asked.
"He'll be fine." Logan said, reaching behind me and hitting him on the back.
"Robert? Honey, are you sure you're okay?" Momma eyebrows furrowed.
"Yes ma'am. He's fine; he chokes on his food all the time. Don't you, Robert?" Logan asked.
Robert shifted uncomfortably in his chair. "If you would excuse me, I need to get some fresh air."
Daddy nodded in approval. "Sure son, take your time."
Robert stood up and walked out the screen door, allowing it to thump closed behind him.
"Well, thanks again for all your hospitality - and if you're sure you don't mind Robert and I staying - I'd like to turn in for the night."
"Of course we don't mind, Logan," Momma said. "Anna, will you show him up to their room?"
"But… Momma! I haven't finished supper yet." She complained.
"Kaitlin, would you show the boy to his room, while we work on your sisters' manners?"
"Yes ma'am"
"Sleep well, Logan!" Momma, called out.
The stairs creaked under our weight as we made our way up to the second floor. I paused on the top of the staircase, gripping the banister. My pulse was hammering and my breathing shallow.
Logan placed his hand over mine and rubbed his thumb over my wrist. "Kaitlin, are you okay?" He asked, wrapping his free arm around my waist.
"Logan," I whispered, struggling to free myself from his grip. "I need to show you to your room –" I sighed.
"By all means, show away." Logan said, releasing me and gesturing with his hand toward the hallway.
"Whose room is this?" He asked, pointing to the door on the right.
"Emma and Anna's."
"And this one?" He asked, pointing to the opposite side.
I stopped and turned to face him. "Mine."
"Good to know," he smiled and stepped closer to me.
"Logan what are you doing?" I asked.
"Why are you backing away from me, Kaitlin?"
I nervously shifted my weight back and forth, and intertwined my fingers together in front of me. "I'm not, Logan. I just need to get back down stairs and finish my chores… Yours and Robert's room is over there." I turned and nodded to the door at the South end of the hallway.
In a lightning fast move, he pulled me into his arms. "Logan, please don't do this. My daddy will kill you if he sees us."
"I don't have a choice anymore, Kaitlin. I thought if I kissed you once it would satisfy my curiosity and I could put you out of my mind and just walk away when the time comes." He lowered his gaze to my lips. "It didn't work."
He skimmed his lips against mine causing my pulse to race.
"I hope what I'm about to tell you doesn't scare you, but I'm in love with you." He whispered, as he ran his finger down my cheek. "I've never said those words to anyone, until now."
With my heart pounding a million miles a minute, I stood in stunned silence.
"Say something." He pleaded.
"What do you want me to say, Logan?" I asked, lowering my eyes to the floor.
"'I love you too' would be nice –"
I snapped my eyes back to his. "Yes Logan. I think I'm in love with you, and it scares me." I admitted, blinking back tears.
He kissed the top of my head. "Aw, Kaitlin, please don't cry."
"My family wants me ta' marry Billy – and what about what Robert said to you at the lake today?"
"I don't care about what he says or wants… and your family will come around; besides, I only care about what you want."
He sighed. "But there is something I need to tell you."
"I'm listenin…"
Complications
Logan
"Kaitlin, Robert and I may have to leave soon."
"How soon?"
Her question soared through the air like a hawk searching for its prey. "It could be as soon as Uncle Henry gets back from his trip."
"No! I don't want you to leave!" She shouted, her words echoing through the tiny hallway.
"You have no idea how sorry I am, Kaitlin. If there was any way I could stay here with you, I would. I would never leave your side." I paused. "But there are some things I need to take care of back home first."
Her face changed from hurt to fury. "How can you tell me you love me, and make me admit my love for you, then in the next breath say you're leavin'? That's just cruel Logan."
"I can't even begin to explain it all Kaitlin…"
The tears that welled up in her eyes were ripping my heart out.
She balled her hands into fists. "Then take me with you!"
"I can't take you with me, Kaitlin. But I promise … I will come back." I skimmed my fingers over her wet cheeks. "Kaitlin, look at me," I whispered.
She looked up with her eyes swollen and red. "How do I know you'll come back?" She pleaded.
I dropped to my knee, with her hand in mine. "Marry me, Lenny! I know this is sudden and we haven't known each other very long. And, I know I should ask your father first, but… Kaitlin, will you marry me?"
Her silence was a crushing blow to my heart.
"I'm sorry," I mumbled. "You must think I've lost my mind."
She lifted my chin up to meet her eyes.
"Yes Logan!" She whispered smiling through her tears.
"What did you say?"
"Yes Logan. Yes." She jumped into my arms. "Oh Logan! I can't wait to tell everyone!"
I winced. "No. You have to promise me you won't tell anyone until I get back!"
"But–"
"Kaitlin, I need you to promise me."
"I don't understand, Logan."
"Please I need you to trust me."
I nodded. "Okay... I promise."
"And you meant it, right? You will marry me?"
She looked at me with a soft smile. "Yes Logan. I will. I've loved you from the moment I first laid eyes on you and marrin' you will make me the happiest girl in the whole world!"
He kissed the tip of my nose. "Then I need you to get out of going into town tomorrow. I don't care how; just find a way to stay home. As soon as your family leaves meet me in the barn. I'll have Scout ready… Oh, and bring the party dress your mom made you."
"Where are we going?" She asked, resting her head on my shoulder.
"To see if you really meant what you sa–"
"Well, Logan. Looks like you have your paws on her every chance you get, now." Robert scolded, coming up behind us.
"Robert, please don't start this again."
"Oh, don't worry little brother. I'm not in the mood to fight with you; I have more important things to worry about. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to turn in for the night." He looked at Kaitlin, "Your sisters said our room is at the end of the hall."
"Yes," she said, unwrapping her arms from me and stepping back.
"Logan, a word of advice: if her dad were to ever see you two like that after his warning again tonight, well, you just might find a bullet in your," he coughed. "Backside."
"Thanks for your concern, Robert."
He turned his attention away from me, clearly irritated. "Oh, by the way, Kaitlin. I'll be going with you and your family tomorrow. Your father needs me to help him pick up the rest of the lumber for the barn… And, uh, from what I just witnessed, it's probably a good idea for you and Logan to spend some time apart."
Kaitlin turned on her heels and marched up to Robert standing toe-to-toe with him. "I don't think it's any of your business!" She snapped.
Robert stepped back, keeping his cool.
"I thought you might say that…" He shook his head and turned to face me. "You've done a fantastic job, Logan. You should be real proud of yourself." He chastised.
"Robert, it's not what you're thinking."
He held up his hand. "Stop, Logan. Don't dig your hole any deeper."
With that, he turned and walked down the dark hallway
"Kaitlin, I need to go talk to him." Even if he's being a jerk, I thought.
"I don't think he wants to t
alk to you," she sighed. "But I have to get back downstairs and finish my chores before someone comes lookin' for me."
"Okay, just one more thing." I pulled her back into my arms and brushed my lips across hers. "Will you meet me in the barn tomorrow morning?"
"Yes," she beamed, wiggling free from my embrace. "I've gotta' get downstairs…"
I kissed her cheek. "Goodnight."
"Goodnight, Logan." she smiled as she turned and started down the stairs.
♦~♦~♦~♦
My heart sank as we rounded the corner and the farmhouse came into view. I wanted this day to last forever but I knew my time here was almost up.
Kaitlin must have sensed my mood change.
She reached for my hand and began to rub the twine on my finger. "Everything is going to work out, Logan." She said, resting her head against my back.
"Kaitlin, you know we have to take these off before anyone sees them."
"I know," she said, tightening her grip around my waist.
Neither of us spoke another word as I guided Scout back toward the barn; the only sound was that of his hooves hitting the dirt path.
"It doesn't look like anyone's home yet, so you better get inside." I jumped down off Scout. "I'll put him in his stall and be up in a little bit."
She nodded and smiled as I helped her to the ground. "I love you so much, beautiful."
She smiled up at me. "I love you, too!"
As the sun began to drop behind the mountains, the pale blue sky became a beautiful canvas; hues of orange and pink melted together as the sounds of cicadas filled the air. I wanted the little time I had left alone with Kaitlin to be special, but I couldn't seem to push the nagging questions in the back of my mind away: When I leave, how long will she wait for me to come back? Will she turn to Billy? The thought of him anywhere near her made me nauseous. I'll just find a way to take her with me…
With that settled, I just have to figure out a way to make it happen.
I hesitated admiring the white two-story house that'd had somehow become as familiar to me as my own home.
"Logan?" She beamed, tilting her head and leaning it against the screen door.
"Oh. Lenny, I'm sorry," I answered, taking the porch stairs two-at-a-time. "I didn't see you."
"It's okay… I was startin' to think you were havin' second thoughts."
"No ma'am. No second thoughts here!" I reached for her hand and lifted it to my lips gently kissing each finger. "I love everything about you."
"I guess that's a good thing seein as how you're stuck with me now." She teased.
I brought her hand down and rested it over my heart.
She smiled. "It's beating so fast."
"That's what you do to me, Lenny." I said, yanking her up and spinning around. She squealed and giggled.
"Kaitlin? Are you okay?"
"Emma! I… when did…" My mind went blank. How was I gonna explain this to her?
"She's okay Emma, but I did just have to save her from a baby spider."
Emma laughed. "I didn't know Kaitlin was afraid of spiders." she leaned over and whispered in my ear. "I think she likes you, Logan."
I met Kaitlin's loving eyes. "I think you might be right."
She giggled and turned her attention to her older sister. "Kaitlin, Momma said you weren't feelin' good this morning so when I heard you yell I ran up here as fast as I could."
Kaitlin smiled, touched by Emma's concern. "I'm – I'm feelin' better now," Kaitlin answered, nudging me to release her.
"Where is everyone else?" I asked.
"Momma and Anna are watching daddy and Robert unload the rest of the lumber…" She paused, seemingly trying to remember something important. "Oh Logan! Robert asked me to come tell ya what Doc said."
Kaitlin's eyebrows knit together in confusion.
"What did he say, Emma?" I asked.
"Um, I don't remember exactly what he said. Robert just told me, to tell you, that your Uncle Henry sent word that your family needs you to come home right away."
"What?" Kaitlin choked out.
"Goodness, Kaitlin… I said Doc said Robert and Logan's family…" Emma paused. "Kaitlin, you don't look so good–"
I cut her off. "Emma, what did my brother say when he gave him the message?"
"Oh," she frowned and looked back up at me. "He said that both of y'all would leave tonight. But daddy said it would be best if you left first thing in the mornin'–"
"In the morning," Kaitlin whispered, her complexion turning pasty. She walked over to an old,