Where the Allegheny Meets the Monongahela (49 page)

couldn‘t let it go unremarked. ―We? You‘d wanta come, too?‖

It was Nick‘s turn to look uncertain. ―Umm… yeah, if that‘s

okay. I know we haven‘t done anything with ‘em together, but I

thought that might be a good way to… ease into things. What do you

think?‖

Logan thought that whenever the subject edged anywhere near

telling his girls about him and Nick, his gut still dropped like a stone.

However, he could see the sense in Krista and Meghan getting to know

his boyfriend before that crucial moment arrived. After all, who could

really resist Nick once they knew him? ―Not a bad idea. I‘ll have to see

if I can get ‘em then. Maybe Linda will be so busy plannin‘ her

wedding that she‘ll be glad to have a weekend free.‖

―Planning her wedding!‖ Nick exclaimed. ―She just got engaged

last week.‖

―Linda don‘t mess around. Krista says the wedding‘s gonna be in

November, right after the divorce is final.‖

―Didn‘t she just start dating this guy in
February
?‖

Logan shrugged. ―Like I said, that‘s Linda‘s way. ‘Sides, she‘s

been workin‘ with Bill for over a year.‖

―You met him yet?‖

―Nope. The girls say he‘s a nice guy. That‘s good enough for

me.‖

―So they‘re okay with all of this?‖

―Too soon to tell. That‘s why I don‘t wanta rush—‖

―I know. I don‘t wanta do that either. They‘ve been through

enough. I‘d just like to get to know the most important people in your

life.‖

―Besides you, you mean?‖

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Felicia Watson

―Who are you and what have you done with my boyfriend?‖

―Keep that shit up and you ain‘t gonna get one of these

sandwiches.‖

―Ahh, so that‘s what‘s in that bag. What kind?‖

―Black Angus steak and cheese.‖

―Holy shit! From Primanti Brother‘s?‖ When Logan nodded,

Nick exclaimed, ―You went to the Strip District
on a Friday night? No

wonder you were late.‖

―Nah, I went to the one at Market Square, but it was still packed.‖

―I‘ll bet. Gotta say, though, a Primanti Brothers sandwich is

worth the wait.‖ Nick grinned and nodded at the bag. ―What else you

got in there?

―Some cold pop, brownies, and a blanket.‖

―Why, Logan Crane, sounds like you got the makings of a picnic

there.‖

―Always knew you were a smart man.‖ Nothing more was said, as

they had reached the fountain at last. Though the structure was just as

impressive as he‘d heard, Logan was more taken with the way his man

looked as they examined it. Nick was not only smiling but seemed

more relaxed than he‘d been since his mom had died ten days earlier.

They walked around the complete circumference of the fountain and

then wandered over to the river walk.

Nick came to a halt and leaned on the railing, seeming transfixed

by the sight of the rivers. Finally he turned to Logan and waved his

hand towards the Allegheny. ―I used to come here and think about how

that is the same river that‘s in Kittanning and Freeport where I grew up.

When I felt scared and lost in this big city, I‘d feel better thinking—‖

Abruptly he stopped, and when Logan looked at him inquiringly, Nick

said, rather sheepishly, ―Never mind, it‘s stupid.‖

―I don‘t believe that. Come on, tell me.‖

―I don‘t know. It‘s like it sort of followed me here… and was

kind of….‖ Nick‘s voice dropped to a near whisper. ―Watching over

me.‖

Where the Allegheny Meets the Monongahela

307

Logan could see that Nick was anxiously awaiting his reaction. In

truth he was slightly choked up thinking about how alone Nick had

been back then and was glad he‘d found comfort where he could. With

no trace of humor, he said, ―I like that. I like that idea a whole lot.‖

Logan considered telling Nick that he understood the feeling, that he‘d

felt just as alone when he‘d first started making those trips to Pittsburgh

so many months ago. Instead he nodded at the Monongahela and said,

―So that one must‘ve followed me here from Elco and was watching

over me.‖

The warm sparkle in Nick‘s eyes let Logan know he‘d been

heard—completely—even though Nick‘s only answer was, ―Sure did.‖

Unconcerned with prying eyes, Logan moved close enough that

he was shoulder-to-shoulder with Nick. As the two men stood at the

railing together, facing out, Logan pointed at the westward-flowing

Ohio River. ―And how ‘bout the Ohio? What‘s that one been doin‘?‖

―It ain‘t doin‘ anything, Logan. That‘s us.‖

This time Logan couldn‘t help but cock his head and give his man

a quizzical stare. ―The Ohio River is us?‖

―Yep.‖

With a shrug and a shake of his head, Logan acquiesced. ―If you

say so.‖ If Nick wanted them to be the goddamned Ohio River, it was

fine with him. He gestured towards a grassy area not too far away.

―Come on, I think you need some food.‖

As they neared the spot Logan had indicated, Nick bumped him

with his shoulder and demanded, ―You think I‘m crazy, don‘t you?‖

Logan put the bag down and tossed the blanket to Nick,

answering, ―You must be. You took up with me, didn‘t you?‖

When they were comfortably settled and had started unwrapping

their sandwiches, Nick said, ―Smartest thing I ever did.‖ Logan was

slightly puzzled until Nick clarified, ―Taking up with you—smartest

thing I ever did.‖

―Son of a bitch, you did it again!‖

―What?‖

―Stole my line.‖

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Felicia Watson

Nick‘s smile glowed white against the darkening sky. ―I‘ll make

it up to you tonight.‖

Logan shot him a wolfish grin as he whispered huskily, ―Now

you‘re
readin’
my mind again.‖

The talk turned to inconsequential matters: how big a job the Jeep

would be tomorrow, Nick‘s plans for his summer intern, and the

prospects of winning their upcoming softball game. Throughout their

companionable chatter, there hovered in the back of Logan‘s mind the

conviction that his plans for this night hadn‘t been foolish at all, and

that any trouble he‘d gone to had been rewarded many times over.

Maybe they were the goddamned Ohio River after all.

About the Author

When not writing about compelling men falling in lust and love,

FELICIA WATSON spends her time chasing after her brilliant, darling,

and beloved dogs, is chased by her brilliant, darling, and beloved

husband, bakes pastries that would put Martha Stewart to shame, and

still finds time for her day job that isn‘t actually a day job—since she‘s

one of the many unappreciated off-shift workers in the healthcare

industry.

Also from DREAMSPINNER PRESS

http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com

• Chapter 1: Anger and Intolerance
  
• Chapter 2: Against Our Will Comes Wisdom
  
• Chapter 3: ’Til We Have Lost the World
  
• Chapter 4: bridges to Cross
  
• Chapter 5: Half Reveal and Half Conceal
  
• Chapter 6: Needs Only to Be Seen
  
• Chapter 7: A Hard Beginning
  
• Chapter 8: To Hang a Question Mark
  
• Chapter 9: Start It Like a Car
  
• Chapter 10: A Man’s Errors
  
• Chapter 11: Things We Give
  
• Chapter 12: Always Something More to Say
  
• Chapter 13: Landing Is Inevitable
  
• Chapter 14: For Every Truth There Is an Ear
  
• Chapter 15: Pain Too Lonely
  
• Chapter 16: The Long Uphill Climb
  
• Chapter 17: Another Heart
  
• Chapter 18: Turn on the Light
  
• Chapter 19: And the Truth Will Set You Free
  
• Epilogue: One River
  
• About the Author
  
• Also from Dreamspinner Press