“That’s a tough lesson to teach,” I say. “I’m sure there are good qualities with Bridget, just like there are good qualities with your mother.”
Logan raises an eyebrow. “What are you doing, Cali?”
I honestly don’t know. “Trying to soften up some of your grumpiness?”
He steps closer, leaning into my personal space. He’s close enough to kiss, but I’m refraining from any sort of intimacy in front of his daughter. I’m not quite sure what’s appropriate with her in the room.
“I rather like my level of grumpiness,” Logan says.
“I’m with Cali on that one, Dad. You’re a super grump.”
Logan’s cell phone rings, and he glances at the caller before silencing it. “Do you need to take that?” I ask.
“I can call Levi back later. I’m sure it’s nothing urgent.” Logan drops a soft, chaste kiss on my lips before heading to the fridge. He opens it and retrieves three filet mignons to make for dinner.
“Levi?” I ask, not knowing much about Logan or his friends or family.
“One of my buddies back in New York. He’s had a whirlwind of a year. I invited him and the family out to the resort.”
“Maybe they’ll come visit,” Jules says, her eyes brightening. “They have a six-year-old daughter, Amelia. I can’t wait to take her down the ski slopes.”
Logan glances back at his daughter. “You’re not going down those slopes without a parent from now on.”
“What?” Jules shrieks. “I didn’t fall off the ski lift. How come I’m being punished?”
I bite my tongue. Jules is right, but so is Logan. He just wants what’s best for his daughter and I don’t want to get in the way. “Can I help with dinner?” I ask, trying to skirt the subject and hopefully change it to something less dramatic.
Jules looks like she may burst into tears at any moment. Her cheeks are red, eyes wide, and she keeps clenching her fists. “It’s not fair,” Jules whines. “I know how to ski. I’ve been doing it practically my entire life.”
“I know, but I need to get someone on the equipment to make sure the lift isn’t faulty. And you know the rules about having a ski buddy. A six-year-old is not an adequate buddy for you.”
“Is she any worse than Cali?” Jules asks, and smiles at me. “No offense.”
“None taken,” I say, although, in truth, it does hurt.
Logan grabs a cutting board from under the counter and begins chopping up garlic and onions. “This discussion is over. We’ll worry about it when Levi comes into town with Clare and Amelia. Until then, no skiing without an adult present.”
“Cali is an adult and—”
“That’s enough!” Logan bellows.
Jules scrunches her nose and huffs under her breath before storming off to her bedroom. She slams the door shut.
“Teenagers,” he mutters under his breath.
I stand by the counter, pressing my lips together, wondering what I can do to help. “Do you want me to chop the vegetables?” I offer.
“No, if your cutting skills are anything like your walking skills, you’ll leave the sharp knives to me.” Logan exhales a heavy sigh. “I’m sorry you had to see that,” he says, and gestures toward the back bedroom with Jules.
“It’s fine.”
“It’s not,” he says. “She’s been a bit moody at times since leaving New York.”
“I can’t imagine it was easy for her, picking up and leaving everyone she knew behind. But she is making friends. There’s Izzie,” I remind him. I’d met her friend a few days ago.
“Yeah, Izzie and Julianna go to school together. Those two seem inseparable at times.” He’s quiet, contemplative, as he cuts the vegetables.
“What is it?” I ask.