Inevitable (24 page)

“Already ahead of you, sweetheart. Here.” Logan took the framed sketch from my hand our fingers brushed together awakening forbidden sensations. The moment his eyes met mine, my breath caught. I could see it on his face; he felt it just the same but he stepped away, turning his attention to the nail already on the wall in front of Oliver at the tiny table.

“Perfect,” I whispered.

Logan turned back to me, picking up his hammer. “Well, I have some work to get done. I should be going,” he said.

I moved to allow him access to the ladder, but he halted his steps, and looked over at me.

“I’ll send you a text later with a few more listings for Julia. Let me know if you think they’re worth checking out.”

“All right.” I nodded.

He smiled, descending the ladder and disappeared. I stared at the flawless sketch hanging proudly on the wooden walls, unable to control the grin creeping over my face.

Chapter Seventeen

All Bets Are Off

B
y the end of September, Logan and I were in a good place. He and Oliver showed up the weekend following our tree house visit requesting my assistance in teaching Oliver how to fly a kite. Not something that took much of a lesson, but I was honored they asked. We spent the day in the town park where Oliver gave me a beautiful laser-cut butterfly kite. He explained how his daddy told him I’d love it, and I did. The day went off without a hitch; even the flirtiest of the single women at the park couldn’t hold Logan’s attention for more than a polite second. It was peaceful, and even included a picnic that Logan called in from Haven. Caleb personally delivered it.

After that, Logan was kept busy reinventing the newspaper while school became my main focus. On occasions, I would find him lurking outside my class when he picked up Oliver. The brief conversations or friendly nods were always followed with a swoon worthy smirk that left me breathless at times.

To my surprise and slight disappointment, he never again joined me for any of my morning jogs. I considered asking why, but figured his mornings were full with more important things. The town had been rallying around with support for the changes to the newspaper and for once, I actually enjoyed reading it. It was delivered every morning like clockwork. I never bought a subscription, but I wasn’t all that surprised to find it on my stoop the first time. Logan of course would want to brag about the paper’s turn around or perhaps just share in the success. I had to admit, Logan was doing an impeccable job making it appealing for all ages.

The first Saturday of October, Logan was at my door by ten in the morning ready to take me to a see a house I thought might be worth checking out. After both looking at a few houses in person and viewing dozens through texts and emails that Logan sent over the last few weeks, one place finally caught my eye. I was hopeful it would be perfect for Julia, less than two miles from campus and it overlooked the river that ran through the back of town.

“Explain to me again, sweetheart, why you believe this house would be perfect for my baby sister?” Logan stood in the center of the master bedroom, unimpressed.

The two-story brick home had been completely renovated from top to bottom. It was fit for any female with its modern but classic allure, including a pale-grey hue coloring the walls throughout and bright-white molding surrounding it. Nearly every room was drenched in crystal chandeliers and plush creamy-white carpet. It was fresh, clean, and sparkly.
What girl wouldn’t like it?

“First of all, it’s gorgeous!” I squealed, skipping toward the mirrored double doors on the far wall. I sucked in a deep excited breath, my hands grasping each doorknob, and pulled them open. My jaw fell open. I was in heaven. The massive walk-in closet featured a luxurious center island for accessories with enough shelves around the room to fit an entire boutique. Jealous was an understatement.

“Forgive me, but gorgeous is not the word I would use to describe this place,” Logan said, standing behind me. “Over the top comes to mind, ridiculously excessive perhaps, but by no means gorgeous.”

“Ugh, and your house isn’t,” I scoffed. My fingers danced across the marble top of the island. “Looks like you’re just going to have to trust me then.” I smiled and glanced over at him, ignoring his scrunched brow. “I promise if you buy this house, Julia will love it.”

“And if she doesn’t, then what?” Logan walked out of the room.
What a buzz kill.

With an eye roll and irritated sigh, I said a quick good-bye to the closet, blowing it a woeful kiss and followed. I’d always been a modest girl and living in a place like this had never been something I thought about, but I could still appreciate it for what it was. Breathtaking!

Logan was speaking with Paula, the realtor, in the foyer and as I stepped off the bottom stair, I suddenly began to worry. What if Julia did hate it? No, I shook my head refusing to believe any woman could not love a place like this. It was a dream house for anyone that appreciated the finer things in life. Based on the way Julia presented herself I knew this place was made for her.

Logan looked up at me, surprised when I grabbed his hand and led him into the living room. His hand was warm and soft, and the thrill of dragging him away added to my playful mood. The room was enormous of course, with a glass fireplace in the center creating the illusion of two rooms.

“How about we make a deal?” I gave his hand a squeeze; my body resisting the idea of releasing him, but I forced myself to pull my hand away. The gleam in his eye and bemused smile left me giddy. I grinned, certain my plan would play in my favor. “You buy this house for Julia and if she hates it, which she won’t, I’ll be at your beck and call for an entire weekend. Two whole days.”

Logan’s eyes lit up at my proposal, his eyebrows rising. I had a feeling he was the type of man that enjoyed a good wager.

“And if she loves it?” he asked.

“Then looks like you’ll be my little whipping boy for a couple days. I’ve been meaning to have my house painted. Not to mention, you’re a pretty amazing cook.” I brought my forefinger to my lips. “Hmmm, all the possibilities,” I giggled, playfully.

The thought of Logan shirtless, holding a paint roller in his hand, up on a ladder outside my house, was something I wanted to see…outside of my dreams.

“Yes, plenty of possibilities,” he added with his trademark smirk.

I rolled my eyes, and knocked him in the shoulder. “Don’t be a pervert!” I whispered, unable to hide my smile.

“You insult me, sweetheart.” Logan feigned a pout. “It’s your mind that appears to be the dirty one.”

After a sharp glare pointed toward him, he chuckled and we walked back out into the foyer where Paula waited, her feet shifting impatiently.

“It appears I’ll be making a purchase today,” he told her.

Paula’s face lit up. “Great, let’s head back to my office and start talking numbers to make an offer.” She held the door open for us.

“I’ll stop by later this afternoon. Miss Clarke and I have lunch plans.” His hand rested on the small of my back, leading me through the threshold, heating the skin through my navy cardigan. My stomach fluttered to life.

I raised my shoulders, chastising my body for betraying me. “Actually, Hilary sent me a text earlier. She needs to meet me in an hour,” I explained. My sole focus was on his hand and how good it felt, how natural. But I willed him to remove it. As right as it felt, I knew it was so wrong. We were two very different people. I needed more than he could offer me.

We stood in the circle drive looking up at the house once more.

“A quick bite, at least,” he insisted.

“Sorry, I need you to drop me off at my house soon. No time for lunch, but maybe next weekend.” I stepped back and his hand fell away. With a quick good-bye to Paula, I smiled and offered him a slight shrug.

The few other times we went out with the realtor, after walking through different houses that would never work for Julia, we always ended up at the diner or Haven for lunch. It had become our thing, but today I made plans. Hilary had been complaining I rarely saw her outside of school lately so a girl’s day was severely overdue. It was to start with an afternoon of lunch and pampering.

“As you wish.” He smiled, giving nothing away. I hated that he could be impossible to read when he wanted to. “But at least join Oliver and me at Nichol’s Farm tomorrow. He wants to find a pumpkin before they’re all picked over.”

I laughed. “He does or you do?”

“I’m not going to lie. Carving jack-o-lanterns is a past time I greatly enjoy. So, will you join us?”

“How can I say no to a day with Oliver and farm animals?” I smiled and walked to the car. I gripped the passenger door handle and looked up smiling at Logan standing beside me. “But I’m not carving mine yet. Halloween isn’t for another three weeks.”

His hand came down, resting over mine on the cool metal handle that suddenly seared into my palm. His breath was warm and thick behind my ear. I closed my eyes when his chest connected with my back. My breath caught, body humming to life.

“I’ve never had much patience, Cassandra. When I want something, I take it as soon as it’s available.” He opened the car door for me and I slid inside, blood rushing to my cheeks as he stared down at me with dark, hooded eyes. A small smirk played on his lips. “The pumpkins are ready for harvesting, why wait?”

With that he shut the door, leaving me to process his words for a few minutes while he said good-bye to Paula. Why did he have to make it so impossibly hard to resist him? I watched him slide into the driver’s side. I stiffened, realizing the tension would be unbearable the entire ride home if I just sat there wondering what exactly he had meant.

 “You better hurry up and get me home, mister.” I smiled over at him trying to take my mind and body’s response off his possible double meaning. “Or else you’ll have Hilary to deal with.”

“Yes ma’am.” The side of his lip quirked up as he casually pulled his Aviators down from the visor and slid them on, taking his sweet time before revving up the engine. I couldn’t help but giggle when he looked over at me with a mischievous grin, his hand on the shifter, and shot out of the drive and down the road.

Chapter Eighteen

Expectations

T
he next morning Oliver was at my door, adorable and cozy in a grey wool coat. The weather was beginning to take on a slight chill, which I welcomed happily. Fall had always been my favorite time of year. Logan drove while Oliver sat in the backseat replaying his week at school. The old Nichol’s Farm was located on the other side of town, and had been there long before I was even born.

Once we pulled into the dirt parking lot, I unbuckled my seat belt but was stopped from opening the door when Logan turned in his seat to face me rather than climb out. I sat, confused at the crease over his brow.

“What?” I could see it written all over his expression. He had something to tell me that I wouldn’t like.

“Julia and Jax will be meeting us here,” he said, but not in his usual tone. He should be happy to spend time with them, right?

“Awesome!” Oliver opened his door. “Where are they?”

My attention was still focused on Logan, realization setting in at what his somber expression was telling me.
Mark.

He tilted his head, eyes soft. “I’m sorry, sweetheart. I told her about today, and when she called earlier she said Mark would be coming with her.”

I looked away, opening my door, but his hand shot out, gently holding my arm.

“I told her he wasn’t invited, but my sister is not one to listen to me, or anyone for that matter.” He sighed. “I’ll talk to him. Make sure he stays clear of you if you’d like.”

I shook my head, nibbling on my bottom lip, anxiously. “No, thanks, but it’s all right.”

He nodded once, gauging my reaction. I smiled and he returned one full of understanding and warmth.

We walked through the parked cars, Oliver between us, swinging in the air from our arms. He giggled each and every time. As we approached a red steel barn, we stopped near wooden crates filled with produce grown on the farm. I was reminded of my grandmother and smiled. At least once a month when I was younger, she would bring me along to purchase anything in season.

“Stay here for a moment, I’ll go pay,” Logan said, tossing Oliver up once more.

I nodded, and took Oliver’s hand to let him see the row of pumpkins behind us. They were set out for anyone not wanting to go out in the field to find their own.

“Over here!” Oliver called out, catching me off guard.

I turned, putting on a thin smile, when I saw Julia and Mark approach. Jax was strolling up behind them, his red ball cap on backward and a tall, thin brunette on his arm. My smile grew. He was definitely Logan’s little brother.

I suddenly felt a little out of place. It seemed this was more of a family outing and everyone was paired up with dates. I wasn’t Logan’s date by far, but I wondered how it must look to the others. Did they think he and I were seeing each other? I cringed, realizing with Logan’s reputation they must think I was sleeping with him. Instantly I began to feel out of place.

Why was I there? I was just a neighbor.

“Hey sweetie, you ready to see some smelly farm animals.” Julia laughed, her nose scrunched. She picked Oliver up for a giant hug and held him tightly in her arms.

Mark looked over at me and opened his mouth to speak, but snapped it shut after I shot him a threatening glare. He cleared his throat, and shoved his hands deep in the pocket of his hoodie.

“Hi, Cassandra. I love your sweater.” Julia smiled. I wondered what she knew about Mark and me.

“Thanks, hope you don’t mind me coming today.”

“Of course not, the more the merrier,” she said with a sincere smile, “Logan seems to enjoy having you around.”

“We’ve been getting along pretty well.”