Chapter 32
It had been three months since the night Harry was arrested, and now sitting in a room in Bozeman with Bree and Maddy, Logan could not help but feel nervous. The interview rooms brought back memories of the painful night he took Tommy's life, and though Logan was not proud of what he did, he no longer held guilt inside of him for doing it.
“Cheer up, it’s going to be good news,” Bree said, snapping him from his thoughts.
He turned his attention to his left, towards her voice that belonged to the same blue-eyed girl that had been there for both him and his sister. He owed her a lot and knew he could never repay her kindness. “I'm happy. I’m just thinking.”
“About your boyfriend, I'm sure,” Bree teased, and Maddy snickered beside her.
Logan laughed, then reached over and took her hand. “Thank you for everything, Bree. I know I said it before…” Logan started to say, but Bree cut him off, her voice kind.
“It’s OK. We’re family, and I know you would’ve done the same for me. Am I right?”
Logan nodded. “You are.”
“Good. Now cheer up.”
“Yeah, cheer up,” Maddy said.
The two girls began talking and then the door opened. Kim Summers, the FBI agent they had talked to the night of Harry's arrest, came into the room carrying a manila folder. She was wearing a navy-blue business suit, and she greeted them all with a smile.
“Sorry for running late…and this room,” she said, a shake to her head as she made her way to the large desk. “I’m afraid my office is being used and this is all we had.”
“It’s OK,” Logan said, sitting up in his chair. He looked over and Maddy gave him a wink, her eyes alight with a fire that had slowly come back over the last few months.
“First things first. Maddy,” Kim said, turning towards her.
“Yes?”
“At the time of your worst hour, the people who should have helped you did not. In fact, they made matters worse, and no amount of apologies will ever fix that.”
Logan reached his hand over and took Maddy's in his own.
“But there at least needs to be an admission of guilt. I have here not only a letter from the Sheriff’s Department apologizing, but also one from the governor, which you can read over later. Also, I talked to Representative Charles Wilson, who represents your district. He will be contacting you soon to discuss bringing more attention to sexual assault and would like your help.”
Logan looked over as Maddy's tears streamed down her face. “Thank you,” she whispered, taking the papers from Kim.
“You are more than welcome. I want to tell you that Harry makes all of us look bad. And you will be glad to know he took a plea bargain this morning.”
“Glad?” Logan said, wondering how anyone could be glad.
“Why, yes,” Kim said, a small smile playing at her lips. “Forty years, parole in thirty. Which will make Harry around eighty-three when he can get out.”
Logan stood and extended his hand. “Thank you so much. This means the world to us,” he said, giving her hand a quick shake. Both girls stood, and then Kim did as well.
“There is one more thing, Logan,” Kim said, pulling out a piece of paper.
“Sure, what is it?”
“I have here a legal document that states you will not sue the city, state or anyone concerning the abuse you took from Harry.”
“What does he get in return?” Bree asked, her hand going to her hip. Logan groaned, a shake to his head.
Kim laughed. “Is she always this defensive of you both?”
“She is,” Logan replied, looking at first Bree and then Maddy. “It’s why we love her.” “But, I didn't plan on suing anyways. I'm just glad Harry is gone and the admission of guilt has been made for Maddy.”
“I’m glad to hear that,” Kim said, then continued. “In exchange for not suing, the Federal government has reduced your charges from voluntary manslaughter to three charges of assault and one charge of public intoxication. All misdemeanors.”
The words hung in the air as the full impact of what she just said hit Logan hard. “You mean, I'm no longer a felon?”
“If you sign this, then it goes away. A second chance at life.”
Logan smiled, a tear running down his face. Looking over the document, it was straightforward enough. A minute later, with a shaky hand, he signed it.
“The paperwork has already been initiated by me. Give it about a month and your record will clear out. The misdemeanors will drop soon too. Good luck to you all.”
With a cheerful heart, Logan thanked her as the girls did the same. When they got to the hallway, they hugged each other.
“I'm so happy for you, Maddy,” Logan said, seeing the joy on her face.
“A real apology,” she said in awe. “And now I can help other women.” Bree hugged her. “And you, no longer a felon. Just like the store’s name, Second Chances, you got one, Logan.”
He smiled, taking their hands in his and they walked toward the exit.
“We all got one.”
***
“I'm so happy it went so well for you,” Brice said, pouring out another glass of wine. The girls had gone over to Bree's house for the night, and Logan sat on the couch, his arm around Brice.
“To second chances,” Brice said, raising his glass.
“Cheers.”
Taking a sip of his wine, Logan then set it down, turning his attention to Brice, the brave handsome man who had thought low of himself, and yet brought the healing Logan's family needed.
“Have I ever told you how handsome you are?” Logan asked, watching the smile spread across Brice's face.
“You have. Have I ever told you how you turn me on?” Brice asked, setting his own glass down.
Logan smiled, a shake to his head. “No, you haven't.”
Brice leaned over, his lips brushing against Logan's ear as he talked. And for the next minute Brice told him how Logan turned him on, his words causing a stir inside Logan and building a heat that needed to be quenched. Taking Brice's hand in his own, he led back to his room, ready to do whatever it took to ease that fire inside.