Page 51 of Annika's Aurora

“You saved her?” Logan nodded. “And you think you killed her brother?” Again, Logan nodded. Graham shook his head. “You are more of a dumb fuck than I was.”

“Grief makes you do stupid things.”

Graham sighed. “I guess I can understand that.” Natalie joined them, Graham pulling her close to his side.

“God, Logan,” Natalie began. “Your Annika has been through so much. More than anybody should have to face in their life. But look at her.” All three of them looked across the room at Annika. She was smiling the smile that made his heart skip a beat. “She looks full of joy! No offense, Graham, but she has to be the strongest person I’ve ever met.”

“Just as strong as you,” Graham complimented her.

“Sorry, but no. She’s stronger.”

“How did we get so lucky to have won the toughest ladies in the world, Logan?” Graham asked.

Logan shrugged. “Pure luck?”

“Nah,” Natalie insisted. “Luck had nothing to do with it. It’s all the doing of your clever ladies who’ve managed to teach you the error of your ways,” she teased.

“That’s it, exactly,” Graham kissed her temple. “Thank you for helping me to see the light, Chickadee.”

She blushed and batted him away. “So, I take it by the closeness I’ve seen that she’s forgiven you for leaving?” Graham asked.

“Surprisingly, yes.”

Graham tilted his head and shot a questioning look at Logan. “Have you forgiven yourself?”

“Not surprisingly, no. But I’m working on it.”

“Good,” Graham said, clapping him on the back. “Keep working on it. And don’t let that one get away.”

Logan gazed at her again and smiled. “Never.”

Finally, Logan was able to get Annika out of the building. Macey stopped them right outside the front doors. “Miss Northrup!”

“Macey? What’s wrong?” The girl looked out of breath.

“Can I see that poem? Suzanna’s poem?” she asked.

Logan set the bag down for Annika. She bent to search for the paper. Finding it, she handed it to Macey, who read it quickly. “I don’t think this is really about the Aurora at all,” Macey remarked, reading it a second time.

“How so? That was the assignment. They had to write about something found in nature.”

“Yes, I know. But Suzanna was clever,” Macey said with a smile. “You told me her other poem, ‘The Master,’ was about me, right? I think this one is about you.”

“Me?” squeaked Annika. “How do you figure?”

“Look here.” Macey pointed to a line in the poem, then read, “‘She shines so bright, leading all to her light.’ And here. ‘She opened the door, permitting my heart to soar.’ And ‘With the colors of her heart, her wisdom she does impart.’ It’s all you. Your light. You opened her soul. You taught her to open herself up. You taught her to write. She loved you. And she loved that you allowed her to be herself. Her true self.”

Looking stunned, Annika took the poem back from Macey and read through it again. “How did I not notice that?” she wondered. “You’re right, Macey, Suzanna was very clever.” Annika hugged Macey and promised to email her the poem.

After they said more goodbyes, they made their way across the parking lot. It felt to him like he was practically carrying her to the car, she was that burned out. After she’d stumbled for the third time, he did just that. He swept her up into his arms and carried her the rest of the way. She put up a token protest, then settled into his arms and placed her head on his shoulder, yawning. Logan could hear the other Nighthawks laughing and joking as they made their way to their cars as well. He didn’t care that he’d probably be teased for this; he was taking care of his love.

Logan held Annika’s hand as they drove down I-196 back to the lake house. The other Nighthawks were not too far behind them. She was quiet, staring out her window. He didn’t pressure her to talk about any of it, understanding she needed time to decompress. He’d be here for her if she wanted to talk.

Suddenly, Annika sat up straight. “Oh my God!” she shouted. “Stop the car, Logan! Pull over!”

Chapter 14

“What?”Thinkingshewasill,Loganbrakedimmediately.

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