“You were estranged. No one expected youtocome.”
“They probably think I’m a horrible person,”shesaid.
“You had every reason to stay away. Knowing everything I know now, I’m surprised you came backatall.”
“You can understand why I don’t want to stay then, can’t you?” sheasked.
“I can understand, but that doesn’t mean I like it, or that I won’t find a way to make you stay.” The edge of his mouth twitched as if he wanted to smile, butdidn’t.
As they passed through rows of gravestones, she wondered about their lives. Had other people died alone, estranged from the people they loved because they couldn’t find a way to show them their trueselves?
When they reached the farthest point in the cemetery, Logan released her hand. “If you need anything, I’ll be right behindyou.Okay?”
“Logan?”
“Yeah.”
“Thank you. I couldn’t imagine doing thisalone.”
“You don’thaveto.”
As he stepped back a few feet, she turned to stare at her father’s gravestone. Nondescript amongst the others, she brushed snow off ofitsface.
Jack PeterWrangler
October 17, 1949 – December1,2015
“I’msorry we never understood each other,” she whispered. “I hope you’re up in heaven with Mom. I know she’d forgiveyoutoo.”
She cried until a deep calm came over her. She looked up, half-expecting to find her father standing next to her, but the space beside her was empty. Still, she felt his presence and knew in her heart that deep down, he’d reallylovedher.
By the time she was ready to leave, the sky had turned a deep navy. A million stars twinkled in the night sky. She turned away from her father’s grave and from the past that had haunted her all of her life and walked toward her future. She didn’t want to leave Logan. She had no idea how she would make the transition work, but for the first time since she’d returned, she wanted to find a waytostay.
Chapter11
The next day,Logan heaved the last box of her father’s junk into the dumpster. She’d kept the journals, her first written words, and three boxes full of other mementos, but she still hadn’t given him a solid indication of whether or not she was still planning on leaving. There was nothing to keep her here anymore. They’d cleaned the house from top to bottom, and all the repairs were complete. He almost wanted to kick down a couple of doors just to keep her there a fewmoredays.
As he turned away from the dumpster, a black SUV roared up the driveway. Damn son of a bitch. He had some balls to come here after whathe’ddone.
Logan ran toward the house. Milton had better hop back in his damn car and leave. If Logan’s bear wanted to come roaring out, he sure as hell wasn’t going to stop thebeast.
He reached the front door of the house at the same time Milton did. Logan slammed one hand against the door, then shoved Milton to one side so he could guardthedoor.
“Get the hell out of here. You have some nerve, coming up here after burning down the barn.” Logan’s bear roared in hischest.
“I did no suchthing.”
“The hell you didn’t. You’ve got about five seconds to get back in that truck,” Logansnapped.
“Orwhat?”
The front door swung open. Kate tried to pushpasthim.
“Hang on, honey.” Logan wrapped a protective arm around herwaist.
“Honey?” Milton smirked. “What, are you two gettingmarriednow?”
“Yes, we’re engaged. We’re getting married tomorrow and she’s keeping the land,” Logan blurted. He had no idea where that had come from, maybe from the depths of his heart, but he had to say something to get rid of thebastard.
