1102 Sugar Rd. (Cherry Falls)

“I think she’d like that. Meatloaf is her favorite, especially for leftovers. Mom and her grams used to eat them cold on rye bread with mustard when she was young. Now we do that sometimes.” Logan is a well of information.

“Alright, I’m thinking we’ll need to head to the grocery store to grab all the fixings, then. Anything else she likes with it?”

“Mom doesn’t seem to care, but I love mashed potatoes and corn with mine.” Something tells me he’s not wrong.

“Go get your shoes on. We’ll go to the grocery store, then come back and get to work. I’m going to shoot your mom a message, so she knows where we are.” Logan does a mock salute, turns around, and starts to run. “Slow down, champ. You don’t want a matching wound on the other side.” He giggles but stops running. Shit, if something happened to him on my watch, I’d never forgive myself. I take my phone out and send Faith a message while waiting on Logan. It’ll be a couple of minutes until he’s back and ready to rock and roll.

Me: Taking Logan to the store. Hope you’re having a good day, babe.

I don’t expect to hear back from her right away, so when I get a message, a smile takes over. She’s working at the school as a substitute today, then, when she’s not needed there, she’ll work as a housekeeper at The Manor House, always hustling and doing the best she can for her and Logan.

Faith: Thank you for letting me know. Will you pick up Logan more apple juice? Not sure what you’re buying, but there’s cash in the cookie jar

Me: Will do.

There is no fucking way I’m taking her money, not over something like apple juice or groceries. I’m sure this may start a fight, but it’s not that she expects me to do something for her, it’s a want to, the need to help her out even if she hates taking a helping hand.

“I’m ready.” Logan walks back out, socks and shoes on, looking like he wasn’t just hurt yesterday.

“Alright, you need anything for the car ride?” It’s only a ten-minute drive.

“Nope. Mom says no tablets in the car. If I get bored, I can count the trees,” Logan says proudly.

“She’s not wrong. I think we can do something a bit more fun on the car ride, though. We can play I Spy.” I wink. He nods his head so much, I grimace hoping he doesn’t hurt himself.

“I’d like that. We did that one time when we went on vacation. That was a very long drive, though. It was boring until we got there.”

“I’ll bet. Let’s load up.” I grab his booster seat in one hand, my keys in the other, and now that Faith gave me a set, I’m not sure I’ll ever give them back.

“This is exciting. I get to ride in the Tahoe?”

“Yep, I figured you’d like that, but no sirens this time,” I add on.

“Either way, it will still be fun to ride in a Sheriff’s car. I’ll be the coolest kid in school when I get to go back and tell them all of the fun things I did.” Little does Logan know there will be a whole lot more to be excited about. My goal is to get the girl and the boy who has already stolen my heart, just like his mom did.

“You sure will be. Just remember to stay humble.” I lock the door and turn around. Logan is looking at me in a different manner.

“I think you stumped me on that word.” His hand is under his chin, a thoughtful look written on his face.

“It means not to show off everything you have at someone else’s expense. You know what I’m getting at?”

“Oh, so, don’t brag a lot. I would never do that, Mr. Graham.” I put his booster seat in the backseat of the Tahoe, and he climbs in, letting me buckle him in without a word.

“That’s right. Now, how about we get flowers for your mom? Think she’d like that?”

“You’re going to get way more ice cream than me.” He fake pouts.

“How about the flowers come from you? That way, you get your fill of sugar.” I wink.

“You’re on.” We bump fists, then I shut his door, climb into my seat, and we talk along the way about everything in the truck instead of playing I Spy.

Nine

Faith

I’m proud of myself. I didn’t call or text Graham the fifty times I wanted to today to check in on Logan, though him texting did help. When I unlock and open the front door, the smell of dinner cooking is the first thing I’m welcomed with, along with laughter floating throughout the house. My heart soars with happiness. And when I notice the bouquet of fresh flowers on the counter, yeah, my ovaries are in overdrive by one hundred percent.