Page 66 of Healing Hearts at the Christmas Inn
They passed booth after booth, keeping careful distance between them, both hyperaware of every accidental brush of shoulders or hands. Charlie's nerves were stretched thin from the effort of appearing casual when all she wanted was to touch him.
As they passed a section where three large tree trunks created a natural alcove, Logan suddenly ducked behind them, catching Charlie's hand and pulling her with him.
She laughed, the sound bubbling up from somewhere deep in her chest. She felt carefree for the first time in forever, like she'd shed some weight she hadn't known she was carrying.
Logan drew her close, his hands framing her face, and kissed her. Charlie's toes curled in her shoes. Butterflies launched themselves in her stomach, swooping and diving.
When they pulled apart, both breathless, Logan kept his forehead pressed to hers. "It's going to be really hard keeping this a secret. Every instinct I have tells me to take your hand, to touch you, to make sure everyone knows you're with me."
Charlie's heart stuttered at the possessiveness in his voice. "I feel the same way," she admitted. "But we should figure out what this is first. We've barely just met, Logan. And my sister's divorce isn't through yet. I feel guilty shoving a new romance in her face when she's still healing." She paused. "And there's the fact we're working on the inn's case together. We need to keep it professional, at least publicly."
Logan nodded slowly. "I know. You're right. It's just..."
His lips crushed hers again, cutting off whatever he'd been about to say. Charlie lost all train of thought, melting into him, her fingers tangling in his hair.
When he pulled away this time, his eyes were dark and serious. "I've only ever felt like this one other time in my life."
Charlie's breath caught. She knew what was coming before he said it.
Logan smiled softly. "That was with my late wife, Betty."
Charlie saw the flash of pain in his eyes, the grief that still lived there even after eight years. Her heart squeezed for him. "I'm sorry, Logan." She searched his face in the low light from the street lamps. "What happened..." She clenched her jaw, closed her eyes, and shook her head. "I'm sorry. I have no right to pry."
"No." Logan shook his head and led her to a nearby bench tucked beneath the branches of a massive oak tree. They sat, the world continuing around them while they created their own quietbubble beneath the stars. "I shouldn't have said that." He looked at her, regret clear on his face. "Sorry. We have this passionate kiss, and I bring up my late wife."
"No!" Charlie leaned closer, taking his hand. "I'm glad you did. It gets us over a lot of awkward 'do we ask, don't we ask' territory." She gave a low laugh. "Better to address the elephant in the room head-on."
Logan's expression softened. "That's something she would have said." He shook his head, wonder in his voice. "Don't take this the wrong way because I'm in no way comparing you. But you remind me so much of her. Your strength, passion, compassion, and loyalty to the people you care about." He kissed her forehead, and Charlie felt something settle in her chest. "I fell for her within hours of meeting her, just like I did with you."
Charlie's heart lurched.Did he just say he'd fallen for me?She stared at him wide-eyed, unable to form words.
Logan seemed to realize what he'd said. He rolled his eyes and sighed. "Sorry. I don't usually do things like this. Admit I'm falling for anyone, especially in the first few days." He started to pull away. "I’m coming on too strong. You must think I'm?—"
"No!" Charlie's voice came out hoarse. She grabbed his hand, stopping him. "No. Not at all." She swallowed hard. "To be honest, I've never felt this way before. And definitely not this quickly."
Logan's eyes searched hers. "Never?"
"Never," Charlie confirmed. She took a breath, deciding he deserved honesty after he had been so vulnerable. "I was never married. I came close once. We'd set a date, sent invitations, the whole thing. But the day before the wedding, I got cold feet." Shelaughed bitterly. "Turned out my instincts were right. I went to his apartment that night to call it off, and he was with one of our work colleagues."
Logan's expression darkened. "I'm sorry."
"Don't be. Best thing that ever happened to me, really. Saved me from a bigger mistake." Charlie shrugged. "After that, I dated. But as soon as anyone got too close, I ended it. My career became my life. It was safer that way."
"So you don't have any kids of your own?" Logan asked gently.
"No. I never really wanted them." Charlie saw his expression and rushed to clarify. "I had my sister's son, Gabe. And now Trinity. I made sure I’m a big part of both their lives. Holly and I have always been close. Best friends close. But my own kids?" She shook her head. "It never felt right for me."
Logan nodded slowly. "Betty and I never had kids either. She couldn't, because of the cancer she'd been battling most of her life." He glanced in the direction the rest of their group was. “I never had a brother or sister, but I had Jack…” He smiled fondly. “Then Jane came along, I became her guardian, and she was like a daughter to Betty and me.”
Tears burned at the back of Charlie's eyes at the haunted look on his face. Without thinking, she pulled him close and kissed him. Not passionate this time, but comforting. Tender. Telling him without words that his pain mattered, that she saw it, that she was here to share it with him.
In that moment, Charlie knew with absolute certainty that she'd met her soulmate.
The thought should have terrified her. But instead, it felt like coming home.
LOGAN
Logan held Charlie close, breathing in the scent of her perfume, feeling the solid warmth of her against him. She felt the same way he did. He could see it in her eyes, hear it in the catch of her breath, feel it in the way she held him like he was precious.
