by KaLyn Cooper
“Yes.” Her reply was quiet. “Those waves are big.”
Chancing a glance, as often as she could, to her right at the Atlantic Ocean, Teagan was eager to be near salty blue water once again. While she was in the Navy, she was always stationed on the water. She and Marsha had spent long weekends soaking in the sun on Virginia Beach. During flight school in Pensacola, they had often hit the beach right after a morning training flight.
They seemed to drive a long way down the beach. There were very few homes along the left side of the road. Mostly it was marsh and sand except for the places where the road nearly touched the beach. In those cases, tall condos populated the opposite side. She often caught glimpses of the intracoastal waterway and large boats cruising the protected waters.
As they traveled further down New River Inlet Road, condos crammed together facing the ocean blocked their views. Just when it looked as though the paved road was about to end, Logan turned on his blinker and pulled onto a crunchy white driveway. As she’d been directed at their last stop, she pulled into the driveway for the adjoining condo.
Teagan sat in the car and looked at the three-story building. It was painted a light blue, the same color as the sky that day. The two halves were offset, giving each side a sense of privacy. Under each half was a parking garage, but since Logan hadn’t driven into his, she remained outside as well.
This was her new home. She was anxious to see the inside, but she was more interested in the beach and the views from the deck Logan had told her about.
“Aunt Teagan, I have to pee,” Anora announced for the sixth time since they had pulled out of her apartment parking lot. Thanks to DC traffic, and potty breaks, the trip that GPS said should take six hours, ended up being eight. Teagan was exhausted and could definitely use a drink.
Brann helped his little sister out of the car seat harness as Teagan got out to open her car door from the outside. She remembered the day Marsha had shown her the little switch for child safety locks. Her friend had even been afraid that someone would steal her children out of the backseat of her car. Thank goodness the two children, now in her care, could not be used against Gabe.
By the time she had both kids out of the car, Logan had his keys ready and was trotting up the wooden steps to their new home. His jeans pulled tight across his butt with each step. Damn, the man had one fine ass. In his tight gray T-shirt, she could see back muscles and well-defined biceps stretch and contract with every move. She suddenly wanted to trace every one of them with the tip of her finger.
“I’ll give you these keys, now,” he said as he opened the door wide for them to enter. He was so close as she stepped through, following the children.
“Uncle Logan, where’s the bathroom?” Anora did her potty dance, one that was now very familiar to all of them.
“Right down the hall.” He pointed the way and she dashed off.
“This is a really cool place, Uncle Logan.” The boy’s head moved in every direction including upward toward the vaulted ceilings. His gaze held on the stairs. “Is my bedroom up there?”
“All the bedrooms are upstairs.” When he grinned down at Brann, Teagan could see the growing love he had in his eyes. “The master is for your Aunt Teagan, but you can pick either one of the others. They both have beds in them right now, but they will be moved out tomorrow morning so we can put your own bed in there. I’ll show you your bedroom for tonight when we go next door to my place.”
Brann dashed up the steps. “This place is so cool.”
Logan stuffed his hands in his front pockets and seemed to gaze around the room as though he’d never seen it before. “They’ll be taking all the living room and dining room furniture tomorrow morning, too.”
“I feel terrible that you’re selling it all.” She touched his forearm. This time she expected the heat that seemed to emanate from him through her.
He shrugged. “I’m not going to need it ever again. Besides, it’s getting kind of old and tattered. It’s been here since I bought the place from Sadie.” He smiled down at her and her heart swelled at what a good man he was. “You and the kids need to be surrounded by your own stuff. I want you to be comfortable here. As far as I’m concerned, this is your new home. Do anything you want to the place.” He looked all around. “If you want it painted some other color, I’ll get that done.”
Anora came floating down the hall. He chuckled. “I’m pretty sure I have to contract a painter anyway.” He held out his arms and the little girl jumped into them as though she’d been doing it all her life. He planted his goddaughter on his hip. “I’ll bet this little girl wants her room painted pink.”
She bounced up and down in his arms. “I want to see my room, please, Uncle Logan? Carry me up to my room.” Realizing what she’d said, she quickly added, “Please.”
Teagan looked longingly at the sliding glass doors at the far side of the living room that led out to a large deck. A patio table and three well-worn chairs were the only things occupying the large outdoor space. In her mind, she could picture an outdoor living room with a couch, loveseat, and a few chairs. A dining table, with a desperately needed umbrella, would fill one corner.
From halfway up the stairs, Logan called to her. “Ice-T, you coming?”
She smiled at him and trotted to catch up. “I’m right behind you.” She actually was anxious to see the master bedroom.
“Let’s start at the top and work our way down,” Logan suggested. They bypassed the second floor and went straight to the iron spiral staircase.
“That room’s mine,” Brann declared as he dashed out of one of the bedrooms and pounded up the metal steps. “This place is chill, Uncle Logan.” A second later, he added, “And this is the most chill room here.”
Logan grinned down at her. “I love my loft room.” He set Anora on the second step up and followed her closely, so she didn’t fall backward.
“These steps are fun,” Anora announced. When she reached the top, she squealed.
Logan completely blocked her view as they wound around and around, so it wasn’t until she reached the very top that she could see the wonderful space. Light poured through two huge windows, one facing the neighbors but the other had a magnificent view of whitecapped waves and green-blue ocean that touched the baby blue sky. Teagan could put a chair in that room and spend her day staring out the window. Gorgeous. Breathtaking. What a great place to sit during the winter, protected from all the outdoor elements, yet able to take in nature’s beauty.
“Uncle Logan, can I move my bedroom up here? Please. Please. Please,” Brann begged.
Logan chuckled. “I hate to break it to you, buddy, but it’s a real bi—,” he caught himself before swearing and Teagan had to bite back a laugh. “It’s almost impossible to bring furniture up that spiral staircase. Lots of people use this for a play area.”
“It’s perfect for yoga.” Oh, no. Did she say that out loud?
“You do yoga?” Logan asked.
Teagan could feel the blush travel up her chest into her cheeks. “When I have time.” Which wasn’t very often, nor on a regular schedule.
He kneeled down and wrapped an arm around each child. “How about we let Aunt Teagan have the space?” He looked up at her, his eyes filled with regret. “She gave up a lot to come here and be with us.”
“No, no. Kids need a space of their own.” She knelt down next to them. “I came here because I love you.” She threw her arms around Brann and Anora. “You heard the judge, he said that all four of us have to live really close to each other.”
At the worried look on the children’s faces, she added, “I wasn’t going to let Uncle Logan have all the fun with you two by himself. I want to have fun too.” Then she started to tickle each of them.
Crisis averted, Teagan suggested, “I want to see the rest of the house. How about you?” She pasted on a serious look. “I haven’t found my bedroom. Have you?”
“I know where it is.” Brann darted down the spiral staircase.
“Follow me.”
Brann pointed out which room he wanted, then like a professional real estate agent, he showed Anora which room would be hers. Each room had the same large windows as in the loft. The rooms were about half the size of the ones in their DC home, but more than twice as big as the one they shared in her apartment. All their furniture should fit without making the room feel crowded.
Leaving the children in their new bedrooms, she found Logan waiting for her in the hall.
“Ready to see yours?” He asked nervously.
“Sure.”
He dramatically opened the door to Teagan’s version of heaven. She felt her jaw drop. The room was huge. A paddle fan that looked like something out of Casablanca with its huge blades of white rattan perched in the middle of the tray ceiling. There was plenty of space for her white provincial night tables on both sides of her king-sized bed, that thankfully would arrive tomorrow. She could lay in her bed and see the ocean through two sets of sliding glass doors. It was as though the entire wall was made of glass. She drew back the curtains, that would absolutely have to be replaced, and her breath caught.
Logan slid one of the doors open and stepped out onto the covered part of her private deck. She immediately envisioned a small loveseat and matching chair to sit in the shade, and a table to hold her coffee as she enjoyed the morning sunrise. Two chaise lounges, separated by a cocktail table, would sit in the sun.
And this was hers, now.
Thanks to the wonderful man standing behind her. Like a child, she twirled around and threw her arms around Logan’s neck, hugging him tightly. “This really is chill,” she said, mimicking Brann.
When his arms wrapped around her back, she gave him a quick peck on the lips then stepped out of his embrace. “Thank you doesn’t seem anywhere near adequate, but they’re the only two words I have.” She held her arms out to her sides and slowly turned in a circle. “This is like a dream come true.” She fought back tears…and lost.
Logan held his arms out wide. “Come here.”
Without hesitation, she stepped back into his strong arms.
“Marsha and I always talked about pooling our money together and getting a place just like this,” she managed to say even though her throat was tight. “We were always stationed near a beach while we were active duty. No matter how hard we tried, we couldn’t come up with enough money between the two of us to rent a place right on the beach.” She sniffed back sobs. “Now, I have a place of our dreams, and her children. What did I ever do to deserve all this? She was such a good person, and now she’s gone.”
She tried desperately to get her emotions under control. Logan simply held her and rubbed his large warm hand up and down her spine. Finally, she could breathe easily.
Stepping back, she looked into his eyes. “Thank you.” She giggled. “There I go again. The only two words I seem to be able to say are thank you.” She inhaled deeply and let it out slowly. “Let’s go get the kids and get them settled in at your house. I vote for pizza delivery.”
“Works for me.” His voice was low and rough.
Teagan figured he was equally as stressed. They had both been through a lot in the past ten days. If he was anything like her, sleeping in his own bed would make all the difference in the world.
Ten minutes later, they had both children dragging suitcases, and a few toys, into Logan side of the house. Since it was another image of the one that would be theirs, he instructed the children to take their toys up to their bedrooms. He grabbed all the suitcases, including hers, and followed the children up the steps. He’d insisted that she take his bed and he’d sleep on the couch.
She was too exhausted to argue with him.
An hour later, the kids kneeling on the floor across from them eating pizza off paper plates, Teagan took a minute to look around his half of the house. The furniture was a much higher quality, especially the soft leather couch with built-in electric recliners. On the wall facing them, was one of the largest television sets she had ever seen.
“Why don’t you have a dining room table?” She asked, thinking it was an innocent enough question.
He shrugged. “I have this coffee table, and TV trays if I want to get them out and use them. It’s just me here ninety-nine percent of the time. Besides, I can sit at the breakfast bar and eat leftovers.”
“You’re such a bachelor,” Teagan accused.
“I guess I’m going to have to get one, aren’t I?” He smiled down at the kids.
“Do you want to take the one from our side? It looks to be in okay shape,” she suggested.
“No. I’ll just go buy one on my way home from work.” He stared at the empty space designated for the dining room. “I’m thinking dark wood, with some solid wood chairs.
Yes, she thought. That would fit in with the rest of his furniture which was very masculine, but so was Logan Jackson. His home was truly a reflection of the man.
Since it was still daylight when they finished the last of the pizza, they decided to go for a walk on the beach. The fresh air, long travel, and lack of sleep the night before made the children start to yawn as they turned around at the large condo complex. Teagan made the executive decision that the children could skip baths, just for that night, and head straight to bed. She wasn’t surprised when neither argued.
When she returned to the kitchen, she found Logan opening a beer.
“Want one?” He started to hand it to her, but she waved him off. “Sorry, but I don’t have any wine. We can pick some up tomorrow.”
“I might just do that.” She gave him a tired smile. “I’m going to take a shower and go to bed. The kids will be up early, they always are.”
“I can handle them in the morning,” he offered. “I eat a big breakfast, so scrambling a few more eggs is no big deal. You sleep in. The guys who bought the furniture from next door will be here around eight. The moving company said the van should arrive sometime around nine-thirty or ten o’clock. Your good until then.”
Damn. That sounded really good. She worried for a few seconds about Logan handling the kids by himself, but he’d truly proven himself in the last few days. “I might just sleep in a little.” Then she decided to give him an out. “Wake me if they become too much to handle with everything else you have going on tomorrow morning.”
“T-bird, I have over fifteen hundred Marines that report to me. I’m responsible for everything they do every day. Anora and Brann are good kids. Don’t insult me again and get some rest.” As he passed her, he kissed the top of her head, as he sometimes did Anora and Brann. She wasn’t sure if she was flattered or insulted.
What she was, was tired.
She dragged her body up the stairs and into his bedroom. She quickly took a shower and changed into her favorite long T-shirt that hit her midthigh. She couldn’t resist opening the doors to the ocean breeze. It called to her. She peeked through the slider to see if anyone in the houses next door could see her, which was ridiculous because people wore much less sunbathing. She walked to the railing and stared out at the horizon that couldn’t be seen until sunrise.
The air that constantly blew at the beach, lifted her long hair off her shoulders. She raked her fingers through her hair, allowing the breeze to kiss her scalp. She inhaled the moist air, forcing it all the way to the bottom of her lungs.
She had missed this. It felt like coming home.
Closing her eyes, she simply breathed. Calm washed over her, through her.
In her mind, she and Marsha were ten years younger, standing on the balcony of a Virginia Beach hotel, doing this exact same thing. Whether she conjured her friend in her mind, and Marsha spoke to her from beyond, she heard the words of encouragement they had given each other for years, you’ve got this.
She turned and walked back into Logan’s room and crawled into his bed. She fell asleep, surrounded by his scent.
Chapter Thirteen
Logan took a long sip from the bottled beer and stretched out his legs. His beach chai
r was nowhere near as comfortable as the outdoor living furniture Teagan had purchased for their deck. Maybe he should step up his game and buy something similar for his place. He also liked the way she had decorated the deck outside her bedroom. He, of course, wouldn’t put up the curtains that covered the unpainted posts, but he really liked the loveseat and chair arranged around the coffee table under the covered portion.
Although he’d only admit it to himself, his favorite part were the two lounge chairs. More than once in the past three weeks he’d come home from a long hard day at work and Teagan would be stretched out in nothing more than a bikini. For a forty-two-year-old woman, she had all the right curves.
The moon slowly rose to take its place among the constellations. Late night had always been his favorite time to spend on the deck. He loved to sit in his chair, sip his beer, watch the moon rise, and listen to the ocean before he stepped back into his bedroom, stripping out of his clothes and crawling into bed naked. Now that Teagan and the children lived next door, he enjoyed his bedtime ritual even more.
She was there and had established a similar habit.
Every night, Teagan would stroll from her bedroom to the railing on her personal deck and just stand there, absorbing the darkness.
The first night she’d spent in North Carolina, sleeping in his bed, she had walked out onto his deck, dressed in a white sleep shirt. From his viewpoint on the lower deck outside the living room, she was framed by the full moon and looked almost ethereal. Her light blonde hair lifted on the ocean breeze and when she ran her fingers through the tendrils, she looked like an angel about to take flight.
Logan knew he should say something to her, make his presence known, but he couldn’t. In those few moments she took for just herself, she seemed to find peace. That’s why he’d sat on the deck outside his bedroom since the first night he’d moved into the house, years ago. He would have cursed anyone who had dared to disturb him, so he gave Teagan the same quiet consideration. They could share the night, each alone in their private thoughts.
