Page 2 of Axel

Her two friends were married and were often hinting that it was time for her to settle down, but she was more than content with being unattached. Besides, she was not even sure she wanted children, much less a husband.

She glanced at her watch now, grimacing as she noticed the time. “I have to pop in to see dad. His diabetes has been acting up lately and I promised to pick some things up from the store for him.”

“He is such a sweet man.” Marcia murmured. “And should not be alone.”

“He is not alone,” Ellie said dryly. “That retirement community where he lives offers the very best of amenities and he has made a lot of friends.” Pushing back her chair, she waited for her friends to rise as well. “We must have dinner before I leave.”

“You leave in a week.”

Ellie nodded in response to Jackie. “And there is so much to do before then.” All three walked towards the entrance of the trendy restaurant with frankly admiring looks following their progress and lingering on Ellie who seemed not to notice the interest she was garnering.

She was accustomed to men ogling her. In her past career as a lingerie model, it had been worse. It was something she accepted. It was made even worse because her mother had been an actress and a very successful one at that. Being recognized was a given.

Waving goodbye to her friends, she accepted her key fob from the eagerly smiling valet and jumped into her vehicle. She would head to the store and then take the hour-long drive to see her dad. It was entirely out of her way, and she had a lot to do, but she always looked forward to seeing him.

*****

“Darling. I was hoping you would have gotten here in time to play a round of golf with your old man,” Leonard Logan embraced her in a fierce hug, his hands running up and down her back before holding her at arm’s length, dark brown eyes studying her face curiously. “You grow more beautiful each time I see you…”

“You are certainly good for my ego.” Leaning in, she pecked his cheek. “Where do you want these?” She held up the shopping bags.

“Over there by the counter. Here, let me…“ Taking them from her, he carried them into the well-appointed kitchen that was spotless and tidy. “I gave Deena the day off and did the tidying up myself.”

“You have been busy, and you look well.” She had seen him last week and had voiced her concern to the nurse about his demeanor, but she had been assured that it would pass. Ellie was happy to see that it had.

“How about I make us a couple of corned beef hash sandwiches?”

“Sounds lovely.” Sliding on a stool around the counter, she propped her chin on her hand and watched as he got the ingredients to make the sandwich. She had gotten her height from him, but that’s about it.

Leonard Logan was an attractive sixty-year-old who had served more than forty years in the navy and retired as a senior chief more than two years ago. He still had the military bearing and if given the chance would reminisce about his times at sea for anyone who would listen.

He had confessed to Ellie that he had wanted more children, but her mother would not hear of it. “And there was never a woman I loved the way I love your mother. I have been all over the world and no one ever comes close.”

Watching him now, Ellie felt the familiar ache inside her for the way he still clung to the hope that her mother would ‘wake up and come to her senses’ as he often put it.

“What have you been up to?”

Looking up from the tomato he was slicing, he gave her a fond glance. “Woke up late this morning.”

“Rough night?” She asked teasingly.

“Playing cards with some of the guys and time got away from us.” He chopped lettuce expertly.

“Who won?”

“Me, of course.” He grinned at her, eyes twinkling. “I took a hundred dollars off poor Martin. He is determined to win it back. Poor sod. Grab two beers from the cooler, will you?”

“I just had two glasses of champagne with the girls, and I am the one driving. Besides, you are taking medication, so…,” pulling the fridge open, she took out a container of iced tea, “this will do.”

“Spoilsport…,” he grumbled good-naturedly. “Toasted?” He held up the slices of bread and she nodded.

He handed her the large and loaded sandwich on a plate before taking his seat across from her. “Now, tell me what’s going on in your life since I last saw you.”

Her tapered brows lifted as she bit into the sandwich. “Which was seven days ago.”

He shrugged. “I keep hoping that you are here to tell me you met the perfect guy, one who is worthy of you.”

“According to you, none will ever be.”

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