Authors: Cat Johnson
Two Times as Hot (23 page)
“Is this what’s been bothering you? Why everyone’s been acting nuts?”
“I think Tyler always acts a little crazy, so . . .” Emma’s smile looked forced as
she sat up straighter in the chair. She reached over and gave his hand a little squeeze.
“Everything is fine, Logan. I apologize for asking about your past.”
she sat up straighter in the chair. She reached over and gave his hand a little squeeze.
“Everything is fine, Logan. I apologize for asking about your past.”
“It’s all right. I want you to be able to ask me anything at any time, especially
if it’s something that’s bothering you.”
if it’s something that’s bothering you.”
“I’ll remember that.” She withdrew her hands from his. “Now go finish your work so
I can do the same.”
I can do the same.”
He watched as she picked up the paintbrush again. Their talk had only made the mystery
murkier than it had been before. Logan had infiltrated enemy strongholds with less
effort than he was expending to get this family to tell him the complete truth. Logan
wasn’t used to being defeated. He didn’t like it. But right now, it seemed as if he’d
have to wait them out, and get ready for his father’s homecoming.
murkier than it had been before. Logan had infiltrated enemy strongholds with less
effort than he was expending to get this family to tell him the complete truth. Logan
wasn’t used to being defeated. He didn’t like it. But right now, it seemed as if he’d
have to wait them out, and get ready for his father’s homecoming.
Something was very wrong when war seemed so much simpler than his home life.
Chapter
Twenty
Twenty
T
he back door hadn’t been closed two seconds when Becca skidded into the kitchen. “What
happened with Logan? Did you tell him?”
he back door hadn’t been closed two seconds when Becca skidded into the kitchen. “What
happened with Logan? Did you tell him?”
“You mean you don’t know? You weren’t listening from the hall?” Emma realized she
was shaking. She put down the paintbrush and buried her face in her hands, ignoring
the fact that she had paint on her fingers.
was shaking. She put down the paintbrush and buried her face in her hands, ignoring
the fact that she had paint on her fingers.
“You two were talking too softly. I couldn’t hear.”
At least Becca admitted she was eavesdropping. That was something. Emma blew out a
breath and lowered her hands. “I didn’t tell him.”
breath and lowered her hands. “I didn’t tell him.”
“Why not?”
“Because he told me he was engaged all those years ago because he got the girl pregnant,
and even though he didn’t love her, he was going to marry her because of the baby.”
and even though he didn’t love her, he was going to marry her because of the baby.”
“And you’re afraid he’ll do the same with you.” It wasn’t a question, but a statement.
Becca knew too well how Emma felt.
Becca knew too well how Emma felt.
“Yes.” Emma blinked back the tears. “I want the fairy tale, Becs. What you found with
Tuck. A man who wants to be with me, not who feels like he has to.”
Tuck. A man who wants to be with me, not who feels like he has to.”
“What are you going to do now? Em, you have to tell him.”
Anger replaced Emma’s sadness. “I know I have to tell him, Becca. Stop saying that.
And stop throwing me at him. All of you. That’s why he came to talk. He’s noticed
something’s up.”
And stop throwing me at him. All of you. That’s why he came to talk. He’s noticed
something’s up.”
“I’m sorry.”
“I know. ” Emma let out a sigh. “And I know you’re right. I’ll tell him later today.
After his father is home and settled. He doesn’t need the stress before that.”
After his father is home and settled. He doesn’t need the stress before that.”
“I think that’s a good idea.”
Emma reached for the paintbrush, then let her hand drop to her lap. “I’m shaking so
badly I can’t finish this damn sign.”
badly I can’t finish this damn sign.”
Becca stood. “Move over. I’ll do it.”
“You can paint?”
“Em, you outlined the letters in pencil. All I have to do is paint over them. A child
could do it.” Becca took the brush in one hand and hovered over the board.
could do it.” Becca took the brush in one hand and hovered over the board.
“Keep the edges straight.” Emma stood, too, trying to look over Becca’s arm. “And
try to keep the thickness uniform.”
try to keep the thickness uniform.”
“Emma, stop. Go make yourself a cup of tea and let me finish this so it’s ready when
Logan comes back to take you to the shop.”
Logan comes back to take you to the shop.”
The shop, where they’d be alone together. Where she’d have to pretend that nothing
was wrong. That she wasn’t waiting for the time when she would give him the news that
would change both of their lives.
was wrong. That she wasn’t waiting for the time when she would give him the news that
would change both of their lives.
She wouldn’t show for a couple of months yet. Maybe she could put this off a little
longer.
longer.
As Emma waffled on her plan, Becca’s motions caught her eye. “Thin, Becca. Thin letters.
Here, give it to me.”
Here, give it to me.”
She would finish this sign and worry about the rest later. She blew out a breath,
steadied her hand, and went to work.
steadied her hand, and went to work.
Chapter
Twenty-one
Twenty-one
T
he jingling of the bell announced an arrival. The shop door swung open, held by Logan’s
mother as Tuck pushed Logan’s father inside.
he jingling of the bell announced an arrival. The shop door swung open, held by Logan’s
mother as Tuck pushed Logan’s father inside.
Logan put down the hammer he’d been holding in his hand and strode toward the group.
“Dad, I thought someone would have called if you were coming.”
“Dad, I thought someone would have called if you were coming.”
Tuck shrugged. “We wanted to surprise you.”
“Well, you sure did.”
“Logan, the store looks wonderful.” His mom moved to stand next to the wheelchair.
Watching his father’s face, Logan asked, “You really like it?”
“I love it.” She looked around her, one hand resting on Logan’s father’s shoulder.
“Honey, do you see what Logan’s done?”
“Honey, do you see what Logan’s done?”
Emma had been in the back, sorting through more boxes of dusty old stuff, looking
for additional display items. It seemed to be her favorite pastime. She came through
the door of the workroom now and stopped, probably waiting as anxiously as Logan for
some sort of reaction from his father.
for additional display items. It seemed to be her favorite pastime. She came through
the door of the workroom now and stopped, probably waiting as anxiously as Logan for
some sort of reaction from his father.
Finally, it came, in the form of a jerky nod. “Good.” His father’s eyes looked misty
as he repeated, “Good.”
as he repeated, “Good.”
Logan glanced at Emma. She was biting her lip and looking a bit teary-eyed herself.
He motioned her forward, then turned back to his parents. “I can’t take credit for
any of it. Emma did everything. The new layout and displays. The signs.”
He motioned her forward, then turned back to his parents. “I can’t take credit for
any of it. Emma did everything. The new layout and displays. The signs.”
She came to stand next to Logan. “Mr. Hunt, I’m glad to see you looking so well.”
“Thank . . . you.” His father nodded again, speech and movement still hard for him,
but so much better than before.
but so much better than before.
Logan’s mother smiled at Emma. “You did a lovely job.”
“Thank you.” Emma shot Logan a glance. “I was worried I’d overstepped.”
“Don’t be silly.” Logan laid an arm around her shoulders and watched three sets of
eyes follow the motion—his mom’s, his dad’s and Tuck’s. This was ridiculous. “Emma
has been spending a lot of time helping out around here.”
eyes follow the motion—his mom’s, his dad’s and Tuck’s. This was ridiculous. “Emma
has been spending a lot of time helping out around here.”
Why did he feel the need to explain? And why was it so hard to do?
Maybe because they hadn’t defined what they were to each other. It felt like they
were dating, even if they had yet to go out on an actual date. Sunset sex at the cabin
didn’t count. Neither did dancing at Tuck and Becca’s wedding, since she had been
officially Jace’s date for that. Logan would have to remedy the situation. Take Emma
out on a real date and soon.
were dating, even if they had yet to go out on an actual date. Sunset sex at the cabin
didn’t count. Neither did dancing at Tuck and Becca’s wedding, since she had been
officially Jace’s date for that. Logan would have to remedy the situation. Take Emma
out on a real date and soon.
“So you’re from New York?” Logan’s mother asked her.
“Yes, ma’am. Born and raised. But now that my sister is settled in Oklahoma, I’ve
been thinking that I might want to move here myself.”
been thinking that I might want to move here myself.”
Logan swiveled to stare at Emma. “You have?”
“Yeah.” Her eyes searched his. If she were waiting to see what he thought about the
idea, she wouldn’t need to ask. Logan had a feeling the happiness he felt at the news
was written all over his face.
idea, she wouldn’t need to ask. Logan had a feeling the happiness he felt at the news
was written all over his face.
“Um, want a little tour before we head home?” Tuck leaned down and spoke directly
to Logan’s father. “Wait until you see what Emma did with that old lumber you had
stashed at the cabin.”
to Logan’s father. “Wait until you see what Emma did with that old lumber you had
stashed at the cabin.”
Logan’s mom clapped her hands together. “Oh, I see the signs. They’re perfect.”
After Tuck had not so subtly moved their audience to the back of the store, Logan
turned to take Emma’s hand in his. “You’d really consider moving? When did this come
about?”
turned to take Emma’s hand in his. “You’d really consider moving? When did this come
about?”
“Recently. The past few days.” Emma shrugged. “I guess being around Becca, and everyone
else here, made me realize how much I missed having her nearby.”
else here, made me realize how much I missed having her nearby.”
“But your job—”
“I can find work in my field anywhere.”
“What about your parents?”
“I can visit them. My dad’s retired now. They love to travel, so they can visit me
and Becca here.” Emma’s gaze held his as she watched him.
and Becca here.” Emma’s gaze held his as she watched him.
“So you’d look for work in Stillwater near Becca?” The thought of having Emma around
on a permanent basis had Logan’s heart pounding.
on a permanent basis had Logan’s heart pounding.
“Yeah, probably. Stillwater or somewhere close. Or I could work from home for a while.
I can probably get plenty of freelance jobs online.”
I can probably get plenty of freelance jobs online.”
“You’d really be okay with leaving New York?”
“Yes.” Emma bit her lower lip. “Would you be okay with having me around?”
Was she really worried about that? The question explained her nervous behavior but
not why in the world she would be concerned he wouldn’t want her around.
not why in the world she would be concerned he wouldn’t want her around.
“Are you crazy?” Logan rested his hands on her shoulders, letting his thumbs cup her
face. “I’d love it.”
face. “I’d love it.”
“So I guess we should be heading home now.” Tuck announced the return of the group
a little louder than was necessary, probably to warn Logan that he and Emma were about
to be interrupted.
a little louder than was necessary, probably to warn Logan that he and Emma were about
to be interrupted.
“I’ll go home with you.” Logan dropped his hold on Emma, just as a customer walked
into the store.
into the store.
“You open? The sign says
Closed,
but I saw customers.”
Closed,
but I saw customers.”
Crap. He needed to keep that door locked. “Actually—”
“Logan, stay and help this gentleman. We’re okay on our own. Really.” His mom dismissed
the offer and turned to the man hovering in the doorway, looking uncertain. “Come
on in. Look around. Let us know if we can help you with anything.”
the offer and turned to the man hovering in the doorway, looking uncertain. “Come
on in. Look around. Let us know if we can help you with anything.”
Logan waited for the customer to move to the back of the store, then moved closer
to his mother and father. “I want to be home to help with the wheelchair—”
to his mother and father. “I want to be home to help with the wheelchair—”
Tuck held up a hand to stop Logan. “We’re good. I had a lesson with the physical therapist
on how to best get both him and the chair in and out of the car. I’ve got it covered.
And the ramp is ready at the house. We’re good. He’ll be there inside waiting for
you when you can get away.”
on how to best get both him and the chair in and out of the car. I’ve got it covered.
And the ramp is ready at the house. We’re good. He’ll be there inside waiting for
you when you can get away.”
“We’re fine, dear. We’ll see you at dinner.” Logan’s mother turned toward Emma. “Both
of you. I’d love it if you could join us, Emma.”
of you. I’d love it if you could join us, Emma.”
“I’d like that. Thank you.” Emma smiled.
“Good. We’ll see you later.” Logan’s mother pushed open the door and held it wide.
Tuck sent Logan a satisfied nod. “See ya.”
A customer, an ongoing mystery, and now, possibly, a girlfriend living right in his
town—Logan had trouble keeping up with it all.
town—Logan had trouble keeping up with it all.
Once their sole customer had left, promising to be back again soon, with his wife
next time, Logan was left alone again with Emma.
next time, Logan was left alone again with Emma.
He moved to the door and turned the key in the lock. He turned to see Emma had followed
him.
him.
She glanced at the key in his hand. “You’re not going to get any more business like
that.”
that.”
“Maybe I don’t want any more business today.” His head had been spinning with plans
since Emma’s revelation about moving.
since Emma’s revelation about moving.
“I understand. You want to get home to your dad.”
“I do. Soon. But right now, I want some time alone with you.” He tugged on her hand.
“Come on in back. I don’t want any more customers seeing us through the windows. I’m
not going to attack you. I promise.”
“Come on in back. I don’t want any more customers seeing us through the windows. I’m
not going to attack you. I promise.”
“I don’t like the sound of that.” A frown knit her brow. “Why aren’t you going to
attack me?”
attack me?”
Logan laughed. “Because I want to talk.”
He lifted her onto the workbench and Emma’s brow rose as she braced her hands on his
shoulders. “You sure?”
shoulders. “You sure?”
“Yes. Don’t get any ideas. I just want you to sit so we can talk eye to eye.” With
his hands around her waist, it might have been an effort to stay focused if this conversation
wasn’t so important to him. “So tell me, seriously, are you really thinking about
moving here?”
his hands around her waist, it might have been an effort to stay focused if this conversation
wasn’t so important to him. “So tell me, seriously, are you really thinking about
moving here?”
“Yes.”
“Okay.” It was hard to control his smile. “Well, if you do, I thought since Becca
and Tuck are newlyweds, you could stay with me. You know, while you look for a job
or a place . . . Or maybe for longer.”
and Tuck are newlyweds, you could stay with me. You know, while you look for a job
or a place . . . Or maybe for longer.”
“Longer?” That watchful look was back in Emma’s eyes again.
“Mmm, hmm.” Yeah, Logan was suggesting she move in with him, and yeah, it was much
too soon in the relationship for that. But then again, it was long overdue that he
found someone he wanted to get serious with. He’d found Emma late in his life, and
he wasn’t going to waste any more time.
too soon in the relationship for that. But then again, it was long overdue that he
found someone he wanted to get serious with. He’d found Emma late in his life, and
he wasn’t going to waste any more time.
It was all a little overwhelming. Even Emma looked affected by the enormity of what
he’d suggested. They could talk about this more later, after it had sunk in for both
of them. Now, while he and Emma had a few stolen moments of privacy before they had
to be surrounded by family and friends again, he intended to take advantage of it.
he’d suggested. They could talk about this more later, after it had sunk in for both
of them. Now, while he and Emma had a few stolen moments of privacy before they had
to be surrounded by family and friends again, he intended to take advantage of it.
He leaned in, intent on kissing her tempting lips, but Emma held him back with one
hand and pressed the other one to her mouth. She swallowed hard as her brow furrowed.
hand and pressed the other one to her mouth. She swallowed hard as her brow furrowed.
“You all right?” Logan watched as the usual healthy glow of her creamy skin turned
pale.
pale.
“Do you still have a package of those crackers from my soup the other day?”
“Uh, yeah. I left them over by the coffee machine. Hang on.” With one last concerned
look at the wobbly woman seated in front of him, Logan turned and grabbed the crackers,
quick before she toppled off the workbench where he’d set her.
look at the wobbly woman seated in front of him, Logan turned and grabbed the crackers,
quick before she toppled off the workbench where he’d set her.
When she didn’t look able to do it herself, he tore into the cellophane wrapping and
handed one to her. She took it and nibbled off a corner. Emma raised her gaze to meet
his. “I’m sorry.”
handed one to her. She took it and nibbled off a corner. Emma raised her gaze to meet
his. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t you dare apologize. Once again I worked you through lunch.” Logan should have
known better. It was more than obvious now that Emma didn’t do well unless she ate
regularly. He wouldn’t forget it again. “I’ll get you a glass of water.”
known better. It was more than obvious now that Emma didn’t do well unless she ate
regularly. He wouldn’t forget it again. “I’ll get you a glass of water.”
Her frown deepened as she swallowed another bit of cracker. “No. No water.”
“All right. We should head out. Get you something to eat to hold you over until dinner.”
He eyed the remains of the cracker she was chewing. “Finish that and let’s get you
in the truck.”
He eyed the remains of the cracker she was chewing. “Finish that and let’s get you
in the truck.”
“Maybe give me a few minutes. I’m not sure I can take a ride in the truck right now.
If that’s all right?”
If that’s all right?”
“Of course, it’s all right.” Logan hated that he’d done this to her. Not once, but
twice in one week. “Emma, please. If I ever forget to break for lunch again, you have
to remind me you need to eat. You help me so much. You have to let me take care of
you. Okay?”
twice in one week. “Emma, please. If I ever forget to break for lunch again, you have
to remind me you need to eat. You help me so much. You have to let me take care of
you. Okay?”
“Okay, I will.” She dipped her head, more compliant than he’d ever seen her.
“Good.” The thought that he’d be the one taking care of Emma appealed to Logan. More
than he’d ever imagined it would.
than he’d ever imagined it would.
“So what do you do in New York, Emma?” Mrs. Hunt asked from her seat across the dining
room table.
room table.
“I’m a graphic designer. It’s a lot of computer work.” Emma put down her fork and
instead reached for a dinner roll. “But I really enjoy the creative parts of my job.”
instead reached for a dinner roll. “But I really enjoy the creative parts of my job.”
As delicious as Logan’s mother’s homemade chili looked, Emma’s stomach had yet to
recover from the roller coaster ride it had taken her on this afternoon. There was
no way the spicy, fat-laden beef dish would sit well. Couldn’t Emma do anything the
normal way? She must be the only pregnant woman in history who got morning sickness
in the afternoon.
recover from the roller coaster ride it had taken her on this afternoon. There was
no way the spicy, fat-laden beef dish would sit well. Couldn’t Emma do anything the
normal way? She must be the only pregnant woman in history who got morning sickness
in the afternoon.
“Then I’m not surprised you’re so artistic. Your signs are beautiful.” Mrs. Hunt made
small talk while she lifted another spoonful of food to her husband’s mouth.
small talk while she lifted another spoonful of food to her husband’s mouth.
The man looked appalled to be spoon fed, especially in front of a stranger. It made
the full impact of the situation Logan had faced for over a month now very clear to
Emma.
the full impact of the situation Logan had faced for over a month now very clear to
Emma.
Emma kept up her half of the conversation, taking a cue from Logan’s mother by pretending
everything was perfectly normal. As if Mr. Hunt, a once healthy adult man, wasn’t
being spoon fed like a baby. As if Emma wasn’t about to completely change Logan’s
life with those two simple words that weighed on her like lead—
I’m pregnant.
As if she wasn’t holding down the small amount of food in her stomach by sheer force
of will.
everything was perfectly normal. As if Mr. Hunt, a once healthy adult man, wasn’t
being spoon fed like a baby. As if Emma wasn’t about to completely change Logan’s
life with those two simple words that weighed on her like lead—
I’m pregnant.
As if she wasn’t holding down the small amount of food in her stomach by sheer force
of will.
Emma glanced at Logan and found him watching her. She shook herself out of her morose
thoughts and kept her polite face in place. “Thank you, but the signs were nothing.
I just went on Becca’s laptop and chose a font that I thought would match the style
and the feel of the store. Then penciled it onto the wood and slapped on some old
paint I found in the Jenkins garage.”
thoughts and kept her polite face in place. “Thank you, but the signs were nothing.
I just went on Becca’s laptop and chose a font that I thought would match the style
and the feel of the store. Then penciled it onto the wood and slapped on some old
paint I found in the Jenkins garage.”
“You’re being modest, but since you’re our guest, I’ll let it go.” Logan laughed.
“Can I get you a drink? There’s some beer in the fridge.”
“Can I get you a drink? There’s some beer in the fridge.”
“There’s even wine. Logan, go get a bottle out of the pantry and open it so we can
celebrate your father being home.” Mrs. Hunt turned to Emma. “The Jenkinses insisted
I take a few bottles of the leftovers from the wedding and of course, we haven’t had
the time to drink any of it.”
celebrate your father being home.” Mrs. Hunt turned to Emma. “The Jenkinses insisted
I take a few bottles of the leftovers from the wedding and of course, we haven’t had
the time to drink any of it.”
“Sounds good to me. I can do wine.” Logan stood.
He’d already taken a step toward the door when Emma said, “Just water for me.”
“Really? I thought Becca said you love wine.”
“Yeah, I do. Just not tonight.”
“We have sweet tea, if you’d rather,” Mrs. Hunt offered.
“Just water is fine. Thank you.”
“All right. Water it is.”
Emma allowed herself a breath when Logan left the room and she wasn’t under his scrutiny
any longer. She glanced at his parents in time to see Mrs. Hunt lift a napkin to wipe
a dribble of chili off his father’s chin.
any longer. She glanced at his parents in time to see Mrs. Hunt lift a napkin to wipe
a dribble of chili off his father’s chin.
She needed to tell Logan, but how in the world could she add one more thing to his
already overloaded plate? At least one thing remained a constant in Emma’s life—her
timing, as usual, sucked.
already overloaded plate? At least one thing remained a constant in Emma’s life—her
timing, as usual, sucked.
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