Page 76 of What Matters Most

“No,” she denied quickly. “What movie would you like to see?”

They spoke for a few more minutes and Abby managed to steer the conversation away from herself. For those few minutes, Tate helped her forget how miserable she was, but the feelings of loss and frustration returned the moment she hung up.

—

Tuesday evening, Abby waited outside the community center, hoping to see Logan before class. She planned to give him a regal stare that would show how content she was without him. Naturally, if he gave any hint of his own unhappiness, she might succumb and speak to him. But he’d arrived either before her or after she’d gone into the building, because Abby didn’t catch a glimpse of him anywhere. Maybe he’d even skipped class, but she doubted that. Logan loved chess.

The painting class remained a blur in her mind as she hurried out the door to the café across the street. She’d met Logan there after every class so far. He’d come; Abby was convinced of it. She pictured how their eyes would meet and intuitively they’d know that being apart like this was wrong for them. Logan would walk to her table, slip in beside her, and take her hand. Everything would be there in his eyes for her to read.

The waitress gave Abby a surprised glance and asked if she was sitting alone tonight as she handed her the menu. Dejectedly, Abby acknowledged that she was alone…at least for now.

When Logan entered the café, Abby straightened, her heart racing. He looked as good as he always did. What she didn’t see was any outward sign of unhappiness…or relief at her presence. But, she reminded herself, Logan wasn’t one to display his emotions openly. Their eyes met and he gave her an abrupt nod before sliding into a booth on the opposite side of the room.

So much for daydreams, Abby mused. Well, fine, he could sit there all night, but she refused to budge. Logan would have to come to her. Determinedly, she studied the menu, pretending indifference. When she couldn’t stand it any longer, she glanced at him from the corner of her eye. He now shared his booth with two other guys and was chatting easily with his friends. Abby’s heart sank.

—

“I’m telling you, Mother,” Abby said the next afternoon in her mother’s kitchen. “He’s blown this whole thing out of proportion.”

“What makes you say that?” Glenna Carpenter closed the oven door and set the meatloaf on top of the stove.

“Logan isn’t even talking to me.”

“It doesn’t seem like there’s been much opportunity. But I wouldn’t worry. He will tonight at the game.”

“What makes you so sure of that?” Abby hopped down from her position on the countertop.

Glenna straightened and wiped her hands on her ever-present terry-cloth apron. “Things have a way of working out for the best, Abby,” she continued nonchalantly.

“Mom, you’ve been telling me that all my life and I’ve yet to see it happen.”

Glenna chuckled, slowly shaking her head. “It happens every day of our lives. Just look around.” Deftly, she turned the meatloaf onto a platter. “By the way, didn’t you say your game’s at six o’clock?”

Abby nodded and glanced at her watch, surprised that the time had passed so quickly. “Gotta rush. Bye, Mom.” She gave her mother a peck on the cheek. “Wish me well.”

“With Logan or the game?” Teasing blue eyes so like her own twinkled merrily.

“Both!” Abby laughed and was out the door.

Glenna followed her to the porch, and Abby felt her mother’s sober gaze as she hurried down the front steps and to her car.

—

Almost everyone was on the field warming up when Abby got there. Immediately her gaze sought out Logan. He was in the outfield, pitching to another of the male players. Abby tried to suppress the emotion that charged through her. Who would’ve believed she’d feel so lost and unhappy without Logan? If he saw that Abby had arrived, he gave no indication.

“Hi, Abby,” Patty called, waving from the bench.

Abby smiled absently. “Hi.”

“Wait until you see me bat.” Patty beamed happily, pretending to swing at an imaginary pitch. Then, placing her hand over her eyes as the fantasy ball flew into left field, she added, “I think I’ll be up for an award by the end of the season.”

“Good.” Abby was preoccupied as she stared out at Logan. He looked so attractive. So vital. Couldn’t he have the decency to develop some lines at his eyes or a few gray hairs? He had to be suffering. She was, although it wasn’t what she’d wanted or expected.

“Logan took me to see the Twins play on Monday night and he gave me a few pointers afterward,” Patty continued.

Abby couldn’t believe what she was hearing. A few pointers? I’ll just bet he did! Logan and Patty?

The shock must have shown in her eyes because Patty added hurriedly, “You don’t mind, do you? When Logan phoned, I asked him about the two of you and he said you’d both decided to start seeing other people.”

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