Pistol Whipped - Ashley Bostock Page 0,21

contrast to his father today. His uncle would barter services with folks, having the local welder fix a corral on his property in exchange for filing documents to the state on the welder’s behalf. Every summer, for those short two weeks he’d spent with Uncle Chuck, Logan learned the value of friendship, the importance of community and the ethics of business – something he didn’t necessarily experience when he was inside Jack’s offices in the city.

Every summer there was something Logan learned about the relationship his uncle had with the people of that town, which proved to Logan what the value was of being part of a close-knit community. It proved to him that a simple deed done by one single man, could change an entire person’s life and that is what he wanted to do. A lawyer like his uncle is who he wanted to be.

He hadn’t competed in sports because he was too busy making sure his homework was above quality. He had been Valedictorian for their graduating class, and had taken part in various clubs and organizations, from National Honor Society in high school to serving on the Student Governing Board in college. All of his life, he did everything the best he could – anything below excellent was unacceptable. Not so much from his mother’s standpoint as his and his father’s. This is why it killed Jack that Logan was wasting his talents serving people in a small town. He could be moving on doing bigger and better things in Jack’s point of view.

Hustle and bustle were not part of Logan’s repertoire. Blame that on Colorado maybe. Blame that on the jaded view he got visiting his Uncle Chuck. But enjoying Manhattan every summer was entirely different from enjoying it daily for the rest of your life.

“Are you coming?” Gabriella brought him out of his daydream.

“Let’s go.”

Forced to find a spot along the street, the threesome made their way to Marilyn and Blake’s house. Located in the old downtown district of Windsor, it was a hundred-year-old home that had been updated with modernity. Walking up the steps to the front door, they were immediately greeted by a chocolate lab that found it his business to stick his nose in between their legs, looking for attention.

“Why hello you. Aren’t you pretty?”

“Their new dog?” Brandi asked. “What is it with domesticated people? They get married and boom,” she clapped her hands, “they’ve got to get an animal.”

“I know. You know when you get married, you get sucked into that family life,” joked Gabriella. “Not that I know from experience,” she added quietly.

Logan rolled his eyes. “I didn’t have a dog growing up.”

“No, just the perfect family.” She stuck her tongue out at him.

Logan shook his head. “Just get inside.” He nudged her butt with his hand.

“I am. Quit pushing me.”

“You guys! How are you? I am so glad you could make it. I know, it’s a little small in here but we’re all friendly so I told Blake it wouldn’t matter. Come in, come in. I see you met Chase. He’s our rescue dog we got from the shelter. Here, hugs! You both look fabulous!” Marilyn hugged the girls in one big bear hug.

“Oh, wait for me!” Amber came barreling over, not one to miss the group hug.

“What’s this? You guys didn’t have to bring anything. Oh, it looks delicious. I love Oreos.” Marilyn took the dish from Logan.

“Women, right?” Logan shook Gage’s hand first, then Blake’s. “How you guys doing? Hey Blaze, I didn’t know you were back.”

Blaze’s blondish-brown hair was the same as his twin’s, but his eyes were bright blue. The men shared the same muscular build, roughly the same height—Blaze might be a bit taller—and one could see the beginnings of a tattoo on Blaze’s left bicep. The last time Blaze was here, he was the best man for Blake and Marilyn’s wedding in December. He’d since gone back to Manhattan for his job as an armed bodyguard, working for a wealthy family by watching their two children. He and a few other men provided security services to a variety of causes. Sometimes people called Blaze’s company for security detail at parties or for international purposes when people went away on business.

He trained hard and worked harder.

“I didn’t know I would be back either, but I got injured and can’t do my job so now I’m here.” He shook Logan’s hand. “Nice to see you again.”

“Same here. Although, I hope your injury wasn’t too