Nana stood and stomped a couple of times, making sure the boots were snug. A thin layer of dirt collected on the floor. “I suppose I could handle things today. Probably be good for me. I’ve been watching too much television anyway.”
Beth tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “Thank you.”
“My pleasure. Just don’t make a habit of it. He’s the best employee we’ve ever had.”
They spent the afternoon wrapped in each other’s arms, making love over and over, and when it was finally time for her to return home—she wanted to be around when Ben got home from school—she was certain that Logan loved her as much as she loved him and that he, too, was beginning to imagine spending the rest of their lives together.
The only thing that marred her perfect happiness was the sense she had that something was bothering him. It wasn’t her—she was sure of that. Nor was it the state of their relationship; the way he acted when they were together made that obvious. It was something else, something she couldn’t put her finger on, but in thinking back, she realized she’d first noticed it on Tuesday afternoon, just after she’d gotten home with Ben.
Ben, as usual, had darted from the car to play with Zeus, anxious to burn off energy before his music lesson. As she stood visiting with Nana in the kennel office, she spied Logan standing in the yard, his hands in his pockets, seemingly lost in concentration. Even in the truck, as he’d slipped his arm around her, she could tell he’d remained preoccupied. And tonight after his game of chess with Ben, he’d wandered out onto the porch alone.
Beth joined him a few minutes later and took a seat beside him on the swing.
“Is something bothering you?” she finally asked.
He didn’t answer right away. “I’m not sure,” he said.
“Are you upset with me?”
He shook his head and smiled. “Not at all.”
“What’s going on?”
He hesitated. “I’m not sure,” he said again.
She stared at him from beneath her lashes. “Do you want to talk about it?”
“Yeah,” he said. “But not yet.”
On Saturday, with Ben at his father’s, they drove to Sunset Beach near Wilmington.
By that point, the summer crowds had disappeared, and aside from a few people strolling the beach, they had the place to themselves. The ocean, fed by the Gulf, was still warm enough to enjoy, and they waded knee-deep in the surf as Logan lobbed a tennis ball beyond the breakers. Zeus was having the time of his life, paddling furiously and occasionally barking as if trying to intimidate the ball into staying in one place.
She’d packed a picnic along with some towels, and when Zeus grew tired, they retreated farther up the beach and settled down for lunch. Methodically, she pulled out the makings for sandwiches and cut up fresh fruit. As they ate, a shrimp trawler rode the horizon, and for a long time, Logan focused on it with the preoccupied gaze she’d noticed on and off for most of the week.
“You’re getting that look again,” she finally said.
“What look?”
“Spill it,” she said, ignoring his question. “What’s bothering you? And no vague answers this time.”
“I’m fine,” he said, turning to meet her gaze. “I know I’ve seemed a little off for the last few days, but I’m just trying to figure something out.”
“What, exactly?”
“Why we’re going out.”
Her heart skipped a beat. It wasn’t what she’d expected to hear, and she could feel her expression freeze.
“That came out wrong,” he said, shaking his head quickly. “I didn’t mean it the way you think. I was thinking more about why this opportunity even existed. It doesn’t make sense.”
She frowned. “I’m still not following you.”
Zeus, who’d been lying beside them, lifted his head to watch a flock of seagulls that landed nearby. Beyond them, at the water’s edge, were pipers darting about for tiny sand crabs. Logan studied them before going on. When he spoke, his voice was steady, like a professor elaborating on a subject he taught.
“If you look at this from my perspective, this is what I see: an intelligent, charming, beautiful woman, not yet thirty, witty, and passionate. Also, when she wishes, extremely seductive.” He gave her a knowing smile before continuing. “In other words, a catch, by pretty much anyone’s definition.” He paused. “Stop me if I’m making you uncomfortable.”
She reached over and tapped his knee. “You’re doing just fine,” she said. “Go on.”
He ran a restless hand through his hair. “That’s what I’ve