And he could stay away from Juliana.
“I need some time...some air...” Susan said, then staggered back as tears trickled down her cheeks. “I can’t leave him....”
The woman’s body trembled, and Logan wondered if her knees were about to give way. He tensed, preparing to lunge forward.
But it was good old Ben to the rescue. He kept a firm hold on Susan and steered her away from the vehicle. “I’ll take care of her.” He offered Juliana a firm nod. “We’ll meet you back at the house.” Then he glanced at Logan.
Logan gave him a shark’s smile. “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure that she arrives home safe and sound.”
Other cars began to pull away. Logan spared a glance for the crowd. Juliana still hadn’t met his stare, and that fact was pissing him off. He wanted to take her into his arms, hold her, comfort her. But the woman might as well have been wearing a giant keep-away sign.
The trouble was...he’d always had a problem keeping away from her.
Ben and Susan slowly walked away. They stopped under a big oak, and Susan’s shoulders shook as she cried.
“I can’t do that.” Juliana’s voice was just a whisper. “Everyone is staring at me, waiting for me to cry, but I can’t.” Finally, she glanced at him with those dark, steal-a-man’s-soul eyes. “What’s wrong with me?”
“Not a damn thing.” And he didn’t care what the others wanted. The reporters—they were just eager for a clip of the grieving daughter so that they could flash her picture all over their TVs. As for all the senator’s so-called friends...Logan knew when tears were real and when they weren’t.
Better to not cry at all and still feel than to weep when you didn’t feel any emotion.
Her lower lip quivered and she caught it between her teeth. Helpless, Logan reached out and caught her hand. “Come with me,” he told her.
She stared up at him. Light raindrops began to fall on them. Did she remember the last time they’d stood in the rain?
I need to forget. But that magnolia scent teased his nose.
Sometimes you could never forget.
Logan shrugged out of his jacket and lifted it over Juliana’s head. “I want you to come with me.”
Juliana didn’t move. “You’re not supposed to be here.” Shaking her head, she said, “I saw you standing under that tree, watching me...but you’r
e not supposed to be here. You should have gone back to Washington or Virginia...or wherever it is that you belong.”
For now, he belonged with her.
The rain came down harder now.
“Miss James?” It was the limo driver. He was an older guy with graying red hair. The rain was already dampening his dark suit, but he didn’t seem to mind. He stared at Juliana, and there was concern—what looked like real concern—in his gaze. Not that fake mask most folks had been sporting for the funeral.
Not hardly.
“She won’t be taking the limo,” Logan said as he moved in closer to Juliana. “We need to talk,” he whispered to her.
She nodded. Drops of rain were on her eyelashes. Or were those tears?
She glanced back at the driver. “Thank you, Charles, but I’ll be getting a ride back to the house with Mr. Quinn.”
The driver hesitated. “Are you sure?” The look he shot toward Logan was full of suspicion.
After a moment’s hesitation, Juliana nodded. “Yes.” She cleared her throat. “Thanks for all you’ve done today... I just... You’ve always been so good to me.”
Charles offered her a sad smile. “And you’ve been good to me.” He gave her a little salute and shoved the back door closed. “Take care of her,” he said to Logan.
I intend to do just that.
Logan caught Juliana’s hand and steered her away from the grave. “I’m not leaving town yet,” he told her. “In fact, I’m going to be staying in Jackson for a while.”