Page 93 of Under the Mistletoe
Logan’s head jerked up. Talk about right turns in the conversation. He half shrugged. “It took too much power.”
“Close, but no. You were very clear that she didn’t have the strength because she tried to do it on herownpower. She even emphasizes to Astryn that that power belongs to Origin and Origin alone. The stone is a conduit that Origin can use, but the stone doesn’t have power, and neither does Astryn.”
When he just blinked, she gripped the arms of the chair. “You don’t even realize that you wrote the solution to save Rand and save Victor Holt into your story. Go to the source! Astryn needs to trust in Origin’s power to save Rand. And if something feels too big, you, Logan, need to go back to the source. If your story keeps failing, go to God and ask Him for the right story. If you don’t know how to love and lead kids, then ask Him.”
“Don’t you think I have been asking?”
“I don’t claim to know why He answers sometimes and why He remains silent sometimes. All I do know is that God didn’t give you a dream to yank it away at the first hint of failure. He gave it to you because He wants to know you and you to know Him.”
He picked up the papers and riffled through them. “You really think the ending is that bad?”
“It isn’t bad because of what happens—it’s bittersweet, but I can live with it. It’s bad because it’s flat and lifeless, and I’m guessing not a lot of time or heart was put into it.”
“Guilty.” He dropped the paper back on the coffee table and ran his fingers roughly through his hair.
She stood and walked to the door. “I have to head back.”
“You’re leaving already?” He stood and followed her.
“I have a dance to prepare for. I just came up here because I refused to let you throw away your career because you felt unworthy. You’re not.”
“About us. I was?—”
“No.”
Everything in him turned cold. “No?”
“I love you. And I have for a long time. But this is the second time you retreated when things got rough. You didn’t even trust I knew my own heart.”
“I know I was dumb about Greyson. I?—”
“But don’t you see? First it was Liam between us, then Victor Holt was between us, now this. There will always be things that can come between us if you let them. If you don’t trust and really believe that I love you, I can’t spend my life trying to convince you that you’re enough for me. I won’t fight for you—for us—alone.”
Before he could answer, she slipped out the door and hurried down to Liam’s old Bronco. Everything in him itched to go after her. To beg her to stay. To promise to do better. But she didn’t want him to promise to do better. She wanted to see him do better. She wanted him to fight. Fight for his story. Fight for her.
You don’t even realize that you wrote the solution to save Rand and save Victor Holt into your story…Astryn needs to trust in Origin’s power to save Rand.She was right, he hadn’t even realized that he’d woven it in. God had started showing up long before today. In fact, if Logan took stock of his life, God had shown up again and again. Not because Logan was perfect, but because he was loved. Because he was enough for God. And Devin was right, it was time to trust that He would show up again and again.
A plan began to form. He picked up the papers again and carried them to his laptop. He settled into the chair and let his fingers hover over the keys.Okay, God. I got nothing. I need You to show up. Again.
* * *
Funny thing about going after what he wanted, Logan wanted it all right now. Patience had never been such a struggle. Logan turned his Bronco into his parents’ driveway and resisted the urge to drive to the heart of town and track Devin down. He had every intention of doing that, but this was about more than Devin. He knew that, and she knew it too. It was about him reclaiming who he was meant to be. It was about trusting that if God led him somewhere, God would see him through.
Logan shoved the Bronco into park and opened his laptop. Maybe he should go in, but first he wanted to respond to the four writing samples of potential ghostwriters that had arrived in his inbox as he was driving down.
Sandy, Thank you for taking the time to send me these. I appreciate all you have given to this series. But I have decided this isn’t the way I want to go. I don’t have the fourth book figured out yet, but I will. And it will be the best book yet, you can count on that. Let’s talk after the New Year. Logan.
He sent it, then sent the new final chapter to Christina before climbing out of his vehicle and letting Cal free from the back. He grabbed his bag from the passenger seat, then hurried up the porch, offering two quick knocks before walking in. “Hello?”
“Logan.” His mom came around the corner, wiping her hands on a dish towel. Her face splitting into a smile upon seeing him. She gave him a quick hug and dropped a kiss on his cheek.
“Thanks, Mom.” He set his bag by the door and pulled her back for a longer hug.
“Of course.” She patted his arm. “It’s what mothers do.”
He leaned back but didn’t drop his arms. “No, really. Thank you for coming up there. Thank you for never giving up on me. Thank you for always making us kids a priority.”
Moisture gathered in her eyes. “You four kids are my greatest accomplishment. Every one of you brings something unique and special into this family. Liam brings the humor and adventure, Luke brings a steady peace and strength, Libby brings color and joy. You, my son, bring truth and light to everyone around you. It’s been a little darker without you around, and I’m glad you are back.”
