AFTER CLOSING THE Crystal Connection on Friday, Jessica hurried to her car, not wanting to give Logan another opportunity to seek her out. He had been attentive all week, reminding her in a hundred different ways that he loved her.
It was confusing. She wasn’t used to being pursued. For that matter, she wasn’t used to romance, either.
Recovering from her failed marriage had been painful, but it had helped her realize that she was responsible for her own mistakes. She’d decided to do her best to be Cyndi’s mother and forget the happily-ever-after stuff.
But now Logan was offering her a forever kind of love. He wasn’t the kind of man who to declare something he didn’t feel and she knew if it didn’t work out, the hurt would last forever, as well.
At least Logan’s declaration had put everything with the Crystal Connection into perspective.
When she got home, she sat down with Grams for a cup of tea. Cyndi was in the backyard playing, and they watched her through the sliding glass door.
“I still don’t know what will happen with the store,” Jessica said finally. “I don’t have to move right away, even if they say no, but it’s tricky. I’m not worried about supporting us. Internet sales are starting to pick up, and I can always get a new job. But the Crystal Connection is especially important because of you and Granddad.”
Penny sipped her tea. “It upset me when I found out what Moonlight Ventures wanted, but even if the shop closes eventually, the memories will remain. Your grandfather believed in focusing on the present and the future, and that’s what we need to do.” Grams stared into her cup as if she was trying to find answers in the contents.
“I’ve been meaning to tell you something,” Jessica said.
“What’s that, dear?”
“It’s just that if you find someone else who makes you happy, I’ll be happy, too.”
“Is it that obvious?” Penny murmured.
“No, but I’ve known you and Uncle Kevin all my life.”
“I’m still exploring how I feel about him and I’m not ready for such a big change. This isn’t the same as with Eric—it’s gentler, and I’m figuring it out, a little at a time.”
“Of course it isn’t the same. Uncle Kevin is a different person and should be loved in his own right. Besides, didn’t Granddad always say that one good love deserves another?”
Penny chuckled. “He certainly did. Well, nothing is decided and we’re biding our time.” She looked up. “What about you? I keep getting the feeling you and Logan have become more than just business associates.”
DISMAY HIT PENNY as her granddaughter’s eyes brimmed with tears.
“I’m sorry, honey, I shouldn’t have said anything.”
“No, it’s fine.” Jessica’s voice was choked. “He says he loves me and I believe him, but it’s a big step and it affects Cyndi.”
“Logan is a good man.”
“No question, but even good men can get tired of routine when they’ve spent their lives avoiding it.”
Penny didn’t want to push Jessica one way or the other. “Do you love him?” she asked gently.
“Yes. But we come from completely different worlds.”
“That makes a relationship a challenge, but no one said marriage was supposed to be easy.”
Jessica pushed her cup aside. “He hasn’t asked me to marry him. Not exactly.”
“A man like Logan? He wouldn’t say he loves a woman without intending to make it permanent.”
“Maybe.”
Penny reached over and patted her granddaughter’s hand. “You’ll figure it out. Now, why don’t I order a pizza and we spend the evening playing a game with Cyndi?”
“That’s a good plan. I’d rather think about something else tonight. Anything else.”
It seemed unlikely to Penny that Jessica’s plan would work. A woman’s brain chewed on love no matter how hard she tried. Perhaps a man’s brain did the same, but she only knew about women.
She’d have to ask Kevin his opinion.
LOGAN HAD BEEN disappointed to find that Jessica had already closed the shop and left. He’d wanted to tell her that his partners had voted for Moonlight Ventures to move. With that issue out of the way, he could work on the most important one—their relationship.
After calling her home number several times without getting an answer, he sat back and considered his next move. He’d never gotten Jessica’s cell number and didn’t want to leave a message on the home voice mail and risk Cyndi overhearing it. Email wasn’t the best solution, but he finally sent a message asking Jessica if she was free for dinner the next evening for a private discussion.
Several hours later he got a reply saying she could do dinner, but if it was more convenient, they could talk on Monday over coffee.
Logan frowned at his computer screen. She made it sound as if he just wanted to talk business. Granted, he needed to let her know about his partners’ decision, but he’d made his other intentions clear during the past week.
He walked to the back of the house and looked out on the moonlit scene. It was different viewing nature through a window instead of lying covertly under bushes or on a rocky ledge to get a photo. A movement at the edge of the garden made him peer intently, but despite the full moon, he couldn’t tell what animal it might be.
He hadn’t asked Jessica if she returned his feelings, though she’d expressed doubts about him being able to handle domesticity and routine. It was a valid concern and he needed to show her how committed he was.
True, as a photographer his jobs had been varied, but no matter where he was or what he was doing, there had been moments when he’d wondered how often he could keep doing the same thing before getting redundant. But all jobs and lives had routines, and that included marriage and family. He’d just never recognized the upside of domestic life.
An image filled Logan’s mind—of Jessica at the wedding, looking at Cyndi’s bright, excited face as the little girl showed her mother the pictures she’d taken.
Nothing negative about that.
He’d take routine with Jessica any day. There would always be the challenge of getting to know each other better, watching their children develop and grow, and building memories they could share over a lifetime. Those memories would ideally include travel, sometimes just the two of them, sometimes with their children. He could easily see himself teaching Cyndi how to get a panoramic picture of the Grand Canyon.
Logan typed back a message saying he’d pick her up at 6:00 and they would go to the same restaurant where he’d taken her a few weeks ago. But as soon as he hit Send, he reconsidered the location. That night they’d talked extensively about the Crystal Connection moving. And he had a feeling she really didn’t like the place.
He needed to come up with a better plan.
THE NEXT EVENING Jessica came to the door wearing a basic black dress. Logan’s experience on fashion shoots told him it was the kind of outfit a woman wore when she wasn’t sure what garb was appropriate.
“You’re beautiful,” he said. She’d look great in anything, but he was no longer a dispassionate judge.
Emotion flickered in her eyes, but he wasn’t sure if she was flattered or doubtful. “Thank you.”
He helped her into the SUV, but when he turned left instead of right on the main road, she frowned. “This isn’t the right direction.”
“I thought of a better place.” He drove to a quiet spot he’d found that overlooked Regen Valley. The evening sunlight shone across the trees and rooftops and hills beyond; it seemed an appropriate location for a discussion about the future.
“Alfresco?” Jessica asked, a smile growing on her face.
“Dining alfresco has its advantages. The service may be a little lacking here, but the privacy and view can’t be beaten.”
Logan set up the table and chairs he’d brought. It would have been a nice touch to cook for Jessica, but he didn’t want her getting a bout of indigestion.
Before unpacking the food, he sat forward. “Let’s get business out of the way. My partners and I have carefully gone over everything. It’s unanimous. We love your idea of Moonlight Ventures moving and apologize for the stress we’ve caused you and Penny.”
He expected to see relief and happiness instead of the concern that crowded Jessica’s eyes. “Are you sure the financial risk is acceptable? I can guess how much the agency means to all of you—a new beginning and proving yourselves in a second career. Not to mention your initial investment. Uncle Kevin is a sweetheart, but he wouldn’t have sold it to you for a pittance.”
That was Jessica, a woman who cared about people, instead of blithely expecting them to make way for her.
“It’s fine,” Logan said firmly. “Mostly we wish that we’d thought of doing it from the beginning. But we’ve weighed the options and think this will serve us best in the long run.”
JESSICA WAS GLAD she wouldn’t have to make a decision about the Crystal Connection moving, yet the glint in Logan’s eyes told her that the discussion was only beginning.
“I wasn’t sure when to tell you about our decision because I know how important the shop is to you and Penny and Cyndi. It’s more than just a business to you. It even seems like more than just a store to many of your customers.”
She nodded. “I’ve been torn between the needs of three generations. But Grams and I have talked about it and she’s made peace with whatever happens. As for Cyndi and myself? I’ve always supported us, and could find another job if necessary.”
“Fortunately, you won’t have to do that. I’ve been torn, as well. For that reason, I didn’t tell my partners what I wanted us to do until the final vote.”
“Why not?”
“Because while Nicole and Adam and Rachel are my closest friends, you’re the woman I love.”
Jessica’s heart thudded. Though he’d already told her that he loved her, it was breathtaking to hear him say it again.
“Anyway,” he continued, looking at her intently, “I didn’t want conflicting emotions to interfere with us talking about the future. Then I decided you’re much better at understanding yourself than I am, and if you need more time or breathing space, you’ll simply say so.”
There was something dynamic about the way he was opening up to her. It was the way people should relate to each other.
Could they really make things work?
“I’m glad you’re being open about it,” she managed to say.
“We need to discuss things like that.” His eyes were serious and intent. “I may not have your gift of understanding people, but—”
“You’re better at it than you think,” Jessica broke in. “If you weren’t, then Laurel would never have sought you out.”
A broad, embarrassed smile suddenly split his face. “Thanks for saying that.”
“It’s the truth.”
“Anyhow, I know some of your concerns are whether I’ll get restless with the routine of family life and work. But don’t you ever feel that way?”
Jessica shifted uncomfortably. Of course she did. She loved her life, but it was human nature to think about paths not taken.
“Yes,” she admitted. “But mostly I’ve been leery of being too spontaneous, considering my mistakes.”
“That’s understandable. Who we are today is partly built on what happened in the past. I can’t deny there will be times that I’m restless and want to travel or have some sort of adventure. But that won’t mean I’m unhappy being married. I’ll just want to have those adventures with you and Cyndi, along with any other kids we might add to the family. Isn’t it good for children to have new experiences?”
The doubt began easing in Jessica. Logan wasn’t just throwing out offhand comments; he’d spent a great deal of time seriously reflecting what it meant to be a family man.
“THEN YOU’RE INTERESTED in having more children?” Jessica asked. The expression on her face was encouraging to Logan. She seemed open, instead of erecting her usual defenses.
“Yes,” he said, “but that’s a mutual decision. You’d need to want it, as well.”
“More, um, sounds good.”
Electric shocks seemed to travel down his spine. “In the interests of complete honesty,” he said carefully, “I have to confess that the idea of being a parent is both wonderful and terrifying.”
Jessica broke into one of her merry laughs. “That just means you’re sensible.”
“You and Cyndi can train me properly,” he said, smiling. “Like all fathers, I’ll make mistakes and we’ll have to do a lot of talking and sharing, but that’s one of the good parts of marriage. Of course, I’m still waiting to hear how you feel about me.”
Faint pink stained her cheeks and she lifted her lovely eyes to meet his gaze. “I don’t know when I started loving you, but I do.”
For a moment Logan’s muscles turned into mush and his lungs gasped for air.
“So, Jessica...will you marry me?”
Instead of an enthusiastic yes, Jessica traced an outline of the infinity symbol on the small table he’d brought to the overlook. “The thing is, you and I come from such different worlds. Regina and Tom are nice, but they’re ultrasophisticated. They’ve traveled everywhere. And you’ve probably gone even more places and done more things than they have.”
Logan thought about the longing he’d seen on his parents’ faces during their visit, the regret of not being closer to him.
He shook his head.
“Jessica, deep down, Penny and my mom and dad are very much alike. We talked most of the night before they flew home. They’re glad I didn’t join their world of diplomacy and power connections. I think they loved the Flash Fair so much because it celebrated the kind of values and community ties they long to rediscover.”
“But that’s about them, not you.”
“Actually, I’m just getting to the same realization sooner. I want community and love, parenthood and marriage. But even if they didn’t feel the same way, it doesn’t mean anything. After all, you chose a different set of values than your mother and father. Is it impossible to believe that someone else could do the same?”
Humor rippled across Jessica’s face. “That’s an excellent point.”
“Maybe love can conquer all,” Logan said, “because real love includes the commitment to work on it.”
“I have a feeling you’re right.” Her voice was husky and he saw happy tears in her eyes.
JESSICA BLINKED RAPIDLY as Logan came around the table to draw her into a kiss.
“I love you so much,” he said. “I didn’t know the heart could hold this much love. But I have a feeling the more someone loves, the more space their heart has to love.”
“Love can do that for you.”
“Isn’t it grand?”
His arms held her tightly and he could feel his pulse matching hers, beat for beat.
“We can do anything,” he said against her lips, “so long as we do it together.”