She held the ring out to him, her hand trembling a little as she did. Logan reached up to take her chin in his hand. “Brooke, look at me.” She met his gaze with her own. “Please, don't do this. Don't shut me out like this. We need to work through this.” He fell silent for a minute, his throat constricting with emotion. “I'm so sorry, baby.” Tears welled up in his brilliant green eyes and he tried desperately to hold them back. She'd always loved his eyes. After all, a person's eyes were the gateway to the soul. She used to think that she could see inside Logan's soul. She'd been a fool.
She shook her head. “We can't work through this,” she said softly. He opened his mouth to speak, but she held up a hand to stop him. “Let me finish,” she said, looking deep into his eyes. “I don't understand. I just don't understand.” Her voice wavered, but she went on. “You told me you loved me, and that I was the only woman you'd ever wanted. We made promises to each other.” Her breath hitched.
“I do love you, Brooke. And you are the only woman I want. I've loved you since I could spell my own name. Practically my entire life. There's nothing in this world I want more than to be with you. To marry you and to make babies with you. To share all of those things we've dreamed of. We can still have that, Brooke.”
She knew now that those dreams were just that ~ dreams. “No, Logan, we can't.”
His face was so close to hers now that they were almost touching. “Don't sat that. Brooke, forgive me. Please. If you love me the way you say you do, you'll forgive me. You'll give me a second chance. A chance to prove to you that I'm worthy of you. I'll do whatever it takes.” He knew he was losing her, and he didn't know what, if anything, he could do to stop it.
“That's why we should never say anything, never do anything, that we can't take back.” Her heart was breaking all over again. She took Logan's hand in hers and placed the ring in his palm, then closed his fingers over it. “Just go, Logan. If you care about me at all, you'll go. You'll give me the space I need to work through these feelings and to figure out what comes next.”
The turmoil she felt consumed her. She walked slowly to the bathroom and stepped inside, closing the door behind her. She didn't hear anything for a minute. Then she heard it, and the sound ripped at her heart. The tears he'd managed to hold in check for so long burst free. On the other side of the door, Logan cried pitiful tears, long and hard. Brooke wanted to go to him and hold him, assure him that it would get better, and they'd work this out. But she couldn't, because that would be a lie. She thought about being held herself, and reassured. But there was no one to hold her, to reassure her. Not anymore. Logan had always been the one to do that. She'd lost not only the love of her life, but her best friend, as well.
Minutes later, she heard the opening of the door in her room, and then the click as it closed again. Then there was only silence. Brooke put her head in her hands and cried, heartfelt sobs that racked her body and made her weak. She felt beat down, like a part of her had died, and for the first time in her life she knew what it was to grieve.
Brooke didn't know why thoughts of Logan, and of their past, kept creeping into her head. That particular time in her life, that one specific heart-breaking, life-changing event, was one she'd like to erase forever from her memory. Why wasn't there a delete button that applied to peoples' lives? If you didn't like the outcome of a situation, you could simply hit “delete” and wipe it away, as if it never existed. She mulled that over as she approached Maple Street.
Less than a minute later, she maneuvered her shiny BMW into a vacant spot in front of Karissa's shop. It was just before noon. She'd slept until nine, which was a luxury she rarely afforded herself, even on Sundays when she didn't need to be at the hospital to complete rounds.
She'd spent some time with her mother, then showered and went over some notes on her laptop before heading into town. Now, as she slid from behind the wheel of the car, she wished she'd taken the time to eat breakfast. Her stomach was rumbling. She'd just grab Rissa and find a nice little place to have lunch, just the two of them. They could catch up on everything. Brooke knew that Karissa was keeping something from her, and she was determined to find out what it was. She sensed it, and her senses were rarely wrong.
She stopped on the sidewalk in front of the shop and stared in amazement. Her sister was a genius. The two-story building stood proud, its beauty and elegance timeless. It had been a home, and one of the oldest in Angel Ridge. It was beautiful, lasting, enduring. Brooke never tired of staring at it.
A circular drive stretched long and wide, forming an arch in the front of the building. Stone walkways wrapped around the sides of the cottage and branched out in various directions once they disappeared toward the back. French doors on the first floor, she remembered, opened onto a small patio, and beyond that a magnificent flower garden thrived. Stone and glass glinted in the sunlight. Brooke admired the combination.
Above the wooden doors was the pretty sign. Karissa's Cottage. The name suited the overall look of the place. It reminded Brooke of a pretty little cottage you would find in the English countryside. Brooke pushed open the large, heavy doors to the beauty and magic that was Karissa.
Her sister had outdone herself here. The first floor was the shop itself, with display after display of beautiful and elegant pieces, strategically arranged. They sparkled. The grand staircase led to the second floor. Upstairs was Karissa's home away from home, and the location of her office, a small kitchen, a bath, and a living area. A balcony at the rear overlooked the garden below. Brooke pictured Karissa sitting up there most evenings when she stayed to go over the books, or to order supplies. She'd sit with her laptop and enjoy the evening breeze, listening to the sound of rushed voices on the street below.
There was a garage in the back, behind the massive garden. Karissa thought that using it for storage space had been a good idea. She housed pieces that she wasn't using, and pieces that needed to be refurbished, inside. It wasn't finished, and had concrete floors. There was a loft above, which was pretty much empty. A lot of wasted space there. She had been toying with the idea of having Seth finish it, Brooke knew.
Seth, the only MacKenna male who had gone into architectural design and contracting, had designed the floor plan for the shop. It had been a huge undertaking, but in the end Karissa and Seth had made it into something special. And Karissa had made it shine. She'd spent countless hours there, working to make everything perfect. That had been three years earlier, and Karissa's Cottage had never been better.
Brooke wasn't surprised to find no one behind the counter. Karissa was all over the place most times. She called up the stairs and heard her sister's response as she reached the top of the staircase and then descended the steps. “Hey, what are you up to?” Karissa was happy that Brooke had stopped by. She could get used to seeing her face everyday.
“The place looks great,” Brooke commented. “I can't believe how much you've done with it since I was here last year. Every time I see it, it's even more beautiful.”
“Thanks,” Karissa said. She looked around at the place she loved so much, the place she'd poured so much of herself into. She was proud of what she'd done with it. And she really couldn't complain. She just wished other aspects of her life could be so simple and easy.
Business was good, she felt fulfillment in the career path she had chosen, she had an education. All that was missing now was a man, someone special to spend her life with. Karissa didn't think in the short term. She knew what she wanted and what she wanted was a husband and babies. A home. She wanted what most women wanted. She'd dated, off and on, but had never found “the one.” Sometimes she wondered if there really was such a thing. She liked to think so. She would admit, but only to herself, that she'd had a thing for Seth since high school. Over the past year or so, it had developed into something different, something she couldn't quite describe with words. He was good-looking, charming, smart, funny. He was every woman's fantasy, really. And she'd fantasized about him plenty.
They'd spent numerous hours together, working side by side to capture the essence of her vision for the place. No one understood what she wanted like Seth did, no one could anticipate her needs like Seth could. They had a connection, not only in their professional lives, but in their personal lives, as well.
“I'm starving,” Brooke announced. “Do you want to grab some lunch?”
Karissa glanced down at her wrist watch, noticing that it was already noon. “Sure,” she said. “I could eat. Evie had to take off for a bit to keep her doctor appointment, but she should be back any minute.” With a few final strokes of the keyboard, she closed the file that she'd left open earlier and leaned a hip against the counter. “What are you in the mood for?” she asked.
“A nice cold turkey sub, loaded with veggies,” she answered, as the shop door opened and Evie, Karissa's assistant, came in like a whirlwind.
“Hi, y'all,” she said, cheerfully.
Evie had worked for Karissa since the Cottage first opened, and she had proved to be a valuable employee. She was responsible and trustworthy and had a good rapport with the customers. Karissa enjoyed the easiness of her relationship with Evie, and working alongside her was fun.
“Evie, I'm going to lunch,” Karissa informed her, as the telephone rang.
Evie picked up the receiver as she waved to Karissa and Brooke. “Y'all just take your time and enjoy lunch. I've got things covered here.”
They walked out into the sunlight arm in arm. “So, a turkey sub, eh? In that case, I know just the place,” Karissa said, leading Brooke down Maple Street.
The Grapevine Meat & Cheese Market stood on the corner of Maple and Vine. It had opened only a few months before, but in the short time its doors had been open, it had made quite a name for itself. Their meats and cheeses were fresh and of the highest quality. They made subs, sandwiches, fish, homemade salads, and so on. There was a nice little area with tables so that patrons could sit and eat their meals in comfort and just relax.
Brooke and Karissa stood at the counter, waiting to place their order. Karissa said something outrageously funny, and Brooke laughed. That laugh had Logan's head whipping around. He'd heard it a million times. It was rich and seductive, and Logan knew it could belong to only one woman.
He scanned the customers in the dining area, but didn't see her. He edged around to get a better look at the other side of the deli. There she stood, wearing a lavender summer dress. It was strapless and had a slit up the left side. She wore high heels of the same color, and her legs, long and tanned, seemed endless. Her hair, dark and thick, trailed down her slender back nearly to her waist. Her blue eyes sparkled as she talked and laughed with her sister. She was stunning.
He heard Seth calling his name; it tunneled through to his subconscious. When he didn't respond, Seth's eyes trailed over to where Logan's were fixated. Chase's gaze followed. And they realized why their brother had been temporarily dumbstruck. Brooke, more beautiful than ever, stood with Karissa, talking and laughing.
When Logan just stood there, Chase asked, “Aren't you gonna go over and say hello?”
Logan looked at Chase, then at Seth. Both men stared at him expectantly. “I don't think so,” he muttered. He couldn't focus with her across the room. How was he going to be able to form a coherent thought with her right in front of him?
“Well, I am,” Chase said, making his way toward the two women.
Of course he is. Reluctantly, Logan allowed Seth to nudge him along in front of him.
They'd just finished placing their order when a familiar voice came from behind them.
“Well, aren't you two the prettiest things I've seen all day,” he teased.
They turned at the same time. Karissa smiled at Chase as Brooke threw herself into his arms. He wrapped both arms tightly around her and spun her, lifting her clear off the floor. She laughed as he placed her back on her feet, giving her a loud smacking kiss on her lips. He greeted Karissa in the same manner.
“Don't mind him. He can't help himself when he's in the company of anything female,” Seth said, gathering Brooke close for a hug. She laughed in delight. It was so wonderful to see them both. They had been like brothers to her and Rissa their entire lives. Seth leaned down to kiss Karissa's cheek. “Hi,” he said.
“Hi, Seth,” Karissa returned. Brooke noticed the color that flooded her sister's cheeks and the look in her eyes. Mhmm, Brooke thought. Bingo! She returned her attention to the guys, for the time being.
“Look at the two of you,” Brooke said. “All grown up and as handsome as ever.” She couldn't believe it. When she'd left for college, they'd been teenaged boys. After she and Logan had broken up, Brooke had very rarely returned home. She'd run into them a couple of times, though, when she'd been home visiting, but not in several years. Now they were big, strong, handsome men. Actually, handsome was a gross understatement. Gorgeous was a more accurate description.
When Brooke heard her sister say “Hey, Logan”, her head whipped around. He stood at the edge of the counter, only a few feet away. She should have known he wouldn't be far. The three of them had always been together. Obviously, that hadn't changed. He moved closer to give her sister a hug.
“Hi Rissa,” he said, wrapping his arms tightly around her.
His voice, deep and masculine, had Brooke's stomach doing somersaults. He let Karissa go, and stood there, seemingly relaxed. She watched him closely. She knew that she was bound to run into him sooner or later, but she was hoping for later. She wasn't prepared for this. He stood before her, big and beautiful, and larger than life, for what Brooke thought was an eternity. Her voice seemed to escape her and her heart beat frantically in her chest until she thought it would burst.
“Hello Brooke.”
He watched her intently, and she was acutely aware of all eyes on them. He was taller than he used to be, at least he appeared to be, and bigger. Definitely bigger. His chest was broad and his arms well-muscled. He was lean, and filled out his Levi's oh so nicely. His dark hair was cropped short. He watched her from underneath thick, black lashes with eyes that were green and brilliant. He was simply gorgeous. More so than she even remembered. Her eyes were drawn to his beautiful lips, and she remembered so well the taste of them. She wondered if he were to kiss her now, would they still taste the same? Like his brothers, he was a grown man, in every sense of the word. She was attracted to that raw masculinity. And I must be out of my mind, she thought.
Regaining some level of composure, she nodded. “Logan,” she said, her voice soft and hesitant.
It wasn't the response he'd hoped for, but definitely the one he'd expected. He wouldn't say that she'd been cold, or aloof. It was more like guarded. And he understood that.
“How long have you been back in town?” Chase wanted to know.
“I got in a week ago today.”
“And how long are you staying?”
“Three months,” Brooke answered, glancing quickly at Logan as she said it. If he was surprised, it didn't show. His expression hadn't faltered.
“That's awesome,” Seth said. “We'll have to make some time to hang out, all of us. It'll be great, just like the old days.”
Brooke smiled. The old days. Hmm.
It would never again be like the old days, but Brooke didn't have the heart to say it. Seth looked so excited about the idea.
The girl behind the counter called their number, indicating their order was ready. Logan paid the bill and grabbed their food. Seth and Chase offered goodbyes and promised to stop by her parents' house soon as they headed out in front of Logan. He gave Brooke one last long look before following them out. She watched him go, her eyes wandering to places they had no business wandering to, and her imagination following suit. She blew out a breath when the door closed behind him. God, this is going to be a long summer, she thought.
After lunch, Brooke walked with Karissa back to The Cottage and stayed for a bit, enjoying the time she was able to spend with her sister and not wanting it
to end just yet. They sat out back on a bench in the garden, sipping lemonade. Brooke admired all of the pretty flowers, their vibrant colors adding a nice touch to the place. They made her think of her own garden back home.
“You're awfully quiet,” Karissa commented.
“Just thinking,” Brooke said. She took a long sip of her lemonade. Her throat was suddenly dry.
“About Logan?” Karissa asked.
Brooke looked directly at her and sighed. “I don't know,” she said, her voice low, wistful. “I wasn't ready to see him so soon.”
“Eight years isn't exactly that soon,” Karissa pointed out.
Brooke gave her a level stare. “You know what I mean.”
“Well, look at it this way. At least you got it over with. Your first time seeing each other again. Now you don't have to stress so much about it.”
“Yeah, but I'll just stress about the next time I run into him, and the time after that.” She pouted a little, and Karissa rubbed a hand up and down her arm, soothingly.
“Honey, I wouldn't worry about it so much if I were you. Chances are, you won't run into Logan much. Even though this is a fairly small town, it's still more than big enough for the both of you.”
Karissa was right, Brooke thought. She would try to put it out of her mind. With any luck, she'd only run into Logan once or twice more. It was only three months, and then she'd be gone again. Surely they could manage to avoid each other for that long. Mostly.
Over the next few days, Raelyn began to feel much stronger. She'd been home from the hospital for only a week and already she was feeling back to her normal self. No more pain medication, which made her groggy. She hated not being aware and alert, and sleeping half the day. That wasn't for her. She knew she had to be careful and take it easy. The doctors reminded her, Paul reminded her, her daughters reminded her. She knew they all meant well. She had just become tired of feeling like an invalid. But with each passing day, she was regaining her strength and her independence.
Second Chance at Love (The MacKenna Born & Bred Trilogy) Page 5
