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“Fine. Shall we seal this agreement with a kiss?”
“I think it would be only proper,” Abby said eagerly as she slid her arms around his waist and fit her body to his.
His large hands framed her face, lifting her lips to meet his. It lacked the urgency of their last kiss, but was filled with promise. His breathing was ragged when he released her, but Abby noted that her own wasn’t any calmer.
Not surprisingly, their truce held. Maybe it was because they both wanted it so badly. The next Sunday they met at her place for breakfast, which Abby cooked. Later, they drove over to her parents’ house and during their visit Frank Carpenter speculated that the two of them would be married by the end of the year. A few not-so-subtle questions about the “date” popped up here and there in the conversation. But neither of them seemed to mind. Logan was included in Abby’s every thought. This was the way love was supposed to be, Abby mused, as they returned to her apartment.
After changing clothes, they rode their bikes to the park and ate a picnic lunch. After that, with Logan’s head resting in her lap, Abby leaned against an elm tree and closed her eyes. This was the same tree that had supported her back during more than one reading session with Tate. A guilty sensation attacked the pit of her stomach, but she successfully fended it off.
“Did you hear that Dick Snyder wants to climb Mount Rainier this summer?” Logan asked unexpectedly, as he chewed lazily on a long blade of grass.
In addition to softball, Dick’s passion was mountain climbing. She’d heard rumors about his latest venture, but hadn’t been all that interested.
“Yeah, I heard that,” she murmured. “So?”
“So, what do you think?”
“What do I think about what?” Abby asked.
“They need an extra man. It sounds like the expedition will be canceled otherwise.” Logan frowned as he looked up at her.
“Climbing the highest mountain in Washington State should be a thrill—for some people. They won’t have any trouble finding someone. Personally, I have trouble making it over speed bumps,” she teased, leaning forward to kiss his forehead. “What’s wrong?”
He smiled up at her and raised his hands to direct her mouth to his. “What could possibly be wrong?” he whispered as he moved his mouth onto her lips for a kiss that left her breathless.
—
The next week was the happiest of Abby’s life. Logan saw her daily. Monday they went to dinner at the same Mexican restaurant Tate had taken her to weeks before. The food was good, but Abby’s appetite wasn’t up to par. Again, Abby dismissed the twinge of guilt. Tuesday he picked her up for class, but they decided to skip school. Instead, they sat in the parking lot and talked until late. From there they drove until they found a café where they could enjoy their drinks outside. The communication between them had never been stronger.
Tate phoned Abby at work on Wednesday and asked her to meet him at the park before the softball game. He wanted to be sure his application for the business loan had been filled out correctly. Uneasy about being in public with him for fear Logan would see or hear about it, Abby promised to stop off at his garage.
Later, when Logan picked her up for the game, she was short-tempered and restless.
“What’s the matter with you tonight?” he complained as they reached the park. “You’re as jumpy as a bank robber.”
“Me?” She feigned innocence. “Nervous about the game, I guess.”
“You?” He looked at her with disbelief. “Ms. Confidence? You’d better tell me what’s really bothering you. ’Fess up, kid.”
She felt her face heat with a guilty blush. “Nothing’s wrong.”
“Abby, I thought we’d come a long way recently. Won’t you tell me what’s bothering you?”
Logan was so sincere that Abby wanted to kick herself. “Nothing. Honest,” she lied, and tried to swallow the lump in her throat. She hated this deception, no matter how minor it really was.
“Obviously you’re not telling the truth,” he insisted, and a muscle twitched in his jaw.
“What makes you say that?” She gave him a look of pure innocence.
“Well, for one thing, your face is bright red.”
“It’s just hot, that’s all.”
He released a low breath. “Okay, if that’s the way you want it.”
Patty was in the bleachers when they arrived, and waved eagerly when she saw Logan. Abby doubted she’d noticed that Abby was with him.
“Your girlfriend’s here,” Abby murmured sarcastically.
