Page 30 of Savoring Christmas (Sugarville Grove #8)

LOGAN

T hursday morning had started in chaos—with an emergency motion that couldn’t wait.

His secretary had called his landline before he’d even had his coffee.

One of his long-time clients was in full-blown panic after her ex threatened to leave the state with their daughter.

Logan sprinted into the courthouse with a stack of paperwork and a sick feeling in his gut.

The filing took longer than expected, and, by the time the judge called for a same-day hearing, he didn’t have time to breathe, let alone get to the phone store. Of all the times to lose his phone.

Replacing it became its own nightmare—waiting at the cell store, verifying his identity, syncing everything back up. By the time the new phone finally activated late that afternoon, the screen lit up with a flood of missed calls and texts.

None of which he cared about, except for one. A call from Mia. He’d tried to call her back right away, but she didn’t answer.

Now it was Thursday evening, and he was about to walk into her cooking class, not sure if she was angry, hurt, or both. Regardless, he had a ring in his pocket and he intended to ask her tonight. If she said no, he would have to accept it. But not without giving it everything he had.

The moment he stepped into the kitchen, he was greeted by the warm scents of vanilla, citrus, and butter.

Mia looked up when he entered, their eyes meeting for just a split second before she quickly turned away, color rising in her cheeks.

His stomach dropped. She’d called him yesterday—he’d heard the hope in her voice on that message about good news—and now she couldn’t even look at him.

His worst fears had come true. She thought he hadn’t called her back on purpose.

With a heavy heart, he moved to his usual station, already prepped with a mixing bowl and wooden spoon. Cannoli, who’d been curled on a blanket beside Mia’s station, let out a low woof and trotted toward him. Logan knelt down, scratching behind her ears. “Hey, girl. Miss me?”

She responded with a happy snort and nudged her head into his chest. He scooped her up, holding her close for a moment. “I missed you too,” Logan said.

“Logan,” Kris said, clapping him on the shoulder as he passed. “Good to see you.”

Thelma arched a brow. “You okay?”

“Yes. Busy day, but I wouldn’t miss class,” Logan said.

“Tonight we’re making ricotta cookies,” Mia said, her voice steady and professional.

“Soft, cake-like, and kissed with lemon and vanilla. They’re my favorite Italian holiday cookie, and I hope they’ll become yours too.

Let’s start by creaming together the butter and sugar until it’s light and fluffy.

You’ll add the ricotta, eggs, vanilla, lemon zest, and juice one at a time. ”

She handed out the printed recipe cards, her gaze skipping over him entirely.

He caught her glancing in his direction a few times as she explained the technique, but each time she’d quickly focus on someone else.

The careful way she avoided him felt deliberate, pointed.

Had his silence after her voicemail been the last straw?

The class got to work, the familiar clink of measuring spoons and chatter filling the room.

Logan stole glances at Mia as he stirred, trying to read her expression, but she remained resolutely focused on helping everyone but him.

Logan watched as she moved around the room, spending extra time with Thelma and Harold, offering encouragement and gentle corrections.

When she got close to his station, he held his breath, waiting for her to approach, but she’d veer away at the last second to help someone else instead.

The message was clear—whatever chance he’d had, he’d blown it.

When the cookies were in the oven and the room began to smell similar to his mother’s kitchen, Mia once again drew their attention. “While they bake, we’ll make the glaze. Powdered sugar, lemon juice, and a splash of milk. You want it thick enough to coat but thin enough to drizzle.”

Still no eye contact. The ache in Logan’s chest grew heavier. He couldn’t let it end like this. He took a deep breath and stepped away from his station.

“Can I have everyone’s attention for a minute?” he asked, voice slightly louder than necessary.

The room went still.

“I have something to ask Mia,” Logan said. “And I hope you’ll all be willing to hold off on your icing for a few minutes.”

Mia finally looked up, and her expression appeared to be equal parts curiosity, hope, and fear. A lump formed in his throat, but he pushed ahead anyway.

“I’m sorry I didn’t call you back on Wednesday. I lost my phone. In a parking lot in Burlington.”

“Burlington?” Mia asked.

“Yes, I went there on an errand with my brother, Max. A very special errand. To a jewelry store. Apparently the parking lot ate my phone because we couldn’t find it anywhere.

Then, this morning I had an emergency with a client, so I didn’t get to the phone store until this afternoon, which took forever. ”

“Always does,” Harold said.

“So true,” Reese agreed.

Logan continued, eyes still on Mia. “Which is why I wasn’t able to call you back.”

“It’s fine,” Mia said, a flush creeping up her neck and into her cheeks. “No reason to discuss it here in front of everyone.”

“Oh, but I disagree,” Logan said. “I want witnesses. Mia Bianchi, I love you. The time we’ve spent together has been the most joyous of my life.

I’ll move with you to New York—I can practice law there after I take the bar exam.

Or I’ll stay here in Sugarville Grove. It doesn’t matter where we are, as long as we’re together.

I want to support your career and build a life with you, if you’ll have me. ”

“You’d leave Sugarville Grove? For me?” Mia shook her head, eyes filling with tears.

“Of course, I’d like to stay here where all my friends and family are, but I’m willing to go, as long as I can be with you. If you want New York, I’ll go. If you want Sugarville Grove, I’ll stay. And just so you know how serious I am, I have a question for you.”

He reached into his pocket and pulled out the ring box, heart thundering, then dropped to one knee.

Mia’s lips parted, her hand flying to her chest. “What is happening right now. Are you proposing?”

“Yes, I’m proposing.” He opened the lid of the box and held it out for her to see. “Will you marry me?”

Mia just stared at the ring, her cheeks drained of color. “You want to marry me?”

“More than anything I’ve ever wanted,” Logan said.

“Say yes,” Harold called out.

“He’s willing to give up everything for you,” Thelma said. “Isn’t it marvelous?”

“You’ll be another Mrs. Hayes,” Abby said, wiping the corners of her eyes.

“ If she says yes,” Logan said, starting to feel as if she might not want to marry him. Why else would she be stalling like this?

“Yes, I am saying yes. Logan Hayes, there’s nothing better in the world than being by your side. Yes, I will marry you—and build a life with you.” Mia peered at the ring shining from in its velvet box. “The ring’s so pretty.”

Logan rose to his feet to slip it on her finger, then held her hand, admiring how the diamond looked on her slender finger. “It suits you, don’t you think?”

Her right hand trembled as she brushed her knuckles against his cheekbone. “I’d wear a blade of grass, if it meant I’d be your wife.”

He drew her to him, pulling her tight against him and kissing her hard.

Meanwhile, the room erupted in applause.

Cannoli barked and ran toward them, thrusting herself against Logan’s leg.

But not even Cannoli could stop this kiss—right there in the middle of flour-dusted counters, surrounded by their new friends.

When they finally pulled apart, Mia directed her attention toward the class. “Thanks to each of you in this room, I have some news for you. I called Carmichael, and he’s intrigued with the ideas we discussed at the dance hall.”

Turning back to Logan, with the confused look on his face, she took both his hands in hers.

“Everyone here—except for you and Abby—knows about my exciting news, Logan. Carmichael has agreed to backing a restaurant right here in Sugarville Grove. One with the exact same concept, only in a different location.” She beamed, rocking back and forth on her heels.

“I knew it,” Abby said. “I knew he’d agree.”

“Yes, isn’t this wonderful?” Thelma said.

“A Christmas miracle,” Harold chimed in.

Mia laughed. “That’s what I thought too.”

“And most important of all, love wins this time,” Reese said. “I’m so delighted for you both.”

“It surely does,” Kris said. “You kids are going to be very happy together.”

Mia glanced in Reese’s direction. “And guess what else, Reese? Carmichael loved your idea of the old dance hall for our location. He already started making the arrangements to buy it.”

Logan’s head was spinning like an old-fashioned toy top. “Wait a minute. Am I understanding this right? You’re going to open the restaurant here?”

“That’s right. That way we can stay in Sugarville Grove,” Mia said.

“I’d already decided not to take it if he said no, but he didn’t.

He agreed with us—Sugarville Grove needs another restaurant.

One that’s open more than two nights a week and has a location that’s easy to get to.

I don’t know what I was thinking, even considering moving back to the city.

I belong here. I knew after our last class that I don’t want to be any place else in the world, but I thought I’d have to sacrifice my dream so I could stay.

But I don’t have to. Thelma, I’m getting both. ”

“Glory be to God,” Thelma said.

“This is my home.” Mia cupped Logan’s face with both hands. “You are my home.”

He was about to kiss her again when the alarm sounded. Their cookies were ready to be taken out of the oven.

“Oh dear, and we haven’t made our frosting yet,” Mia said.

“Frosting can wait,” Harold said, wiping his eyes with the sleeve of his sweater. “We’ve got champagne to open.”

Abby stepped forward with a cold bottle of bubbly. “I brought this just in case tonight turned out to be something special.”

“You knew?” Mia asked.

“I had insider information.” Abby popped the cork, causing Cannoli to hide behind Logan. “Max has a big mouth. The whole family knows by now.”

Logan couldn’t help but laugh. “Nothing stays a secret in the Hayes family for more than a few seconds. You’ll have to get used to everyone being in your business, Mia.”

“I honestly can’t wait. As far as drinking champagne goes, the cookies do have to cool, so I suppose we could all have a glass before we frost them.”

While Kris and Logan moved the trays of warm, golden cookies to cooling racks, Abby poured the champagne into plastic flutes she’d brought from home.

Mia looked around at each of them, emotion pressing at her throat.

“To friendship,” she said, raising her glass.

“To love,” Thelma added, lifting hers.

“To second chances,” Harold said, with a wink in Thelma’s direction.

“To learning something new for the sake of love,” Kris said.

Reese leaned forward, her eyes misty. “To all of you—because this class and my new friends have helped me to heal.”

“And to Mia and Logan,” Abby said. “May your kitchen always be warm and your stomach and hearts full.”

They all clinked glasses. Mia reached for Logan’s hand under the table and gave it a squeeze.

“When will the wedding be?” Thelma asked. “I can help plan it.”

Mia and Logan exchanged a glance.

“Let’s do it before Christmas,” Logan said, the words out of his mouth before he could stop them. “All of my brothers have married during the holidays. We should too.”

“Oh, you really should,” Abby said. “Then we all match.”

“You mean next week?” Mia asked.

“We can all help,” Reese said.

“We could do it at my house,” Logan said.

“Oh, how about a potluck?” Harold asked. “We can all bring something we learned in class.”

“I am going to be busy after the new year with the restaurant,” Mia said. “So, yes, let’s do it.”

“What about a dress?” Reese asked. “That’s the most important part. I mean, besides being in love and all.”

“Your soon to be sisters-in-law will help you find something quickly,” Abby said.

“Can we invite Patty and the kids?” Mia asked.

“Absolutely,” Logan said. “And all my family, obviously. God help us.”

“I’ll do the flowers,” Reese said. “I have a good friend who works at the flower shop.”

Everyone started brainstorming about how to put a small wedding together quickly. But most of it floated over Logan’s head. He was too busy looking at his beautiful fiancée.”