Page 45 of Three Hearts Hideaway

“What did your boss say?” If another jackass mouthed off to Ava, he was going to track him down and glue his lips together. He found Sebastian. He could find her boss.

“I need to go home. Tomorrow.” Ava sat on the couch, shoulders slumped and gaze on the floor.

“Tomorrow?” Logan shook his head. “Is there even a plane leaving Little Greenfield tomorrow?”

“Do you want me to check?” Roman asked.

When she nodded, Roman stepped outside—with a reluctant expression on his face—to call Jerry, a close friend and pilot at the one-runway airport.

“What am I going to do?” She stared up at Logan, tears forming in her eyes.

Shit. He wasn’t good at comforting people. That was Roman’s forte. But this was Ava.

“I was supposed to have two more days off.”

He took a seat beside her. “It can’t be that bad. Perhaps they just need you back earlier than expected.”

“Then why wouldn’t he tell me that over the phone?”

“Tell me what he said, specifically.”

She took a few shuddering breaths, obviously trying to calm herself. “He said I needed to return as soon as possible, preferably tomorrow. When I asked why, he said it would be better to talk face-to-face because didn’t want to give me any details on the phone. He didn’t sound pleased.”

Logan’s face tightened, but he did his best not to frown. No need to cause further alarm. “Let’s not panic before we have all the information. It could be many things.”

Ava sniffled and Logan felt a piece of his heart break. That was a new sensation. How did he come to care so much for her in such a short time?

He pulled her into his arms and held her tight. “You’ll get through this. You have me. And Roman.”

She shook her head against his chest. “I was supposed to have two more days here. This is the last night I get to be with you both…” she trailed off, seemingly lost in a memory he didn’t have access to.

“It’s not thelastnight. You’ll be ba?—”

Before Logan could get Ava to finish her thought, Roman burst through the door, holding up his phone. “I’ve convinced Jerry to fly Ava home tomorrow. I owe him a month’s worth of free drinks at the pub, but he’ll do it.”

Roman to the rescue. Though, Logan didn’t want Ava to be rescued. He wanted her to stay with them in Little Greenfield. He silently cursed Jerry for being such an agreeable man. The pilot was always more than happy to help the people of Little Greenfield. Why would Ava be any different?

She pulled away from him and went to Roman, who wrapped her in his arms.

“Everything’s going to be fine.” Roman stroked her hair. “Jerry will take you back first thing in the morning. Work will get sorted out.”

“We’ll go with you,” Logan found himself saying.

“Anything you want, Ava. Would you like us to go, too?”

“I appreciate the offer, but I think I need to handle this on my own. I’ve jotted down enough positives and negatives on my list, and spent enough time with you both, to know what I deserve. It’s time I dealt with the entire mess.”

Roman ran the back of his hand down her cheek. “If you’re sure, love.”

“I am.” She sniffed and wiped her eyes with the sleeve of her sweater. “Plus, it’s been eight days. The voice message should be old news to everybody by now, right?”

Roman nodded, ever the comforter. Logan knew better. Salacious gossip, like the information Sebastian spread, didn’t go away quickly. And Ava leaving immediately after probably added to the fire he caused. Logan wished he’d burst the self-righteous dick-weasel’s tires alongside keying his car.

“I should pack my things.” Ava trudged up the stairs and into her room.

Logan narrowed his eyes at Roman. “Aren’t you going after her?”

He shook his head. “She needs time to think. Let’s give her some space and—unless she comes to us—we’ll talk to her in the morning.”

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