Across Eternity (11 page)

"Are you talking about reincarnation and past lives?"

"What do you think?"

She thought about it as she watched him stuff an entire sandwich in his
mouth.

"This is good," he said. "You have to try this. The cream
cheese is fantastic. I bet you they make it right here."

She regarded the triangle shaped sandwich as he set it on her plate.

"I don’t know why they make them so small." He picked up
another one.

"They’re called finger sandwiches. They are supposed to be
petite."

"I could fit about twelve of them in my fingers," he said before
he ate another one. "When I was younger I felt like you were my best
friend. Like a favorite playmate that I hadn’t yet found. I wanted to
share my toys and collections with you. In my adolescence I realized you were a
girl whom I trusted and so desperately wanted to meet." He smiled. "Being
a teen is tough but I knew you would understand me. And it wasn’t until I
was a young man that I fully realized that you were someone who I loved so
deeply that it couldn’t be explained."

"I never felt this until I saw you." She took a sip of tea.
"How come I haven’t carried it with me all my life?"

He raised his shoulders. "I’m not sure why that is."

"I wish I would remember." She hung her head and didn’t
speak for the longest time. From the start, the day was amazing. And in a few
hours she would be meeting his family. The last thing she wanted was the
conversation to put a damper on the day. She would never forgive herself if it
did. She contemplated her next move for a moment and then she spoke.
"This would have been so much easier if it were only physical."

He stared at her.

She worked a piece of watercress back into the sandwich and then took a
bite. "Do you know if this was just primal we could simply make love
until we got each other out of our systems?" Amber didn’t stop when
she heard Logan choke on the sip of water he had taken. "You know Rachael
thinks I just need to take you to bed. Maybe she’s right. If we were
lovers perhaps we wouldn’t feel this strong attraction. Though, I have no
doubt that it would take a lot of love making
— "

"We need to get going." He rolled his arm and looked at his
watch.

"I thought we had a half an hour."

"Nope, it’s time. Let’s go."

She gestured to her plate. "I’m not finished with my sandwich or
my scone."

"We can take them with us," he suggested as he looked around for
the waitress.

"And I’m also not finished with our talk. I want to know if we
made love would I remember or would all this go away."

He cleared his throat. "I don’t want to talk about this
here."

"Why? I think it’s a legitimate question. And I can’t
think of a better time or place than to talk about making love to you than
right here, in this romantic café, over lunch." She smiled to
herself when she realized she was able to squeeze the phrase
making love
in one more time. The look on Logan’s face every time she said it was
priceless. She was torturing him and thoroughly enjoying it. "Have you
ever thought about it?"

He shifted uncomfortably. "Which question are you referring to?"

"Both of them."
She gladly repeated
them—just in case he had forgotten what they were. "Have you ever
thought that the one thing that will bring back the memories you’re
resisting. Or more importantly have you ever thought about making love to
me." She smiled triumphantly as she popped a crumb into her mouth. When
he didn’t answer she continued on. "You know desire can take on
many forms. There’s loneliness, longing, lust, sexual—"

"I know it can take many forms," he interrupted.
"There’s no need to list them here and now," he said tensely.

"Why it could be fun. I just mentioned four. Now it’s your
turn."

He shook his head.
"To what?"

"To name four forms of desire."
With an
unreserved smile she said, "Look at that. Logan Richards actually gets
frustrated and is at a loss for words."

"I am a man, Amber."

"Yes, it appears you are."

"Then I don’t think I need to explain to you what this
conversation is doing to me."

"No you don’t. However, if you’d like to I’d be more
than happy to listen—"

"Amber," he interrupted as he mumbled her name under his breath.

She raised her hands. "I’ll stop. I didn’t really expect
you to answer I just wanted to make you squirm."

"Mission accomplished."

"It always seems like you have all the answers. I like that there are
some things that you don’t have the answer to." Amber took the last
drink of her tea. "We can go if you’d like."

He stood quickly. "I’d like."

They had both been quiet on the ride home. And by the time they had gotten
there Amber had just enough time to put away the groceries, fix two relish
trays, and change before Logan’s family arrived. Wiping the counters
down, she looked up when Logan walked into the room.

"They’re here," he said with a gentle smile. "I saw
them just pull in up the road."

She tossed the dishcloth into the sink and took a deep breath as she glanced
around the kitchen to make sure that it was clean and orderly.

"Relax." He walked over to her and rubbed her shoulders briskly.

"I’m trying. I’m just so nervous."

"You shouldn’t be. They are the least threatening people I
know."

"But they’re your family."

He nodded.

"And I want them to like me."

"How could they not?" He insisted.

She rolled her eyes.

"They are going to love you," he said with a kiss. "You
want to come with me."

She shook her head, taking a quick look about the kitchen again. "No.
I’ll wait here."

He raised a brow.

"I forgot to slice lemons for the sun tea," she said quickly as
it dawned on her. "Where did I put the lemons," she asked as she
pulled open the refrigerator door.

He smiled at her panic-stricken tone. "I don’t think the
lemons—"

"Just go," she snapped.

"I’ll be back in a minute."

"Hey there, big brother," Anna said enthusiastically as she
rounded the sidewalk and saw Logan coming out the front door.

"Where are mom and Kevin?" he called out to her.

"Still in the car.
They’re
coming." She tossed the leopard print overnight bag and Kevin’s
Iron Man backpack, which was stuffed to the gills, over her shoulder so she
could hug Logan tightly.

"How’s my baby sister doing?" Logan met her in the middle
of the porch steps and wrapped her in a big hug.

"Good. Work is crazy as always, but I’m used to it." When
she pulled away, her eyes were wide as she surveyed Logan. "Well,
she’s agreeing with you."

"You think so?"

Considering his question for a moment, Anna adjusted her load, before she
finally said, "Yeah, you definitely look fantastic."

Logan nodded in agreement. "I feel fantastic."

She smiled. "I’m glad."

He reached for the bags, but when she wouldn’t let him take them, he
stepped back and put his hands in his pockets. He noted she was wearing a pair
of black skinny jeans and a blue silk tank top. Her light brown hair was
loosely piled on her head, held in place by a large clip, and her make-up was
modest. "You look unbelievable, what’s up?"

She looked down at herself and beamed. "I’m glad you noticed.
They opened a new yoga studio about a mile from my house." Her eyes
narrowed as she recalled. "You know, I had to look at their damn
grand-opening sign, which read,
Yoga, a wonderful path for a healthy life
,
every morning on my way to work for a full month before I decided to give it a
try." She turned in a circle to show off her figure. "I am totally
addicted. My body has been in positions I didn’t know it could get
in."

"It looks like it’s working out for you."

"Thanks. You know you should try it sometime. It is a wonderful path
for a healthy life," she said as she laughed.

Logan smiled at her enthusiasm. "I’ll pass."

"Chicken?"

"No, I have an agreement with my body—I’ll never surprise
it with unobtainable contortions." When she blew out a breath and waved
her hand at him, Logan asked, "How was the flight?"

"Uneventful."

"That’s always good," he said humorously.

She laughed again. "Yes, it is."

Glancing over Anna’s shoulder, Logan saw his mom appear from around
the side of the house and start toward him. A smile transformed her face when
she looked up and met his eyes. He immediately braced himself for one of her
notorious and overzealous greetings.

"Where is this angel of yours?" she said as she spread her arms
wide open moving up the walkway quickly. Her stride was that of a mother trying
to reach her child so she could love him. Heaven forbid anything gets in her
way.

"Hi, it’s nice to see you too mom." Logan hiked a thumb
over his shoulder. "Amber’s in the house." He bent down to
receive his mom’s kiss, which always came right before she wrapped him
into a crushing embrace. After a minute of her telling him how much she had
missed him, she released him and then without delay started talking.

"How have you been?" She touched his cheek. "How’s
work?" She fixed his collar. "Are you feeling well?" She
pressed the back of her hand against his forehead briefly before he pulled
away. "Have you been eating?" She looked at his stomach. "You
haven’t been working too hard have you?"

"Good, good, yes, yes, and no," Logan replied with a smirk.
"What? I answered all your questions."

"Don’t be a smarty."

"But I am a smarty." When his mom’s eyes narrowed he
quickly said with a grin, "Everything’s been fine."

"You look good," she agreed.

"I’m glad to see everyone thinks so." He shook his head.
"Was I starting to look bad?"

"Of course not.
You’re as handsome as
always." She pinched his cheek tenderly and then touched his chin.
"But smitten makes you look all the better."

He pulled away as he looked heavenward and grunted. "Smitten? Mom,
please—"

"You do have a glow." She said as looked toward her daughter.
"Doesn’t he Anna?"

"Oh, my God.
A glow?
Are you serious, Mother?" Logan protested as he rubbed the feeling back
into the area his mom had just pinched.

Anna’s eyes sparkled. "Yes, mom, I do believe you are right. He
does have a glow about him."

Unable to think of anything else to shut them up, he said, "I’m
not going to let you meet her."

"Logan’s got a glow, Logan’s got a glow." Anna sang
in a sing-song voice.

"Keep it up, Anna," Logan said right before his mom cut in.

"Okay, okay, that’s enough. I won’t say anything
else," she insisted to her son.

His look turned serious as he eyed her cautiously. "You mean while
you’re here on the front porch or do you mean for the rest of the
weekend."

"Yes, I’d like clarification on that, too," Anna, said as
she took a step next to her brother, her teasing completely gone. "You
should have heard her on the plane."

Logan looked over at Anna.
"That bad?"

"Are you kidding me? She literally couldn’t stop talking. Amber
this, Amber that…I swear it was excruciating."

"I can imagine."

"Stop ganging up on me," she said firmly, looking between her
two children. She moved up three steps so she was eyelevel with Logan.
"Come here." With a folded piece of tissue, which was kept
permanently in her pocket, she rubbed the pink lipstick off his cheek.
"I’ll behave. I promise."

He glared.

"I do," she insisted.

"I just don’t want you to scare her," he said frankly.

She tucked the tissue back into her pocket. "Don’t be
silly."

"Mom—"

"Oh, stop. I’ll behave. I won’t scare anyone this weekend.
I promise."

"Uncle Logan. Uncle Logan. Uncle Logan."

Unexpectedly, Logan was grabbed tightly around the legs. He stabled himself
as he looked down and smiled. "Hey, buddy." He swung Kevin up in
the air and kissed the top of his head before he flung the boy over his
shoulder holding him like a sack of potatoes. "How have you been?"

"Fine."

"Did you get to fly the plane yet?" He waited for his mom and
sister to come into the house before kicking the door shut with his foot.

"No, mom won’t let me," Kevin said sadly as he stared at
his uncles back. "Maybe you could talk to her, Uncle Logan."

"You think she’s going to listen to me?" Logan asked as he
watched Anna raise the bags indicating she was heading to the bedroom to put
their things away. His mom had already disappeared down the hall. He pulled in
slightly, making sure he didn’t hit Kevin’s head on the wall as he
continued on to the kitchen.

"She might," Kevin said confidently.

"I doubt it."

"Come on, Uncle Logan, give it a try," he begged seriously.
"I could fly that plane, I know I could."

"There is nothing that I can say that’ll change her mind.
She’s too stubborn."

"Mom says the same thing about you," he said with a giggle.

"I bet she does."

"Anderson was our pilot. Do you remember him, Uncle?"

"I believe I do. Doesn’t he have a flat-top and a
mustache?"

"Yeah, that’s him. Well, Anderson said I’m ready to fly
and he was totally going to let me take over for a little while. That was until
mom said no."

"Bummer."
He squeezed his
nephew’s legs as he rounded a corner. "Don’t rush it.
You’ll be flying a plane before you know it."

In the kitchen, Logan stopped a few feet from Amber. He smiled at her
surprised expression when she caught a glimpse of the two feet poking over his
shoulder. "Amber, I’d like you to meet my favorite nephew,
Kevin." He swung Kevin’s head around so the boy faced Amber.

Kevin squirmed. "I’m your only nephew, Uncle Logan."

"Yes, you are. Now, be polite and say hello."

"Hello," he said shyly.

Amber laughed out loud. "It’s nice to meet you, Kevin.
I’ve heard a lot about you."

Pushing his hands against Logan’s back, Kevin lifted his head and
looked through the hair, which had fallen in his eyes. "My grandma talked
about you all the way here."

"Did she?"

"Yep, and my mom said that we were going to meet Uncle Logan’s
new girlfriend. Uncle Logan has never had a girlfriend before. So I
didn’t believe them."

Anna appeared with a sheepish grin. "Hi, I’m loud mouth’s
mom." She watched as Logan spun around in circles and Kevin squealed in
delight. "It’s nice to meet you," she said and she reached
her hand out to Amber.

"Likewise," Amber said.

As Kevin’s laughs became ear-piercing, Anna smacked her brother on the
back to try and stop him. "If you’re going to do that, could you
please do it outside? I’d like to be able to hear myself talk."

"What? I can’t hear you." Logan said as he continued
spinning.

"You’re not funny," Anna shouted. "Get out of the
house. If mom catches you horsing around in here—"

"We’re going." When Logan took off in a dead run to the
door, Kevin’s voice grew loud with excitement and slowly faded when the
door slammed shut behind them.

Anna looked back at Amber and with an apologetic smile said, "Now
where
were
we?"

"Introductions."
Amber thought
Logan’s sister looked just like the pictures on the refrigerator.

"Yes, that’s right. I’m Amber, Logan’s younger
sister and the boy who was screaming his lungs out is my son, Kevin."

"Logan has told me so much about all of you. I feel like I already
know you." Amber looked around. "Is your mom here? I thought I
heard her."

Anna nodded and looked down the hall. "She always hits the bathroom
first. I’m sure she’ll be out in a bit."

Amber pulled plastic wrap off a serving plate and tried not to smile.
"I cut up some cheese and fruit.
If you’re
hungry."

"I’d love some."

"Thank you for allowing me to join in on your family weekend,"
Amber said sincerely. "It’s really kind of all of you."

"Are you kidding? We’re excited to meet you. Besides, our mom
would have most likely spontaneously combusted if she hadn’t gotten to
meet you."

Amber smiled as she placed a handful of flatware on the counter next to
fruit bowl. "That’s kind of you."

"Oh, you just wait." Anna said with a wink.

"Let me get the plates and napkins." Amber went into the walk-in
pantry to retrieve the items that she and Logan had purchased earlier. On her
way out she heard Logan’s mom. Her voice started several rooms away and
ended in the kitchen just a few feet from her.

"Where is this angel? There you are. Come here, come here."

When Amber turned to greet her, she was immediately pulled into a tight
embrace.

"You must be Amber. Oh, sweetheart, it’s so nice to meet
you."

The embrace was long and enduring and Amber felt her back being patted,
rubbed, and then patted again. Logan’s mother then rocked them from side
to side for a long moment all the while telling her how nice it was to meet her
and how excited she was to spend the weekend with her. Amber had never
experienced such affection from a stranger before and she was taken aback by
it.

"Hi," was all Amber managed to articulate as she tried to move
out of the tight hug.

Anna popped a grape in her mouth as she watched the two embrace.
"Mother, don’t smother her."

"I’m doing no such thing," she said firmly as she
enthusiastically squeezed Amber tighter. "I am just saying hello."

"You’re choking her," Anna insisted.

Logan’s mom ignored her daughter and continued on. "I’ve
waited a week to meet you, sweetheart."

"Three days, mom," Anna said dryly as she ate another grape and
then moved to the refrigerator to fill a glass with ice. "By the way,
Amber, the woman who has you in a bear-hug is our mom, Marian."

Amber tried to pull out of the embrace again. However, Marian wasn’t
ready to release her just yet, because she felt Marian’s hold only
tighten
. "It’s nice to meet you, Marian."
She wished she could see more of Marian than just her back. She had short brown
hair and stood about five foot five, but other than that Amber had no clue what
her face looked like—the older woman had swooped in and grabbed her
before she’d had the chance to see.

"Oh, my goodness, yes it is," Marian happily agreed.

"Our mom is slightly insane. However, you’ll find that
she’s also incredibly loveable, too," Anna said, as she walked over
to Amber and plucked the package of napkins and paper plates from each of her
hands.

With empty hands, Amber was now free to hug Marian back. She mouthed thank
you to Anna.

Anna smiled sympathetically as she placed her hand on her mom’s back
and spoke, "Mom, you can let go of her now."

"Oh, all right." Marian clasped her hands together in sheer
pleasure after she released Amber. "This is just wonderful having you
here. I can’t tell you how excited I am."

Amber wanted to laugh. Marian’s level of excitement definitely
didn’t need to be told. "I’m glad you’ve included me in
your weekend," she said with a bright smile as she reached for the
counter to steady herself. Now that she was able to look at Marian she could
see where Logan got his beautiful blue eyes. There was as much expression and
warmth in her eyes as there was in her greeting and Amber knew that Marian was
as genuine as her son.

Marian looked at Amber’s dark hair, blue eyes, and said, "I can
see why he’s so taken by you. You’re just beautiful."

"Thank you," Amber said shyly.

"You do look just like an angel." Marian added.

Right then Kevin’s head bounced past the kitchen window. His mouth was
wide-open—screams of delight filling their wake as Logan carried him in a
fireman hold across the yard.