Page 34 of Logan

“And that makes you happy, doesn’t it?” Logan interrupted bitterly.

She shook her head sadly. “No, it doesn’t. Please, just eat something.”

“Why bother pretending to care now, Dixie? Just go.” He gestured for her to leave.

“I don’t want to argue with you,” she pleaded.

A small smirk tugged at the corners of his mouth. “Since when?”

Dixie let out a heavy sigh, the sound weighted with sorrow and exhaustion. She spoke softly, her voice strained with emotion. “I don’t want to argue about this with you. You know I loved Clint, but no matter how much I’ll miss him, I know it’s nothing compared to what you’re feeling, Logan.” Her words hung in the air between them like a heavy cloud of sadness.

Logan leaned his head back against the plush sofa, tears rolling down his cheeks. Dixie sat beside him and gently touched his arm, causing him to look at her. He saw that tears were also streaming down her cheeks, evidence of her own grief for his father.

“I’d better go,” Dixie said softly, her voice full of concern. “It was snowing when I got here, and it hasn’t let up. Logan, please eat. You have some rough days ahead.” She reached out to touch his hand in comfort.

Logan couldn’t help but feel grateful for her presence and her offer to help.

“Are you having a service?” she asked.

Logan nodded solemnly. “Yes,” he replied hoarsely. “Dad wanted to be cremated, so I’ll honor his wishes. But I am having a service for him after.”

“What do you want me to do? I can help you with this,” Dixie offered sincerely, her hand still resting on his.

Logan squeezed her hand gratefully and felt relieved when she didn’t pull away. “I don’t know if I can get through this alone, Dixie,” he admitted with a shaky breath. “I wouldappreciate the help.”

“Then I’ll help you,” she promised without hesitation. “What do you need?”

“Right now, nothing,” Logan said with a heavy heart. “I just want to be alone.”

“Okay,” Dixie said understandingly. “Call me or send me a text when you’re ready.”

“I’ll never be ready for this,” Logan replied bleakly.

“That’s what I’m here for,” Dixie reminded him gently. “Please, let me know. I’d better get going.”

Logan nodded numbly as she walked toward the door. He watched her turn back to face him one last time before leaving. “Eat,” she urged softly. “I’ll talk to you later.” She paused, her hand resting on the doorknob. “Do I need to do anything with your horse?”

Logan shook his head. “No. He’s in the stall at the back of the cabin.”

“Goodnight, Logan,” Dixie said with a sad smile. “Please get some sleep. You need it.”

He nodded again but didn’t say anything in response. As he heard the door close behind her, he sat up and unwrapped the food she had brought for him. Despite his grief and exhaustion, he forced himself to take a few bites before setting it down. The food felt heavy in his stomach, a reminder of the crushing weight of loss that rested in his chest.

With a heavy heart, he kicked off his boots and lay down on the sofa, pulling a quilt over himself for warmth and comfort. He knew he would eventually have to tend to the fire in the stove, but for now, all he wanted was to closehis eyes and escape from the pain of losing his father.

****

As Dixie drove back home, she couldn’t stop the tears from falling. Her heart ached for Logan, and she wished she could take away his pain. She knew it would take time for him to heal from this loss.

Once she arrived at her house, she parked the car and made her way inside. The snow was coming down heavily and the bitter cold seeped through her coat. She hoped Logan would stay warm in the cabin. The only source of heat seemed to be a potbelly stove with logs stacked next to it. The cabin had been warm, but tonight it would be bitterly cold outside.

Dixie took off her coat and hat and headed to the living room to watch some TV. With how much it was snowing, she doubted she’d be able to make it to work at the coffee shop tomorrow. She picked up her phone and called Celine.

“Hey, Dixie.”

“Hi, Celine. If this snow continues, I won’t be able to come in tomorrow.”

“That’s okay. It looks pretty rough out there. I’ll open the shop, but if no customers come in, I’ll just head home. Lucky for me, I live above the shop.”

---