And just like that, his enthusiasm had lit a spark inside of her. They both knew they’d need a lot of help, something Logan had already factored into the figures he’d calculated. But knowing how popular Ellie and Dan’s restaurant was, it was obvious it could work.
They’d talked to Mary and Ellis the next day. They’d been bowled over by the idea of Logan and Courtney buying the farm. “I always hoped we could pass it on to family,” Mary had confessed, her eyes watering. “And now we will.”
They’d all agreed to wait until the baby arrived before taking the next step. It was only a few weeks away, after all. And in the meantime, Ellis was happily accepting Logan’s help on the farm, while educating him on all aspects of crop and animal management.
Logan took Courtney’s hand, leading her over to the center table. “Everybody!” he called out. “We’re going to open some gifts. But first, I want to say a few words.”
Tanner groaned. “We don’t have a spare three hours.”
“Shut up.” Logan mock-glared at him. “I’m talking.”
“As usual,” Cam muttered with a grin.
Courtney shook her head at their banter, and looked at the crowd gathering around them. Mary and Ellis were next to Logan’s Aunt Gina and his father, the four of them chatting like old friends. Lainey and a few of the girls from the salon were laughing and drinking from champagne glasses, along with Maddie and Van. Carl hadn’t made it – though they’d invited him. And Courtney’s dad and stepmom had sent a beautiful bunch of flowers and a note asking to visit once the baby arrived.
“Okay,” Logan called out, sliding his arm around Courtney’s waist. He was such a natural at public speaking. “First of all, we’d like to give you all a big thanks for joining us today, and celebrating the impending arrival of our baby.” He looked at the table overflowing with gifts. “And thank you all for bringing these, even though we told you not to.”
Their friends laughed. Courtney smiled, because he was so warm, so engaging. Everybody looked at him whenever he spoke.
“As you all know, this place belongs to my friends, Dan and Ellie.” He gave them a nod as they walked around with canapés. “They’re amazing chefs and hosts, and we couldn’t have done this without them.”
“Cheers,” Courtney said, holding her orange juice up to them.
“Finally, I want to say thank you to this beautiful, amazing woman standing next to me.” Logan turned his gaze onto her, and she felt it again. That longing, that need. Courtney swallowed hard, trying to chase it away.
Now wasn’t the time or the place.
“I can’t tell you how much I love her,” he said, a grin pulling at his lips. “But I’m going to try. She’s the most amazing farmer, business owner, and friend you’ll ever want to meet.”
“Hell yeah!” Lainey shouted out.
“But she’s also the best partner. She doesn’t take my crap unless I ask her really nicely.” He winked and Courtney blushed, knowing exactly what he was referring to. “And every day I wake up wondering what the hell I did right to find her. Because she’s everything to me, and I can’t wait for our baby to arrive so the world has another piece of Courtney in it.” He reached out to caress her stomach. “Though I’m gonna miss this belly.”
“Shut up.” She shook her head at him, biting down a grin.
“Anyway. Please raise your glass to my beautiful girlfriend, and our baby to be.” He lifted his own glass – orange juice, just like Courtney’s. “Cheers.”
“Cheers!” the crowd repeated.
“Okay. Let’s open some gifts.” He smiled at Courtney. “You wanna open the first one?”
She shrugged. “Okay.”
He lifted a small box from the top of the pile, passing it to her. Courtney unfastened the blue ribbon, then pulled at the silver paper. There was a cardboard box inside, and she pulled it open, expecting to see a pacifier in there.
But instead there was a pale blue jewelery box. Maybe it was a little silver fairy box – she’d seen those online. Something to store the baby’s first tooth in.
But instead, when she opened it, there was a ring nestled into the velvet cushion, square-cut diamonds sparkling as she pulled it out. She turned to look at Logan, confusion pulling at her brow.
“That one’s from me,” he told her, his expression serious. “If you’ll have it.”
“Is it a…”
“I want us to get married,” he told her, lifting the ring from the box. “Whenever you’re ready. But if you don’t want to, the ring is still yours. It’s a sign of how much I love you. How much I want you to be mine. How I’ll take you any way I can get you, because you’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”
Her eyes stung as she looked up at him, her breath catching in her throat. “I want to get married,” she said, her voice sure. “So much.”
His smile was dazzling as he slid the ring onto her finger. “Thank you,” he told her, leaning his head down to kiss her again, murmuring against her lips. “I can’t wait for you to be my wife.”
She kissed him back, her arms looping around his neck, the diamonds glinting in the sunlight.
“Let’s do it soon,” she whispered. “Once the baby’s here.”
“Deal.” He slid his hand down her side, pulling her against him, her stomach pressed against his. “Thank you for making me so happy.”
The baby kicked against the center of her stomach, as if in protest at being squashed. Logan’s eyes widened with surprise as he looked down. “Damn. Strong right kick, just like his dad.”
She had a feeling the little guy inside of her was going to be just like his dad in every way. The thought made her heart so full it could
