Fifteen minutes later, he stood on her front stoop with his
finger poised to ring the bell. He dropped his hand to
his side.
He shouldn't be so selfish. And yet after years of
keeping a quiet watch over her, making sure her life went
well, forcing himself to keep a distance because he knew it
was the right thing to do for her, he didn't have the
strength to stay away from her tonight.
Even if it was for her own good.
He'd phone her. Wouldn't even tell her he was on her
front steps. Make it easier for her to turn him away, if
that's what she wanted.
Perched on the bottom step of her front stoop, he
dialed her number and watched the late–night stars
sparkle in the dark sky.
A cool breeze whipped down between the rows of homes,
rustling the few remaining leaves on the small trees planted
near the curbs.
After one ring, Keely picked up. "Logan?" she asked,
her voice groggy.
The image of her sleep–heavy eyelids and soft
lips against the phone as she sat up in a halter top or
T–shirt and not much else chased into his thoughts.
"Do you feel like company?" He kept his voice low,
part of him hoping she would say no so she could protect
herself from him.
"You okay?" Bed sheets rustled in the background and
he pictured her sitting up, her sleep–tossed hair
tangled around her face.
"Yeah. I'm okay."
"Where are you?"
He considered a lie. If he said he was at
headquarters, she might tell him to go home, get a good
night's rest. "On your front stoop."
"I'll be right there." She hung up.
Within thirty seconds, she unlatched the front door
and held it open.
He sucked in a breath when he realized the mental
image he'd had of her had been correct. She stood in front
of him with tousled brown hair, wearing only a loose purple
T–shirt.
He stepped inside and latched the door. Before he
could change his mind, he turned and pulled her into his arms.
If he could come home to a comfort like Keely every
night, all would be well in his world.