Can't Let Go(33)

“Abby?” She heard another knock at the door now, another voice—this time her father. “Abby, dear, are you all right?”

“I’m fine, Dad—I just need—” But he didn’t wait. He pushed the door open and was already walking into her room, his eyes full of concern.

“Was that Logan I just saw?” His eyes were roaming over her, taking in her appearance—the pain in her eyes, the tears on her cheeks.

“Don’t worry, I sent him away.” She couldn’t help the acidic tone in her voice. Isn’t that what he would have wanted her to do?

“Why, dear?” His question nearly knocked her breathless once more, but not because of the words—it was his tone. He almost seemed remorseful.

“Why was he here?” She tried to clarify. He couldn’t possibly have meant the question the way she’d taken it.

“Why would you send him away?” She couldn’t breathe for a moment.

“Isn’t it obvious?” She was lost. Utterly and completely lost. “Isn’t that what you wanted me to do?”

“Oh, Abigail,” he reached out and took her hand then, his eyes pleading with her. “All I want you to do is whatever will make you happiest.”

“Whatever will make me happiest?” Abby repeated his words. She pulled her hand away, feeling as if his touch burned her. “Did you really just say that? Did you really just tell me that my happiness is what matters most to you? Because if you really meant that, then we wouldn’t even be in this position. If you really meant it—Logan never would have left in the first place.”

“Abby—” But she didn’t let him speak. She couldn’t. She’d been holding this in for far too long.

“I was happy, Daddy. All those years ago—I was more than happy. I had Hayley. I had Logan. I had a bright future ahead of me.” She shook her head. “What do I have now?”

And suddenly, she knew the answer to that. She touched her hands to her stomach, the tears in her eyes fading.

Her father took advantage of her silence, doing his best to explain himself and console his daughter. He didn’t notice that she no longer needed consoling. “I was foolish, Abby. I know it’s late—and I’m sorry. But when you told me that Hayley had died—it nearly killed me. Not because it was Hayley, but because it could have been you. You’re the most important thing in this world to me, my dear. And all I want is for you to be happy. I don’t care if you find it with Logan—or with Eric—or with some homeless man on the street.” He paused.

“All I care is that you find it.”

It was as if everything was falling into place. It didn’t even matter to Abby that she had her father’s blessing—because, for once, she had her own.

“Abigail?” She realized that she hadn’t spoken for several moments and she turned to her father, her eyes wide—and, for the first time in many months—maybe even years, they were awake.

“I can’t be here, Daddy.” She shook her head, reaching back to try to undo her dress. There was a new urgency within her.

“Abby—”

“I can’t do this. I just—this isn’t what I want. This has never been what I wanted.” She reached up and tore the veil from her hair, taking with it the pins that had held her hair firmly in place. “This isn’t where I’m meant to be.”

“Where are you going?” Her father asked, eyeing her curiously.

“Anywhere but here.” She felt a frenzied ball of laughter erupt inside her throat. “I love him, Daddy.” She laughed.

“Love who?”

“Logan. I love him—now, always—forever.” She was six years ago now, back on the beach. He’d promised her forever that night, knowing that he was leaving. Knowing that he would never love another like he loved her.

And, at last, Abby could say the same.

She would love Logan Sheppard forever. She would love him for the man he had always been—it had nothing to do with wealth or status. He could be a pauper sleeping in an alley somewhere and he would still be just as appealing.

“And I’m going to have his baby, Dad.” She leaned forward, excitedly pressing her lips to her father’s cheek. “I’m going to be a mom—and he is going to be an amazing father.”

“Don’t you think you should try the marriage thing first?” He asked, his eyes twinkling as he saw the happiness that his daughter was suddenly enveloped in.

“It’s too late—it’s already started.” She was glowing—absolutely radiant. He offered her a confused look, uncertain of what she was trying to say. “In about six months, you’re going to be a grandfather.” She watched as his eyes widened.

“You’re—?” Abby nodded, smiling from ear to ear. “And Logan?” She nodded again.

“It was the best mistake I’ve made in my entire life.” She began to step toward the door. “And he doesn’t even know!” She began fumbling with the remaining pins in her hair, feeling too constricted. She needed to be free of all of this—of this entire charade. She knew where her life was—and it wasn’t here. “I have to go to him—I can make it to Sacramento—”

“No, Abigail—no, Logan isn’t going back to Sacramento.”

“What?” She turned, confused. How would her father know where Logan was going to?

“Logan—he’s going back east. His firm is branching out—he just finished building a house—”

“He’s leaving? Today?” The urgency within her grew even stronger. “But—”

“I’m sure he hasn’t left yet—” Of course—he would have to go to the airport. She had to hurry—she had to catch him before he left. She hurried toward the door once more, yanking the door open, calling for Jenny. The young woman appeared instantly, as if she had been waiting for the call. Abby waved her in without delay.

“I—I can’t be here, Jenny. I have somewhere to be—”

“I was hoping you would say that.”

“But I can’t—it’s suffocating me.” She gestured to the dress and Jenny laughed.

“This is something I can fix.” Jenny leaned over Abby’s shoulder. “You might not want to stick around for this part, sir.” Martin seemed to realize what was about to take place and he laughed.

“Well, I think I have some news to deliver. There are guests waiting for an event that was never meant to take place.”

“Thank you, Daddy,” Abby whispered as he passed by her. He paused, turning to embrace his only daughter.

“No, my dear—thank you.” And with that, he turned, leaving the two young women behind. Jenny immediately set to work, unclasping and unzipping until Abby was left standing in just her undergarments.

“Good luck, Abby,” Jenny wished as Abby pulled on the clothes she had worn to the church. “Don’t worry about anything here—we’ll make sure it all gets taken care of.”

“You’re a good friend, Jenny.”

“I try!” She smiled boldly at Abby. “Now go!”

She didn’t need telling twice. It was only a moment before she was dashing from the church doors out into the street, trying her hardest to hail a cab. When she came up empty handed, her eyes landed on the limo that had brought her to the church.

“Eric will just have to forgive me,” she muttered as she threw herself into the backseat of the waiting car, instructing the driver to take her to the airport.

“Ceremony’s over a bit early, isn’t it?” The man asked, a knowing smile on his face.

“It wasn’t meant to be.”

It was amazing, the lightness that surrounded her. She hadn’t felt so carefree, so blissful, in such a long time. She felt whole again. Like whatever had been missing was found, returned to its rightful place.

All she needed to do was make it in time. She had to find him—had to tell him that she loved him. That she’d never stopped. And that they had a future. Together—one they’d already started without even planning it.

It seemed to take forever to get to the airport, but as soon as they were near enough, Abby threw herself from the vehicle and darted inside the building, knowing how crazy she must look to anyone standing by. A mad woman—with her hair still half styled and makeup flawless, dashing through the airport in an old pair of jeans and a worn t-shirt.

But she didn’t care.

Her only thought was of finding Logan.

She kept her eyes open, searching for that disheveled hair she would recognize anywhere.

And then she saw him.

He was nearing the security gate—almost to the point of no return.

She had no choice.

“Logan!” She yelled. Nothing. “Logan!” She tried again, pushing closer, trying to get through to him. “Logan!” A few people had begun to turn around then, eyeing her curiously. Abby began to point at him, trying to get others to get his attention for her.