They said goodbye to Jake, and Logan checked the house over while she dished up the lasagna, knowing she wouldn’t be able to eat. Logan walked back in, and they sat together at the dining table, neither of them really interested in the food.
Finally, Logan stood and gathered up their plates. He returned a few minutes later and held out his hand. “Come on, darlin’, let’s go to bed. You’re exhausted.”
She took his hand, letting him pull her up.
“Will you teach me how to shoot, Logan?”
He paused on his way up the stairs and turned to look at her. “I’m going to protect you, Savannah.”
“I know you are. Of course, you are. It’s just I think I should know how a gun works since we live all the way out here.”
He was silent for a long minute. Then he nodded. “All right. I’ll teach you to shoot.”
That was easier than she thought.
“Once you’re more comfortable with leaving the house.”
Yeah, she guessed that had to happen first. “Couldn’t you teach me how to load one?”
“You never wanted anything to do with guns before.”
“I’ve changed my mind.”
“I understand why you think a gun might make you feel safer. But it won’t, I promise you that. But come to me in a few months. If you still want to learn, I’ll teach you.”
They got ready for bed in silence. As she entered the bedroom, she saw him standing at the window, looking outside.
“Did you hear something?” she whispered, growing tense.
He turned and shook his head. Then he sighed. “No. No, darlin’. Come here.” He held open his arms.
She fairly flew into them, letting him engulf her in his strength. “I’ll take care of you, Savannah. Tell me you know that.”
“I know.”
“I failed you once. I won’t fail you again.”
She tried to pull back, but he wouldn’t let her. “You didn’t fail me, Logan. I failed me.”
“No, you didn’t. You did exactly what you were supposed to.”
“What do you mean? I didn’t do anything. I couldn’t even fight. He knocked me out, I didn’t even know I was in trouble until I woke up and discovered I was tied up in that horrible, little cabin.” She hadn’t even had a chance to fight.
“You stayed alive until we could find you. You stayed alive.”
“You’ve got to promise you won’t confront Atkinson.” Finally, he let her draw away so she could look up into his face.
Logan scowled. “If he’s behind this—”
“Then Jake will handle it. Promise me, Logan. I need you. If you do something and end up in jail then I—”
She’d be completely on her own.
“Hey, hush. I’m going nowhere.” He cupped her face, tilting it up. “I promise I won’t do anything stupid, all right? I’m just feeling helpless, and it makes me furious that someone would send you something like that.” He rubbed his thumb over her cheek. “Jake better act fast, that’s all I’ll say.”
She gulped at those words.
“If anything at all happens, I want to know. Immediately, understand?”