They would go back to their separate lives. She’d return to her work in New York and he’d go back to Tennessee, then off to the Middle East or wherever they needed army rangers.
“Bring him to dinner tomorrow night,” Laurel said. “I’ll judge how he feels. We can invite Lou so it won’t look like an interrogation. She’ll come to meet the baby.”
Sadie shook her head. “Your baby is only a few days old. You can’t cook dinner.”
“I wasn’t planning to,” she said, walking in a circle around the couch. “I can either defrost something or we can get takeout from The Quilted Quail. Burgers and apple pie sound really good. Oh, and French fries. I’d love some French fries.”
Bringing Logan over here, knowing their fling might have turned into a one-night stand, sounded like a bad idea. But Sadie couldn’t say no to her twin. “I’ll invite them and arrange for takeout.”
Sadie left Laurel’s cottage and headed across the fields to her temporary home. In the pastures, the cows happily munched on their hay. She thought about walking up to the main house and looking for Logan’s truck, but she stopped herself. If he wanted more, he’d call or text.
Inside her quiet guesthouse, she sat down at her computer to write. Time slipped by. She stopped to find an apple, a box of crackers and a jar of peanut butter, but otherwise, she typed. And then, finally, her cell phone rang.
“Hello?”
“I know it is late,” Anne-Marie said without a greeting. “Almost dinnertime. But they’re walking away from the deal. The movie studio. I just spoke with your agent and she is doing everything she can to salvage this opportunity, but I’m afraid it might be too late.”
No. Sadie refused to let the man she desired and her movie deal slip through her fingers in one day. She couldn’t control Logan’s feelings and actions, but she could do something to put MJ Lane back in the spotlight.
“Give me the number for the paper,” she demanded. “The one that took the picture.”
Anne-Marie rattled it off. “This might not be enough,” she added. “No one will be able to identify you.”
“But it will make them wonder,” Sadie said.
She ended the call and quickly dialed. Even if a publicity circus erupted, what was the worst thing that could happen? She doubted a reporter would be able to track her to rural Vermont. And even if she had to return to Manhattan early, she’d done her part in Vermont. She was here for her niece’s birth. And Logan? She’d helped him put his wife’s memory behind him and step forward, toward his future. That might be all he needed from her.
Five minutes later it was done. She’d confirmed that the woman in the picture was MJ Lane. The man she’d spoken with assured her they would look into her claim. He hadn’t sounded too excited. It was almost as if she was telling him something he already knew or had guessed. Either way, she hoped they would run the story, and there was nothing more to do tonight—except write.
Hours later, while Sadie was lost in her character’s world, headlights shone in through the window. Glancing outside, she saw Logan’s truck. It was late, nearly three in the morning according the clock in the kitchen. But he’d come back. To her.
A little voice in the back of her head wondered if she’d called the reporter too soon. Seeking publicity when he was under orders to stay far away from the spotlight left her feeling uneasy.
But this would never touch him. Even if they connected MJ Lane with Sadie Bannerman based on her tip—it would take time. They didn’t even have a shot of her face. By the time they did, whatever was between her and Logan would be over.
Sadie stood and opened the door. Wearing the same clothes he’d left in that morning, Logan ran a hand through his hair. She’d spent most of the night finding the right words. Looking at him, only one came to mind. Drained.
“I saw your lights on,” he said.
“I’ve been working.” She stepped back, holding the door open. “Come in.”
He hesitated.
Sadie cocked her head to one side, studying him. She didn’t know the details, not yet, but she had a hunch the favor hadn’t involved moving his friend’s couch. His body radiated tension and his face was a mask of emotional turmoil. It was as if someone had asked him to hand over a piece of himself.
“I’m not great company right now,” he said.
“Not many people are at three in the morning. But you look like you could use a nightcap. I saw a bottle of bourbon in the cabinet while hunting for snacks. Not much left, but I’ll share it with you.”
Logan nodded, some of the tension easing from his shoulders. “I could use a drink.” He stepped inside, stopping in front of her. “After.”
His gaze dropped to her lips. Shifting closer, pressing her up against the open door, he lowered his mouth to hers. This time, he was the one demanding the k
iss, not with words, but actions. There was a harsh edge to his movements as if he was done holding back, physically.
But when it came to his emotions? The way he pinned her tight against the door, she suspected the only thing he wanted to feel right now was this. And she was right there with him, ready and willing to play, knowing the endgame was pleasure.
Sadie placed a hand on his chest, pushing him back, away from the door. It slammed closed behind them as she wound her arms around his neck. Holding his body close to hers, she broke the kiss and looked up at him.