Page 117 of Seven of Hearts

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LOGAN

Home. It was strange to think that, after years of trying to leave, I was anxious to come back. A three-day trip had turned into four days, thanks to an apocalyptic snowstorm that turned half of the Midwest into a frozen tundra, and grounded every flight for the better part of twenty-four hours.

When I finally landed back in North Carolina, the three-hour drive from the airport back to the coast moved at a snail’s pace. I hit traffic at every turn, and had a near miss at being rear-ended, thanks to a driver who was texting and eating a fried chicken leg at the same time.

It was nearly midnight by the time I pulled into the driveway. Every light in the house was on, making it glow like a beacon.

Warm beams danced over the bay, streaking the lapping waves like strands of Christmas lights. I left my bags in the car and hurried up the porch steps. I could bring them in later.

I had returned from Chicago with little more than what I had left with. Before her, I would have been perfectly content living my grayscale life in my vacant city apartment with my minimalist pantry and complete lack of furnishings.

But ever since I had gotten a taste of what life was like in blazing color, there was no going back. She was the sun, the moon, the stars, and the rainbows. She was the full spectrum of miracles and magic that made life worth living.

Leah was the difference between existing and thriving.

I unlocked the front door and slipped in.

The living room was a sprawling mess of blankets, pillows, and bodies. Leah was fast asleep in the recliner with her feet up and the pregnancy pillow wrapped around her. Kylie and Bryan were cuddled up on the couch. He lifted his chin in acknowledgement as I slipped in. Zoey had made a nest on the floor, curling up beneath a pile of quilts.

Bryan eased out from beneath Kylie as she continued to snore like a foghorn. “Hey,” he whispered. “How was the trip back?”

Leah stirred, but she didn’t wake.

“Long,” I said as I shucked off my coat. “Why does my living room look like a really lame slumber party?”

Bryan chuckled. “The girls have spent every night together since you left. I’m starting to think that you and I play second fiddle.”

I bit back a smile. “Sounds about right.”

“I was over at Will’s and Zoey heard I was coming over here for the night, so she tagged along. I’ll take her home.”

I peeked at the clock. “It’s already midnight. Stay over if you want.”

He grinned. “I know she’s your sister, but I want my wife in my bed.”

I glanced at Leah as she snuggled that pillow. “Nah, I get it.”

“I’ll take Zoey back to Will and Kristin’s,” he said.

“How’s Leah?” I asked before he woke up the girls. I wanted to get a feel for things since she had grown more and more quiet the longer I was gone.

“Kylie kept her busy, but I think she’s gonna be glad to have you back. She’s probably wiped out. I think they hit seven thrift shops between here and Swansboro today.”

“Jesus.” I glanced back at the closed nursery door, wondering what the hell kind of furniture haul they had done. Bryan had a truck, and Kylie had a trailer she used to haul event decor. The girls could have done some serious damage with that kind of capacity.

“Logan’s back,” Bryan whispered to Kylie as he gently woke her up.

The snoring stopped immediately. “What? Huh?” She sat up and blinked. “It’s about damn time.”

I tipped my head in Leah’s direction. “Thanks for staying with her.”

Kylie nodded and yawned. “You’ll thank me less when you see all the furniture you have to move tomorrow.”

Zoey roused at the sound of voices. “What time is it?”

“Midnight,” I whispered.

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