“What are they?”
“Cookies and cakes,” Ellis said, shaking his head as though it was a stupid question. “Your man Logan sent them over to us. He sent some to Carl, too, by the sounds of it. Though Carl didn’t sound too happy.”
Carl had been released from the hospital the day after the shooting, heading straight home to recuperate. Mary had slept in his apartment the first night, but after that he’d refused any help. Courtney had called him to check on how he was feeling, but they’d both been cold with each other.
She was okay with that. He’d always be family in one way or another, but nothing more. Either he accepted things or he didn’t.
“Logan sent you pastries?” She pulled her lip between her teeth, her eyes meeting Ellis’s.
“Yeah. The good ones, too. You want some?”
The last time they talked he hadn’t even met Ellis and Mary. And now they were on pastry terms? What had he been doing all week?
Courtney’s stomach grumbled again. “Yeah, I could eat one. Let me put these eggs in their trays and wash my hands. You want a drink and have one with me?”
“Just had one. I’m heading to the upper field to repair the fence up there.” He inclined his head. “That Logan, I think he’ll be okay.”
“You do?” Courtney blinked, trying to hide her surprise. “You’ve spoken to him?” She felt a desperate need to know more.
“Yeah. He called Mary last night to introduce himself and make sure she was okay. Apparently your friend Lainey gave him our number. Anyway, he is a good man. Told her to take care, that your baby needs all its grandparents safe and sound.” He nodded, looking away. “That made her smile, you know?”
Unexpected tears stung at Courtney’s eyes. “I didn’t know.”
“Yeah, well, if he makes Mary smile, then he’s okay with me.” He followed Courtney to the house, carrying the box into the kitchen. “I know it hasn’t been easy for you. None of this. But I appreciate all you do for us. Mary does, too. Since we lost Shaun it’s been tough on the farm.” He cleared his throat. “We couldn’t have done this without you.”
“I love the farm.” Courtney met his gaze. “You know that.”
“I do. But eventually we’ll need to think about selling. Me and Mary aren’t getting any younger, and farming isn’t an old man’s job.”
“You don’t need to sell. I can help.”
He gave her the softest of smiles. “I know you can.
But you have your baby to think about. A family of your own.”
She opened her mouth to protest, but her words dissolved on her tongue. He was right. She had a future to think about.
“Right,” Ellis said, clapping his hands together. “I’d best get off. I’ll catch you when you’re back from the restaurant.”
She nodded. “Sure.” But she was still busy thinking about Logan. The way he treated Mary and Ellis had touched her heart.
Maybe it wasn’t frozen solid after all.
Thank you for being so kind to Mary and Ellis. I appreciate it.
Logan stared at the message, his mouth dry. It was the first thing he’d heard from Courtney all week. It was crazy, but his hand was shaking as he held his phone and read the words over and over again.
Taking a deep breath, he tapped out a reply.
It’s a pleasure. Are you okay? The baby doing fine?
It only took a minute for her to reply, but it felt like hours.
We’re good. Maybe we can talk tomorrow? Are we meeting at the doctor’s office for the scan?
The ghost of a smile passed his lips as he lifted his head and looked around Gray and Maddie’s kitchen. The four of them were out – Gray at a meeting somewhere, and Maddie and the twins were at some kind of mom and toddler class. He’d have to ask her about it. Maybe it was something he and the baby could do some time, assuming dads were also allowed.
He’d flown in a few hours earlier, unable to stay away any longer, and had dropped his bags at Gray’s house – at Maddie’s insistence. He’d just grabbed himself a coffee and sat down to decide what to say to Courtney when his phone had beeped.