Chapter 35
Chapter Thirty-Five
“Do you think we should make an official announcement letting people know we are together or just let them speculate?” I ask Logan as we walk along the sidewalk hand in hand towards Maggie’s.
“They will make up their own narrative anyways. We can just play into it and see who hears the best story,” he suggests, looking down at me and squeezing my hand a couple of times.
“Sounds like a fun game.”
“And we know you like to play games, don’t you, baby?” He winks before kissing the top of my head.
After rushing around to get ready, we loaded Morgan into the truck and drove over to the yellow house.
He ran several laps around the yard, double-checking that everything was just as he’d left it, before we finally brought him inside for breakfast and yet another nap.
Honestly, I wish I had that dog’s nap schedule.
Thankfully, Logan took my good advice, ditched the jogs and changed into some jeans, a fresh hoodie, and a pair of Nike high-tops that I haven’t seen before. The backwards cap makes him look completely edible.
We enter the busy bakery and stand in line waiting for our turn.
It’s hard not to notice the subtle glances and how conversations have become hushed.
You would think we were celebrities, but no, this is the typical response of our overly nosey neighbours.
It will be a competition to see who knows what first.
“Look at that, the public interest was instant. Hard launch it is.” Logan bends down, cups my jaw in his palms, and gives me a searing kiss in front of all our new fans. I smile into his kiss as I clasp his sweater.
Pulling back, I giggle. “May as well give them something real to talk about, right?”
“You got it.” Slinging his arm over my shoulder, we approach the counter where Maggie is waiting for us with a gigantic smile. Her eyes dance behind her purple framed glasses.
“Good morning you two. I’m so happy to see you both today, I was hoping you would come in.” She greets us enthusiastically. Looking down at our clasped hands, she looks back up and beams at us.
“And why exactly did you think you would see us...together?” Quirking my eyebrow, I attempt to look annoyed, but Maggie sees right through the act.
Shrugging, she purses her lips. “Well, Meg is working at the bookstore this morning and when she came in to pick up her tea, she may have mentioned that the pair of you have been spending time together.”
“A likely story,” I respond knowingly. I know for a fact that Meg is the very last person that would volunteer information about anyone, so I suspect Maggie asked her some very leading questions and drew her own conclusions as a result. Sneaky old lady. It’s a good thing we all love her so much.
Unbothered, she completely ignores me and asks, “What can I get you both?”
“Two large coffees with double cream and sugar and two bacon and egg sandwiches on whole wheat.” Logan places our order and looks down at me. “Do you want a donut?”
“Is that even a question?” I squint my eyes and shake my head. Of course I want donuts, they are an entire food group for me.
“Okay, we will also take half a dozen assorted donuts, oh and can you add two orange juice as well.” Logan pulls out his card and pays for the order before threading his fingers back through mine again.
“Two orange juices?” I question, tilting my head.
“We should probably restore some electrolytes before we go home, don’t you think?” he whispers in my ear.
“Oh my god you are the worst,” I admonish, leaning into him. But he’s right, marathon sex over the past 12 hours has left me feeling a little tender, famished, and quite possibly dehydrated.
“Go find a seat and I’ll bring it over when it’s ready. It really is great to see you both together.” Maggie shoos us away; her smile is softer when she meets my eyes. She knows how big a development in our relationship this is. She saw how devastated I was when it ended all those years ago.
Stepping away from the counter, I return her smile. “Thanks, Maggie.”
Logan leads me to an available table by the window.
Pulling out my chair he waits until I’m seated before sitting across from me.
The people around us have gone back to their previous conversations and the volume has returned to normal.
We are still getting the odd glance but for the most part everyone has moved on.
Those who haven’t are probably just jealous of that kiss.
The bakery is almost at capacity, I’m glad we could get a table.
There’s a father breaking off pieces of a muffin for a toddler while his wife nurses a baby.
A small group of senior ladies are in the corner drinking tea at what appears to be a knitting circle.
Across the room, there is a young couple that looks like they are enjoying a breakfast date.
As much as we joke around about the gossip and rumors in town most of it is innocent or completely ridiculous. Just curious neighbours creating something to talk about. No malice intended.
But there are always exceptions, and I just found one as I look around the room and make eye contact with Brian. Normally, I can just ignore him and pretend he doesn’t exist, but I don’t love the smarmy look he is giving us. Logan squeezes my hand to get my attention.
“What’s wrong?” he asks, tilting his head slightly, searching my eyes with concern.
“Nothing.” Sitting up straighter, I smile reassuringly.
There was a time when I avoided Brian at all costs.
He’s not responsible for the devastation surrounding my father’s death, but his online actions didn’t help any of us.
He didn’t remove his affair theory thread from the community FB group until after the funeral.
It was tasteless and unkind. He may not have liked my father, but at one time, he cared for my mother.
“I can see it in your face,” he presses. “Tell me what’s wrong,”
“I just caught Brian watching us, that’s all.” I scrunch my nose as Logan runs his fingers up and down mine soothingly.
“Has he said anything?” He narrows his eyes, and I shake my head slightly before he has a chance to turn and look at him.
We pause our conversation when Maggie delivers our order to the table. “Thank you, Maggie.”
“Enjoy your breakfast and each other.” I watch as she glides her way back to the counter, gathering dirty dishes and greeting customers along the way. Her purple glasses match her purple polka dot dress today. I wonder where she shops.
“Hannah,” he tries to capture my attention again, “has he said anything to upset you?”
“No.” Looking up, I meet Logan’s worried eyes.
“You would tell me though, right? Did something happen?”
“Nothing recently, he just makes me uncomfortable sometimes. After you left, he called the house a few times and he stopped by once to see Mom. I asked him to leave, but he was persistent that he needed to talk to her. When Francis showed up, he finally went away. I believe Mason gave him a warning and told him to stay away from us and he did.” I shrug.
“It was so long ago now I don’t really like to think about it anymore. I just try to avoid him.”
Though Brian is a constant presence and sometimes a problem in the community, he remains a bit of a mystery.
He’s the same age as my parents and grew up in Emerley but he moved away after high school.
He was gone for about 15 years, suddenly returning after the death of his parents.
Nobody knows where his money comes from, because he has never held a job in town.
Of course there has been speculation over the years; nobody can avoid it.
Brian spends most of his days right here taking up space, collecting information.
We sit in comfortable silence as we eat our breakfast. I didn’t realize how hungry I was until I finished not one but two donuts. No shame here, I’ll probably eat another one before the end of the day.
“I forgot to tell you about a rumor I heard last week, after my children’s art class when the parents were picking up.” Wiping my mouth, I place my napkin on my plate and sit back in my chair and watch his face for a reaction. “It was about you.”
“About me?” He quirks an eyebrow before taking his final sip of coffee.
“Yes, apparently, you have made quite an impression in town. However, I was able to confirm that you are not actually the famous street artist Banksy. The kids and parents were all very disappointed.”
“I would think my lack of British accent would have been the giveaway, and possibly my age, but whatever.” He rolls his eyes dramatically.
“Well, you are an exceptional artist,” I say, tapping my finger on my lips like I may be considering the validity of this news.
“On paper and skin, not walls.” Shaking his head in amusement, Logan stands and reaches for me. Rising from my chair, I adjust my bag over my shoulder, grab the box of the remaining donuts, and thread his fingers through mine.
Waving goodbye to Maggie, we walk towards the exit. As we pass Brian, he looks up and meets my eyes. Folding his newspaper, he places it down on the table.
“Good morning, Hannah. How are you this morning?” he asks pleasantly.
“Ummm, fine thank you,” I say, pausing my steps I narrow my eyes. I can count on my two hands how many times I have had a conversation with this man in recent years. I also notice how he’s ignoring Logan standing beside me.
“Have you been keeping well?”
“Yes,” I reply, furrowing my brow.
“Very good.” He angles his head and leans further back in his chair. “I’m rather surprised to see you with this one, though. I thought you learned your lesson the last time you were involved.”
“What did you say, old man?” Logan, who has been patiently waiting, suddenly tenses as he looks down. His hand tightens around mine as he glares at Brian.
“It’s okay, let’s go.” I try to pull Logan towards the door. The last thing I need is there to be a confrontation in the middle of Maggie’s bakery.
Brian slowly stands meeting Logan’s eyes and sneers.
“I believe you heard exactly what I said, Mr. James. But I guess we shouldn’t be surprised that you have found yourself in Hannah’s bed again in such a short time.
You have always been obsessed with her. Makes me wonder why you stayed away as long as you did though, hmmm.
” My eyes widen. What the fuck is happening right now?
“Let’s get something straight. You will keep Hannah’s name out of your fucking mouth and learn to mind your own god damned business. Our relationship is none of yours or anyone else’s concern, got it?” Logan barks with anger.
Ignoring Logan, Brian turns back to me. “Just remember to be careful, dear. Apples never fall far from the tree.”
“That’s enough. Both of you.” Maggie comes between them, hands on her hips and scowls. Turning to Brian, she says in a tone that means business, “I think it is time for you to go. You can come back when you have found your manners. You’ve disrupted my customers enough for one day.”
Brian slowly collects his things, carefully placing them into a well-loved leather messenger bag. Nodding his head at Maggie, he says, “Very well then, I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Logan is practically vibrating as we watch Brian walk towards the door, pausing he turns to look over his shoulder at me. “Hannah, do tell your mother I say hello. I haven’t seen her around the village lately. Someone must be keeping her busy.”
My eyes widen as I place a firm hand on Logan’s chest to keep him from following, Maggie shoos Brian towards the door.
“Out you go. Make it two days,” she calls after him.
“I don’t want to see you in this bakery for two days, Brian.
I will not let you antagonize my customers.
” Nodding subtly in acknowledgement, Brian exits the bakery and walks across the street to his car and gets in without looking back.
Turning towards the remaining customers, who have gone completely silent, Maggie claps her hands twice. “Show’s over, everyone. Please enjoy the rest of your meal and before you leave come to the counter for a complimentary donut.” She claps her hands again and conversations quietly resume.
Logan spins and places hands on both my shoulders and looks me up and down with concern in his eyes. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine. Really, Logan.” Smiling, I try to reassure him.
I’ve grown used to Brian’s looks and off-hand comments over the years.
And perhaps, if I were the only target of his vitriol and unwanted attention, I’d be more concerned.
Apparently, he already knows about Mom and Mason.
Hopefully, that isn’t going to cause them any problems.
Turning his attention towards Maggie, “What was that? Does he always talk to your customers that way? Why do you allow him to be here day in and day out?” he asks with a frown.
“Logan, please let’s go.” I just want to return to our little bubble for the rest of the day and forget about this minor interaction.
“That’s a fair question, Logan.” Maggie smiles softly at us both before continuing.
“Brian has been coming in daily for years. He mostly just sits here and works away quietly on his computer. People stop by and have a coffee with him, off and on all morning. I will not allow him to be disrespectful though, and today he crossed a line.”
“It’s not a big deal. I don’t care what he thinks, and you shouldn’t either.” Rubbing my hand up and down his arm, I continue, “Do I think it’s weird that he brought up my mom, sure, but I’m not going to obsess over it. He’s probably just lonely and looking for attention.”
“I don’t like it.” Logan crosses his arms and plants his feet.
“I understand. Just know that for every secret Brian may share, he also knows how to keep them when it really counts. Now I must get back behind the counter and hand out those promised donuts.” As she spins around, her dress twirls out around her showing off her purple and white striped leggings and black doc martins. She’s so cool.
Returning my gaze back to Logan, I place a calming hand on his face and look up into his eyes. “He can think and say whatever he wants about us. It doesn’t matter. I’m just glad you are here with me now. And I’ll be even happier when we get back to your place.”