Logan parked behind the Volvo and turned to Claire as he cut the engine. “Sophie has visitors?”
His gaze was inquisitive, but she knew he could sense the change that had come over her. She nodded, feeling miserable. “My mother and father.”
“Ah.” He raised a brow at her. “Something tells me you aren’t exactly pleased about them being here.”
“Maybe we should just go to your place for a little bit,” she suggested hopefully. Facing her mother was the last thing she felt like doing right now, especially since Anne had yet to discover that Logan was the baby’s father, not Garrett.
“If that’s what you want,” Logan said.
He was being so understanding about it, so uncharacteristically understanding, in fact, that it made her feel guilty. She wasn’t ashamed of Logan. So why should she hide him from her mother and father? Obviously they would have to meet at some point.
“No.” She stopped him with a hand. “On second thought, let’s just go inside.”
He studied her intently. “Are you sure?”
She nodded again, even though she wasn’t sure at all. But hiding wasn’t really an option. Was it? No, she told herself firmly, it wasn’t.
So she got out of the car and headed toward the trunk. Logan beat her to it, refusing to allow her to carry either her suitcase or her bag.
“I’m not incapacitated, you know,” she said pointedly, slamming the trunk closed.
He gave her a half-grin. “I didn’t say you were.”
Claire frowned at him. “No, but you act like you think I am.”
“No.” Logan’s grin escalated into a slow, heart-stoppingly sexy smile. “I act like I want to take care of you. Because I do.”
His words should have enraged the independent woman inside her. But they didn’t. In fact, they made her feel all warm and fluttery inside. Logan turned on his heel and headed for the house, leaving her no choice but to follow in his wake, stunned by him yet again.
Trevor was at the front door, holding it wide for Logan to enter. Still playing the part of chivalrous knight, Logan gestured for Claire to precede him and followed her inside the house. Trevor introduced himself to Logan, and the two men shook hands before Trevor pulled Claire aside.
“Your mother’s in the kitchen,” he whispered. “She doesn’t know you’re here, so you still have time to hide.”
Claire laughed and patted her brother-in-law’s shoulder. “Thanks for the heads-up, but I’m trying to be brave.”
Logan turned back to Claire. “I’ll take this up to your room for you.”
Claire thanked him and then focused on Trevor again. “Where’s Soph?”
“In the kitchen with your mother.”
“Where’s my dad?”
“Not here.” Trevor looked down at her, concern in his golden-brown eyes. “Golfing, I think. I can distract your mother if you want to go.”
“I have to face her some time,” Claire offered. “In fact, I might as well get it over with now. Can you keep Logan occupied for a couple minutes?”
At his assent, Claire headed for the kitchen and the showdown that was about to ensue with her mother. Anne looked typically perfect, her ice-blonde hair cropped in a chin-length bob, her makeup applied just right, her pantsuit a light blue that complemented her eyes. She was sitting at the kitchen table, sipping tea with Sophie when Claire entered.
“Well.” Anne looked up, setting her teacup in its saucer with a dissonant clink. “How was the trip you forgot to mention you were going on?”
Claire knew from the clipped tone of her mother’s voice that this wasn’t going to be pleasant. Steeling herself, she crossed the hardwood floor and sat next to her sister. Sophie gave her an apologetic look.
“The trip was amazing, Mom,” Claire finally said. “I’m sorry I didn’t get a chance to tell you about it. It was kind of a last-minute thing.”
“Was it business?” Anne asked coolly.
“No.”
