“You also single for breakfast this morning?” Logan asked with a grin, gesturing toward the empty tables around them.
“Seems that way,” Jack admitted, trying not to sound as disappointed as he felt.
“Well, I’m free,” Logan said, his grin widening. “How about we suffer through breakfast together?”
They walked to a table on the other side of the dining room, far enough to give Jane and Gabe privacy but close enough thatJack could still keep an eye on them. Old parental habits died hard.
“Charlie, Holly, and Trinity are having a family breakfast this morning,” Logan explained as they sat down. “Charlie wanted some sister time, apparently.”
“They all need to spend time together,” Jack said, trying to sound reasonable even as disappointment gnawed at him. “It is their vacation after all, and we’ve been monopolizing their time.”
“Yeah,” Logan agreed, but his voice dropped lower. “And I think Charlie wants to ensure that Holly’s ex hasn’t contacted any of them. She wants to make sure they know not to talk to them without her present.”
Jack nodded slowly. That made sense. Charlie was being the protective lawyer sister, making sure her family understood the legal boundaries. He could not fault her for that, even if it meant missing breakfast with Holly.
Mrs. Hurling appeared at their table, her warm smile a comfort in the midst of everything. “What can I get you, gentlemen, this morning?”
Jack ordered his usual. Scrambled eggs, bacon, and toast. “There is fresh coffee on the side table.” Mrs. Hurling pointed and then bustled off toward the kitchen.
They got up to grab coffee from the side table while waiting for their food. Jack wrapped his hands around the warm mug,letting the heat seep into his palms. He took a long sip, savoring the rich flavor and the jolt of caffeine.
As he started back toward their table, that’s when he heard it.
A sound that made him freeze mid-sip. A sound that made his heart lurch in his chest and his breath catch in his throat.
Jane was laughing.
Not a polite chuckle or a small smile. This was full, genuine laughter that rang out across the dining room and lit up her entire face. She was still listening to Gabe, but now her eyes were bright with humor and her smile was wide and unguarded.
Jack stood there holding his coffee mug, unable to move. Unable to do anything but stare at his daughter in complete awe.
He could not remember the last time he’d heard that sound. Three years. It had been over three years since the accident. Three years since the joy had been ripped out of her life and replaced with grief so profound it had nearly destroyed her.
But she was laughing now. Really, truly laughing. She looked alive in a way she had not in years, and it was the most beautiful and painful thing Jack had ever witnessed.
“That’s a good sign,” Logan said softly beside him, his voice gentle with understanding. He nudged Jack toward their table. “Come on. Let her have this moment.”
Jack let himself be guided back to his seat, but he could not take his eyes off his daughter. He watched her interact with Gabe, seeing the life coming back into her expression. The animation in her gestures. The light in her eyes that had been absent for so long.
It was beautiful. It was painful. It was hopeful all at once, and Jack felt his throat tighten with emotion he could not quite name.
“Gabe seems to be good for her,” Logan observed quietly, keeping his voice low. “Both he and Trinity have breathed life back into Jane.”
“I can see that,” Jack managed to say, his voice rough. “I haven’t seen her this happy since before the accident.”
Mrs. Hurling brought their breakfast, setting the plates down with her characteristic warmth. “You two enjoy now.”
Jack picked up his fork, but he found he was no longer really hungry. His mind was too full of everything swirling around him. Holly’s distance this morning. Pamela’s insistence. Jane’s laughter. It was all mixing together in his head, and he could not quite process any of it.
Logan broke the silence after a few minutes of eating. “Want to talk about last night?”
Jack knew what Logan was asking. Last night, when Simon and Terry showed up at the inn with their threats and their smug confidence. When Holly had gone pale and Gabe had lookedready to throw his father out physically despite being on crutches.
“Not much to say that you don’t already know,” Jack said. “We finally found who was representing the enemy. Turns out they aren’t just our enemies.”
“I know,” Logan said. “Charlie was blazing. She wanted to rush after Holly’s ex and rip him a new one.” His eyes bore knowingly into Jack’s. “But really, how are you feeling about this information?’
Jack considered the question as he pushed eggs around his plate. How was he doing? “Honestly? I’m worried. About the inn. About Jane. About...” He trailed off, unable to finish the sentence.
