Page 57 of Consuming Logan

“Don’t deny it. Your pitch drops and your lips turn up on the right side.”

Logan grinned. “Your accuracy is uncanny.”

“What can I say—nurses rock. But serious business, I want these memories for us. For our families.” Slowly she guided his hands to her belly. “For our children.”

But… his plan for providing for their family had been excised…with a well-placed cut. How ironic. The very instrument he depended on to save lives, would destroy his.

“If this doesn’t happen, your folks will be disappointed with me?”

“Of course not, Logan. My family loves you. But I’ve been accused of impulsively making decisions that exclude my family from important moments,” she said shyly. “They still feel like I ran off and joined the Navy.”

“You did,” Logan chuckled.

Ava shrugged. “Did not. I went after the life I have always wanted, and then I ran back to Shell Cove looking for you.”

Logan brushed a finger along her cheek. “Good thing you did,” he rasped, “before I hunted you down and hauled you back.”

“Brute,” she laughed.

“Beauty,” he grinned in reply.

“And now we’re expecting twins, Logan.” she squealed. “This is a scary time for us, but it’s six weeks out of our lifetime together.”

The door opened and Franklin stepped inside. Ava’s conversation came to an abrupt stop.

“Thanks for waiting,” he said while maintaining a safe distance. “The weeks in the splint is our first step. We’ll add six weeks of physical and occupational therapy, then another surgical follow-up.”

Logan nodded. Ava reached for his hand, interlocking their fingers. Under normal circumstances, everything about Ava warmed his insides. Right now, he felt an unrelenting cold penetrate into his marrow.

“What do we need to do, Franklin?” Ava’s tone grew serious, her back straight, her voice stern. “He’ll do whatever it is you advise.”

The rest of the conversation happened underwater. He knew they talked about what would happen in the coming weeks. All he heard was he might never hold a scalpel again. He needed time to think, reformulate his plan.

Chapter 21

From behind her desk, the Barren Mother glared at her lieutenant. Hawk stank of syrupy sweetness and excessive cologne. She suspected his physical dependence on her product had grown beyond his control. Too bad, she thought. He was a decent surgeon. His skill didn’t match Logan’s, but who’s did? On the other hand, his Galaxy addiction had opened the door to theirworkingrelationship. A connection she would have to sever in the near future. Having insider knowledge of private health information for influential Shell Cove citizens had benefited and shielded her interests. But, addicts on the payroll posed a risk. “Unless this involves my money and Victor’s meeting you’re wasting my time.”

She didn’t bother to look away from the Second Chance House brochure in her hand. Another worthy cause she could exploit to launder her income.

Hawk stood erect, waiting on what, an invitation?

“Speak,” she demanded.

“It’s about Dr. Masters and Ava,” he said, his voice pitched higher with anxiety.

She gave up the pretense of reading. “You’ve located his attacker?”

Monitoring Logan’s progress from afar, meant she had to keep her concerns private.

“No, but I have it from a reputable source that Ava Walters is pregnant.”

There was no way she saw that coming. A baby to love and protect. What wonderful news. But Logan and Ava’s attacker remained elusive. And, her team had failed to supply even one lead. Maybe she could stay calm, get her point across.

“Do I stutter Hawk?” she began.

“No, of course not.”

She nodded. So, he did understand when she spoke. With men, she couldn’t be sure.