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 quickly 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.