secret. So thanks, for what you did today. For distracting them after my shot. Just...thanks.”
Logan grabs his bag again and shame heats my face and it’s not an emotion I’m used to. It’s a sickening feeling and I’m experiencing it because I’ve hurt Logan’s pride. “Logan.”
But he ignores me.
“Logan!” And when he won’t stop, I fall into step with him and place my fingers on his bicep. “Logan, please stop.”
He does, halting so quickly that I almost ram into him. We’re at the barn door and he stares out into the night.
Logan’s done what I wanted, but I’m paralyzed. Talking, convincing people to stay, giving words to my emotions—that’s not something I’m used to. Not something I’m sure how to do. “I was mad...at Chris for stepping in and...I am mad...at you...for telling everyone...but then I’m not...and...”
“Be quiet, Abby.”
He’s angry. Logan should be angry. I cut him down...proved why he never wanted to share what he did... I thought leaving him or him leaving me was what I desired, but there’s this desperation I can’t shake. “Just listen...this isn’t easy...”
“I mean it,” he says in a harsh whisper. “Stop talking.”
“You’re serious?” Panic wells up inside me. “This is when you give up on me? This moment...one stupid moment...I’m telling you I’m sorry...”
Dizziness overwhelms me and heat rushes up my neck, to my face and blasts me in such a way that causes my throat to swell shut. I don’t tell people I’m sorry. I don’t apologize and when I do, it’s too late.
Never did I think Logan would give up on me...not when he showed up on my staircase after I tried to shove him away, not after that kiss on my bed. In the back of my mind, no—in the depth of my soul—I always thought he’d be there, just like he said, to catch me when I fall...
...and Logan and I both know how long and tough my falls are.
“I didn’t mean what I said,” I rush out before he can stop me again. “You’re right, I care about you. A lot.”
I sway with the words and a hand crashes to my heart. I love him. Oh, God, I do love him. This isn’t falling. This isn’t a maybe. This is love and I’m not allowed to love anyone else. There’s only room for Grams.
Logan finally looks over at me and the frustration that had marred his beautiful dark eyes is gone. He reaches up and tucks my hair behind my shoulder. When his fingers feather against my face pleasing chills trickle down my spine. Like we’re in sync, I lean my cheek into him and Logan cups my face with his hand.
He tilts his head to the yard. “I didn’t want you to scare the bunnies.”
I blink and a sweep of his thumb across my face shakes me back to life. “What?”
“Look.” Logan drops his hand but then slips his arm around my waist and slides behind me so that his front warms my back. His head is against mine, his breath billows through the stands of my hair and I have goose bumps. Me, I have the good, pleasing type of goose bumps.
I lick my dry lips and try to see what Logan suggested is there. At first, all I see is dark—blackness, but with a few blinks and a track of a movement to my right, I see an ear then another then two more. My heart pounds and excitement tickles my bloodstream. Bunnies. The yard in front of the barn is filled with bunnies. They’re brown and furry and the urge is to rush out, grab one, and squish it to my face.
“It’s Timothy hay,” he whispers, referring to the bales behind us. “It’s sweet to them. I wonder how long they’ve been stalking us.”
While the guys were taking the bales off the trailer, loose pieces of hay fell to the ground and now lots of the joyous critters are partaking in a free meal. Just when I couldn’t love bunnies more, I do—they also appreciate being a scavenger. Beautiful little scavengers.
Logan locks his arms around me and I wrap my arms around his, enjoying this hug, enjoying his hold. He turns his head, nuzzling his nose into my hair. “Abby?”
I close my eyes and breathe in to calm the thundering in my soul. “Yes?”
“You know I care for you, too.”
I squeeze his arms and Logan places a slow kiss against the side of my head.
“I’m sorry,” I say. “For what I said...” For