29. Logan
logan
With her hand grasped tightly in mine, we wind our way back down the long drive of Three Rivers, the farmhouse coming into view at the end.
This morning was one of the best mornings of my adult life.
Thea had been sleeping peacefully, her hair spread out on the pillow behind her, the summer sun shining through the window and lighting up her features just so. She looked perfect, and she was all mine.
The night before, I had explored every inch of her body, showing her with my actions that she could trust me, and to my surprise, she let me fully.
It was the final nail in the coffin for me.
We were official. Well, in the eyes of everyone else. To me, we’d been official the moment I’d signed my name on the marriage certificate.
In the end, marrying her was the quickest way to get her safe. And to be completely honest, even after my slight hesitation, I was more for it than I expected myself to be.
After I woke up Thea with my hands and mouth and softly whispered words, we headed over to her place for a change of clothes. I talked her into bringing a few extra things, just in case.
She planned to work at the bar tonight, but when she called to check in, her sister had reassured her everything was fine and told her to take the day off.
I’ve never been more grateful to her sisters than when she said that. More time with Thea was all I wanted.
After that, we headed over to the church for Sunday morning service. Thea sat beside me on one side, and Lue, who had arrived with Graham’s family, settled in right beside her and started whispering animatedly about her night.
The sight had my heart soaring.
If this could be the rest of my life, I would be perfectly okay with that.
Looking at the girls in my truck now, Thea turned in her seat to talk with Lue. I never realized how lucky I could get.
I don’t know what I did to deserve any of this, but I was hoping my luck would keep up because I sure as hell was not going to let it go.
I park the truck in front of the Trevors’ home, and Lue hops out, headed right into the fray of it without hesitation.
Taking a moment, I give a little squeeze to Thea’s hand. “You doing good?”
Her eyes still trained on the house, she takes a deep breath and smiles, turning to me. “I’m good. I think.”
I raised a brow at her, wishing her answer had a little more confidence behind it. “You think?”
Swallowing, she licks her lips and places her other hand on top of our clasped ones, tracing one of my knuckles with her fingers. “There’s a lot of good things happening at once.”
I give her a minute, and when she doesn’t continue, I smile a little. “That’s a good thing.”
“I know,” she rushes out, glancing back at the house and then at me again. “It’s been my experience, though, that all good things come to an end.”
“You’re worried about things ending?” Why does that send a panic through my chest?
“I’m worried…” She pauses, and I can see her working to find the right words to say.
By some miracle, I’m able to keep my mouth shut.
She turns to me, and her eyes latch onto mine.
I see a mixture of worry and hope behind them.
“I don’t want this to end, and that scares me.
When we started this, it was fine because it was business.
But now, I’m with you, and Lue is involved and your family…
I don’t want anyone getting hurt.” She releases a breath.
“And selfishly, I don’t want to get hurt either. ”
When she’s finished, I find myself staring at her with a smile on my face.
“Well, I can’t promise that we won’t hurt each other,” I start, and that does nothing to ease her worries.
“But let me promise you this. I’m in this, Thea.
Whether or not this started as business or not, I’m not looking at it that way anymore.
If I’m being honest.” I shrug. “I haven’t looked at it that way in a long time.
I’ve liked you for years, I’ve wanted to know you and be…
I don’t know, something with you. Now that I have that, I don’t see myself letting you go. ”
I’ve always been honest with her about my feelings, I saw no reason not to. She needs honesty so she can have trust. So she can put her faith in me too.
“So,” I start, breaking up the heavy moment and letting her discreetly clear her throat and get herself together.
She doesn’t seem great about letting people see her emotions, though I’ve felt privileged enough to see a lot of that from her.
“I say we take this one day at a time and let it lead us to something great.” I pull her hand to my lips and press a soft kiss there.
“I have a pretty good feeling about it.”
She finally looks over at me and gives me one of her brilliant smiles, it’s the one she uses when she’s trying not to let anyone know how she really feels, and it’s adorable as hell. “Okay.”
The rest of the day we spent with my family. Dani and CT show up for an after-wedding cookout and look like they’ve had a magical night themselves. I smirk at CT’s smile and Dani’s crimson cheeks.
Cal, CT and Graham’s father, stands and holds up his drink for a toast. We all fall silent at the gesture.
“Today is a good day.” He nods his head, his eyes slightly shiny as he looks at his sons with their partners.
“We’ve had some trying times in our lives here on earth, we’ve fought and lost, we’ve fought and won, but at the end of the day, all of this boils down to one thing: family.
” He nods at his boys. “Your mom taught me that. Before her, I didn’t have a good sense of what it meant.
But she…” He swallows, thinking of his late wife.
“She brought magic into our lives, into my life. CT, Graham, my Donna would be so proud of the men you’ve become. ”
I look over and see Graham’s head ducked, Quinn with her hands on his shoulders, CT stares at his dad, and Dani dabs at her eyes.
“Well, shoot, I didn’t mean to be so sappy.” Everyone laughs lightly, and I see even Thea has a mist in her eyes. My mom is openly crying, as is Dani’s mom.
It’s easy to forget what a life force Donna Trevors was as someone who was wrapped up in raising my kid alone, but losing her was tough on everyone here.
Thea reaches over and clasps my hand in hers, her arm going around Lue’s shoulders. Lue was only seven when we lost Donna, but she was still affected by it.
“Anyway, Dani, welcome officially to the family. May we continue to grow and thrive together.”
We all raise our drinks to toast, and the Trevors boys stand, making their way to their dad. I look over at my little family, and a jolt goes through me.
They’re my family.
Lue…and Thea.
I lean over, pressing a kiss to Thea’s cheek and grabbing Lue’s hand. She gives us a wide grin, and I send up a silent prayer that she never loses her shine or her optimism. We need more of that in this world.
She runs off to be with the other kids who show up, some of the local people come that we’ve known since school, like Aveline from the bakery and her family.
Some of Graham and CT’s friends show up, and I get dragged into conversation with them, reluctantly letting Thea go talk with some of the girls.
They quickly pull her into conversation, and I watch out of the corner of my eye as her tension slowly melts away.
My mom joins their group, and I watch, barely giving one-word answers to the guys as she talks with Thea, her hand on her shoulder. Thea listens intently, and I have half a mind to go interrupt, but I don’t.
If she’s going to be in my life, she needs to have a relationship with those in my life, and the less I’m involved, I’m guessing, the better.
Thea laughs at something my mother says and then nods .
Finished with their conversation, Mom heads over to me, and I slip an arm around her shoulder.
“Can I chat with you a minute?”
I frown and nod, following her down the steps and off the porch. I give Thea a nod when she smiles at me, assuring her I’ll be right back.
When we’re out of earshot, I ask her what’s wrong.
“Nothing’s wrong, son. I was just wondering if I could steal Lue tonight.”
I frown for a moment before I realize that means Thea could come over again. A prickle of guilt settles over me at how excited that thought makes me.
“Why do you need Lue?” I ask, telling myself to not jump the gun.
Mom worries her hands, and I observe her for a moment. “I think it’d be good for your brother to have her around for a bit.”
I still for a moment before I pinch my eyes closed.
Mitch.
How the hell did I let it escape me that my brother was home again? And not only that, but he’s not himself.
“I didn’t realize he was still here.”
Mom nods. “He is…but he’s not coping.”
“What can we do?”
“Oh hon,” Mom starts, crossing her arms and looking more stressed than I’ve seen her for a good, long while. “If you or I try to bombard him, he’ll just close himself off. He doesn’t want to talk, doesn’t want to go to church or town with me. I had to guilt him into coming to the wedding.”
“I thought he came home for the wedding.”
“No.” She purses her lips. “Something’s happened. I just don’t know what. ”
I stick my thumbs in my front pockets. “Have you talked to Jax?”
If he talked to anyone, it would have been Jax.
“Haven’t had time. I’ll give him a ring in the morning.”
I nod my head and look over at my daughter, who’s laughing with her cousins. “Well, it’s up to Lue, but if she wants to come over, she can.”
“Thanks, hon.” Mom looks over at the porch, and I follow her gaze to Thea. “Plus, I think you two could use a little more alone time.”
My mother, my go to church every Sunday, read her Bible, mind your manners mother, wiggles her damn eyebrows.
I feel my mouth drop open, and a shocked laugh bursts from my mouth. “Mama.”
“What?” She raises her hands in the air. “I was young once.”
“Okay.” I wave a hand. “I don’t want to know.”
With that, my mom laughs and leaves me standing there, unsure if I know my mother at all.