Abby slipped her cell phone back into her coat pocket and brushed a stray tear from the corner of her eye. Too overcome with emotion, she couldn’t move for several minutes, leaning against the railing on the front porch, collecting her composure before she headed inside to be with Logan and Max.
She should’ve known Clara would answer her phone this close to Christmas. The woman lived and breathed for the children under her care, and Abby was certain she’d heard happy tears in her voice by the time they’d ended the call.
While it wouldn’t be an easy road ahead, Abby had never felt more certain about anything. And, in a strange way, after discovering Donnie’s note last night, she felt like he’d given her his blessing—to become a mom, even if he couldn’t be there. Although, she believed he would always be with her, in her heart and her memories. And she felt confident he’d support her decision to take in Max long-term with the hope of adoption.
Even faced with the uncertainty of their living arrangements, she knew one other man who would support her wholeheartedly. The last few weeks, Logan had gone above and beyond, caring for Max as much as she did. She had no doubt he would help in any way possible and be the fatherly role model Max needed.
Her heart fluttered as images of their time together flashed through her mind.
From the first moment she met Donnie, she couldn’t imagine loving and respecting another man more. But during her time with Logan, she’d begun to realize something significant, if not altogether life-changing—falling for someone new wasn’t about comparison or competition. Her feelings for Logan didn’t diminish what she had with Donnie, and vice versa.
Logan didn’t feel threatened by Donnie and Donnie wouldn’t begrudge Logan.
In the end, the battle was within her own heart.
And she was tired of fighting.
Logan’s pulse catapulted the instant Abby walked through the front door. He quickly tapped Max on the shoulder, nodding in Abby’s direction as she shrugged out of her coat.
Bursting with excitement, Max ripped off the headset and sprang from the floor. “You’re home!”
“You missed me already?” Abby laughed, glancing at the grandfather clock.
She’d only been gone for a few hours, but it had been all the time Logan needed for her surprise.
“We got you something.” Max raced to the Christmas tree and grabbed the gift bag stuffed with red and green tissue paper.
“Shouldn’t we save that for Christmas morning?” Abby asked.
“Nope. Logan said we can give it to you now.” The bag crinkled as Max exuberantly shoved it into her arms.
Abby met Logan’s gaze, and his stomach flip-flopped. What if the gift was a mistake? What if he’d overstepped?
His throat went dry, and he tried to swallow as she gingerly removed the tissue paper and dipped her hand inside.
Breathe, man. Breathe.
Abby’s eyes widened as she withdrew a shimmering tree topper—silver wire shaped into a star and studded with sea glass beads. “It’s gorgeous!” she exclaimed in a breathy gasp.
“Sage made it, but we told her what we wanted,” Max announced proudly.
Logan studied Abby’s features as her gaze swept the intricate design, resting on the focal point in the center.
She inhaled sharply, and when they locked eyes again, her own glistened with unshed tears. “Donnie’s dog tag,” she whispered.
Logan finally managed to swallow the lump in his throat, though his voice still escaped in a husky rasp. “You said the only thing Donnie would like more than having it turned into an ornament would be to have the prize spot at the top of the tree.”
She returned her attention to the glittering star, caressing the twists and turns of the glossy metal.
When she didn’t speak for several seconds, Logan began to worry. “If you don’t like it, we can—”
“Like it?” she interrupted, her tone soft and trembling. “It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. And Donnie would love it. Thank you.” The glow of appreciation and affection in her countenance sent a tingling warmth careening across his skin.
“Yay!” Max cheered, breaking the trance. “She likes it! Can we put it on the tree now?”
“We sure can.” Abby smiled through her tears, wiping a stray on the sleeve of her sweater. She strode toward the tree, then hesitated, gazing at the fragrant branches towering a few feet above her head.
“Need some help?” Logan asked, standing beside her.
She nodded, her cheeks flushed.
His heart hammering inside his chest, Logan lifted her off the ground, trying to ignore the way his temperature rose at her closeness.
Stretching the last few inches, Abby placed the star on top then withdrew her hand.
Logan held her a moment longer than necessary before setting her back down.
Together, they took in the brilliant sight of the colored lights bouncing off the bright metal and polished glass.
She reached for his hand, communicating her gratitude with a gentle squeeze.
And if he wasn’t mistaken, he read something else in her touch—something he’d hoped for since the moment she arrived.
If they’d been alone, he didn’t think he could stop himself from pouring his heart out right then and there.
When Abby pulled away, he noticed tears in her eyes and a tentative glint.
She turned to Max, a maternal softness stealing over her features. “Thank you for the thoughtful gift.”
“You’re welcome. It was Logan’s idea, but I helped.”
She smiled, although it quickly wavered.
At her palpable nervousness, Logan’s heartbeat stuttered. As he anticipated her next words, his chest expanded, but he struggled to exhale, unable to grapple with so many emotions at once.
Could this really be happening?
“Max,” Abby said slowly, “there’s something I need to ask you.”
He tilted his face toward her, his expression curious.
Abby swallowed, clearly trying to keep her voice steady. “How would you like to stay in Blessings Bay with me, even after Christmas?”
His eyes brightened. “You mean I can live with you until my dad gets back?”
Abby’s gaze darted to Logan’s, and they wordlessly agreed to cross that bridge another time, when they had all the facts. She turned back to Max. “For as long as you want.”
Logan nearly lost his composure when Max ran to Abby and threw his arms around her waist.
He could see the release of tension in Max’s shoulders, and his heart broke as he thought of the weight he must’ve carried on his own for so long.
But now, Max was no longer alone.
And neither was he.