Page 31 of Shattered
As much as I loved my son I welcomed the silence that followed after he fell asleep. I'd just put him in bed and silenced the cartoons when a knock sounded. That uneasy feeling I tried to ignore all day long, made its presence known again.
Scolding myself for my silliness I walked over to the door and checked the peephole. I was smiling before I opened up to reveal Logan and Dozer standing on my porch. As much as I didn't want to admit it, him there was precisely what I needed.
"I hope you don't mind," Logan said in lieu of a greeting. "But instead of calling, I thought I'd drop by and cook for you and the little man."
"And if I minded?" Still smiling at him, I folded my arms and leaned my shoulder against the doorframe.
Logan took a few seconds to think his answer over and eventually came up with, "Well then, Sugar, I'd have to find some creative way to make you change your mind." As if that sentence didn't already have my insides melting he had to go and pair it with that full-on smile of his.
We locked eyes and I knew that he knew he had me. But instead of showing him how right he was, I shrugged my shoulders and took a step back. "I guess you'd better come in then."
When he walked past me I took a deep breath, taking that uniquely Logan scent straight to my lungs and then I crouched to greet his over-excited pup. Scratching behind the dog's ears, I looked up at Logan.
"I can't believe how well he has adapted. Usually, strays take their time warming up to people and even longer to trust them. But this one looks like he'll follow you to the ends of the earth."
Logan ran his palm over the back of his neck and then casually lifted his shoulder. "Maybe we're just kindred spirits?"
I felt the frown form on my forehead as I tried to make sense of what he'd just said. I didn't get very far though because Dozer chose that moment to rain doggy-kisses down on me. My butt made contact with the hard floor as I fell backward, my laughter bubbling up of its own accord.
Just as I couldn't take anymore Logan pulled the pup off of me—much like he had a few weeks ago. "Whoa there, buddy. I should be kissing the pretty lady, not you." Still holding onto Dozer Logan turned his attention to me, "I'm gonna let him loose in your backyard, that okay with you?"
I nodded my head and took my time getting to my feet when he disappeared to let the dog out. I spotted his discarded bag and decided to take it to the kitchen. I set it down on the counter just as he closed the back door behind him.
"So what are you planning on feeding us?"
Logan grinned as he ambled toward me, "Pizza, but I lied. I'm not making it."
I scrunched up my nose and waited until he stopped next to me. "You're not?"
"Nope," he pulled the bag to him and started unpacking it. "We are. All three of us. I thought it would be fun for Flynn to help knead the dough."
Somebody help me.
My heart and everything else just melted into a puddle at this man's feet. I dared not to show him, though. With a quick'That's a great idea'I turned to the fridge and pulled out two beers. After handing him one, I swallowed down almost half mine in one go.
"Thirsty?"
I looked over to find him studying me with amusement. "Mmm hmm," was all I could manage because apparently, my brain was a bit slow to respond again.
"Logan!" Flynn's cheery voice saved me from what might've turned into an embarrassing moment.
"Hey, buddy."
Logan abandoned his beer in favor of giving Flynn a high-five and questioning him about his day. I was silent as I witnessed the interaction between them, quickly realizing that it was too late for Flynn not to get attached.
It was evident in the way his face lit up that he already thought the man hung the moon. I was treading very dangerous waters here, and I just hoped and prayed that my little boy's heart wouldn't break when we eventually moved on.
Because wewouldbe moving on.
I wasn't looking to start a family and put down roots, I couldn't afford to. Not as long as Drew was still out there looking for me.
"Aw, cool." Flynn's overjoyed squeal brought my attention back to the present. Burying the gloomy thoughts, I forced a smile and asked Flynn, "And what's so cool."
I was rewarded with the biggest toothy smile before he answered, "Logan brought some superhero movies and ice cream for after dinner." Childlike excitement burning bright in his blue eyes.
"Did he now?" Instead of addressing my son, I directed my question at Logan who was pushing to his feet and trying very hard to hide his own smile. He was a sneaky one; he knew I wouldn't be able to send him home after dinner now.
A couple of minutes later I was assigned the duty of chopping the peppers and mushrooms for the pizza while the boys got their hands dirty by preparing the dough. From my vantage point, I had the perfect view of the pair of them without having to make it obvious that I was studying them.
