Command Control

“Frankly, I would have preferred anyone to Charlotte Matthews. My nephew has enough problems. He doesn’t need to deal with hers.”

“I don’t know about that. I think she might have helped him, too,” Sadie said, careful to keep her voice low, aware of Logan’s presence in the other room. “Sometimes it is good to set the pain of losing someone aside and just have ice cream.”

“Yes, it is.” Aunt Lou’s take-no-prisoners expression softened. “Logan is a good man. A selfless man, fighting for his country and then Jane. It’s about time he found his own happiness. A way to put the past behind and get on with his life.”

“I’m not his future,” Sadie said quietly. She was not about to tell his aunt that she was Logan’s way to move on with his sex life.

“I wouldn’t be so sure about that.”

“He still loves Jane.” There, she’d said it. Announced the fear that had been eating at her to Logan’s aunt and a sleeping baby.

“Of course he does. He’ll always love her,” Lou said. “But life keeps going. Past loves take up their proper position—in the past—and the heart moves on. He’s a good man, Sadie. He deserves a second chance at love.”

Sadie nodded, realizing that was true. Loving someone in the past didn’t rule out falling for someone new. But she couldn’t be that person. Too many obstacles stood in their way.

“I’ve only known him a few days,” Sadie said. And we’ve spent a large part of our time together naked. “That’s hardly enough to build a future on.”

“He’s a soldier. Logan only has these brief pockets of time before he goes back to putting his life on the line and serving his country. A few days, a few weeks, sometimes a month or two if we’re lucky. It’s not much. But it’s all he’s got.”

The reality sank in as their conversation came to an abrupt end. Lacey woke up, Laurel reappeared in the kitchen and the men came in looking for dinner.

Sadie sat through the meal, half listening to Aunt Lou debate the merits of reality TV with Laurel. It seemed Logan’s aunt had a weakness for The Real Housewives. It didn’t matter which city, Lou loved them all.

Mindlessly eating fries, Sadie thought about Aunt Lou’s words. A few days, a few weeks, sometimes a month or two if we’re lucky. It’s not much. But it’s all he’s got. Logan’s life happened in fast-forward. He did not have the luxury of letting a relationship grow and develop over time.

If Sadie wanted more, if she wanted to see him again, she had to tell him. Soon. Before he shipped out, she had to tell him everything. And hope he didn’t walk away.

After dinner, Laurel shooed everyone to the front room, insisting she and Sadie could handle the dishes. Lou eagerly agreed to take the baby. Greg and Logan followed.

“I need to tell him,” Sadie said, taking a clean dish and drying it with the rag. “He has a right to know that I’m weeks away from telling the world I’m MJ Lane.”

“Why? You’ll have gone your separate ways by then, right?”

“Maybe. Probably,” Sadie said, her gaze focused on the dish towel.

“Sadie, look at me,” Laurel said. “I’m right. This is something more than a fling, isn’t it?”

“Not yet.” Sadie reached for the next dish. “But...”

Laurel held on to the plate, forcing Sadie to look up at her. “There’s a but?”

“But I might have feelings for him. I might want more.” Sadie shook her head. “Still, there are too many ifs in the way. If he’s over his late wife, if he is ready to start a new relationship, if he cares about me—”

“He does,” Laurel said firmly. “He cares. I heard he shut down the bookstore to take you to dinner. He cares. And he can’t help the fact that he’s a widower.”

“Yes, you’re right, Laurel. But this isn’t a fairy tale. What if a reporter finds me here and takes a picture of us together? They might question who he is. His face and his name—he’s under orders to stay out of the public eye. I should at the very least tell him who I am and let him decide if he wants to take the risk.”

Laurel raised an eyebrow. “Mount Pleasant’s not exactly a hotbed of paparazzi. And, honey, you’re not Angelina Jolie. I don’t think they’re hunting you.”

“No, I’m not. But I called the paper yesterday while I was waiting and wondering if Logan would come back. Speaking as an unnamed source, I confirmed that the picture they took of me walking into my building was MJ Lane. I pretty much guaranteed there will be interest in solving the little mystery of who is MJ Lane. And keeping that from him feels wrong.”

Laurel’s brow furrowed. “I guess that means you’re leaving soon.”

“No, I’m still here for you and Lacey. It is just one picture. And they didn’t run it today. They might not run it at all.”

“Sadie, if the shot was taken in front of your building, they know where you live. How many redheads live there? You? Maybe one more? If they quiz your doorman, they’ll find out who you are. And then you’ll have to go back.”

“Yes.” Sadie said. “But that will take time. And I was always going back. You know that.”