Page 104 of Kilt Trip

Back when Addie told Logan how hard it was for her to maintain relationships, he’d understood it was the same for Jack. Logan had forgiven him back then but still held fast to this disappointment. It was time to set all those complications down. “I’m sorry we made you feel that way. I didn’t know.”

“I couldn’t very well blame you on the way out, could I?” Jack’s cheeky grin softened any of the sting in his words. “We didn’t abandon you. I’ve always believed you could do this on your own. Look what you’ve come up with. Heritage tours are brilliant. And you throw Addie’s business sense behind this idea—you’re going to do great.”

Jack didn’t know about the change in plan, but his confidence muted the siren song of implementing Addie’s official recommendations.

Logan wanted a successful company where he didn’t lose sleep over layoffs or severing relationships with people he’d known his whole life. Her tours would give him that. Safety. Predictability. Everything he’d thought he wanted.

But mixed in with this deep sadness over Addie’s leaving was grief over losing the chance to take on the heritage tours. They felt too daunting without her here.

He could show up to the office tomorrow, check in with vendors, push the website pages live, take reservations for trips that were special and left a lasting impression on their guests. But knowing the trips could be more, knowing he had the chance to give someone a meaningful and personal connection and he chose not to because—what? He was afraid to go it alone?

That wasn’t acceptable anymore.

His heart thundered in his ears as if he stood on the edge of a cliff, staring at the icy waters below.

It would be so easy to simply turn back.

And possibly regret it his entire life.

Guiding was in his blood.

Logan wanted to build something his dad would be proud of—to protect what they’d built at all costs.

But he also wanted to build something he was proud of. A legacy, all his own.

“You think I can do it?”

Jack clasped Logan’s shoulder. “Of course I do. You’re passionate and creative and goddamn stubborn enough, that’s for sure.” He gave Logan a shove that seemed to shake free the fear and betrayal he’d been carrying around since Jack and Reid left.

Hope swelled in Logan’s chest like an ocean wave, gathering strength. “Thank you. I think I needed to hear that.”

Jack ruffled Logan’s hair like he was a kid. “Bawbag.”

Logan smoothed it back down with a flat palm, but the glower he sent Jack’s way morphed into a smile. “I do want you to be happy.” Even if they couldn’t work together. Even if he missed working alongside his brothers every day, he hadn’t lost them. They were still family.

“Likewise. The faster you can forgive her—and yourself—” Jack tipped his head to catch Logan’s eye “—the easier it will get.”

Logan rolled his eyes at Jack’s impression of their dad. “Are you about done?”

An unrepentant grin tugged at Jack’s mouth. “Don’t fuck about forever.”

He wouldn’t. He’d build out the rest of the heritage tours. He’d save The Heart.

Tomorrow.

Tomorrow, he could be inspired and driven and brave. But tonight wasn’t for any of those things.

He raised his drink to Jack, clinking the glass so hard it sloshed over, the liquid trickling over Logan’s wrist. “Let’s get pissed.”

44

Bundled into an oatmeal-colored hotel robe, Addie opened the door and launched herself into Devika’s arms. “I missed you.”

It must have been a lack of sleep making her emotional, but Addie blinked rapidly behind Devika’s shoulder, trying to get ahold of herself.

“Babe.” Devika pulled back from the rib-crunching hug, pursing her lips while she cupped Addie’s face in her hands. “You look like shit.”

“That certainly makes me feel better.”

---