I reached out, and he took my hand, and I helped him up.
“My mom won’t be okay with me staying with you,” he said.
“Oh, I agree. I’ve met her. How old are you?”
“Eighteen.”
“Well then, whether your mother likes the idea or not, it’s not her decision. It’s yours,” I said. “You’re old enough to decide for yourself. So, what do you say?”
He offered me a slight smile, his expression starting to ease.
It was a start.
“Come on,” I said, placing a hand on his shoulder. “Let’s get you out of the wilderness, fed and showered.
He hesitated a second, and then he nodded.
And for me, that was enough.
23
The ride back from Lost Prairie Wilderness was quiet—not awkward, just heavy. Logan stared out the passenger window for most of the drive, his fingers picking at the dirt beneath his nails.
As we drove into town, he cleared his throat and looked at me. “Hey, can I use your phone? Mine’s dead.”
“Of course,” I said, unlocking it and handing it to him.
He tapped in a number, and the call rang once before someone answered, loud enough for me to hear what they were saying on the other end.
“Logan? Where are you? Are you safe? Why haven’t you?—”
“I’m safe, Mom,” he said, cutting her off. “I’m not coming home yet though.”
“What do you mean you’re not … Logan, you listen to me right now. We’ve been beside ourselves wondering where you are. I want you to come straight home. You have a lot of explaining to do.”
“I know. We can talk more later. You and Dad don’t need to worry. I’m okay.”
“Tell me where you are.”
“I gotta go. I’m sorry.”
“Logan, please?—”
He sighed, ending the call before she had the chance to say anything more, pressing the phone to his chest and closing his eyes.
I gave him some time, and then I said, “You know, you don’t have to hide what’s happened from your mother. It’s been days since she’s heard from you, and while she seems like a tough woman, you’re her son. I can’t imagine how worried she is right now.”
“I know,” he whispered. “But I know her. If I tell her what I told you, she won’t let me out of her sight.”
I decided not to push him further. Right now, he needed food, clean clothes, a shower, and to feel safe and supported.
We pulled into the driveway, then Logan followed me inside the house, Luka bounding up with an enthusiastic bark that made Logan jump. He took a moment to steady himself and then reached down, giving Luka a quick pat.
“Come on in and make yourself comfortable.”
He nodded, lingering just inside the doorway, as if unsure whether to step farther into the house.
I waved him in. “Come on, I’ll point you to the kitchen, and you can get yourself something to drink.”
