The pumpkin spice cafe

Jeanie swallowed the burn of emotions in her throat. ‘But you don’t trust me to stay.’

He blew out a ragged breath. ‘I’m working on that. But I trust you to tell me the truth and I’m ready to listen. If you love it here, then I want you to stay.’ He glanced away, giving Jeanie the chance to breathe away from the intensity of his stare.

Her heart was racing. Did she want Logan as a part of her new life here?

He brought his gaze back to hers and her breath caught. Of course, she wanted him, but she wasn’t letting him off the hook that easily.

‘Well, I’m staying.’

He nodded, his eyes wary like he didn’t want to assume her staying meant anything about them being together.

‘I solved the mystery without you.’

‘I heard.’

‘Norman wanted to buy the café.’

Logan’s eyebrows rose at that tidbit. ‘Really?’

‘He was upset that Dot didn’t sell it to him. That’s why he was trying to scare me away.’

Logan huffed, shaking his head. ‘I’m sorry you’ve been dealing with that alone.’

Jeanie shrugged. ‘A

‘I’m glad. Did you tell Dot?’

‘Not yet.’

Logan nodded again and shifted uncomfortably on his feet in front of her. She could see his patience cracking. She could see him cracking wide open for her. ‘Jeanie.’ His voice was sandpaper, gravel under truck tires.

The sound of her name in that tone dragged the words from her lips. She couldn’t help it. ‘I want you too,’ she said, unable to hold it in anymore.

His lips tipped in the corner as he stepped toward her, crowding her in the small space. ‘You do?’

She nodded, suddenly unable to form words. He took her face in his hands and tilted it up. ‘I’m in love with you, Jeanie.’ The words coasted over her skin, warm and sweet.

‘You are?’

‘Yeah. Have been for a while.’

‘Since when?’ she asked, with a teasing smile. Logan traced her cheek with his thumb.

‘Probably since I saw your hedgehog pajama pants.’

‘Oh, no,’ she groaned.

His smile tipped higher. ‘Or it could have been since you enlightened me about the best snack foods.’

She laughed. ‘Well, I’ve loved you since I saw how many tiny pumpkins you could carry at once.’

He blew out a long sigh, relief and happiness dancing in his eyes. ‘Does pumpkin carrying rank high on a man’s attributes for you?’

‘Apparently,’ Jeanie said with a grin, and he kissed her smile. ‘It’s good training for this––’ She launched herself into his arms and Logan caught her with an ‘oof’ escaping his lips. His back hit the lockers, rattling them, and Jeanie laughed against his neck.

He squeezed her waist and held her close. ‘Warn me next time.’

She kissed him. ‘Deal.’

Logan kissed her back, his tongue found hers, his relieved groan vibrating through her.

‘I heard a crash. Everything okay—’ Joe’s words died as soon as he saw the scene in the break room. ‘Uh ... sorry.’

Jeanie gave him a thumbs up from her perch in Logan’s arms. He buried his face in her hair, hiding or breathing her in, she wasn’t sure which.

‘All good,’ she told Joe as he scurried back out to the café.

Logan grumbled against her neck. ‘Missed you,’ he said, before trailing kisses down her skin. Jeanie was about to tell him the same when a cheer broke out in the café.

‘Joe is not known for his discretion,’ Jeanie said, hoping this wouldn’t send Logan ru

‘Good.’ Logan kissed her again; and then, still holding her, he walked back out to the café.

‘What are you doing?’ she squeaked.

He held her thighs tight as every head in the café turned toward them. Jeanie spotted the entire book club in the corner. Kaori’s eyes were wide as she nudged Isabel. Jacob gave Jeanie an enthusiastic thumbs up. Hazel had popped in for her usual latte, Tim and Tammy were here in their athletic wear on the way to the gym; and even Mayor Kelly stood frozen by the door, Noah just in front of him.

Good lord, what was Logan doing?

‘I love this woman,’ he a

The café went silent.

Here it comes. The heart attack that I’d been ru