Chapter Fourteen
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“Logan!”
Two weeks later, at the Chance Creek Regional Airport, Logan’s mother burst through the door after disembarking her plane and rushed to throw her arms around him. His father quickly followed.
It was James’s turn next, and his oldest brother made a big show of shock at Logan’s appearance.
“You’re not my little brother, you’re a monster. Look at you!”
“Less preaching, more working out—that’s what you need,” Logan advised him. He was touched that James had come all the way from Africa for the wedding. It had been years since they’d been in the same place.
“I don’t get much time for working out,” James told him.
Anthony hugged Logan last. “I’m really happy for you. You look great,” he said.
“Right back at you.”
“Look at my three sons,” their mother said. “I’m so proud of all of you. I wish you all lived closer, though.”
“Aida, you promised,” their father said.
“All right, all right; I’ll save it for the reception, when everyone’s had a little wine. I am proud of you, though,” she told Logan as she linked an arm through his. He led her and the rest of the family toward the baggage carousel.
“For what?” he teased her.
“For finding a woman and settling down. Finally.”
“You’ve got the General to thank for that,” he said.
“When am I going to meet this General?” Aida asked.
“I wish I knew.”
“You look stunning,” Alice said, twirling Lena around to stand her in front of the mirror in her bedroom. Lena took in her own reflection and had to agree. That was one good thing about tomboying around most of the time. When you finally did your hair and nails, the results made everyone flabbergasted.
She flicked her fingers. “Stupid nails again.”
“You can survive one day with them.” Cass smiled. “Alice is right; you’re beautiful, Lena. Logan won’t know what hit him.”
“Four married, one to go,” Jo said, punching Alice’s shoulder lightly. “Who will the General send next?”
Alice got a distant look in her eyes. “I don’t know—and it’s driving me crazy.”
Alice had seemed strained these days, and not just because of the deadline for her sample costumes. Lena knew she was mostly worried about the General; they all were. And Lena had questioned more than once if she should be going through with this wedding right now—especially since Beau Ellis had never been found.
Her sisters had assured her it was what the General would want. “He sent Logan, after all,” Jo said. “And Beau must be a thousand miles away by now. We won’t see him again.”
Lena had gone with the flow. Truth was, she didn’t want to put off the wedding. She wanted to step into her new life with Logan, even if they hadn’t worked out all the details of that yet.
For one thing, she wasn’t sure what name to take. She’d always thought of herself as Lena Reed and thought taking a man’s name was an old-fashioned custom. On the other hand, as Cass pointed out, Reed was her father’s name—another man. Besides, there were the children to think about.
Children.
She’d never thought of children. Wasn’t sure she ever wanted to, either. But she found herself thinking it would be okay if she ever decided she wanted to think about it. Logan’s mom was gunning for grandkids and made no bones about it. Logan told her he was willing to wait until they had more time to talk it over.
That was all she could ask for.
“Ready?” Cass asked. “It’s about time for us to take our places.”
“I’m ready,” Lena said.
But as they made their way out into the hall, they spotted a man Lena recognized just cresting the stairs.
“Jed?” she cried. “Jed Henderson? Is that you?” She hurried to greet the overseer she hadn’t seen in years. Too late she remembered how surly she’d been when he left Two Willows. She hoped he could forgive her.
“Sorry for intruding right before your big moment,” he said. “I just had to see you before you walked down the aisle. I wanted to make sure… well, to make sure that man waiting for you at the altar was right for you. It’s your father’s job, I know, but he hasn’t been around much, has he?” he pointed out dryly. “I guess I’m a poor substitute, but I’ve let you down all these years. I couldn’t stand it if I held back now and regretted it later.”
“You let me down?” Lena was incredulous. “I was the one who was awful to you.”
“You were hurt. I should have prepared you better before I retired. It hurt me, too. Leaving you. You… meant a lot to me. Don’t have children of my own, you know.”
“Thank you.” It was all she could think of to say. “I’m so glad you came. It means a lot to me. I’ve thought about you so much over the years—everything you taught me.”
“I’m glad to know I was of service,” he said simply. “Now I’ve taken too much of your time. You need to get going. Don’t keep that young man waiting. I’ve taken a peek, and he looks like a good candidate. You’re sure he’s the one?”
“I’m sure.” She was, and she was grateful to be able to say so. “But, Jed. Don’t go yet. I know this is last minute, but…” She took a breath. “I was going to walk myself down the aisle. Like you said, the General isn’t here. Would you consider… would you…?” She found she was afraid to put her question into words.
“I’d be mighty proud to walk you down that aisle.” Jed’s smile spread ear to ear, leaving no doubt of the old man’s sincerity, and Lena’s heart rose. She’d be proud, too, to walk by this man’s side. Jed was proof that men could be heroes. Logan was proof of that, too. Lena came to a decision on a matter that she’d been debating for days.
“We have to hurry,” Cass said. “We should have been downstairs already.”
“Ready?” Jed asked Lena, crooking his arm and offering it to her.
Lena linked her arm through his. “Ready.”
“Ready?” Anthony asked Logan as they took their places along with Brian, Connor and Hunter near the altar that had been constructed at one end of Two Willows’ living room. Reverend Halpern was already waiting for them, smiling and calm, ready to perform the ceremony. With the men’s Revolutionary War uniforms and the setting of the old house, Logan could believe that he’d traveled back in time.
He was more nervous than he’d imagined he’d be—mostly because he couldn’t believe Lena hadn’t changed her mind again. More than once he’d thought she would. She was balky as an unbroken horse, that one. But she’d held fast to her promise to him and had worn her engagement ring happily—without throwing it in his face again. She’d been softer lately. More willing to talk to him. More willing to share her duties around the ranch.
She confessed her worry about her father more than once and allowed him to be there for her. It was as if she was testing the waters—seeing what a relationship with a man could look like. And liking the results.
Logan liked them, too.
Spending time with Lena was better than just about anything else—except spending time in bed with her, where they found themselves compatible in all kinds of ways.
He couldn’t wait for the winter to pass so they could ride together. Camp, maybe. Explore Montana together. Meanwhile, he’d enjoy their warm nest on the top floor—when she invited him.
His family had taken to her on the spot when they met her, Anthony and James instantly at ease enough with her to joke around—usually at Logan’s expense.
Only the General’s absence was a blot on their happiness. He hoped the man was okay. Hoped to hear from him soon so they could all rest easy. He knew all the Reed women were expecting the worst after breaking tradition and leaving the ranch at the same time.
“Here they come,” Anthony said, and Logan turned his eyes to the stairs, down which Jo was already stepping slowly in her bridesmaid gown. Sadie came after her, followed by Alice and then Cass.
Then Lena came into view, on the arm of a man he didn’t recognize. It had to be Jed Henderson. He’d made sure Cass sent him an invitation to the wedding. Lena needed men she trusted in her life.
But Logan only had eyes for Lena. Her wedding gown had been transformed into an old-fashioned dress.
And she was… stunning.
Lena… but even more Lena, if that was possible. Logan didn’t know how to put it into words.
She walked proudly down the aisle between the rows of chairs. When she reached the altar, Jed gave Logan a little salute, kissed Lena’s cheek and stepped back.
Logan took her hand, not able to take his gaze from her face when she tilted her chin up, caught him looking and smiled. “Hey, baby girl.”
Brian groaned, then chuckled. “It’s never going to stop, is it?”
“Nope,” Logan said happily. He looked Lena up and down appreciatively.
“What?” she whispered. “Why are you looking at me that way?”
“Because you take my breath away, Lena Reed.”
Her eyes shone, and he saw so much love reflected there, he knew they’d be happy, come what may.
“Dearly beloved,” Halpern began.
Logan squeezed Lena’s hand. She squeezed his back.
“We are gathered here today…”
Lena felt her mother’s presence as she stood in front of the altar and listened to Reverend Halpern repeat the words she’d heard so many times. She wished she knew where the General was and how he was faring, but uncertainty was part of life and she’d come to realize there was nothing she could do now but wait. She’d made her pledge to the stone, and she’d stick to it. Maybe she and her sisters should have done that long ago, rather than letting their mother’s promise speak for them.
She was glad for Logan’s strong presence beside her, and if she was honest she was glad for this silly dress. Just for once she wanted to feel soft in contrast to Logan’s strength. She wanted to bend to fit him, to be supple in his hands.
Then she’d go back to being a ball-buster.
A ball-buster who shared his last name.
Lena and Logan Hughes.
She bit back a grin and glanced up to see an answering one on Logan’s face. Did he feel like she did? Like they were getting away with something?
Surely someone would stop them.
Logan spoke his vows in a clear, steady voice, and she hoped she sounded as sure of herself, because she was. When he slipped her wedding ring on her finger, her heart swelled with so much love she thought it would burst.
And when Reverend Halpern announced they were husband and wife—and told Logan he could kiss the bride—she went up on tiptoe, nearly breathless with anticipation.
This was the man she loved—and she planned to spend a lifetime with him. A lifetime that was starting today.
Logan leaned down, kissed her thoroughly and whispered, “My mom says it’s time to get started on those babies.”
“She did not!” But at the moment it sounded like a very good idea. Working on them—if not having them quite yet. “Behave yourself.”
“Never.” He kissed her again, lifted her up off the ground and swirled her around. “Not as long as I’m with you.”
She decided she could live with that.