Page 37 of Wait for Me

“That you can’t answer—or are not willing to.” Oops. Logan cringed. He waited for Marie to spin around and walk away from his life.

She did not.

He was surprised.

They said nothing more to each other as they climbed the stairs to the upper deck, where they had been the night before. The wind picked up, flapping Logan’s unbuttoned jacket, pulling him this way and that. The wind also spun around Marie’s narrow ankle-length skirt, twisting it up and down her calves.

“Maybe we should go inside,” Logan suggested.

Marie nodded.

The nearest door was to the piano lounge. There were people inside, drinking, laughing, talking. Someone was at the grand piano.

As they entered the area, a couple vacated their corner bench seat. It was tight space, but Marie nodded in that direction, so Logan went for it.

They settled into the corner, hip to hip.

“I don’t know how we can talk here.” Logan chuckled. “I have to turn my neck ninety degrees to see your face.”

Marie glanced at her other shoulder, where a rather large, muscular man had wiggled himself into the seat next to her.

“Maybe we should leave,” Logan whispered in her ear. “Do you want to try my balcony? We’ll pile up with blankets and coats if it gets too windy.”

Marie nodded.

Logan got up first, and pulled Marie to her feet. He decided not to let go of her hand as they made their way to his stateroom.

“We can order some snacks,” Logan suggested.

“Oh, no. I’m too full.” Marie touched her stomach. “Maybe mineral water, but that’s all.”

Logan nodded. Suddenly he remembered that his stateroom was a mess. He was sure the stewards had made his bed a second time while he was at dinner, but he had piles of paperwork and plugged-in laptop strewn all over his table.

Oh well.

“The reason I agreed to go to your room is that we’ve been married before to each other,” Marie said.

“No need to explain. God already knows.”

“I wanted it to be clear toyouthat I’m not asking for a reconciliation.”

Logan was still holding Marie’s hand. “I just want God’s perfect will to be done for our family, especially for Jonas. I’m grateful that you agreed to take time out of your busy schedule to give him this birthday present. He won’t forget it.”

“You?”

“I won’t forget it either. You’re still the mother of my son.” Logan unlocked his stateroom door.

Sure enough, the stewards had made his bed. Everything looked nice and clean, except his messy workspace.

“Can’t get away from work, huh?” Marie smiled. “Still printing out everything, I see.”

“They make small and portable printers these days.”

Marie stepped away from the door so that Logan could close it. “Ever heard of digital documents? Save a tree.”

“I should, but I think better on paper.” Logan opened the small refrigerator below a counter, where the stewards had put a bowl of fresh fruits. “Mineral water, you said?”

Marie nodded.

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