Page 70 of Bittersweet

“How are they doing?” Gary asked.

“Okay, I think. Naya seems affected.” He spoke quietly so his voice wouldn’t travel to the other room. “I’m not sure if that’s a good or bad thing.”

“Give her time to ease into it. I’m sure it’s a lot of adjustment after where she’s been all these years.”

Logan nodded.

“I know that look.” Gary removed his reading glasses.

“What look?”

“You’re worried.”

“Not worried. Just … I don’t know how to feel right now.”

“You all need time.”

“I guess.”

Gary gave him a look of concern. “What is it? There’s more you’re not saying.”

“Harper offered to have me work at her shop until I can get enough money to fix the food truck.”

“That was nice of her.”

“Yeah.”

Gary’s brow creased. “Talk to me.”

“I want to say yes. I miss her so much, and it’s only been a couple weeks. But she’s not going to be able to pay me much more than enough to live on, and there’s no way I could fix the truck on that kind of salary.”

“Do you have to fix the truck?”

“It’s my business. My income. My livelihood. Why would I not fix it?”

“Maybe you’re looking at this from the wrong perspective.”

“What does that mean?”

“Maybe the truck was meant to lead you back to the woman you love. Maybe its purpose has been fulfilled. What would be so wrong with working with Harper?”

Logan didn’t say anything. He heard what Gary was saying, and it all made sense to him, but something was holding him back. He wanted to fix the truck. It was his dream. Their dream. He couldn’t let that die.

“Logan.”

“I want to do what’s best for everyone. If I go back to Grand Rapids, it will make it harder for Kayla to see her mom. If I leave now, it’s like I’m giving up.”

“Says who?”

Logan sat expressionless.

“Nobody says you have to stay here. Visitation can be worked out. The job situation will work out. The food truck will either get fixed or it won’t. But don’t let your pride keep you from what you really want.”

A lump formed in his throat as he looked at this man who had opened up his home and taken in a sixteen-year old delinquent and loved him like he was his own child. Logan would not be the man he was now if not for the selfless love of this man and his wife. They were his parents in the true sense of the word. They had given him shelter and guidance and love without condition, without asking anything from him in return. If it weren’t for them, he probably would have ended up just like Naya—or worse. He owed them his life, and his chin began to quiver as he held back tears.

Gary reached across the table and squeezed his hand.

“Thanks, Dad.”

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