arrive. “Look at them all.”
I expect an eye roll, so used to all the women in my life throwing them around regularly, but instead he laughs at my bad joke.
We’ve just reached the front of the line when the heavens open up, and it starts to rain. Actually, that makes it seem light, and there’s nothing light about this. Within seconds, we’re drenched, and the closure of the park is being announced over the loudspeakers.
Liam’s eyes well with tears, and he stands frozen in place, confused by this change in events. As our clothes soak through, I try to coax him into coming with me, but he doesn’t want to move. “Come on, Buddy. I promise we’ll find something else to do. What about ice cream?”
“It’s cold.”
