Page 54 of Healing Hearts at the Christmas Inn
"No." Logan's voice came out rougher than he intended. "It doesn't sound crazy at all."
They stood there, the envelope between them, morning light painting them both in shades of gold. Logan was acutely aware of how close she was, how easy it would be to reach out, to close that final distance.
He stepped back, breaking the moment. "So you'll help?"
"I'll help." Charlie held out her hand for the envelope. "On one condition.”
“What’s that?” Logan asked suspiciously.
“We pretend you paid me a fee if Jack asks and wants it that way, but I do this one because I want to and waive any fees.” Charlie’s voice brooked no argument, and his admiration for her grew even deeper.
“Okay,” Logan agreed.
“But you do realize I will need to speak with Jack directly about the details. I'll need to ask questions about the timeline, assets, and liabilities. And you should be there for those conversations too."
Logan handed over the envelope, their fingers brushing against each other briefly. Even that small contact sent electricity racing up his arm. "When?"
“Get me another coffee,” Charlie said with a lopsided grin. “Give me about…” She pulled the document out of the envelope. “Fifteen minutes to go through this, and then we can go speak to him.”
“Great,” Logan said. “I’ll get that coffee while you read and ensure Jack’s available in say… twenty minutes.”
“Fine,” Charlie nodded, sitting back down in the chair she’d vacated and sliding her glasses back onto her nose as she became absorbed in the document.
Logan found himself staring at her and suddenly felt like a Peeping Tom. He felt the heat rise along his neck as he turned and headed for the kitchen. It wasn’t until he was halfway there that he realized he didn’t know how Charlie took her coffee, butthen he reasoned Isabella would. The woman knew how many bubbles a dining customer liked in their sparkling water; she was that good.
After he’d ordered Charlie’s coffee and managed to win the argument of him taking the coffee and plate of her homemade Christmas cookies to Charlie, he headed back to the library with a tray in his hands. The aroma of the freshly baked cookies was making his mouth water. He was nearly at the door when he remembered Jack was going out.
“Shoot, I have to stop him from going,” Logan mumbled as he walked toward where Charlie sat and put the tray down next to her. “Isabella said I have to tell you this is with compliments from her.”
Charlie sniffed the air, and her eyes widened with delight as her head tilted toward the tray. “Isabella’s homemade Christmas cookies.”
“Yeah, they are the best, aren’t they?” Logan looked longingly at the plate.
Charlie held it up. “Would you like one?”
“I’d love one,” Logan said, reaching forward and taking the Christmas tree shape.
“That’s Trinity’s favorite shape,” Charlie said, grinning.
“I’ll be right back as I need to get Jack before he leaves for town,” Logan said, reluctant to leave.
“Okay,” Charlie nodded, holding up the document. “I’m nearly done.”
Logan gave her a quick nod, turned, and forced himself to leave the room and head toward Jack’s office. To his relief, his friend was still sitting behind his desk using an overly large calculator and going through a ledger.
“You do know that’s what the fancy laptop on your desk is for, right?” Logan said, shaking his head at Jack’s reluctance to trust technology.
“I trust my calculations best,” Jack told him.
“Says the man who just told me he was going to use an AI attorney to help with his case,” Logan pointed out, receiving a scathing look from Jack.
“Is that one of Isabella’s cookies?” Jack's eyes followed the sweet in Logan’s hand.
“It is,” he confirmed, taking another bite.
“Thanks for bringing one for me,” Jack said.
“I’m sure all you have to do is call, and Isabella will have a plate load here for you.” Logan laughed. “When are you planning on going into town?”
