Page 28 of Savoring Christmas (Sugarville Grove #8)

LOGAN

L ogan sat at his mother’s kitchen table nursing a mug of coffee, staring into it like it might offer some clarity.

He hadn’t slept much—hadn’t stopped thinking about Mia since she walked away from his car two nights ago.

For whatever reason, he’d gotten up that morning and come to the only place he’d ever come for answers to his problems. His mother’s kitchen.

Grace set a plate of eggs, bacon and toast in front of him. He pushed it aside, unable to stomach anything but coffee this morning. She sat across from him with her own coffee and gave him a long, quiet look.

“You know I love you, right?” she asked gently.

Logan glanced up. “I know.”

“Then I hope you’ll forgive me for saying this.” She reached across and touched his hand. “But you’re being a little bit of a baby.”

A corner of his mouth twitched. “Well, that’s subtle.”

“I’m serious, sweetheart. That girl is in love with you. Anyone can see it. And you’re letting fear talk you out of the best thing that’s ever happened to you.”

Logan rubbed a hand over his jaw. “It’s not that simple, Mom. I can’t ask her to give up her dream job. Especially not after how hard she’s worked to get her life back.”

His mother shook her head, giving him a gentle smile. “Young people and your ambitions. When you look back on your life when you’re my age, you won’t think about your work as much as you will all the times you’ve had with the people you love. Do you love her?”

“So much it hurts.”

“Okay, then. You love her. She loves you. And, yes, she has a great opportunity in New York. However, you can work anywhere.”

“What are you talking about?” Logan asked.

“You can practice law anywhere, isn’t that right?”

“Are you suggesting I move with her?” He gaped at her, shocked by the suggestion.

“Men have done more for love than move to another state.”

“I have a thriving practice here. Plus, all of you. My brothers and nieces and nephews. I don’t want to miss it all. Anyway, I love this place. This is my home.”

“New York isn’t another planet,” Grace said.

“It kind of is. Think of how much it costs to live there. I’d have to take the bar exam there. It would take a while to get a practice up and running.”

“Yes, but you can do all of that. We’ll come visit. You’ll fly home. And you’ll build something new—with her. A family of your own.”

Logan leaned back in his chair, heart twisting. “I don’t want to lose her.”

“Then don’t,” his father said from the doorway, stepping into the room with his thermos in hand. “Go after her.”

Logan raised an eyebrow. “And do what exactly?”

Walter raised both eyebrows and crossed his arms over his chest. “Let her know you’ll follow her to the ends of the earth.”

Logan’s chest felt tight, but lighter somehow too. “You really think I should go to New York?”

His father nodded. “I think, if you want her to know how serious you are, you need to show her. Not just with words.”

“Like what? A plane ticket?” Logan asked.

Walter studied him for a long moment. “Son, you’re talking about uprooting your entire life for this woman. That’s not just following someone—that’s the kind of commitment people make when they’re planning a future together.”

Logan felt his heart skip. “You mean …”

Walter tilted his head. “How about a ring?”

“But she asked for space, Dad. And now you suggest I ask her to marry me?” Logan asked.

Walter’s expression softened. “Son, she asked for space because she’s scared of making the wrong choice. But right now, she doesn’t know all her options. How can she choose you if she doesn’t know how far you’re willing to go?”

Grace reached over and squeezed his hand. “Sweetheart, if you’re considering sacrificing everything for her happiness, ask yourself something else. Don’t you think she deserves to know that you want her to be your wife, not just your girlfriend you followed to New York?”

Logan let out a slow breath, everything clicking into place.

They were right. A love like the one he felt for Mia was once in a lifetime, and he’d been thinking about it all wrong.

This wasn’t about sacrifice—it was about partnership.

About choosing to build something together, no matter where that took them.

“I should go to Burlington and get a ring,” Logan murmured. “Today.”

Walter nodded. “That’s what I’m talking about. Better get moving before the snow starts again.”

“Maybe Max will come with me,” Logan said, already rising from his chair. “He’s good at shopping.”

Mom stood, reaching up to press a kiss to his cheek. “Go find the perfect ring. Then tell her what you’re willing to give up for her.”

He gave her hand a squeeze, then grabbed his coat and keys.

He didn’t know how this would end, but he knew one thing for sure—he wasn’t letting Mia go without telling her exactly what he was willing to do to keep her.

The overhead lights gleamed off the glass cases as Logan leaned closer to examine a modest solitaire with a vintage-style band. “This one.”

Max peered over his shoulder. “You sure? We’ve seen about fifty rings. You haven’t even asked the price on this one.”

“I don’t care about the price. It’s her. It feels like her.”

Max gave a low whistle. “That’s how I knew with Charlie. You just … know.”

The saleswoman returned with a warm smile. “That’s a lovely choice. Would you like me to box it up?”

Logan nodded, heart pounding. “Yes, please.”

As she stepped away, Max nudged him. “You really going to go through with it? Move to New York?”

“If that’s what it takes. I just want to be with her.”

“Then you’re doing the right thing,” Max said. “Even if I’m going to miss you like crazy.”

“Like Mom says, I’ll only be a plane trip away.”

They left the store fifteen minutes later, the small ring box tucked securely in Logan’s coat pocket. The sky had darkened, snow swirling in the headlights as they pulled out of the parking lot and onto the interstate.

Logan reached into his coat pocket to check the time. No phone.

Frowning, he patted his other pockets, then checked the console and glove compartment. “Pull over.”

“What’s wrong?”

“My phone’s gone.” Logan’s stomach dropped. “It had to fall out in the parking lot.”

Max made a U-turn, tires crunching over fresh snow. By the time they reached the jewelry store, the parking lot was nearly empty and the store was dark.

Logan borrowed Max’s phone and opened the Find My app. A green dot pulsed near the corner of the lot.

“There,” Logan pointed. “It’s still here somewhere.”

They searched for twenty minutes with Max’s phone flashlight, kicking through snow, checking under cars, scanning the dark pavement. Nothing.

“Maybe the GPS is off,” Max said, his breath visible in the cold air.

Logan stared at the green dot on the screen, then at the empty lot.

His phone was here somewhere, probably buried under snow or kicked into a storm drain.

What if Mia tried to call tonight? What if she wanted to talk, and he just …

wasn't there? His heart hammered against his ribs, sweat prickling his skin despite the freezing air.

The cruel irony made him sick. The very day he decided to fight for her might be the day she tried to come back to him.

“It’s gone,” Logan said finally. “Let’s go home.”