Page 56 of A Ferry Merry Christmas
“That’s my best Christmas present ever. And next year, I want you and Mommy to give me a little sister.”
The blood drained from Logan’s face, and he chuckled.
“All in good time,” Beth told her daughter, smiling herself.
Logan reached for her hand and gave it a squeeze. “I’d like that, too.”
“Me, too,” Beth said, nearly bursting with all the love she felt for her husband.
While Logan helped Olivia out of the rear seat, Beth collected the sweet-potato dish. It was a family favorite and something she could contribute for their dinner. Josie, her younger sister, who was home from college, threw open the front door and raced down the sidewalk to greet them. Keith, Beth’s older brother, was spending Christmas with his wife’s family.
“Aunt Josie, Aunt Josie, Santa brought me an iPad and socks and a Christmas dress. See?” Olivia whirled around, the bright red skirt flaring out as she turned two full circles. “Isn’t it pretty?”
“It’s beautiful and so are you.”
“I know,” Olivia said, as if it were a well-known fact. “My daddy tells me that all the time.”
Beth’s sister laughed and hugged Olivia. Taking hold of Olivia’s hand, she smiled at Logan. “Good to see you, Logan. Merry Christmas.”
From the warmth of her sister’s greeting, some of the stress seemed to leave his shoulders.
Logan stood beside Beth. “I’ll carry that,” he said, removing the casserole dish from her hands. Olivia and Josie were already inside the house. When Beth arrived, Olivia was entertaining hergrandpa, showing off her Christmas dress, dancing around like she was part of a ballet.
Beth followed Logan into the kitchen, where her mother was busy preparing dinner.
Her mother’s eyes lit up when she saw Logan.
“Where would you like this?” he asked, already feeling uncomfortable.
Her mother dried her hands on her apron and pointed to the counter. “Set it over there. How long does it need to be in the oven?”
“Thirty minutes,” Beth supplied. “At 350.”
“Got it.” She walked over to Logan. “It’s good to see you, Logan.”
And then, to his surprise, she opened her arms wide and hugged him tightly. “I hope you know you broke our daughter’s heart,” she whispered in his ear.
Logan swallowed hard and nodded. “I do, and I have no intention of doing it again.”
“Then we’re good,” Irene said, and released him.
Logan nodded and swallowed tightly, his eyes full of emotion. “Thank you for agreeing to let me come for Christmas,” he said, and his voice grew hoarse with emotion.
“No need to thank us,” she continued. “You’re family.”
Family.He had a family, a real one, with love and acceptance. He’d been a fool to turn his back on the very thing he most craved.
“Dinner will be ready soon,” Irene said, as she returned to cutting the fresh fruit for the salad.
“What can I do to help?” Beth asked.
Logan left the women in the kitchen and wandered into the family room, where Grant, Beth’s father, was being entertained by Olivia.
A football game played on the television, and not knowing what else to do, Logan sat in the chair next to Grant. When Logan first met Beth’s family, he’d half expected them to tell their daughter she could do better. Likely the only reason they didn’t was because it was clear how deeply he loved Beth. God knew he was crazy about her. Then and now. Even more so now.
They’d met when he signed up for a night class in marketing. He first saw Beth in the school library and couldn’t take his eyes off her. It took three weeks before he found the courage to ask her out for coffee. It stunned him when she agreed.
That night they’d talked for hours. Soon they met after class, and she helped him study. When he passed both courses with high grades, she’d thrown her arms around him, and they kissed. Logan thought he’d gone to heaven, he was so in love with this vivacious, beautiful woman.
