“I’m unable to pick Oliver up and Julia’s not answering her phone. I was hoping you could help me out by taking him with you until I get back.”’
I stilled my posture. He wanted me to take Oliver and watch him? I honestly didn’t mind but I was taken aback he was asking me. I barely knew the man.
“Don’t you have a nanny?” I asked.
“No, I don’t trust strangers with my son.”
“Well Logan, you might have failed to notice but I am technically a stranger.” I chuckled once.
“Logan? Is that Logan West by any chance?” a voice asked from behind me. I turned to see Jessica walking in with Oliver at her side.
With a smile directed at Oliver, I tightened the received to my ear. God forbid Logan say something lurid and be heard by his son.
“Cassandra, please. I have no one else to ask.” His voice was warm and soft, catching me off guard and leaving me no other choice but to agree.
I nodded and her face lit up.
“Go have a seat in the hall chair, Oliver. I need to talk to your father a moment.”
Jessica held out her hand for the phone, which I instantly handed over greeting Oliver with a smile and small wave as he walked out.
“Logan! Hi, is everything all right?” Jessica asked enthusiastically through the phone. “Oh, that’s terrible. I hate traffic. People need to learn to drive.” Her face went through about a dozen reactions as she listened before finally giggling.
I rolled my eyes, taking a deep annoyed breath stepping to the door, and poking my head outside. Oliver was sitting in the short row of yellow plastic chairs, his small feet dangling down kicking the air.
“Why don’t I take Oliver back to my place? My son is with the babysitter there and would love to play with him. I could make us a nice dinner for when you get back,” Jessica said, a giant grin plastered on her freckled face. But whatever Logan’s reply was caused her expression to slowly drop away. “Uh-huh. Oh, all right.” Her head whipped around staring at me with narrowed eyes.
What the hell did I do? What could he possibly be saying to her?
Jessica nodded her head at his words. “Yes, not a problem, Mr. West. Good-bye.”
I looked over at her, surprised at her tone and the sudden use of Mr. West instead of Logan. Whatever he said to her, she was now talking like an actual teacher and not some enamored schoolgirl.
She held the phone to me, her face flushed. As soon as I took it, she walked out and I heard her tell Oliver to have a great weekend.
“Yeah?” I asked, confused.
“Cassandra, please, don’t make me beg. I really need your help. Tell me you’ll watch Oliver.”
“Quick question first, why not let him go to Jessica’s house? She is his teacher after all; you should trust her more than me. Not that I’m untrustworthy, but she seemed overly eager to make dinner for you. I’m sure you’d have a wonderful time.” I grinned imagining his expression at my taunting words.
“I have no interest in having dinner with my son’s teacher. And Oliver likes you as does Julia and most of this town. That says a lot. And about that meal,” his voice grew huskier, “if you’d like to prepare dinner for us, I’d be delighted to have a taste.”
I rolled my eyes, but a smile pulled at my lips despite myself. “I’ll watch Oliver but there will be no meal, at least not for you.”
“That’s a shame; those muffins you made were delicious. I’ve been looking forward to the next treat you have planned for me.” His voice grew smoother, deeper. I could picture that annoying, seductive smirk of his.
“Good-bye, Logan.”
He chuckled. “I’ll be there soon and Cassandra, thank you.” I heard him hang up as soon as the words left his mouth.
My stomach flipped. His words were sincere, genuine, and I couldn’t help smiling as I placed the phone back on the receiver.
“All right Oliver, looks like you’re coming over to my house for a while.” I stepped into the hall and Oliver stood up, worry marring his brow.
“Is my daddy okay?”
“Yes, of course. He’s just stuck in traffic. What do you say we go back to my house and find a game to play?”
Oliver nodded, taking my hand, and following me out of the building.
By the time we arrived at my house Oliver had convinced me he wanted to make blueberry muffins. Dropping his book bag on my couch, we went straight to the kitchen. I smiled as he pushed a chair across the floor to the sink and climbed up to wash his hands. I did the same, and then began handing him the ingredients from the cupboards.
Oliver dumped everything into a bowl after I measured it out and with a giant grin, he began mixing. Flour covered his hands as well as some blueberry juice. With Oliver’s help, the batter was mixed and poured into muffin tins ready for baking less than thirty minutes later. Pushing two pans inside the oven, I turned around assessing the room.
Flour was scattered around the countertop and floor. Oliver followed my gaze laughing.
“It’s a mess in here,” he said, grinning as he grabbed a handful of blueberries left in a bowl.
“You’re pretty messy as well.”
Flour had somehow been wiped across his brow and through his curly hair.
“I’ll help you clean,” he said, jumping down from the chair, blueberries still in his hand. As soon as his feet hit the floor, a blueberry hit the back of my arm.
“Hey!” I yelled turning to face him, my hands crossed over my chest. “Are you trying to start a food fight in my kitchen, Oliver?” My voice stern.
He stilled, eyes growing wide with nerves. “Um—”
“Because I’ll win!” I reached for a handful of blueberries and raced toward him.
He took off running, grabbing the entire bowl, and sneaking around the side of the kitchen table.
I ducked as he threw one after another missing more times than not. I managed to get a few good shots in which caused him to burst into a fit of giggles.
As I pounced to the side of the table, Oliver raced around me and grabbed the bag of remaining flour from the counter.
I held up my hand. “Don’t do anything you might regret now.” I giggled.
“Daddy says you should never have regrets.” With those words, he flung the bag in his hands up and down. Flour rained over me so I dove under the table to hide.
With a heavy laugh, adrenaline seeped from my body. It’d been too long since I’d had so much fun and I had never had a food fight before, especially not in my grandmother’s kitchen.
“It looks like Oliver wins.” My breath caught as the familiar smooth voice filled the cloudy air.
I looked up from under the table to find Logan leaning against the kitchen doorway, arms crossed over his chest wearing an amused smirk.
“I always win!” Oliver said as I crawled out, adjusting my rumpled skirt and stained top.
“You always win, huh?” I asked, avoiding eye contact with his father.
“Yeah, Uncle Jax tries but I win every time.”
Uncle Jax? How many West siblings were there?
I laughed, slowly glancing up to Logan. To my surprise, he was staring at his son, smiling.
Logan’s gaze traveled from Oliver, back to me. “So, are there muffins to be eaten or are you wearing them all?”
I looked down, wondering how badly I looked when Oliver spoke. “They’re cooking right now. Can we wait till they’re done?” he asked, with big hopeful eyes.
“Sorry, but I need to get some work done at home and you need a bath,” Logan replied warmly. His tone to his son was something entirely new, soft and gentle.
“I’ll bring them over when they’re done.” I chimed in, looking down at Oliver. “All right?”
Oliver nodded. “All right, but don’t forget.”
I laughed. “I won’t, I promise. Don’t forget your backpack.”
Oliver walked past his father into the living room leaving us alone.
“I forgot to ask over the
phone. Does he have any allergies?”
Logan’s eyes held mine, his smile melting away into a serious line. He looked almost confused at my question. His eyes suddenly brightened after a fleeting moment. “No, no allergies.”
His expression grew lighter, amused. My brows scrunched when he leaned in and slid his thumb over my cheek. I stilled, my breath caught, stomach rolling, and wild heat racing through me.
He pulled back and I noticed the blueberry his thumb collected. My cheeks blazed as his eyes locked with mine and his lips parted. Sucking the blueberry from the pad of his thumb, he smiled.
“Delicious.”
My tongue darted out unconsciously wetting my lips. His smile grew, watching me with intent eyes.
“Got it!” Oliver said, appearing beside me.
Swallowing loudly I looked down at the small boy who took a giant whiff of the fresh baked smell seeping from the oven.
“Don’t forget to bring them over later,” Oliver said, seriously.
“I won’t,” my voice cracked.
“Bye.” Oliver waved taking Logan’s hand. I shut both my screen and solid wood door, after a quick wave, and without another word to his father.
My body slumped against the door and let my head fall softly back as I let out a heavy sigh. Heat racked my body and I knew only two things would help, and giving into Logan was not an option. That left me pushing off from the door, heading into the kitchen to watch the muffins cook while I fantasized about all the dirty things Logan could have done to me in the tiny room. The moment my stove beeped, I pulled out the pans, resting them on the top of the racks covering the counter, and headed into the bathroom for a cool shower.
Two hours later, after deciding a bath would better satisfy me and fixing a quick dinner, I tucked the muffins in Tupperware and walked next door.
One ring of the bell and Julia appeared with Oliver at her side.
“You brought them!” he exclaimed reaching for the bowl.
I smiled, as he opened the lid and took a giant bite of the largest muffin.
“Mmmm, they’re yummy,” he mumbled with a full mouth.
“He’s been going on and on about these since I got here.” Julia laughed.
I chuckled, happy to see him enjoying them.
“Sorry I couldn’t pick him up from school. I turned my phone off to study.”
“Not a problem. I didn’t mind but I should get going. I still have a kitchen to clean.” Truth was I wanted to avoid another run in with Logan. There’s only so many cold showers a girl can take.
“Wait, are you going to the carnival on Sunday?” Julia asked and Oliver’s face lit up.
“I don’t know. I really wasn’t planning on it.” Truth was I went every year with Mark but this year I looked forward to staying home and ignoring it. The end of summer celebration was the biggest event this town ever held.
Carnival rides, parade, fireworks. A grand old time they called it.
“You have to come.” Oliver pouted. “Please, Daddy won’t mind. Right, Aunt Julia?”
Julia shook her head, trying to hide something in her expression. Had Logan told her about our interactions?
“You should come. I’ll be there and so will the guy I’m seeing,” she whispered the last part, her eyes bright.
“All right, I’ll meet you guys there around noon.” I wasn’t feeling particularly thrilled about it, but honestly, had nothing better to do either.
Something in my expression caused Oliver to frown. “You don’t have to,” he muttered, his shoulders hung low, defeated.
I stepped forward, crouching to his level. I smiled. “I’ll be by the fountain in the center of town at noon. I promise.” I held out my pinky finger.
His smile reappeared and spirits lifted as he hooked his pinky with mine. “I’ll wait for you.”
“Tell Cassandra thank you, Oliver, then go finish your dinner.”
I looked up and caught Logan’s gaze as he stood behind his son. His jaw ticked and something dark was clouding his eyes. I glanced to Julia who shifted on her feet, picking up on the tense air suddenly surrounding us.
“We’ll see you there,” Julia said taking the muffins from Oliver and leading him inside.
I nodded and turned to leave, ignoring Logan’s inquisitive stare. Whatever he was thinking I knew it wasn’t humorous or flirty. He didn’t look happy with my interaction with Oliver and I couldn’t understand why. Walking down from his porch, I felt his gaze on my back the entire time until I stepped down his driveway and heard him finally close his front door.
Blowing out a deep breath I’d been holding, I felt lighter but completely confused. As I stepped onto my own property I stopped, taking in a deep breath, realizing where I recognized that look from. My grandfather gave the same one to the few men my mother brought around when I was little. I shook my head, continuing to my front steps.
Logan was always surprising me by what he would do or say next, but this time it made sense. I’d never seen his protective father side and to be honest, I worried he may not have one. But after that day I knew there might just be more to Logan West than meets the eye. Smiling to myself, I glanced over to Logan’s house wondering what he was really like behind the stone wall he carefully built around himself.
Chapter Nine
One Step Forward
Five minutes till noon and I finally found a spot to park my car along the crowded street. It seemed every resident in town was there, walking down the sidewalks, surrounded by their children. Pulling my shades down from my head, I slid them on, weaving my way to the massive fountain in the center of town square.
That afternoon was a record-breaking scorcher for the area. Even in cutoff faded jean shorts, a coral tank top, and cream ballet flats I felt the heat beating down over me. In need of relief, I twisted my hair up off my back, flinging it over the front shoulder.
Approaching a row of caricaturists, sitting behind their easels, I grew captivated by the exciting mood surrounding me and, fully prepared for a day of carnival rides and cotton candy. Fresh popcorn filled my nostrils. I smiled to myself. Memories of past times here as a child, flickered through my mind, adding to my breeziness.
“Cassandra, you came!” Oliver yelled as I approached. He raced toward me, grinning ear to ear, but it was Logan that caught my attention. His light worn jeans and grey V-neck shirt were for once not drawing my attention, instead it was his apprehensive expression that noticeably relaxed when he saw me. Did he really think I might stand up a four-year-old child? Insulted by the thought, I shook my head, smiling down at Oliver.
“Daddy bought me a bracelet to ride any ride I want, all day.” He held up his wrist. “And here,” Oliver pulled a matching yellow plastic bracelet from his pocket, “this one’s for you!”
He put the bracelet in my hand and I looked over to Logan standing beside his son, his face unreadable. I smiled and reached into my pocket; pulling out the small coin purse I stuffed cash and my ID in to repay him, but his hand covered mine, startling me.
“You don’t owe me anything, Cassandra. I owe you for helping me with Oliver. Plus, we’re hoping to convince you to spend the rest of the day here with us,” Logan said, his eyes soft, melting the last shred of reluctance I had built up.
I nodded, my lips curling into a tight smile before tucking the wallet back into my pocket. Logan took the bracelet from me and turned my hand palm side up, snapping it in place. I pulled my hand away, trying to block out the tingles humming through my skin
“Where’s Julia?” I stammered, looking around, hoping to see her appear. Spending the day with just Oliver and Logan left my stomach rolling.
“She said to tell you something came up but she’d try to make it later,” Logan explained. His eyebrows lowered and he looked away, then back at me with a quizzical eye. “She’s been acting secretive lately. Any idea why? She seems to like you enough to tell you if she’s hiding some college frat boy from me.”
I snorted, and quic
kly looked down, slightly embarrassed before speaking. “Would it be so bad if she were dating someone?”
“Depends.”
“On…”
Logan lips pulled into a faint smile but didn’t answer.
“Come on! Oliver pouted.
I smiled, laughing at his enthusiasm as he dragged me behind him through the swarms of people toward the edge of town where the rides awaited us.
Up first was the Ferris wheel, which came as a huge relief since I had lunch moments before arriving. Oliver climbed up in the seat first so he had the best view to look out the side and I followed. Without realizing what that meant I inhaled a deep breath when Logan followed and sat down beside me. The metal seat was barely big enough for all three of us, which pressed me up against the one man that sent my body into overdrive.
Breathe. Slow breaths in and out. His left arm went out behind the seat and rested on his son’s shoulder. A protective move? Something told me it was by the way Logan looked around me to smile at his son.
“Sit down, Oliver. It’s going to start moving now,” Logan explained the second a man with long red hair and an AC/DC shirt clamped down the metal bar.
Logan’s thigh pressed against mine and out of the corner of my eye, I caught his subtle smirk. I promised myself that morning that I would enjoy the day and ignore any of Logan’s flirtatious advances, so I did just that. I wasn’t about to let him have the upper hand.
Relaxing back into the seat, I ran my right hand through my hair and let it fall straight on Logan’s upper thigh. It was just high enough to cause him to react. He swallowed, his eyes shooting down to my hand and up to meet my gaze.
“Sorry.” I shrugged, squeezing my hand inches from his zipper before pulling it back as if it were accidental.
He cleared his throat and shifted in his seat. Yeah I could handle this man, especially with Oliver around.
After the Ferris wheel, we rode ride after ride for the next hour until I needed a break. The ground was spinning under me from all the swirling motion and I could have sworn at one point Logan had two heads.