They’d barely escaped the food tent when Logan was intercepted by Mrs. Hampton herself. Abbie couldn’t find the words to say even a polite hello, because she was frozen on the woman who hadn’t changed a bit in more than a decade. Same white hair kept in a bun, same high-necked blouse, same stern expression etched into the wrinkle lines on her face. The only thing missing was her broom.
“Mr. Attwood, a pleasure.”
Logan shook her hand, as he had several others that evening. “Thanks for coming out, Mrs. Hampton.”
“Please, call me Pearl.”
Abbie, hand wrapped around his arm, felt it go rigid. But his cool smile never faltered. “Hope you enjoyed yourself tonight.”
“I did. My husband used to do some bronc riding back when he was younger. Brought back memories for sure.”
“Good, I’m glad.”
“That’s why I’m selling, you know.”
Abbie felt the air halt in her lungs. What an odd thing to say, because it wasn’t directed at her at all but rather, at Logan. When had the two had the chance to talk about her house?
“I lost him last year. The house just feels too empty without him.”
Her eyes bounced between Logan and the woman who’d chased her off her porch more than once. What was she missing? Because she was definitely missing something.
“I’m sorry for your loss.”
“You’ll take good care of it, won’t you? That’s why I chose your offer.”
“Youroffer?” Abbie dropped her hand and took a step away from Logan. Betrayal twisted inside her like a sharp knife.
“You didn’t know?” Mrs. Hampton finally acknowledged Abbie’s presence, her eyebrows drawn.
“The only thing I knew was thatmyoffer didn’t get accepted.” Only the shock kept her tears at bay, but her flight instinct was as charged as ever. How could Logan have gone behind her back like this, and then kept such a big secret from her?
“I’m sorry, Ms. Bennington. You have to understand that house is worth a considerable bit more than you could afford. And with an offer like Mr. Attwood’s, there was no way I could turn it down.”
“Abbs—”
“Don’t.” Abbie tore her way through the crowd, refusing to look back until she reached her car. Her entire world seemed lopsided. Logan had held her in his arms and consoled her when she learned she hadn’t gotten the house. But he’d knownhegot it all along.
The ring that before wouldn’t budge now slipped off quite easily. She slammed it at the ground before she jumped in her car and drove away.
Chapter 21
Logan
Despite his best efforts, Abbie refused to talk to Logan since she left last night. Mrs. Hampton couldn’t have had worse timing. One day. Just one more day. That was all he needed to surprise her with the life ahead for them.
“You know Abbie doesn’t like surprises,” Erin said at breakfast the next morning as she passed the syrup for Izzy’s requested chocolate chip pancakes—a meal Abbie didn’t show up to share. His eyes kept falling on the cottage door, waiting to see it open and Gibbs burst through. The poor lug was missing out on some pretty good bacon.
“I know.”
Cliff reached for his cup of coffee. “You remember the surprise birthday party out at the lake, right?”
He had once tried to throw Abbie a party, but she demanded he turn the car around before he could park near the crowd gathered under a picnic shelter. She hated being the last to know, no matter the reason.
“Aunty Abbie doesn’t like surprises?” Izzy kicked at her chair, fork in one hand, her stuffed horse in the other.
“No, sweetie. Not so much,” he answered.
“Then why’d you do it, Logan?” Erin asked. “Why did you think it was a good idea this time if it’s never been before?”
