Page 37 of Break the Barrier
My sister was a very ambitious fashion designer, which was why she was pushing to make her goals succeed in New York, where one day she would have her designs making their way down the runway.
Or, so she said, anyway.
“I’m sure you just have to settle in, find that group of friends that will become friends for life.”
“Or a boyfriend. A boyfriend would be nice.”
I sigh and shake my head. “Boyfriends aren’t everything, Phee. Learn to stand on your own first, then the guy can come along.”
“Yeah, yeah, I know.” Someone comes to her dorm room, and she has to let me go.
I hang up, feeling sad and missing my little sister who decided to take on a summer internship that would get her closer to her degree. It allowed her to stay on campus and hopefully graduate within the next year.
But I miss her, and I can’t deny that it would be nice to have my baby sister home.
She was young when I went through my awful marriage, young enough to look up to Eric and old enough to be sad when he was gone.
So, I didn’t blame her for wanting a boyfriend, for hoping that she could find someone to lean on when times were tough.
The welcome bell above the door rings, and I glance up, smiling when I see Lue enter the restaurant, followed closely by her dad.
Logan locks eyes with me and gives me the grin he’s practically known for. I push away the butterflies that attempt to erupt.
“Thea! I got it!” She runs to the bar, throwing her bag down on top of it, and hops onto a barstool. “I got the role of Helena!”
I gape at her and lift a hand for a high five. “I knew you would! Congrats!” She hits my hand, and I lean it against the bar. “Now the real work begins.” I lift my brows teasingly, looking to Logan quickly and back.
His focus on me was unnerving, and I swear I could feel it wash over me.
“I know,” Lue says with a sigh, but it’s a happy one, one that says she’s more than ready for the work ahead. “I’m so excited, though.”
“You should be. You worked hard,” Logan assures her. “Come on, though, I have to take you to Gram’s.”
“Aw, why, though? We just got here,” Lue says with a pout.
“I told you. CT needs some help tonight,” he says with a look to his daughter.
I ignore the way that makes me feel and ask, “What’s wrong with CT?”
He turns to me and gives me a small smirk. “Some cattle got out along the highway today. We’ve moved them off for now, but there’s still a couple missing and some fencing to fix. Stetson and CT are out there now, so I gotta get back.”
“But Dad, I want to stay and talk with Thea about the play.”
They look at each other, and I can tell that they’ve done this silent debate thing before.
Eventually, Lue’s shoulders slump, and she reaches for her bag. “Fine.”
“You know,” I start, unsure that what I’m about to say that will not be sticking my foot in my mouth. “Lue could hang out here for a while.”
Logan looks at me, and for maybe the first time ever, it looks like I’ve truly shocked him. “What?”
I shrug. “It’s Monday, so it’s not too busy. Plus, there’s a lull. Lue could hang out, do her homework, or work on the play.” I put my hand out to him. “Of course, if it’s okay with you.”
He looks at me for a moment before his eyes turn to his daughter, who’s got her hands folded under her chin, looking up at him with big, sad eyes. Logan sighs and says, “I guess that’s fine. I can come get her later.”
“Or I can bring her home, whichever comes first,” I offer, unsure why I have this need to not only diffuse a silly argument between the two of them but to yet again take on the responsibility of watching over Lue.
There’s silent glee written all over Lue’s face, and Logan sighs, a small smile on his lips as if it doesn’t really bother him that he’s been beaten.
