Page 29

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Logan and AJ went back to Will’s house to decompress and simply spend time together. AJ had been sure to tell Adam about Eric too, and Adam said he’d do some investigating. It seemed a little too coincidental that he was around yesterday right before this threat was delivered. The fire station also had a camera on the parking lot, so Adam would check it to see if the stalker could be identified on the video. Regardless of how careful they were not to get caught, most criminals messed up at some point. It was a matter of time before they figured out this guy’s identity. Logan hoped and prayed it wouldn’t be too late.

With two mugs of coffee, he walked into the living room where AJ sat on the couch. “I hope you take it the same way you used to.”

“Some things never change.” She accepted the mug he offered.

He settled close to her on the couch, and she turned toward him, pulling her feet to where her knees brushed his leg. Electricity coursed through him. It wasn’t the same kind of jolt he’d gotten as a teenager when they were newly in love, but it was as electrifying.

“I was thinking about something, and it might sound kind of strange.”

He settled on the couch and draped his arm across the back. “Strange has never scared me.”

“I recognize I have to rebuild your trust in me. And one way I’d like to do that is by setting some guidelines or boundaries for myself when it comes to time with other men. I thought of this last night after I had been tossing the football with Brennan. I want to set up the fence even beyond what you’re comfortable with.”

His heart warmed at the suggestion. “I don’t have a problem with you tossing the ball around with Brennan; you two have been doing that for ages. And I really do trust him implicitly, almost as much as I trust Will.”

“But even with those two, I think it’s a good idea to make a rule of not riding in a car with only me and another guy.”

“Unless it’s an ambulance with Brennan—on a call.”

“Only on a call.”

Every rule had an exception.

She continued, “I won’t be in a room alone with a man. Even if I’m at the station. If I’m the only one in the room and a guy comes in, I’ll go find another place. I want to stay above reproach on this.”

“I appreciate that, but public spaces at the station are a little different.”

“Still. I’ll make a point to be overly cautious. I love you and want to protect our marriage—especially as we rebuild.” A soft smile graced her face.

He nodded, astounded by her proactive approach to this. Setting his mug on the coffee table, he traced the shirt seam that lay on her shoulder, then let his hand slide down her upper arm.

“What does the future look like for us?” Her voice was soft.

He gently squeezed the top of her arm, rubbing his thumb in slight circles. “I don’t know. I haven’t had time to dream it possible.”

She chuckled softly.

“You’ve been the one to hold onto hope for us. What do you see?”

She shrugged, still cradling her mug. “Honestly, I had hoped to move back into the house with you at some point … but that’s as far as I would get because then I’d remember Bree wasn’t there too.” Her lips quivered as she took a sip of her coffee.

“As much as we had us before we had her, it’s hard to comprehend us without her.”

AJ nodded and stared into her cup. “I always wanted more children, but I’m so scared.”

Logan took the mug from her hands and set it beside his. Turning back to AJ, he wrapped his arms around her, drawing her to him. “Same.”

She scooted closer, bent legs resting completely on his, and nestled against his chest.

He added, “Obviously, we take it one day at a time, but I hope we can work through our grief and fear enough to trust God to give us the courage to have more kids.”

“Can we go to counseling together?”

He bristled at the idea, but that was his pride. Jesus, help me. In humility, he said, “I think we have to. I think I need someone to help us—me—identify what we should work through. I want to buck up and be fine, but that hasn’t worked.”

She leaned back and met his eyes. “I noticed.” The smirk and teasing glint made him shake his head.

He poked her between the ribs.

She squirmed. “That’s not fair. You’re not ticklish.”

“Ha! I’ll take that unfair advantage.” Using both hands he got each of her sides.

She squealed, kicked, and draped her legs over his. “Stop it.” She playfully swatted his chest.

He quit tickling her and drew her closer until his lips had captured hers.

It took a moment for her giggles to subside and relax into the kiss. But his heart swelled with the joy of holding his wife close. The kiss intensified.

This was his wife, whom he’d missed so.

He ran his hand into her hair but got stuck on her ponytail, so he pulled the hair tie out.

She ran her hands up his chest, sending his heart to supersonic speeds.

Leaning her back on the couch, he drew out of the kiss and searched her eyes. So much desire, so much hope, so much love met him.

Cupping the side of his face, fingers playing with his hair, she smiled.

Unable to resist, he lowered himself, meeting her lips again. She giggled, delight emanating from her. He broke off the kiss before he let his hands wander farther than her waist.

He slid his arm under her and laid down next to her. She snuggled into him, laying her head on his shoulder.

“I guess Will wouldn’t be impressed if we re-consummated our marriage on his couch.”

A giant laugh burst out of AJ. “Oh my word, he’d kill us.”

Logan wrapped his arms tighter around her. “I look forward to sleeping with you in my arms again.”

“But where are we going to live?”

“I don’t know. Should we rebuild or look for a new place?”

She sighed. “I wish I knew the right answer.”

“I don’t think it’s a matter of right or wrong. Rebuilding will be a process, but that’s the same with our relationship. Do we jump right in or take more time?”

“Yes?”

“Either/or question, babe.”

She chuckled. “We should pray about it.”

Something panged inside Logan. He should be the one leading them to the cross before the bed. But he loved that she was in tune spiritually and could shove him in the right direction. She was the best helpmate any man could ask for.

“Jesus, AJ and I come to You with all of this. Our marriage, as broken as it has been, we ask You to fix it. Help us know how to love one another the way You have loved us.”

They took turns praying aloud for everything from repentance to housing to future children.

Mid-prayer AJ’s words trailed off. Logan craned his head to look at her face where it still rested against his chest. She’d fallen asleep.

Giant emotions overtook him. He never thought the day would come that she would fall asleep in his arms again, but it was here, with a promise of more to come.

He shifted a little and fell asleep too.

AJ woke from the most contented sleep she’d experienced in a long time. With his arms wrapped around her, Logan snored softly.

She twisted enough to look at his face. That caused him to shift, and his arm left her side and draped over his eyes. Apparently she wasn’t the only one who didn’t get enough sleep last night.

Quiet voices came from the kitchen. Will and Zara must have arrived. AJ was grateful they’d let them sleep, though she was quite curious what comments were made. Not that she really cared.

She looked at her watch and was surprised to find it was already after noon. They’d slept for nearly two hours. Logan’s arm was bound to be asleep.

He stirred, eyes fluttering open. “Well, hello.”

She giggled.

“Let’s see. Where did we leave off?” His hand went to her waist and lips to her mouth.

She let him kiss her for a moment, but then pushed him away with more giggles. “We aren’t alone, silly.”

“Aw, shucks. Does that mean it’s lunchtime?”

“Yes, siree.” She booped him on the nose. Sitting up, she stretched, keenly aware of Logan watching her closely. She shook her head in amusement. Some things never change.

Once she stood, he got up too, and they wandered into the kitchen. They found Will and Zara at the table, eating sandwiches.

Zara said, “Hey, sleepyheads. Sorry we didn’t wait for you, but help yourselves.” She gestured to the counter where all the sandwich fixings were laid out.

“Thanks. And thanks for letting us sleep.” AJ touched Zara’s arm.

“It was too cute a sight to disturb.” Zara shot her a cheesy grin.

AJ shook her head, and she and Logan made lunch. They sat with their friends and chatted.

Will asked, “Where are you going to stay tonight?”

“I was thinking about going to my dad’s,” AJ said. “I’ll hang out with him this evening.”

Logan paused with his sandwich halfway to his mouth, then lowered it back to the plate. “Do you think he’d be okay if I slept on the couch?”

“I think he’d like that.”

Will said, “You two realize you are married and don’t have to hold any level of ‘propriety,’ right?”

“Will!” Zara slapped his arm.

“What? It’s true.” In a lower, almost under-his-breath voice, he added, “It’s not like propriety was ever something they were very concerned with anyway.”

AJ picked up a piece of lettuce from her plate and chucked it at Will’s face. She chortled, especially when the lettuce landed on his nose.

All four friends laughed. They lingered over lunch, and before long it was time for the three officers to head off to their third of four evening shifts.

Logan tugged her into another room before they left. “I want you to be careful and watch your back.” He traced her hairline with his fingertips.

“Of course. You too.” She rested her hands on his chest. “I’ll see you at Dad’s when you get off.”

“You’re going straight there now?”

“Yep, won’t even pass GO or collect anything.”

His lips covered hers for a brief moment. “I love you.”

“I love you too.” She hugged him extra tight. Why was it so hard to let him go? She’d see him after work.

He pulled her back and searched her face. “You okay?”

She shrugged. “God did not give us a spirit of fear. So this feeling isn’t of Him. I have to trust our safety into His hands.” She closed her eyes. “Jesus, keep us both safe this evening.”

“Amen.” Logan kissed her forehead. “You’ll be okay, and I’ll see you as soon as I can tonight.”

She nodded and kissed and hugged him again. But anxiety sat in her stomach like curdled ice cream. As they all drove off, she continued to pray, surrendering the anxiety to God constantly.

Midnight was coming fast, but not fast enough. Logan was anxious to get back to AJ. She’d seemed worried, which was totally expected. He’d texted with her as he was able to during his shift to check on her and let her know he was fine.

Driving through downtown and approaching a green light, Logan glanced to the right. He looked left in time to see a car careening toward him.

Logan slammed on his breaks, stopping before he was even in the intersection. The other car flew through.

The light was definitely red.

Logan flipped on his lights and pursued. As he reported it in to dispatch, he came up behind the car, which was going ten miles over the speed limit, but the driver didn’t slow or seem to see him at all.

Since it was late and there were homes nearby, Logan flipped on his siren for a quick burst of sound and then for another brief moment. That did the trick.

The car drove into a parking lot, and Logan stopped behind it and turned on the spotlight to illuminate the driver’s door.

He approached the driver with caution. Every traffic stop came with its risks. A cop never knew how the driver would react to getting pulled over. Throughout the years, Logan had experienced everything from sobbing teenage girls to grown men threatening him, and occasionally the other way around.

The window went down. “Evening, officer.”

Logan stepped into the driver’s line of vision. They both groaned. “Hi, Daryl.” Would this interaction prove to be why AJ felt so anxious?

“Officer Jackson. How’s the missus? I heard you two are finally back together.”

“It’s none of your business, but we are.” Logan stifled another groan. He was not in the mood to talk about life with this guy who was no longer his friend.

“No thanks to me, I know. Seriously, I’m sorry, man.”

The words hit Logan square in the chest, and he nearly took a step back in shock. But was Daryl just trying to get out of the ticket coming his way?

“It’s in the past.” He held out his hand. “License and insurance.”

Daryl sighed, leading Logan to believe his suspicions about Daryl’s friendliness were spot on.

Daryl gave him the necessary paperwork.

“Sit tight while I process this. You know why I pulled you over, right?”

“Because you want to give the man who serviced your wife a hard time.”

“I had no idea it was you. And like I said, it’s the past. I even forgive you.” A tension left Logan’s body with those words. He meant it. He actually forgave the man for his part of messing up their marriage.

Daryl’s eyebrows furrowed. “I suppose that light was red …”

“ And you were speeding. I could also add a failure to stop for an officer, but I think I’ll leave that off.”

“Thanks?”

Logan went back to his squad car and processed the ticket, grateful the interaction had gone much better than he could have imagined. So far.

He returned to Daryl’s car, handed back his ID, and gave him the ticket. “Slow down and pay attention to the traffic signals.”

“Yeah. Guess I’m just tired.”

“Go home and go to bed then. Get off the road.”

Daryl gave him a thumbs up and barely let Logan step back before he drove off.

Logan wished he’d been gutsy enough to ask Daryl directly if he was the one stalking AJ, but Daryl had an alibi. What if he had doctored the video? Or if the time stamp of the video was set wrong? Daryl wasn’t the dumb jock he led people to believe at times.

It was worth considering. But it wasn’t like Adam to miss something if there was a chance. Logan wished he knew the answer.

But more than wishing, Logan needed to pray. He resumed his patrols and did just that.

God, I need to relearn having prayer be my default. I miss those years of constant communication with You. I let myself believe it was Bree’s death and AJ’s betrayal that made my life feel so hollow. But that was only a fraction of it. You need to be the source for everything. Help me depend on You.

He finished his shift, and while walking out of the station with Will and Zara after midnight, he told them about pulling Daryl over.

Will said, “Sounds like you handled it well. I’m impressed. You gonna tell AJ?”

“I kind of have to. I have to learn to talk to her better than I have in the past.”

Zara said, “True words. True for both of you.”

Logan nodded. “I need to get to her. She said she was going to wait up for me. Are you both staying at your parents?”

Will said, “Yep. I’m too tired to drive her out there, then drive back to town.”

Logan told them both good night and strapped on his helmet. He couldn’t wait to get to AJ’s dad’s house, to kiss his wife, to make his anxiety rest at least for a few moments while he knew she was safe in his arms.

He left the station and headed toward the other side of town. AJ’s dad lived out a little farther than Will but not nearly as far as Will’s parents. It was the same route however.

Turning out of the busier area of the city, he made his way down a road that had fewer houses, spread farther apart and lined with clusters of woods.

When he and AJ had bought their house, it had been because that was what they could afford at such a young age. They’d dreamed of living out this way where they could have more land. Maybe that’s what they needed to consider now. Not simply rebuild what had been but build new. Even if it was only new to them.

He’d tried to be careful with his money over the years and had saved quite a bit. That, in conjunction with the insurance money, might mean they could afford a small farm now.

His mind spun with the idea as he approached a stop sign at a state road that didn’t have a cross stop sign.

He rolled past the imaginary line so he could see farther around the trees.

He leaned forward over his handlebars.

Pkew .

A sharp wind hurled past his back.

Did someone shoot at him?