Page 109 of What Matters Most

“I was beginning to wonder if you were ever going to invite me to any of those social functions your team’s always having.”

“Tate.” Abby glanced up in surprise. “I had no idea you wanted to come. I wish you’d said something earlier.” Now she felt guilty for having excluded him in the past.

“Sure,” Tate chimed in defensively. “They’ll take one look at a mechanic and decide they’ve got something better to do.”

“Tate, that’s simply not true.” And it wasn’t. He’d be accepted, as would anyone who wished to join them. Plenty of friends and coworkers attended the team’s social events.

“It might turn a few heads.” Tate expelled his breath as if he found the thought amusing.

“Oh, hardly.”

“You don’t think so?” he asked hopefully.

Tate’s lack of self-confidence was a by-product of his inability to read. Now that reading was no longer a problem, he would gain that new maturity. She was already seeing it evolve in him.

—

Moonlight flooded the ground. The evening was glorious. Not a cloud could be seen in the crystal-blue sky as it darkened into night. Slowly, Abby released a long, drawn-out sigh. Logan would land in a couple of hours and the world had never been more beautiful. She paused to hum a love ballad playing on the radio, thrilled by the romantic words.

She must have changed her clothes three times, but everything had to be perfect. When Logan saw her at the airport, she wanted to look as close to an angel as anything he would find this side of heaven.

She spent half an hour on her hair and makeup. Nothing satisfied her. Tight-lipped, Abby realized she couldn’t suddenly make herself into an extraordinarily beautiful woman. Sad but true. She could only be herself. She dressed in a soft, plum-colored linen suit and a pink silk blouse. Dissatisfied with her hair, Abby pulled it free of the confining pins and brushed it until it shimmered and fell in deep natural waves down the middle of her back. Logan had always loved her hair loose…

A quick glance at her watch showed her that she was ten minutes behind schedule. Grabbing her purse, Abby hurried out to her car—and she noticed that it was running on empty. Everything seemed to be going wrong…

Abby pulled into a gas station, splurging on full service for once rather than pumping her own. Hurry, she muttered to herself as the teenager took his time.

“Do you want me to check your oil?”

“No, thanks.” Abby handed him the correct change, plus a tip. “And don’t bother washing the window.”

Inhaling deep breaths helped take the edge off her impatience as she merged onto the freeway. A mile later an accident caused a minor slowdown.

By the time she arrived at the airport, her heart was pounding. Checking the arrivals board revealed that Logan’s flight was on schedule.

Abby ran down the concourse. Within minutes the team, as well as Karen, Logan’s assistant, came into sight.

Warmth stole over Abby as she saw Logan, a large backpack slung over one shoulder. His face was badly sunburned, the skin around his eyes white from his protective eye gear. He looked tanned and more muscular than she could remember. His eyes searched the crowd and paused on her, his look thoughtful and intense.

Abby beamed, wearing her brightest smile. He was so close. Close enough to reach out and touch, if it weren’t for the people crowding around. Abby’s heart swelled with the depth of her love. His own eyes mirrored the longing she was sure he could see in hers. These past weeks were all either of them would need to recognize that they should never be apart again.

Abby edged her way toward him and Dick. The others who’d come to greet Logan were chatting excitedly, but Abby heard none of their conversation. Logan was back! Here. Now. And she loved him. After today he’d never doubt the strength of her feelings again.

In her desire to get to Logan quickly, Abby nearly stumbled over an elderly man. She stopped and apologized profusely, making sure the white-haired gentleman wasn’t hurt. As she straightened, she heard someone call out Logan’s name.

In shocked disbelief, Abby watched as Patty Martin ran across the room and threw herself dramatically into Logan’s arms. He dropped his pack. Sobbing, she clung to him as if he’d returned from the dead. Soon the others gathered around, and Dick and Logan were completely blocked from Abby’s view.

The bitter taste of disappointment filled her mouth. Logan should have pushed the others aside and come to her. Her arms should be the ones around him. Her lips should be the ones kissing his.

Proudly Abby decided she wouldn’t fight her way through the throng of well-wishers. If Logan wanted her, then she was here. And he knew it.

But apparently he didn’t care. Five minutes later, the small party moved out of the airport and progressed to the parking lot. As far as Abby could tell, Logan hadn’t so much as looked around to see where she was.

—

After all the lonely days of waiting for Logan, Abby had a difficult time deciding if she should attend the party being held at a local buffet restaurant in his and Dick’s honor the following evening. If he hadn’t come to her at the airport, then what guarantee did she have that he wouldn’t shun her a second time? The pain lingered from his first rejection. Abby didn’t know if she could bear another one.

To protect her ego on Friday night, Abby dressed casually in jeans and a cotton top. She timed her arrival so she wouldn’t cause a stir when she entered the restaurant. As she’d expected, and as was fitting, Logan and Dick were the focus of attention while they relived their tales of danger on the high slopes.

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