Chapter 14
Logan
Logan was never one for buying Christmas gifts, but he couldn’t fathom the thought of showing up empty-handed at the Evans’ household on Christmas Eve.
Typically, he preferred treating the important people in his life to experiences rather than buying them materialistic gifts, but both Melly and her mother might appreciate the sentiment of a thoughtful present during the infamous Evans family gift exchange.
It could be a new tradition of his own.
Besides, there would be plenty of time to treat them to all kinds of experiences. He didn’t need a special occasion for that.
“Can I help you find anything?” the owner of The Forget Me Not asked him.
“Not just yet,” he said. “I want to try to figure this out on my own first.”
“I understand completely. We close at noon, so if you get stuck, come find me.”
Logan browsed the store, one section at a time, in search of the perfect gifts for the special women in his life.
He found a silk scarf for Grandma Charlotte in her favorite color—he could already hear her raving about all the compliments she’d receive at her new book club.
He found a stuffed reindeer dressed in Christmas pajamas for Melly.
One that came with a book featuring the same PJ-wearing animal as the main character.
But a gift for Haylee seemed to be a little more difficult to find.
What was he supposed to give the woman who turned his world upside down in the best way?
It was too soon to buy her a ring, though the thought had crossed his mind.
He considered the pancake mix kits in the kitchen section, but they wouldn’t follow Susan’s recipe—one he suspected Haylee would use religiously for all the Christmases to come.
There was also a selection of locally made hot chocolate, including a couple with peppermint flavor.
But that gift seemed too simple. Too generic.
“I heard you ran into Ed,” Marc Evans said, joining him in the section dedicated to the town’s local mascot.
Ironic.
He smiled, remembering the way the bull moose simply stood hardly fifteen feet away last night, as though waiting for him to kiss Haylee.
He knew that was a stretch, despite all the lore he’d heard about the famous matchmaking moose.
But it would be the story their grandkids knew by heart one day, and he would lean into all the Christmas magic and ridiculous details with enthusiasm when he told it.
“Saw him last night, as a matter of fact.”
“My sisters haven’t stopped talking about it,” Marc said, scrubbing a hand over his beard. “Normally I avoid shopping on Christmas Eve, but I was tired of listening to them plan your wedding. This seemed like the less painful option.”
Logan chuckled at that. “I thought moose were more aggressive.”
“Only if you do something to make them mad.”
It was odd, Marc being nice to him now when their previous encounter had been anything but friendly. He wondered what changed, but before he could ask, Marc beat him to the punch.
“I heard what you did for Haylee.”
Logan wasn’t foolish enough to assume he knew what Marc was talking about, considering the rumors flying around town that they’d eloped.
He picked up a #TeamEd cocoa mug from the display shelf and pretended to study it.
It, along with some peppermint-flavored cocoa, would make a cute gift. But it wasn’t the one.
“I know it had to be hard for you.”
The mug nearly slipped out of Logan’s hand. He caught it by the handle with his index finger and set it back on the shelf. “I don’t know—”
“Your friend’s parents are like family to you, are they not?”
“They always have been. But after the way they treated Haylee, I don’t know what to think.”
“I’m sorry you’re facing that, but I am grateful you were there for her when she needed you most.” Marc glanced over his shoulder, his gaze snagging on a blonde woman in the holiday décor section.
Logan thought he recognized her as Marc’s wife before he returned his focus.
“I’m also not too proud to admit I was wrong about you.
You obviously care a great deal for my sister. ”
“I do.”
“I know it’s an . . . odd situation.”
“I hope you don’t think I came here to take advantage of my buddy’s old flame, or anything like that.”
“You want to know what I think?” Marc asked.
Logan braced for the answer as he blankly scanned the Ed-themed merchandise.
“I think you were honoring your late friend’s request, and in the process, you found someone special.
Love finds us when we least expect it.” Marc’s gaze landed on his wife again, and his grumpy expression lightened, a trace of a smile hiding beneath his beard.
“Besides, if you try to fight it, Ed’ll just stalk you. Take it from someone who knows.”
Logan spotted a moose figurine ornament then, one with a wreath around its neck and mistletoe hanging from its mouth. This was it. This was the special gift Haylee would adore. This ornament would hang on their tree for years to come, a representation of their love story.
“Again, I’m sorry about your buddy’s parents. But just know you have a family here who is more than happy to have you.”
“Thanks—”
“As long as you don’t do something stupid, like hurt my sister.”
“I’m more afraid of Ed hunting me down than I am of you dumping my body in the wilderness.”
Marc laughed at that, clapping Logan on the shoulder. “You coming to dinner tonight?”
“Wouldn’t miss it.”
“Good man.”
Logan’s chest swelled with happiness. He’d always wanted a large, chaotic family. Not only would he be part of the Evans clan now, but Grandma Charlotte would be too. He glanced upward, offering Mom a smile of gratitude. He had no doubt she had a hand in making this Christmas miracle happen.
Monday, he’d report to his post and meet his new commanding officer at Fort Richardson. Alaska was where he belonged. And if he could manage it, he’d make Sunset Ridge his home base.
His gaze snagged on the jewelry counter.
And soon, he’d pick out a ring for the woman he was already certain he wanted to marry.