AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“No.” His reply was automatic, and sounded like the truth. “I’m at your place most of the time anyway, and I hate the nights I spend at my apartment. Being near you makes me happy, but if it’s too soon, I get it.” He hesitated. “What do you think?” His voice was tight with nerves.
“I’m not sure,” she said honestly. “On the pro side, you’re not a blanket hog, and you can cook.” Not to mention that he’d been good with her pregnancy and quick to give her whatever she needed. “But I don’t want you to feel like there’s a rush because of the pregnancy.” If they hurried into something, there was a higher chance she’d end up getting burned by their relationship.
“Oh.” He looked deflated. “Well, just think about it, okay?”
Guilt squirmed in her stomach. She could tell he was hurt she hadn’t responded with an immediate “yes,” and honestly, she didn’t know why she hadn’t. She was much happier when he was with her. She was just scared. But was fear a good reason not to do something that brought her joy?
“You know what?” She straightened. “Let’s try it. You can bring over some of your things and we can take it day by day. If it goes well, we can move over more of your stuff.”
Logan’s face lit up, making him look years younger. “That sounds great.” He raised her hand and kissed the back before refocusing on the road. “For the record, I understand why you’re wary, but even if our relationship doesn’t work out long-term, I will never ever hurt you the way your ex did.”
A sense of rightness swept over Gabby as she studied his profile. From his shaggy hair to his casual clothes and sometimes brutal honesty, Logan was completely different from Henry, and she wanted so badly to believe him. Perhaps it was foolish to give him this chance, but he was offering everything she’d ever dreamed of, and the only way to claim it was to hand her heart into his keeping and hope for the best.
21
Logan struckwhile the iron was hot. He turned up on Gabby’s doorstep the next morning with a suitcase in his hand and a car full of his personal surfing gear, the belongings that mattered to him most. She blinked at him sleepily in her pajamas while Mouse, the fluffy tortoiseshell cat, and Thomas, the ginger tom, twined around her legs.
“I’ll make tea,” he said, neatly stepping past her, setting his suitcase down, and heading for the kitchen.
She trailed behind him, pausing every few steps to cuddle another of her fur babies. “It’s early.”
“It’s nearly ten.”
“It is?” She groaned. “I suppose I’d better get dressed and feed Princess.”
“I can take care of Princess,” he told her. “You put your feet up.”
He poured hot water over two teabags and carried both cups to the coffee table in the living room.
“This isn’t you trying to be macho, is it?” she asked with narrow eyes. “You know, telling me to take it easy because I’m a pregnant woman?”
“Psh, no.” Although it had crossed his mind that she looked like she needed rest, not more stress. “I like Princess, and you’ve shown me what she needs, so just let me have my time with her. I’ll be back soon.”
Her eyes were still narrowed. “If you say so.”
He went out back to the barn to visit Princess and slipped her an extra treat because she had the sweetest brown eyes and nudged his pocket as if she knew it was in there. He dropped by the goats on the way back to the house to put down more hay for them. Thelma trotted alongside him, her tail wagging as she happily sniffed fence posts and clumps of grass. When he returned inside, he noticed that Gabby’s tea was still on the coffee table and the shower was running. She must have decided to wash up while the drink cooled.
Luna jumped onto the sofa and Logan scooped her into his arms and nuzzled her, ensuring she could always see him so he wouldn’t startle her. Gabby had explained that she was deaf. Apparently, that was an especially common trait among white cats with blue eyes.
The shower shut off. Logan took his suitcase to the spare room, then sat on the sofa and sipped his tea while he listened to the faint sounds of Gabby moving around the bathroom. He hoped he’d be sleeping with her most nights, but it didn’t pay to make assumptions.
Luna curled up on his thighs. His phone rang just as Gabby padded into the room, wearing leggings and a loose blouse. He glanced at the screen and, seeing it was his mum, answered.
“Hi, Mum.”
“Morning, Logan. What are you up to today?”
“Just shifting a few things over to Gabby’s place.” Mostly himself.
“Do you have plans for lunch?” she asked.
“No.” He glanced at Gabby, who’d tilted her head inquisitively. “I don’t think so.”
“Great. We’re having a family gathering at our place. Be there at twelve. Lawrence is cooking.”
“What’s the occasion?” They often shared meals as a family, but usually, they’d organize something a few days ahead of time. This was different.
“I have no idea.” She sounded a bit miffed about that. “Charity requested it.”
