Page 24 of Fighting Happily Ever After

Hope only laughed and held out her arms for Stephanie Starz, who gave her a big hug, as if they were long-lost friends.

“I feel like I already know you,” Steph said. “Everyone here has been so lovely.”

“Yes,” Hope said. “Faith is definitely full of the spirit of love these days.”

Yup, Faith was going to straight up kill her sister as soon as they were alone.

“And that’s why I’ve decided to have the wedding right away.” Stephanie blurted it out before Faith could even try to break the news that she’d once again taken on a rush wedding. It was starting to become her unintended specialty. “Faith said that as soon as Dax gets here on Wednesday, we can do the ceremony—”

“This Wednesday?” Logan turned around from his cooking at the stove and raised his eyebrows. “Is that right?”

“We don’t have anything on Thursday, so…” Faith shrugged. There was nothing she could say.

“Well, if anyone can pull it off, it’s my sister.” Hope grinned and shook her head before turning back to Stephanie. “Now tell me all about Dax and your wedding.”

She left the two ladies to get to know each other a little and went to help Logan with the pancakes.

“Another super-fast wedding?” He raised an eyebrow as she got near. “You really are a glutton for punishment.”

That statement could be interpreted so many ways when it came to Logan. Faith opted to ignore him and change the subject. “The pancakes smell great,” she told him honestly. He really was an amazing chef. He’d only been staying there for a few days, and she was already sure her pants were fitting a little tighter.

“I made them with love.” Logan couldn’t even get the words out with a straight face before he was laughing, too.

Everyone was a comedian.

She shook her head, but before she could leave, Logan stuck a small piece of pancake in her mouth. Light, fluffy, and perfect. She nodded with a smile. “Yum. It’s—”

“Missing sugar.”

“Sugar?”

Logan pressed his lips to hers, wrapped an arm around her waist and dipped her low, right there in the kitchen in front of everyone, which, she realized belatedly, was the point.

“That’s exactly what I’m talking about,” she heard her sister say as Logan set her up on her feet again. “They’re both fully possessed by the spirit of love.”

Faith swallowed back her groan, satisfied that her family was having enough fun for everyone at her expense. “Let’s eat.”

“This really is delicious.” Stephanie had filled her plate with her second helping of pancakes, topping them with a healthy dose of maple syrup.

Logan couldn’t help but be impressed with her appetite and he didn’t bother to hide his look of surprise.

Catching the way he was looking at her, Stephanie laughed. “I’m sorry.” She blushed. “I know I’m making a pig of myself, but it’s really that good. I can’t remember the last time I had homemade pancakes. Or really, pancakes at all. And a home-cooked meal? Well, that was even longer.”

“It’s okay.” Logan waved his fork. “I’m just glad you’re enjoying it. And if it’s home cooked you’re looking for, we should have you over to the Langdon ranch for a proper roast beef dinner. My mom makes an absolutely perfect Yorkshire pudding.”

Her eyes lit up with genuine excitement. “Really? I would love that.” As soon as the words came out of her mouth, her smile fell from her face. “Sorry. I don’t mean to come off so eager, but it’s just—”

“It’s just that you love hanging out with us so much,” Faith cut her off. “And we love hanging out with you.” Her smile was warm and totally genuine and within seconds, whatever unease Stephanie was feeling seemed to be gone again.

“I’m so glad because I really can’t remember the last time I’ve enjoyed myself so much. Honestly. I know it must seem so crazy.”

“It does,” Levi said. “I mean, you must have been all over the world.”

Stephanie nodded.

“And seen so much.”

She nodded again.

---