Chapter 12 #2
Heather's car is there. My pulse kicks up.
Violet struggles with her car seat buckle, and the second I get it undone, she's out of the car, her pigtails bouncing as she runs toward the entrance on her little legs. I follow more slowly, my heart in my throat.
The automatic doors slide open, and Violet's squeal of delight echoes through the quiet library. “Cookie!”
I step inside just in time to see the chaos erupt.
Cookie must have been napping in Heather's office, because suddenly she's in the doorway, her ears perked as she spots Violet.
The little corgi barks, sharp, joyful sounds, as she launches herself at Violet with a speed that shouldn't be possible for her short legs.
She's practically airborne when she reaches Violet, the impact knocking my four-year-old right onto her bottom.
Violet doesn't care. She shrieks with delight, her little arms wrapping around Cookie's wiggling potato-shaped body. They roll around in a heap on the library floor, Cookie licking every inch of Violet's face while Violet giggles so hard she can barely breathe.
“I missed you, Cookie!” Violet gasps. “I missed you so, so much!”
Cookie responds with her entire body, squirming with such force that her back end fishtails. She whines and yips, emitting little groans of pure happiness.
A few library patrons stand around watching, smiling at the reunion. Amy stands near the information desk, her phone already out, no doubt documenting this for the town gossip mill.
Heather emerges from her office, drawn by the commotion.
My chest tightens and loosens all at once, like I've been holding my breath for days and can finally exhale.
She freezes when her eyes land on me, her expression cycling through surprise, confusion, and something that might be hope before she carefully schools it into neutrality.
She's wearing a soft blue top that highlights her eyes, and her hair is pulled back in a messy bun with a pencil stuck through it. She's never looked more beautiful.
I cross the lobby in long strides, my focus entirely on her. On the floor, Violet and Cookie are still wrapped up in their reunion, but my attention is locked on the woman watching me with guarded eyes.
“You're back,” Heather says quietly. “I thought you had another day of interviews.”
“I turned it down.”
Her eyes widen. “What?”
“I turned the job down.” I step closer, close enough to see the flecks of gold in her eyes, close enough to reach for her if I dared. “Can we talk? Privately?”
She glances at Violet and Cookie, then back at me. She waves me into her office. “Amy, would you keep an eye on those two troublemakers?”
Amy’s grins from ear-to-ear. “You got it.”
Heather closes the office door behind us, and suddenly the space feels too small, the air too charged.
“Logan, what—”
“I love you,” I say, the words tumbling out. “I know we said it before, but it’s true. I'm in love with you, Heather. I have been for so long, and I was an idiot for even considering that job.”
She stares at me, her lips parted in shock. “No, Logan. You had to go.”
I shake my head. “Being considered for it was a huge ego-boost for sure. Especially after losing my shoulder the way I did. For a second, I thought maybe it was what I wanted,” I continue, the words pouring out now.
“It’s a great, well-funded team and the kind of opportunity most people spend their careers dreaming about.
But you know what I thought about the entire time I was there?
You. Violet And Cookie. And Pelican Point.
And The Rockets. And how none of it means anything if I didn't have you.”
“Logan—”
“I didn't turn it down for you,” I say quickly.
“I need you to understand that. I turned it down for me. Because I finally figured out that it was a dream that doesn’t fit who I am anymore.
Because I've built a life here that makes me happier than any job title ever could. Because Pelican Point is home and it always has been.”
Drawing in a breath, I close the distance between us.
“I love you, Heather Winslow. I love your fierce independence and the way you protect everyone around you even when it costs you.
I love that you read children's books while wearing a steampunk hat, feather boa, and glasses, and have an emotional support corgi who's currently making my niece cry happy tears in the middle of your library.”
Heather's eyes shine with unshed tears. “You really turned it down?”
“I really turned it down. And if you need me to prove that I choose you, I will. Every day. For as long as it takes for you to believe that I'm not going anywhere.”
“I was so scared,” she whispers. “I thought you'd go and I'd be the idiot who fell in love with the guy destined to leave.” She lets out a watery laugh. “Also, for the record, that's not a steampunk hat. It's a perfectly normal fedora. There's a difference.”
I can't help but smile. “Noted.”
“And Cookie isn't emotional support, she's—” Heather's voice cracks. “Okay, she's totally emotional support. But in my defense, you try running a library in a town where Mrs. Henderson exists without needing therapy.”
“Heather—”
“You really love me?” Her voice drops to something small and vulnerable. “Even after I tried to push you away? Even though I'm a mess who talks to her dog and stress-eats strawberry cake?”
I laugh, cupping her face in my hands. “Especially because of all that. You make me believe in happy endings, too. So let's write one. Together.”
I capture her mouth and taste salt, sweetness, the promise of something real, and the tension I've carried melts away.
She tastes like hope and coming home. Her arms wrap around my neck, pulling me closer, and for the first time in days, the tight knot in my chest unravels.
She's real and warm and here, and she loves me back.
When we finally break apart, both breathing hard, Heather laughs shakily. “Amy’s definitely taking pictures of us through the office window.”
“Let her. I want the whole town to know.” I press my forehead to hers. “I'm staying in Pelican Point. And I'm never letting you go.”
“Good,” she whispers, her face glowing.
We walk out of the office hand in hand to find Violet sitting cross-legged on the floor, Cookie sprawled across her lap. The dog is upside-down, all four legs in the air, accepting vigorous belly rubs with an expression of pure bliss.
“Uncle Logan!” Violet beams at me. “Cookie missed me!”
“I can see that.” I squeeze Heather's hand. “Ready to go home?”
“Can Cookie come with me?” Violet asks Heather hopefully.
Heather glances at me, something soft and vulnerable in her expression. “It’s okay with me.”
“Why don’t you both come home with us? Amy can handle the library for the rest of the day, right?” I pull her close, press a kiss to her temple. “That’s her price to pay for the photos she’s probably already posted to the group chat.”
Heather snickers. “Good point.”
We walk out of the library together—Heather, Violet, Cookie, and me forming a chaotic, perfect parade.
Violet holds both our hands, swinging between us as she chatters about everything she saw in San Francisco and how glad she is to be home.
Cookie trots beside us, her leash in Heather's free hand, looking smug.
I catch Heather's eye over Violet's head. She smiles at me—unguarded and full of promise—and my heart feels too big for my chest.
I'd spent years thinking I knew what success looked like, what dreams were worth chasing. But being in this small coastal town, holding the hand of the woman I love while my niece skips between us, I realize I've found something better than any dream.
I'm home. And this time, I'm never leaving.