Chapter 10 #3
“Logan decided you needed a little fanfare.” Aiden chuckled softly as he led her through the crowd to the edge of the parking lot on the mountain side of the school.
People watched as they passed, a number of the boys she’d turned down as dates looking amused as if they’d caught her in a lie—poor pathetic Jinx, with only her dad to escort her.
“It’s a little over the top, but your mom and I think it’s amusing. So we agreed to help.”
She wanted to know more but even as she opened her mouth to ask for details, she saw him.
A man on horseback approached quickly. He rode with skill, jumping the bay stallion over one of the fences before turning straight for the school.
Logan. His familiar brown cowboy hat firmly in place, he pulled the bay to a walk then stopped directly beside where Aiden and Jinx waited. His grin spread from cheek to cheek.
“Petra said making an entrance is allowed. If you’re interested.” Logan shifted back in the saddle and opened up a spot in front of him. “Side saddle, but I’ll keep you safe.”
Jinx eyed the space, glanced back at the bits of the crowd she could see around the corner of the school. Make an entrance?
Why not? Sasha would tell her to go for it.
She eyed the distance to the saddle warily, though. “I can’t get up or down in this dress,” she warned.
Her dad stepped forward and laced his fingers together. “Step up. Logan will catch you.”
“Declan said he’d help you down at the other end, then he’ll take care of Glory Days,” Logan shared. He wiggled back a little more and opened his arms. “Ready?”
Jinx didn’t have time to flush or get embarrassed. It was too fun an idea to waste. She nodded, gathered a handful of her skirt, and stepped into Aiden’s hands.
One smooth lift carried her upward. Logan leaned down from the saddle and caught her forearm before she could wobble. Together they swung her onto the front of the western saddle.
She settled sideways against the smooth leather, both feet hanging over the horse's left shoulder. Logan shifted enough to give her room, his knees bracketing her gently as he gathered the reins.
She barely had time to find her balance before she realized how close Logan suddenly was. His chest was only inches behind her shoulder, one arm around her to collect the reins while the other steadied her at the waist.
“You good?” Logan asked.
Could he feel her heartbeat?
Friends, she remembered. Friends and an amazing memory to boot. “Perfect.” She grinned down at Aiden. “We can pause for a bit if you want to rejoin the family.”
He tipped his head and took off, leaving her and Logan together in the afternoon sunshine.
“We’ll go slow,” Logan promised.
“I feel safe,” she assured him.
He was silent for a moment then said, “You look beautiful.”
Her heart fluttered, but it was so full of joy and happiness she couldn’t focus on being nervous.
“Thank you.” She examined him closer. He wore brand-new jeans and a crisp white shirt.
Over that was a tailored vest and tie, both in the very same fabric and colour as her dress.
“I can’t believe you got a vest and tie to match my dress. ”
“Petra helped set it up.” Logan chuckled. “She was worried when you picked pink that I’d change my mind, but if a guy can’t wear pink, he’s got issues.”
“You look good,” she assured him. “Handsome.”
Far more handsome and grown-up than the boys in her grade twelve class, but she’d keep that tidbit to herself.
“Thank you.” He pulled Glory Days to a stop before they reached the main road to the front doors. “I nearly forgot.”
He reached into the saddle bag that was decorated with flowers—probably a gift from Tansy’s sister Rose—and pulled out a corsage with a pink rose and baby’s breath.
She held up her hand and he slipped it on her wrist. For one moment they sat there, holding hands, staring at each other.
‘Thank you for coming with me to grad,” she offered softly.
“I’m glad to do it,” he repeated, taking the reins. He clicked his tongue to get the horse moving again.
She took a big breath, held on to the pommel with her right hand and his wrist with her left. She leaned into him a little as she stared straight ahead at the crowds now turning their attention toward the approaching horse. She twisted her head slightly so they were nearly cheek to cheek. “Logan?”
“Yeah?”
“I’m glad to be going with you. Not only so I didn’t have to go with another boy, but because you’re special to me.” She didn’t want to mess it up, talking about being good friends—even though they were.
His lips were beside her ear. The hand around her waist tightened the slightest bit, sending a tickle of wildfire through her veins. “You’re special to me, too, Jinx.”
She had bubbles in her blood stream, and her head was light and fuzzy, but mostly, she was happy. To the core, happy and safe.
Logan spoke again, a low rumble with amusement in his tone. “Now, let’s have a fun night. The grad march, dinner, dancing, lots of pictures with Sasha. One good thing after another, all right?”
“All right.” So many eyes on them now—the girls looking with admiration at Logan, the guys stepping back a little. Jinx felt as if she was the cherry on top of a sundae and didn’t mind it one bit.
She was special to Logan. She didn’t mind that one bit either.