“I want to call him Cloud!” she said, “... or Snowball! ... or Marmarrow!”
Logan laughed. The dog would probably have fifteen names before the end of the night. Logan’s eyes teared up. She hated it when she got all sappy, but it wasn’t often that the universe came together like this.
Ben came over and put his arm around her. They stood together comfortably watching the puppy attempt to lick and jump on everyone at once, then chase his tail and do it all over again.
“You’re enough,” he said in a low, but clear voice, pulling her close. “You’re more than enough.”
Logan wasn’t sure she heard him right. She lifted her face and searched his eyes.
A couple of months ago, Logan thought she was going to lose Ben over the issue of having children. She already had a grown daughter and didn’t want to start a new family now.
“You’re sure?” Logan asked, almost wishing she hadn’t.
Ben ran the back of his hand down her cheek, smiling into her eyes.
“I’m a lucky man, and I know it.”
Words weren’t adequate to express her feelings, so Logan hugged him back fiercely. She felt the same way. She knew how lucky she was to have Ben in her life. And her daughter’s. He’d walked Amy down the aisle last year. Ben was part of their family.
It was all Logan could do to keep her mouth shut. This would be the perfect time to tell him, but she’d been sworn to secrecy. In a few months, Ben was going to get all the baby time he wanted. Amy and Liam were expecting. The baby was due in March. And if it was a boy, they were going to name him Benjamin Liam Buchanan.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who gave of their time to answer my innumerable questions and put me back on the right path when I wandered. This book is better because of you.
Crimes Against Persons Detective, Corporal David Gensemer, of the Laguna Beach Police Department, gave me a glimpse into the workings of a detective bureau in a small, beach town similar to Jasper, CA.
In attempting to understand the dynamics of spousal abuse, I am grateful to Dr. Patricia D. Rozee, professor emeritus of Psychology and Women’s Studies at California State University at Long Beach, California for her expertise on violence against women. Our interview was enlightening and the research materials she provided, invaluable, in clarifying the often misunderstood causes and effects of spousal abuse. Thanks also to Carrie Askin, LCSW, for her Psychology Today article, “Five Reasons People Abuse Their Partners.” Reporter and Advocate for domestic violence victims, Amanda Kippert, also provided front-line insights.
Thank you also to my Alpha and Beta Readers, whose insightful observations improved the story, my editor Sandra McClintock, for polishing the manuscript, and for everyone at Hauser Publishing for all they do, including great cover designs.
Dr. Joseph C. LaDurantey, retired Police Chief, fellow author, and Managing Director of the Vollmer Institute, helped me portray police procedure and dialogue authentically.
Congratulations to the Name-a-Character contest winners, Janie Greene-Livingston for Rae McCluskey, Marilyn Lafiura for Edna Gamble, Marcia for Neal Everly, and Alisha Henri for Lucas Kai. I tried not to make any of them too dastardly, as some, I discovered, were named after family members.
To all inhabitants of the real Little Whale Cove, I took the liberty of not only inventing fictional characters, but changing street names and some of the topography to protect privacy and enhance the danger in one of the chase scenes. Little Whale Cove is a unique and wondrous place.
If I have forgotten anyone, please forgive. All remaining errors are mine.
As always, my eternal gratitude goes to my husband, John, who understands when the Logan light is on. Headphones firmly clamped on my head, sounds of ocean waves crashing on rocks blocking out all other sound, he gives me the luxury of being ensconced in Logan’s world, oblivious to the demands of eating, sleeping, laundry, or ringing phones. Honey, you’re the best!
If you enjoyed reading VANISHING DAY: Logan Book 4, check out the other books in the series.
https://www.amazon.com/Valerie-Davisson/e/B0061FZEH2
And would you take a minute to write a review on Amazon? Even a short review helps, and is always appreciated.
Thanks!
Vanishing Day Page 24
