Candlelight Christmas. Сьюзен Виггс

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СКАЧАТЬ her lingered everywhere. She was a Bellamy, after all; in Avalon, they were ubiquitous.

      As he studied the beautifully photographed nature scenes, Logan felt a curious detachment. He didn’t miss her. He didn’t still love her. But he missed the life of the family they’d made, the day-to-day routines, the companionship, the fun they’d had with Charlie.

      Adam went to the counter and ordered coffee and kolaches, and Charlie’s usual—an iced maple bar and a mug of hot chocolate. “So, when are you going to set this new plan in motion?” he asked Logan.

      “New plan doing what?” Charlie asked, then took a big bite of the soft pastry.

      Logan gave a slight shake of his head. Not now.

      “His new plan to be as awesome as me,” Adam said, clinking cups with Charlie. “Your dad says he needs a cooler job.” He consumed half a kolache in one bite.

      “Yeah, like a time traveler or a shape-shifter,” Charlie suggested.

      “I already do that,” said Logan. “But don’t tell anybody.”

      “Really?”

      “You don’t think I sit at a desk all day studying actuary tables, do you? That’s just a cover for my true identity.”

      “What’s your true identity?”

      “The Silver Snowboarder.”

      “You like snowboarding with your dad?” Adam asked him.

      Charlie nodded. “It’s the best.”

      “Better than that maple bar?”

      “Well...almost.”

      Adam finished his coffee. “I need to roll, my brothers.” He bumped knuckles with Charlie, then gravely shook his hand. “You take care, now. Work hard in school, and I’ll see you when you come back around.”

      “Okay, Adam. Don’t let the place burn down while I’m gone.”

      “Never happen.” He left a tip on the table. “MTB later?” he asked Logan.

      “Indubitably.” Mountain-biking was exactly what he’d need later in the day, when Charlie’s departure for Oklahoma hurt like a fresh, gaping wound in his chest. He and Adam had begun a tradition of tearing up the trails in the hills above Avalon after work, in all kinds of weather.

      Charlie dawdled over finishing his snack, and Logan didn’t rush him. Though neither had mentioned it, they both knew they were only minutes away from the dreaded long goodbye.

      As soon as they left the bakery, the inevitable process would begin. Charlie’s mom was waiting for him at the Inn at Willow Lake, which was owned by her folks. Daisy always stayed there when she came to town. Logan’s duty was to hand the kid over and pretend it was great, a big adventure for Charlie. “Coparenting” was one of those terms that sounded like a good idea until it was actually put into practice. In actual fact, every time he said goodbye to Charlie, it ripped out a piece of his heart.

      His phone vibrated, signaling a text message. Daisy’s ID came up. We’re hoping to make the noon train to the city. Possible?

      Shit.

      “We need to go, buddy.” Logan added to the tip on the table. “Don’t forget your stuff.”

      Charlie grabbed his Camp Kioga baseball cap and put it on. “Ready,” he said.

      They got in the car. Logan drove a banana-yellow Jeep, good for getting around when the winter snows came.

      Avalon looked like one of his ex-wife’s flawless photos today, the leaves just starting to turn, the lake placid and flat, the covered bridge over the Schuyler River drawing the last of the summer tourists. It would still be hot in Oklahoma, flat and scrubby around the air force base.

      “Excited about fifth grade?” Logan asked.

      “Oh yeah. Can’t wait.”

      “I know, buddy. School’s your job. You’ll do great. You’re going out for soccer this fall?”

      “Sure. Soccer’s cool.”

      Soccer had been Logan’s life when he was a kid, right up through high school. He still remembered the rush of a good play, the euphoria of drilling a goal home. His father rarely missed a game. It was the one thing that kept them close. Ultimately, though, the sport had become too important. Logan’s need to perform superseded common sense. In high school, his determination to impress his father had pushed him to play injured, and that had led to a ripped-up knee, multiple surgeries and a dangerous dependence on painkillers.

      Logan resigned himself to missing all of Charlie’s games. Maybe that wasn’t such a bad thing. He would find other activities to do with Charlie. Kioga in the summer, snowboarding or Florida in winter, daily phone calls, being there for his son whenever he could. He hoped like hell their time together would be enough.

      They pulled up at the inn, a historic property in a grand mansion by the lake. The main building, with its wraparound porch and belvedere tower, was reflected in the glassy water. Hiding the heaviness in his heart, Logan grabbed Charlie’s duffel bag and backpack and went up the walk. Charlie’s mom came out the door.

      Daisy looked amazing, no surprise. She’d always been smoking hot, even in high school, and she’d been as reckless and rebellious as Logan, which had led to the unplanned pregnancy in the first place. She wore her blond hair short, and her face was wreathed in smiles. Now, however, there was something new about her. The angry, reckless girl had turned into a woman—a mom. She was holding a baby on her hip. Behind her was her husband, Air Force Captain Julian Gastineaux, tall and dark, casual in civilian clothes today.

      “Charlie boy!” Daisy flung her free arm around Charlie and hugged him close to both her and the baby.

      Logan stood back, watching. An outsider.

      “Look at your sister,” Daisy said. “She’s grown so much.”

      Charlie grinned and kissed the down-fuzz head. “Hiya, Princess Caroline,” he said, then looked back at Logan. “Dad, check it out, she’s really cute.”

      “Totally cute,” Logan agreed.

      Charlie broke away to give Julian a hug. “Hi, Daddy-boy.” His nickname for Julian had always been Daddy-boy. Logan hated that.

      “Man, look at you,” Julian said. “You’re tall, my man.”

      Logan and Julian acknowledged each other with a nod. The two of them were not exactly friends, but they shared a mutual respect and a love for Charlie.

      “Congratulations,” Logan said. “Your baby’s really cute.”

      “Thanks.”

      Charlie took command of his sister, holding her with care. He showed her and Julian the paddle he’d painted and all the campers had autographed. Each camper went home with one.

      “So, his stuff is here,” Logan said to Daisy. “He’s СКАЧАТЬ