Page 45 of Her Cowboy Blind Date

“I will.” Could she have a future with Sam?

“Back to Logan. What’s going on with him?”

“He expects the paps to turn up anytime. He’s trying to protect my privacy.” Unlike Jarrod.

“You’ve been photographed with Logan. That could be a problem.”

“I know.” Too many photos of her with Jarrod and Logan in Sydney and Byron Bay. Photos that included Logan’s casual flings, the girls who’d used Logan to further their modeling and influencer ambitions.

Her January vacation in Byron Bay last year was the beginning of the end of her relationship with Jarrod. His lies had started to unravel, and his double life had been exposed by the paps he’d tried to woo to improve his acting career and celebrity status.

“What are you going to do, Bek? If you’re photographed with Logan, the world will know you’re in Gilead.”

“I’ll be careful. Please pray. I want to support Logan. He’s a baby Christian who needs Christian friends. John Johnson’s the mentor who introduced him to Jesus.”

“That’s a cool story. I hope Logan shares it with the world soon.”

“Me too. But it’s Logan’s story to tell when he’s ready. I have to keep his secret. I can’t tell Cindy. I can’t even tell Sam.”

“That’s rough. Hiding stuff from Sam isn’t a good idea.”

“I don’t have a choice. I promised Logan.”

“I’ll be praying.”

“Thanks. I need your prayers.” Mel would let her know if she heard anything about Logan Miles. Becky loved both of her sisters, but she couldn’t trust Kelly with this secret. There was no need to involve Mum and Dad. Or Zach and Billie. She prayed Logan would continue to find peace in Gilead.

CHAPTER 10

The next day, Becky finished her last Friday afternoon class and dashed back to her dorm. She changed into sweats and pulled a gray hoodie over her head. Logan had lined up a meeting near the petting zoo to talk about the fact he’d been recognized.

She grabbed a new pair of sunglasses and headed out before her dorm friends had a chance to sidetrack her. The petting zoo was an ideal place to meet. Tourists gathered there. The adults would be watching their kids and the animals rather than the people around them.

A second walk today was good for her health. Better than the gym. She took the long route with fewer people on the path and mingled with the small crowd at the petting zoo. A group of cute kids surrounded the donkeys. Parents had their phones out, snapping photos. She stayed on the edge of the crowd, stepping back to allow newcomers to take a closer look.

Logan appeared beside her. She ignored him, waiting for him to break the silence.

He pointed at the donkeys. “Here’s the plan. I’ll hold your hand and we’ll act like a couple. Follow my lead, and we’ll go to the pond on campus.”

“Okay.” Logan had done his homework. There was a bench seat shaded by a tree where they could talk without being overheard.

Logan touched her fingertips and settled his hand over hers. She felt nothing. No tingles. No hint of attraction. It was like holding her father’s hand or brother’s hand. A polar opposite experience to holding Sam’s hand.

Her stomach lurched. What would Sam think if he caught her holding hands with Logan? Her life was upside down crazy.

Logan tugged her hand and she followed, falling into step beside him.

“Are you okay with the hand holding?” he asked.

“Yeah. As long as you’re not hitting on me.” It had to be said. Boundaries were important.

He chuckled. “You’re the first female to say that to me in a long time.”

“Get used to it, buddy. I speak my mind.” Therapy had helped build her self-confidence.

“Good for you.” He loosened his grip on her hand. “Sam’s a lucky guy. I’m not in the right headspace to think about romantic relationships.”

“That’s fair.” She smiled and nodded at the people they passed. She didn’t recognize anyone. Thankfully. More importantly, no one stopped or looked like they’d recognized her.

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