The Posse

by Tawdra Kandle

  “Meghan. Stop and think about what you’re saying. I know you’re emotional right now, but be reasonable. Did you ever see anything between your mom and me, all these years? Anything but friendship? No. And not even in the year since your dad died. But I’ll be straight with you. Watching your mom cope with everything after Daniel died, seeing how strong she was, how she was there for everyone, including you and Joseph and all of the posse, that made me fall in love with her all over again.”

  Meghan heaved a sigh but didn’t speak.

  “Still, I might never have made a move, but then the posse started talking about one of us taking care of Jude. I guess maybe I felt like I had approval to do something I had wanted to do for a long time. I moved kind of slow, because I wasn’t sure how your mom felt. But then...” Logan paused. What had happened with Jude that night in the bar was not something he was willing to share with her daughter. Some things were better left alone.

  “But then it turned out, to my amazement, that your mom could feel the same way about me. We weren’t trying to hide it from you and Joseph. We just wanted to tell you in person. This is new, and it probably feels to you like it’s moving fast.”

  “You think?” Meghan’s bitterness came through both tone and words. “Couldn’t you just keep being friends?”

  “Spoken like someone who’s never really been in love.” Logan smiled. “We are still friends, Meggie. We always will be. But we’re also in love. I’m sure you don’t want to think about that, because kids rarely want to know that their parents still have those kinds of feelings. But it’s the truth.”

  She turned her head away, mouth tight.

  “I have two things you need to hear, Meghan, and then I’ll leave you be to think things over. The first is this. Your dad taught me a lot over the years, but the last lesson was the most important. It’s that we never know how much time we have, so we can’t go around thinking that there will always be a tomorrow to do what we want or what we should. Your mother and I aren’t teenagers, though you’re probably thinking we’re acting like we are. I don’t know how long we’ll have together, but I am damn sure going to take advantage of every moment.

  “And here’s the second. You have a family who loves you, and who you love. They’re not perfect, and maybe they don’t always live up to your standards. But they’re yours, better or worse. Lindsay is the mother of your nephew. Whether she and Joseph get married or not, whether things work out and they stay together or not, she’s part of your family now. Start treating her like it. I know you, Meggie. You can be the sweetest girl, the one anyone would want in his corner. Be in Joseph’s corner. Be in your mom’s corner. Don’t be someone who stands in the way of their happiness.”

  Logan shoved back his chair, rinsed out his mug and swung out the kitchen door.

  ***

  It had been a hell of a morning, and it was only ten o’clock. Jude scraped off the grill, scowling at it. Her eyes were red and puffy, and her whole body ached from the sleep she’d missed, tossing and turning last night.

  The breakfast crowd had been particularly demanding, and Sadie was snapping at everyone. Jude sniffled and ran an arm over her forehead. She was sweaty and grimy and wanted to go home.

  Only she knew going home wouldn’t really help, because Meghan was there, sulking and huffing around the house. Jude briefly considered running away, fantasized about a beach that was far away from her own sand and surf.

  “Look at my gorgeous woman.”

  Wrapped up in her own misery, Jude hadn’t heard Logan come in. She looked over her shoulder and rolled her eyes.

  “You need glasses. I’m a mess.”

  “Maybe, but you’re my beautiful mess. Do you have a minute?”

  She blew at a piece of hair that had drooped over her eyes. “Not really. Still getting through the end of the breakfast run and lunch is at my heels.”

  “Okay, then, we’ll do this here.” Ignoring the grease and flakes of charred food dotting her skin, Logan took Jude’s hands in his own and drew her close.

  “Logan, you’re going to get all nasty!”

  He smiled. “Maybe later, baby. For now, shut up and listen.”

  She snapped her lips closed, green eyes wide and wondering as she stared at him.

  “Judetha Rivers Hawthorne, I love you. I have always loved you, and I will always love, from now until the end of forever. Will you please, please, do me the honor of becoming my wife?”

  The griddle scraper fell to the floor with a clatter. Jude stood, still as a statue, her eyes never leaving Logan’s face.

  “I know this is fast, and I know you’re not sure if you want to be married again. But I’m asking you, Jude. Do this for me. I want to be married, and I want to be married to you. And I don’t want to think about it for months. I want to live every moment we have together, for as long as that might be.”

  Jude’s breath was somehow caught in her throat. The noise of the restaurant faded so that all she could hear was Logan, all she could see were his shining eyes, brimming with love.

  Every reason she might have had for not saying yes, or even for saying an outright no, fled from her mind. There was only Logan, with his steadfast heart and his constancy, and only one word she heard coming from her mouth.

  “Yes.”

  Surprise dawned on Logan’s face, swiftly replaced by pure joy. He took Jude’s face in his hands and lowered his mouth to hers.

  Every bit of love, anticipation and desire that he’d ever felt for her was poured into one kiss. It began softly and sweetly, and then moved to possession and heat as he coaxed her lips open, lazed his tongue within her mouth to stroke and tease.

  When he finally released her lips, Logan grabbed her around the waist and lifted her in his arms. He gave a yell that reverberated through the Riptide and out the open windows onto the beach as he spun her.

  All conversation in the restaurant ceased, and Sadie stopped in mid-step. Every eye swiveled to the kitchen and the crazy couple locked in an embrace in front of the half-cleaned griddle.

  “What in the hell do you crazy people think you’re doing?” Sadie stomped around the bar, fire in her eyes.

  Logan held tight to Jude, who giggled and buried her face in his shoulder. “Sadie, she said yes! This beautiful, sexy, amazing woman just agreed to marry me. I think a little shouting is order, don’t you?”

  Sadie’s face broke into a broad grin. “Well, if that’s all. Carry on.” She swung back to the gawking customers. “What are y’all looking at? Get back to your eating.”

  “Champagne on the house!” Logan called. “Mimosas all around.” A cheer rolled over the room.

  “Are you nuts? You’re going to make me go broke.” Jude shook her head but couldn’t hide her smile.

  “Yes, I’m nuts, and don’t worry, I’ll cover the champagne. I think the owner will give me break on the cost.” He leaned to whisper in her ear. “She’s crazy about me.”

  “She definitely is.” Jude held her hand to his cheek and kissed him senseless. “But I’m not sure she’ll ever forgive you for proposing when she’s covered in grease and sweat.”

  Logan brushed her hair back and smiled down at her. “I didn’t want to waste another minute in my life without you. All of you. Grease, sweat, kids, grandkid...I want it all.”

  It took two hours for everything in the bar to calm down, and by then, the lunch rush had begun. The crowd swelled as word of Logan and Jude’s engagement spread; locals stopped in just to see if it were true and to offer their best. They jostled in line with the tourists.

  Jude never stopped moving, and she never stopped smiling.

  Lunch was just beginning to slow down when Jude turned to see her daughter walk into the restaurant. Part of her wanted to rush over and hug Meggie tight, but she held back, let the girl come to her.

  Meghan stopped just within the kitchen, beyond the bar. She was twisting the strap of her purse within her fingers.

  “Mom? Do you have a minut
e?”

  Jude set down the bread she had been about to toast. She turned to Logan, who had jumped in to help cook and serve.

  “Can you finish this order?” She pointed to the slip of paper and then glanced at Meghan.

  Logan’s eyes flicked to follow her gaze. He moved to pick up the bread. “Sure. Hey, Meggie.”

  Uncertainty flashed on the girl’s face. “Hey, Uncle Logan.” She licked her lips. “Um, I didn’t thank you for the coffee this morning.”

  Logan shrugged. “No problem. Your mom made it, I just poured it.” He winked at her, and Jude could feel an easing of the tension around them.

  She led her daughter out onto the deck, to a corner table removed from the customers. Sinking into a chair, she sighed and propped her feet on another seat.

  “It’s been a long morning.” Jude looked out over the beach. “Such a pretty day, lots of people in town.”

  “Yeah.” Meggie bit her lip and took a deep breath. “Mom, I’m sorry. About yesterday. I acted like a brat.”

  Jude closed her eyes, relief overpowering her. “Yeah, you kind of did, honey. But you know what? We all do that, at one time or another. The important part is how you make it up.”

  Meghan nodded. “I know. Uncle Logan talked to me this morning. I didn’t want to listen, I didn’t want him to be right, but I did and he was. So I talked to Joseph for a long time. And I apologized to Lindsay, too. I even offered to babysit tonight, so they can go out by themselves.” She shrugged. “I figured it was the least I could do.”

  Jude rose and knelt by her daughter, pulling her into a tight hug. “I’m proud of you, Meggie. And thank you.” She drew back, looked up into the eyes that were so like her own.

  “Meggie, about Uncle Logan. I want you to hear it from me. He proposed this morning. And I said yes.”

  To Jude’s shock, Meghan began to laugh.

  “That’s funny?”

  She shook her head. “It’s just that I was so rude, Mom. I was really a bitch. And let’s face it, our family is kind of screwed up right now. If Uncle Logan chose this minute to ask you to marry him, he must really love you.”

  Jude grinned. “You’ve got a point.”

  Dinner that night was an entirely different occasion. Logan had snagged a bottle of champagne from the Tide. Joseph grilled chicken, and Lindsay and Meghan chased Jude out of the kitchen while they cooked.

  “Here.” Lindsay plunked the baby on his grandmother’s lap. “You two stay out of trouble. Let us take care of you for once.”

  They ate around the patio table, passing the baby from lap to lap to give Lindsay and Joseph a break. As the meal wound down, Joseph stood, lifting his glass.

  “I want to make a toast.” He cleared his throat, and looking around the table, blinked back tears.

  “To my mom and dad, who made this family, crazy as it is. Dad, we know you’re always with us. Mom, you’ve kept us together and been strong for long. We all love you.” He shifted his eyes to Logan.

  “And to Uncle Logan, who is insane enough to take us on. Thanks for seeing beyond the crazy. We love you, too.” Joseph raised his glass and drank.

  “Here, here.” The rest of the family followed suit, and even baby DJ gurgled in agreement.

  ***

  “I have a question.”

  Jude raised her head to look at Logan. They were lying in his bed, drowsing in the aftermath of what he had called proposal sex.

  After dinner was cleaned up, Meggie had insisted that everyone needed to go out. She was babysitting, and she wanted DJ all to herself. Joseph and Lindsay decided to see a movie in Elson. Logan and Jude didn’t tell anyone where they planned to go or what they planned to do.

  “I already answered your question.” Jude’s lips curved into a smile. “I said yes. Actually I think I said it quite a few times tonight.”

  “Smart ass.” He chucked her under the chin. “No, this is another question. Or maybe more like an idea.”

  “I’m listening.” Jude snuggled into his side as his arm tightened around her. He picked up her hand as it lay on his chest and toyed with her fingers.

  “You’re still wearing Daniel’s ring.”

  “Yes.” Jude was silent for a moment as they both looked at the band of gold. “I thought about that today. I was glad you didn’t have an engagement ring for me yet, because I hadn’t taken this one off. It would have been awkward.”

  “But it doesn’t have to be.” Logan rolled a little so he could see Jude’s face clearly. He propped his head in his hand, elbow on the bed.

  “Here’s my idea. Why don’t you give Joseph your engagement ring from Daniel, let him give that to Lindsay? It’ll mean a lot to both of them. But keep your wedding ring.”

  She raised her eyebrows. “Keep it?”

  “Yes, keep wearing it. And when we get married—which is going to be soon—I’ll give you my wedding ring, and you can add it on your finger. The way I look at it is Daniel will always be with us. He’s part of us. Why try to pretend he isn’t? Let’s acknowledge it.”

  Tears brimmed in Jude’s eyes, and she wriggled closer to Logan, lifted her lips to his.

  “That is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever heard. You may have just won yourself another round of proposal sex?”

  “Really?” Logan’s eyes gleamed. “Well, hold on then, because I’ve got something else.” He rolled away from her, opened his nightstand drawer and drew out a black velvet box. Without saying a word, he placed it in her hand.

  “What’s this?” She looked up at him in confusion. “I thought you didn’t have a ring yet.”

  “No,” Logan corrected. “I said I didn’t have the ring with me this morning. I bought this the morning after the limoncello.”

  Jude rolled her eyes. “Is that what we’re always going to call the first night we made love? The limoncello night?”

  “Works for me. I owe that yellow stuff a lot. Remind me to send your uncle John a big thank you note.” He motioned to the box. “Are you going to open it?”

  Jude flipped the lid up and drew in a deep breath. “Oh, Logan. It’s gorgeous.”

  The ring was an emerald, a gleaming perfect round green stone set in the midst of clustered diamonds on a platinum band.

  “I figured you’d already had a diamond once, and emeralds always make me think of your eyes.” He smiled and took the ring from the box. “May I?”

  Jude nodded wordlessly. With great care, Logan eased off the simple diamond solitaire that had been on her finger for over twenty years and placed in the now-empty ring box. He slid the emerald ring into its place.

  They lay together, admiring it on her hand. Logan held her hand to his mouth and kissed each finger.

  “For the rest of ever,” he whispered before he rolled over to cover her body again.

  Meghan headed back to school early on Monday morning, after extracting a promise from her brother that he, Lindsay and DJ would visit Savannah soon.

  “And you’re coming back for the weddings, right?” Lindsay asked. “I know Clearwater is a long drive, but my parents really want us to get married down there.” Joseph had wasted no time; Jude’s diamond solitaire now glistened on Lindsay’s hand.

  “Two fall beach weddings!” Meggie rolled her eyes. “Don’t you people know how many exams I have coming up? You’re going to wreck havoc on my GPA.” But she smiled as she said it.

  Later that morning, as Jude and Sadie finished up with the breakfast crowd, Joseph ambled in the door.

  “Where’s that baby?” Sadie demanded, looking over his shoulder.

  “I remember when I was the one you wanted to see.” Joseph sighed. “Sorry, Sadie. Lindsay took him over to visit Aunt Samantha.” He glanced at Jude. “You have a minute to talk?”

  “Sure.” She untied her apron. “Out on the deck?”

  “Nah, right here at the bar is good. I’d like Sadie here, too.”

  Sadie climbed onto a stool. “I never say no to sit-down. What’s on your mind?�
�

  Joseph licked his lips and took a deep breath. “I’ve been thinking about this for a while. Mom, I know I need to finish school, and I’m going to. But not in Gainesville. Lindsay and I are going to enroll here, at the community college.”

  Jude smiled. “That’s great, honey. I’m glad to hear it.”

  “But here’s the thing. We’re going to need some place to live, and jobs so we can support ourselves and the baby. When I was at lunch with Uncle Logan, he mentioned he hoped you could get someone to cover mornings for you someday, to free you up a little. So I got to thinking. What if I took over mornings at the Tide for you? Most mornings, at least. I could do that, still get to take classes. And between Lindsay and me, we could maybe take over a few other shifts, wherever you needed us.”

  Jude didn’t answer at once. “Are you sure you want to do that? Four o’clock comes early, especially when you have a baby at home.”

  “You did it, Mom.” Joseph grinned. “And here’s part two. If I were working here, maybe Lindsay, DJ and I could live upstairs. Maybe that could be part of my salary, you know. Free rent. And then it wouldn’t be so hard to get up and do the opening.”

  She nodded. “You’ve given this a lot of thought. What does Lindsay say?”

  “She thinks it’s a great idea. She loves the Tide, and she really wants to settle in the Cove. Uncle Logan even mentioned that maybe she could help out at the new bed and breakfast, once it’s open.”

  Jude looked at Sadie. The older woman gazed at Joseph, and in her eyes, Jude could see the dawning acceptance that this boy, whom they had both watched grow since an infant, was now a man.

  Finally, Sadie turned back to Jude. “Seems like a no-brainer to me. Gives the boy what he needs for his new family, frees you up to have a little of a life now with your new man.” She spread her hands, wrinkled and gnarled, on the bar. “And Mack and I’ll be here to make sure none of you screw this place up.”

  Joseph smiled and looked at his mom. “Well? What do you think?”

  Jude rose and hugged her son. “I think you’ve got yourself a deal.”