Page 6 of Savoring Christmas (Sugarville Grove #8)

LOGAN

A s Kris was exiting the school’s kitchen, he whispered in Logan’s ear, “Offer to walk Mia to her car.”

Logan shook his head, laughing to himself. “Yes, sir.”

“You’ll thank me later,” Kris said, with a devilish grin.

Soon, everyone had drifted into the night except for Logan. “May I walk you out? It’s late and dark.”

She seemed surprised, and he thought she might decline, but instead she accepted his offer and put on her coat and grabbed her bag. Just outside of the kitchen, she stopped to lock the door before gesturing toward the parking lot. “I’m over there.”

“Me too,” Logan said.

They set out together. The concrete was slick, so he cautioned her to be careful, as he decided whether to bring up Patty and her children. He knew from Mia’s work with the food bank that she’d want to help them, just as he did.

“I was thinking about Patty and her kids,” Logan said. “They were clearly really hungry. And that thing Benji said about baseball broke my heart.”

“Me too. I was thinking about how to help give them a good Christmas.”

“Agree. I’m sure Abby will want to help too,” Logan said. “She might offer free vet care for a dog, especially if it’s a rescue.”

“Yes, but there’s an expense with dog food. If she’s having trouble feeding the kids, she doesn’t need a dog to take care of too.”

“I know you’re right, but shouldn’t every kid have a dog if they want one?”

“In theory, but that’s not the reality for a lot of folks,” Mia said.

“I grew up on a farm, so we always had animals. I never really thought how lucky my brothers and I were. We weren’t rich, but we always had more than enough to eat. That whole situation’s really sad.”

“I wonder what happened to her husband?” Mia asked.

“My mom told me he was a police officer killed in the line of duty. They were in Chicago then but moved here some time after that.”

“How does your mother know that?” Mia asked.

“Honestly, she kind of knows everything about everyone in Sugarville Grove. She and Kris share a lot of information with each other. Some call them gossips, but I know it comes from a good place. They’re just interested in the people who live here.”

“Maybe they can help us figure out what to do for Patty and her kids,” Mia said.

“I’ll ask Mom. But I’m sure Kris noticed it tonight too, so he’s probably already sent her a text.”

That made Mia laugh, which pleased him more than it should.

By then they were at their cars. Logan waited while Mia unlocked her car and placed her bag on the back seat, then straightened and gave him a smile. “Thanks for escorting me out. That was very thoughtful of you.”

He thought about giving Kris the credit but decided not to. “You’re a great teacher,” Logan said. “I had more fun than I thought I would.”

“Me too, actually.” Her quiet laugh caught him off guard.

“I was surprised how everyone opened up about why they were here,” Logan said. “It was touching.”

“I thought so too.” Her shoulders rose and fell in a quick, dismissive motion. “I hadn’t planned on sharing my reasons so honestly either.”

Giving it further thought, she said, “It just takes one person to open up to give everyone else permission to do so. I’m glad I didn’t talk myself out of this. I have to admit, it was touch and go there for a bit.”

“I’m sorry you’ve struggled to meet people here,” Logan said. “I always think of us as a welcoming community.”

“Oh, it’s all on me. At first, I was just busy getting the restaurant going. But as the months wore on, I found myself more and more isolated. The more I stayed home, the harder it was to get myself out there. I’m not the best with social things.”

“It doesn’t seem that way.”

“Really?”

“You were so easy with everyone tonight. In fact, it was because of you that everyone opened up right away. I found it impressive. You’re impressive in general.”

“Thanks. I appreciate it,” Mia said, ducking her chin. “I was so nervous. On the drive here tonight, I kept wishing I hadn’t decided to do this. But then it turned out to be fun. It reminded me of working with my staff at my restaurant in New York. Before we shut down.”

“What happened that you had to shut down?”

She sighed and looked up at the clear sky, where stars twinkled down at them. “It’s a long story. Basically, it was financial. I couldn’t keep it running after …a bad investment decision.”

“That must have been hard.” Frost had sketched delicate patterns across the car window. Logan found himself tracing one with his fingertip before he realized what he was doing and yanked back his hand.

“It was, yes,” Mia said. “I should go. It’s getting late, and I have a bit of a drive.”

“Yes, please be careful,” Logan said. “Roads might be slick.”

“I will.” She smiled up at him. “Practice your knife skills before Thursday.”

He laughed. “Yes, ma’am.”

“Good. I’ll see you Thursday.”

“I’ll talk to my mom about Patty McDonald,” Logan said. “She might have some good ideas for us.”

She touched the sleeve of his jacket. “That’s kind of you. I knew you’d want to help.”

“You did?”

“You may act tough but I’ve observed you enough to know you care about other people.”

“My mom and dad wouldn’t have it any other way. Trust me. Serving others was a big subject around our dinner table every night.”

“I’m envious. Being part of a big family must be wonderful.”

“It is. Although, it can be annoying at times. Everyone’s in everyone else’s business twenty-four seven.”

“Having people who care enough to be in your business is a gift,” Mia said.

The wistfulness in her voice made his chest ache. “You should come to family dinner one of these Sundays.”

She stared at him, as if he’d asked her to do a cartwheel. “I wouldn’t want to intrude.”

“My mother would love to have you. Especially once I tell her you’re hoping to meet new people. Also, one more person at my mom’s table won’t even be noticed. She’s used to feeding the small army that we are.”

“Okay, well, maybe one of these Sundays I’ll take you up on your offer.”

The way she said it made him think she had no intention of doing so. Which made his stomach plummet with disappointment.

“But put my number in your phone,” Mia said. “You know …for whatever.”

And just like that, he was happy again. He handed her his phone and watched as she put her number into his phone contacts.

“Have a good rest of your night.” She handed him back his phone before sliding into the driver’s seat.

He watched her reverse out of the space, her headlights sweeping across the empty lot before disappearing around the corner.

Maybe he should text her, just so she had his number. He’d do that when he got home. Plus, he should check on her. Make sure she arrived safely and all that. He was just being neighborly.

He drove home with the radio playing a country station to keep him company.

The two-lane spooled in quiet curves, its edges lined with bare maples and oaks, their branches black lace against the inky sky.

Now and then, a lone farmhouse gleamed in the distance, yellow windows like lanterns on the dark hills.

The moon hung low and hazy, its light diffused by the thin veil of clouds moving in from the west. Every so often, a gust of wind scattered a swirl of dry leaves across the road, the last stubborn holdouts that hadn’t been raked away.

His house came into view just off the road, a white farmhouse tucked among tall pines, its gables recently trimmed with wreaths for the holidays.

He’d never been one for a lot of holiday decoration, but his dad had surprised him by hanging the wreaths.

The soft glow from the kitchen window tonight felt lonesome.

He wasn’t sure why. After all, Matilda, his grumpy cat, awaited, probably hungry for her dinner.

He parked in the garage but walked out to his mailbox to see if anything of interest had arrived. Nothing but a few bills and advertisements. As he walked back to the house, the sharp, crisp air smelled of woodsmoke and pine trees.

He’d lived here five years now, having bought the house just months after moving back to Sugarville Grove.

The house had been built in the 1940s and had needed a full remodel, so he’d stayed with his parents while the work was being done.

Although it had taken many months and a couple of fat checks to the contractor, he was pleased with the way it had all turned out, especially the vaulted living room with exposed beams and a stone fireplace.

He shrugged out of his coat, hanging it in his mudroom before making his way to the kitchen.

Dark wood floors gleamed in the low light as he filled a glass with water, leaning a hip against the wide farmhouse sink while he drank it.

After he’d finished, he poured himself a glass of white wine he had open in the refrigerator and went upstairs to his bedroom to look for Matilda.

He found her curled up on his bed. She lifted her orange and white striped head to give him a disdainful look before closing her eyes. Matilda wasn’t one to suffer fools.

He changed into sweats and an old T-shirt, then sat in the leather chair by the window to drink his wine.

Debating with himself. Should he message Mia or not?

It was after nine. She might be in bed already.

If so, she would see the message in the morning.

That was fine. Right? Before he could talk himself out of it, he had his phone in hand and sent a text.

Just making sure you made it home safe. Roads weren’t too bad, were they?

He hit send, set the phone back down, and looked out at the starry sky, telling himself not to be disappointed if she didn’t text back. However, he was thrilled when she did.

Yes, just got home. No trouble getting up the mountain. Thanks for checking. Very sweet of you.

He replied. You’re welcome. I’m home too, with a glass of wine in hand.

From Mia. Ha. I’m having one too. Cannoli’s on my lap, very put out about my absence this evening. Do you have a pet?