She knew he was speaking the truth, yet somehow it still didn’t soothe her the way she’d hoped it would. Shaun had wanted what she couldn’t give. One way or another that had led to his death.
“Maybe I’m just really bad at marriage,” she muttered.
He chuckled. “Hey, you’re talking to the biggest relationship loser, remember? You can’t be as bad as me.”
She glanced up at him, cupping her belly with her palm. “This poor kid really lucked out.”
Logan moved his head down, his hazel eyes intent as he brushed his lips against hers. “Our kid really has lucked out having you as a mom. I can’t think of anybody who’ll make a better one.”
She gave him a half smile. “How do you always know the right things to say?”
“I don’t. I wish I did. Most of the time I open my mouth and crap comes spilling out.”
She lifted her hand to cup his cheek. “That’s not true. You’re really insightful. I like that about you. That’s why you’re so good at your job. You anticipate peoples’ needs before they even know what they need.”
His eyes flashed with warmth. “Thank you.”
“And I’m proud of you,” she whispered. “For all your achievements.” She pulled her lip between her teeth. “I’m so glad that Hester ran out in front of your car that day.”
“Not as glad as I am. From the moment that damn hen walked out into the road and stared me down, that was it. It felt like being at the movies and putting 3D glasses on. I went from being a spectator to being part of something real. I’ve never felt that before.” He took her hand, placing it on his chest above where his heart was beating. “You brought me back to life.”
The vehemence in his eyes took her breath away. Her eyes stung at his beautiful words. “We have a lot to thank Harriet and Hester for,” she said softly. “If it hadn’t been for them we might not have met.”
The corner of his lip lifted. “I think they knew you were ready for me.” There was no teasing in his voice. “They just waited for me to drive along before they flew into the road to stop me.”
“What if you hadn’t stopped?” She bit down a smile. He was looking so serious.
“Then I guess they would’ve known what kind of man I was.”
This time she couldn’t help but grin. There were so many parts of Logan Hartson she was beginning to see. Not just the suave, sophisticated businessman, or the sensual lover who knew all the right places to make her breath catch. There was a softness to him, too. A gentleness she suspected nobody else knew about. And it touched her deep inside.
“I’m glad you stopped,” she said, her voice thick. “I’m even glad that Hester scratched your arm so I had to take you to the cottage. I probably owe her a gilded coop or something.”
“She can be our maid of honor.”
Courtney laughed out loud at the image of Hester in a pink bridesmaid’s dress, her beady eyes on Logan as she walked up the aisle. “I thought we’d talked about that,” she said, her eyes meeting his.
“We have. And I know you’re not ready to get married now. But I also hope you will be one day. I’m going to keep asking in case you are.”
She nodded, her heart too full to say anything. He leaned forward, brushing his lips against hers.
“I’m falling for you,” he murmured against her mouth, his hands sliding down her back. “So damn hard it hurts.”
Her breath caught in her throat. She was falling for him, too. In fact, she’d already fallen. But it didn’t hurt, it felt amazing. Like landing on a cloud. “I feel the same,” she whispered against his lips.
“Thank god.” He slid his palm down to her behind. “Because I don’t think I can live without you.”
She pressed her body against his, feeling every hard line. “You don’t have to.” And wasn’t that the best thing? She’d spent so long believing that she was alone in this world. That her chance at a relationship was long gone. But now, in his arms, she knew better. He moved his lips along her jaw, down her neck, his hands caressing her as he pulled her closer, and all those fears and thoughts rushed out of her, replaced by a pulsing need.
It would be okay. It had to be. Because she couldn’t give this up. She was addicted to Logan Hartson, and from the way he was worshipping her body with his lips, she knew he felt exactly the same way.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Courtney parked her truck outside Ellis and Mary’s house, shivering as she opened the driver’s door. The temperature had dipped again, and today it was ten below zero, even though the afternoon sun could be glimpsed between the low gray clouds.
This weather was good for the soil, at least, even if everything else was suffering. They needed the cold morning frosts to break down the clumps that had been plowed up after the harvest, readying the ground for this year’s sowing.
“Hey.” Ellis lifted a hand in greeting as he walked out of the barn on the other side of the yard. “Was everything all right on the pasture?”
Courtney rubbed her hands together to keep off the chill. “Yeah, I only had to fix one of the fences. But the animals are fine. I’ll bring them in at five, so they avoid the worst of the cold.” She wiggled her fingers, trying to move the blood through them. The tips of her fingers were turning white. “You doing okay?”
Ellis nodded. “Just servicing the tractor. Thought I’d take advantage of a bit of spare time. How was Boston?”
“Colder than this, if you can imagine.” She gave him a soft smile. It felt weird, talking to her deceased husband’s father about her trip to see
