Cricket Cove (29 page)

After one last glance in the direction Amelia had gone, he nodded. He took the empty chair between her and Archer and rested his head in his hands.

“We were starting to think she wasn’t going to cry. I guess she just needed to be with someone she didn’t have to be strong for.” She placed a hand on his shoulder and let it rest there.

“I should have been there,” he told her roughly. “I’m sorry.”

“I don’t know. When they rolled him over, they found a gun tucked in his belt. He started with a baseball bat, hitting her car. If you’d been there, he might have shot first, and we’d be the ones getting the death notification right now,” Owen said, clearing his throat. “Excuse me.”

They watched as he hurried down the hall, hitting the door that led outside hard.

Archer stood. “I’ll go. You two stay here.”

Sarah let out a shaky breath and dabbed at her eyes. “We’d just sat down to eat when Noah got the strangest look on his face. He wasn’t there anymore, you could see that. It only lasted an instant. And then he looked straight at Owen and said, ‘Amelia needs you. Moira said you have to go
now
. She needs you.’ By the time he got to the bottom of the mountain, Roger was dead.”

Logan put his arm around her shoulders in an awkward hug, and she patted his hand. “Who’s Moira?”

“My niece. My sister Kathy’s daughter. Her father shot and killed her and her baby brother more than thirty years ago. Noah can see her. They’re friends.”

“My God, Sarah. I’m sorry. Archer told me but I didn’t recognize her name. I’m so sorry.”

She shook her head. “Most of the time when Noah says something about her, it’s comforting. But given the circumstances… He’s just a little boy. He shouldn’t know that sort of thing. He should be playing with corporeal friends, not ghosts. And I worry about what will happen to him in the future.”

“Given the family he has supporting him? I’d say his odds are pretty good.”

“There is that.”

Amelia and Rick came out of a room down the hall at the same time Archer and Owen came back in. They stopped to talk, and Logan watched, wondering if the carefree girl he’d seen the last couple of weeks would ever emerge from the tragedy that was unfolding.

“Do you love her, Logan?”

The question shocked him enough to draw his attention away from Amelia, to look down at her mother. He thought about saying no, but he couldn’t.

“Yeah, I do. When she didn’t show up tonight like she was supposed to, when I knew something was very wrong, it hit me, just how I feel, I mean.”

“I’m glad. I think the two of you balance each other out. And I think you have a unique set of experiences that will help her get through this.”

“I hope I can. I wish I’d been the one to pull the trigger, not her. Not that it wouldn’t affect me, but it’s a burden I’m used to carrying.”

“Well, I wish he’d just driven off a cliff or something. And part of me wonders just how much of a hand Lori played in this. I know Emma has her suspicions. I have to admit, it’s all turned out well enough for Lori.”

Logan was shocked. His poker face must not have been as good as he thought, because she shrugged. “I know Roger abused her, grievously, for years. No woman deserves that, no matter who she is, whether she’s likable or not. But… I can’t help thinking Lori shares more of the blame for what’s gone on recently than we know. I can’t help but wonder if Roger knew about Trace and if that’s why he started stalking my daughter.”

“Where is Lori?” he asked as Rick, Archer, and Owen joined them.

“From what Amelia said, Roger implied that she’d run away with Trace. I guess we’ll find out if that’s true or not once they try to do the notifications,” Rick said. “One of our deputies is doing that now.”

They took turns pacing and making calls home over the next two hours until Amelia and the state trooper—Sawyer Evans, Logan learned—came out of the interrogation room. She went straight to Logan and let him hold her while Sawyer briefed them.

“I have everything I need for now. Miss Campbell’s car has been impounded, and her driveway won’t be cleared until tomorrow. You’ll probably need to spend the night elsewhere. And like I said, I don’t foresee any problems for you legally—this sounds like a clear-cut case of self-defense—but I can’t promise that. That’s something that will only be determined once the investigation is complete.”

“How long will that take?” Owen asked.

“I anticipate it will be fast, given the circumstances. Two or three weeks, maybe, barring any complications.” He handed Amelia his card. “If you have questions, call me. Rick.” He tipped two fingers to his forehead and went down the hall.

“He’s a good guy, sharp as hell. I’m glad he’s the one who got the case.” Rick sighed and held his hand out to Amelia. “You need anything, Pip?”

She shook her head. “I just want to go home.”

“We can arrange that,” Owen said. “You’ll stay with us. Logan, you, too.”

“Actually, Daddy…” She looked up at Logan. “I’d prefer to not go back to the farm tonight. I’m guessing everyone’s there?”

“They are,” Sarah answered. “Even Ben.”

Logan touched her cheek. “Do you want to come home with me?”

“Yes. I can’t face everyone tonight. I just can’t.”

“Then that’s what we’ll do,” he told her. He looked at Owen. “I’ll take care of her.”

Owen gave a jerky nod and held his arms open. “You’ll come up tomorrow though, right?”

Amelia went to him. “Of course. I just need time tonight. That’s all.”

They went out to the street together, and Logan saw that Owen had parked behind him.

“I’ll catch a ride to the farm, if that’s okay,” Archer said. “Then go home with my girls.”

“You know that’s fine,” Sarah said. She hugged Amelia, then Logan. “Call if you need us, okay? Even if it’s the middle of the night.”

“We will,” Logan promised. He was stunned when Owen grabbed him in a quick hug.

“Take care of my baby.” He handed his keys to Archer and went across the street to stand beside the vehicle, bracing his hands on the roof. Sarah hurried after him.

“See you tomorrow,” Archer said, following.

Amelia was quiet during the drive, which didn’t surprise Logan in the least. Once they were upstairs, he shrugged out of his coat and watched her. She went to the middle of the room and looked around as though she were lost.

“What do you want to do?”

She shrugged. “I want it to stop hurting. But I don’t think that’s going to happen for a long time, is it?”

He shook his head. “Probably not.”

She let out a long sigh. “Then I want you to hold me so that it doesn’t hurt so much.”

“I’ll be glad to do that.” He sat on the couch and patted the cushion beside him. “Kick your shoes off and come here.”

For the rest of the evening, they sat curled up on the couch together, not doing anything more than holding each other with the occasional murmur of reassurance thrown in. Logan had pulled the blanket down off the back of the couch to cover up with, and they were toasty warm. When Amelia’s stomach started growling around ten, however, he kissed her forehead and got up.

“You need food. Come to think of it, I need food. How does grilled cheese sound?” He started pulling the ingredients together.

Amelia stood and came to the counter to sit. “Logan?”

“Yeah?”

“Thank you.”

He frowned. “For?”

“Being here.”

Setting the butter down, he came around and kissed her. He wanted to tell her he loved her, but he didn’t think now was the time. She was too emotionally drained, and he didn’t want to add to her burden.

“Where else would I be?” he asked.

She closed her eyes and turned her cheek to nuzzle his hand. “I don’t know, but I’m glad you’re here.”

“Me, too.”

Chapter Forty-Six

L
ogan eased out of bed Saturday morning, taking pains to not disturb Amelia. She’d finally settled into a deep sleep after spending most of the night either tossing and turning or having nightmares. He covered her up and quietly made his way into the bathroom.

After a long hot shower, he dressed and went to the kitchen. He’d just finished his first cup of coffee when a light knock sounded on the door. When he opened it to find John and Ben, he wasn’t surprised. Noah’s presence, however, was unexpected.

“Come in. She’s still asleep,” he told them in a low voice as he stood back. “You can put your coats on the barstool here.”

“How is she?” Ben asked.

Logan shook his head. “Quiet. Hurting. Want some coffee?”

The men accepted cups, and Noah took some juice. They sat down at the small kitchen table, their silence awkward. John broke it.

“Noah was worried. He needed to come see her. I hope that’s okay.”

Logan raised an eyebrow, knowing very well that whether it was okay or not, her brothers would have shown up. But to Noah, he said, “That’s fine. I hear you had an unpleasant experience yesterday. I’m sorry.”

The gaze the young boy leveled on him was older than it should be, and Logan understood Sarah’s concern a little better. “You know about that?”

“I do. Your grandmother mentioned it.”

Noah dropped his eyes to his juice, which he’d barely touched. “She worries.”

“Women do,” Ben said. “It’s our job to reassure them.” He winked at his nephew, and a tiny smile appeared on the boy’s face.

“Men worry, too,” Noah countered. The smile faded as he looked toward the closed bedroom door. “I need to make sure he isn’t still here, isn’t still around her. Moira said that could happen. I’m praying the son of a bitch got sucked straight down to hell. It’s what he deserves.”

Logan saw John’s mouth tighten, and he laid his hand on his son’s neck. “Noah, language.”

Noah turned to his father. “It’s the truth, Dad. You know it is. You said as much last night.”

“Yeah, but I’m not ten years old. Wait until you’re at least sixteen before you start swearing. And for goodness’ sake, don’t do it in front of your mother.” John tousled his hair and pulled him into a headlock.

“Yes, sir.” Noah rolled his eyes, but he didn’t try to pull away.

A soft click sounded and Logan turned to see Amelia coming out of the bedroom. “Hey.” She was still pale, but she looked a little less haunted than she had the night before. She had gotten dressed in her jeans and one of his T-shirts.

“Hey, yourself.” She held her arms open for Noah, who met her halfway across the room. Though he was almost as tall as she was, he rested his head on her shoulder and let her cradle him close. “Thank you for sending Daddy down yesterday. Are you okay?” She kissed his forehead and moved him back so that she could see his face.

He nodded. “Are you?”

She brushed his hair back, her smile sad. “I will be, eventually.”

Logan stood and let her take his chair. He got a fresh mug down and filled it, then added just the right amount of cream. She nodded at him as she accepted it.

“So what brings the three of you here so early?”

“Noah was worried,” John told her. He held his hand out, and she took it without hesitation. “So were we. I don’t even know where to begin, Pip. I’m just glad you’re safe.”

“Ditto,” Ben added. “What the hell happened?”

“She might not want to talk about it,” John scolded. “Ignore him if you don’t.”

“I don’t. Not right this minute, while the best listener in the family besides Daddy is in the room.” She looked pointedly at Noah, whose ears flushed. “Do you have any questions though, sweetie?”

He shook his head. “Not really. I just needed to see you.” From the relief on the boy’s face, Logan assumed he’d seen no sign of Roger.

“What are you planning to do today?” Ben asked.

She glanced over her shoulder at Logan. “I have to go to the farm. What do you have planned?”

He set his mug down and crossed his arms. “Guess.”

“I don’t want to be a bother, Logan.”

If the way her cheeks flushed was any indication, his scowl was as dark as he thought it was. “I could just… Is she always like this?” he asked Ben and John, who were struggling to hide their smiles.

“More than she’s not,” Ben told him. He stood up. “We’re third wheels right now. We’ll go pick up the womenfolk and young ’uns and meet you at the farm.”

“What in the world did you just say, Benjamin Wayne?” Amelia slapped at his leg as he went past. “Wait until I tell Ainsley and Zanny. ‘Womenfolk,’ my big toe.” Her words were light, but her face still had a drawn, pinched look, and Logan could see she was struggling.

He gave her a hug when she got up. “I love you, kiddo.”

She gave him a tiny smile. “I love you, too, Trouble. We’ll be along shortly.”

Once they were gone, Logan pulled her into his arms. “What am I doing today… really? I figured I’d do laundry, maybe get a haircut. Then I thought I’d hit the bars, go bowling, watch a movie. What am I going to do with you?” he teased, half-exasperated.

Amelia remained solemn. “I’m starting to think I’m more bother to you than I’m worth.”

Logan stared at her, dumbfounded. His arms dropped, and she took a couple of steps away. “How can you say that?”

She shrugged and crossed her arms over her chest. “Maybe you would have been better off with Rachel.”

He couldn’t believe it. She was serious.

“I don’t even know where to… Amelia, I am with the sister I want to be with. Rachel’s a nice enough person, don’t get me wrong, but she isn’t you. Please tell me this isn’t about those stupid words you heard back in October. I thought we’d moved past that.”

“We have. I don’t know. It’s just that, well, I know this is more than what you bargained for.”

Logan closed the distance between them and put his hands on her shoulders. “I love you, damn it. Yeah, this is
all
more than what I bargained for. I didn’t expect to fall in love when I moved here. I never expected that, not for the rest of my life. But that doesn’t mean I’m not happy. The rest of it? It’s just a run of lousy bad luck.”

She was speechless. Logan watched as she tilted her head, and a tear rolled slowly down her cheek. “You love me?” she whispered.

“Yeah, I do.”

“Logan…”

He kissed her, stopping her words. The kiss was soft, careful, and loving. “I love you,” he told her again as he lifted his head. “I wasn’t going to tell you until you’d had a chance to regroup, but I’ll be damned if I let you think you’re bothering me.”

“When did you—how long have you known?”

“Since yesterday. I knew something was wrong when you didn’t show up. And as my mind went through all the things that could have happened, I realized I might never see you again. I couldn’t stand that idea, and that’s when I knew. I love you.”

She let out a shuddering breath. “I don’t know what to say. I never expected you to feel like that.”

Remembering Emma’s negative reaction to Archer’s first declaration of love, Logan gave an internal grimace. He hoped it wasn’t a family trait. “At least tell me the news isn’t unwelcome.”

“Oh, no. It’s most definitely welcome news.” Her smile was tremulous as she reached up to touch his cheeks. “You stubborn, ornery man. I can’t believe you love me.”

“I’ll just have to keep telling you, then.”

“Please do.” She kissed him. “I love you back, you know. God help you.”