Page 13 of The Replacement Fiance

"This place very homey and rustic. Very family friendly," Logan says. "I like it."

I unlock the door to the gift shop and push the door open. "That's the Soraya for you. Simple, no-nonsense, let's-get-back-to-nature kinda vibe."

"I can see where your love for flowers began," he continues. "Do you ever think of moving back here one day?"

"Maybe to visit. I think between the four of us, Forrest is the one who loves this place the most. Ever since he retired from the Marines, this is where he'd rather be."

I push open the door and step inside, switching on the lights to reveal a gift shop carrying Mom's homemade oils and lotions, candles, handmade jewelry, t-shirts, and scarves and shawls. There is a rack of toiletries as well and snacks.

"Are all these locally made?" Logan picks up a smudge stick and brings it to his nose.

"Yup. Mom and Dad like to support small businesses."

He grins, returning the smudge stick back on the shelf before picking up an unpolished rose quartz crystal. "So that's where you get that from."

"Pretty much. I grew up around here and everything is considered small business, when you think about it."

As Logan continues to look at the crystals lined up on the counter, I find what I need and slip it into the pocket of my coat. I write down the product number on the ledger and tuck it back into the drawer under the cash register.

"See anything you like?" I ask when I notice Logan watching me, no longer studying the crystals.

"Yeah, but she's not for sale."

"Ha ha." I roll my eyes even though his words make my stomach do flip flops. "Come on, let me show you one of my favorite spots on the property before it gets dark."

We take the longer way back toward the house, passing by the vegetable gardens that are currently barren and partially covered with snow and one of the barns that Dad converted into a garage where he stores his precious 1955 bright red Chevy Cameo that he's been restoring for years. As we peer through one of the windows, even Logan is impressed.

"That's a Fleetside," he says excitedly. "I wonder if that's a 265-cid V-8."

I laugh. "You better ask him. For a second there, I could have sworn you spoke a foreign language."

After a few minutes of peeking through the windows, I pull him away from the barn and we return to the trail leading to the house. "I'd love to ride up here along with my brother and the guys one day."

"Summer's a great time to do that. The lake is two miles from here and there's so much to do. Swimming, fishing, or laying out on the beach. Canoeing, too, if you're into that. Or kayaking. That's when the Soraya is usually busy with nature workshops."

I suddenly freeze in place, my gaze at two couples walking along the trail toward us. "Great! It's Elliot and his parents... and Minerva."

"Why are you whispering?" Logan asks, his voice lowering.

"Because I have no idea what to say to them."

He takes my hand, squeezing it. "A simple Merry Christmas will do fine. You've moved on, remember?"

They stop when they see us approaching. After a pause, three of them head back the opposite direction, leaving only Elliot standing along the trail waiting for us. I can't believe he didn't go back with his parents and Minerva but it's also classic Elliot. He was never one to back down from anything and certainly not from me.

With his blond hair, green eyes and aquiline nose and wearing a V-neck brown sweater over a light gray t-shirt and blue jeans, Elliot could have stepped out of a men's fashion magazine. It brings back memories of how fussy he used to be about every piece of clothing he owned. Everything had to be perfect, every suit tailored. Even his dress shirts were purchased from London's Saville Row. I should have noticed how my best friend had been more in tune with his fashion tastes than I was, but I push the thoughts away as Logan squeezes my hand.

"Hey, Mariah, Merry Christmas," Elliot says.

"Merry Christmas to you, too," I mumble. "I hope you guys are doing well."

"We are. By the way, I'd like to introduce you to my fiancé, Logan."

Elliot stares at Logan for a few seconds before shaking Logan's hand. "Nice to meet you."

Logan looks serious. "Nice to meet you, too."

"Hey, Mariah, I'm sorry for using the trail that goes through the Soraya but it was the shortest route from–"

---