"Did I hear that right? Logan James is coming to Christmas?" Jess looked at me through my phone with a doubtful look. We were currently on FaceTime as I caught her up on everything she's missed while she's gone to work on some case with her boss.

"No, you heard right. He agreed." I shrugged, shoving a mouthful of noodles into my mouth.

"The world must be ending." I snorted but kinda agreed. "So on top of coming for Christmas he has also been helping out at the bakery all week?"

The moment I told Jess about Logan helping out she freaked the fuck out and even threw her phone.

"I've told him he doesn't need to come help and that he probably has better things to do, but every morning around 5 he's outside waiting for me."

I thought Logan helping at the bakery was a one time thing. Thought he'd be like 'hell no' after the first day so imagine my surprise when I got to the shop the next morning and there he was. Waiting out in the cold for me. The other surprising part was he stayed after hours to help me clean up. All of this unpaid by the way.

It didn't feel right not paying him for helping, especially when he's going up and beyond to help. He has spent hours making dough after dough, pie after pie, greeting customers and helping some carry their boxes to their cars. But every time I tried to pay him he'd shut me down. I've resorted to stuffing money from the tip jar in the boxes he takes home.

"And like today when I was getting stuff ready to go to the Veteran Center he offered to come with me." I waved my fork in the air as I spoke.

"Is that suppose to be a bad thing?"

"Yes...no? I don't know." I huffed. "It's all so confusing. I don't get why he's suddenly now in my life, especially with what happened three years ago."

I knew I was ranting but I couldn't help it. Not when it came to Logan. Something about him drove me crazy. A good or bad crazy I wasn't quite sure yet.

"Maybe he just wants to help." Jess shrugged, eating her own noodles on her end of the phone. In typical Friday night fashion we were eating Chinese, even if she wasn't here. "I mean he did get you home early today which is next to impossible."

"I guess so." I muttered, lifting one shoulder in a shrug. George ended up leaving a bit early when his wife called saying she needed help with something, so it left me and Logan by ourselves manning the store.

I wasn't sure how he did it but when 2 o'clock came around Logan somehow convinced me that I had been working too hard over the week and that I needed a break. While I protested he went around and shut all the ovens off and flipped the store sign to Closed. All it took was one firm look from him to stop myself from flipping the sign back over.

It was a Friday and with the store being busier than normal it has felt like the longest week ever. Getting up early and staying pretty late was taking its toll. So shutting the store down a little bit early did sound really appealing.

After we cleaned up and locked the door behind us Logan all but shoved me towards my car. But when I told him about heading to the VA to drop some stuff off he didn't even hesitate in offering to tag along.

"What was he like at the Veteran center anyways?" Jess asked.

"He was actually really great."

* * * * * * * * * ** * * * * * * * *

Flashback: Four Hours Before.....

"You want to come with me to the center?"

"If you need some help." I followed his eyes to the filled up passenger seat of my car as well as the backseat. Because we had closed earlier than I had planned, there was quite a bit of stuff left. Too much for me to give Logan or take home.

I hesitated in answering. I wasn't sure I wanted him to come. This was just another part of my life he was slowly inching his way into. But I also didn't want to say bye just yet. I've gotten use to being around him for hours on end. So before I second guessed it I nodded.

"Okay, sure." I shifted on my feet. "Want to follow me there?"

It didn't really clue in until we were halfway to the VA center that maybe Logan would want to come here. I mean he is a Veteran. Maybe him seeing and meeting the people there would help too.

I was a bit earlier than I usually I came by and from the looks of the parking lot it was quite busy. Friday's seemed to be when they hold meetings as well as other things at the center.

I waited until Logan's truck pulled in next to me before getting out. I did kind of want to warn him before going in, just in case he wasn't prepared.

"Have you been here before?" I questioned, opening the backdoor to my car.

"No." His voice was low and I caught the underlying tension in it.

"You don't have to come in with me if you don't want to." I turned around to face him. He needed to know I wasn't going to push him or be mad. I know that being here could be hard.

I remember the first time I came here in high school. To fulfill my volunteer hours I choose the VA, not fully realizing what it really was. I knew it was past military people and with my brother having been in the military I figured it was the best choice for me.

It didn't hit me until I went around and met some of the people and noticed that some of them weren't....fully there. Up until then I hadn't let myself think about injured soldiers. Yes, my brother had been shot but he didn't lose a limb.

That day I ended up going home early bawling. Aubrey was the only person home at the time and let me cry on her shoulder until my brother got home. It was that night my brother told me more about his time in the Marine's than he ever has.

I went back the following week and have been ever since. Of course now a days I brought food with me.

Logan was quiet as he stared at the building. Maybe letting him come with me wasn't the best idea.

"I'm fine." He surprised me by answering.

"You know what we are going to see right?" This part he needed to know before actually agreeing. "There will be people that have been...injured. I just want you to be prepared."

"Olivia." A hand on my arm stopped me from rambling any further. "I know. I'll be fine."

"I just don't want anything to happen and-"

"Liv." The sound of him calling me "Liv' had me shutting up. He never calls me that. "Trust me, I'm okay." Those brown eyes bore into mine. Just the look on his face let me know I was stressing over nothing.

"Yeah, okay." I nodded, calming myself down. I guess a part of me was worried we'd go in and something would trigger Logan. I've only seen my brother be triggered once and it was enough to freak me out. If something happened to Logan because I let him come here with me, I wouldn't be able to forgive myself.

Once I had Logan's arms filled with boxes and my own, we started for the doors. I did love coming here and seeing everyone. Over the years I've gotten to know pretty much everyone and every time I walked in they all greeted me like I was one of their own.

"Olivia!" The all too familiar voice said my name as we shouldered open the doors. Sitting at the front desk was Iris, the same person I've seen every time I come here.

"Iris." I greeted with a smile.

"I see you come baring gifts." Under the lights her eyes seemed to crinkle. Iris was one of the main helpers here at the VA. Her and her husband Albert pretty much ran this place. Albert was also a veteran who has helped a lot of other people with their PTSD, among other things. The two of them were saints.

"Of course. I brought you and Albert something special too." Setting my boxes on the counter I grabbed the top two boxes that I marked specifically for them. "I know you love my blueberry tarts so I brought you a couple, along with Albert's favorite ginger cookies. And," I lifted the lid of one of them to show her. "My new Caramel Apple Pie."

My grin grew at the way her eyes widened at the sight of the pie. After I had served it at Knox and Aubrey's I put it in the front case at the bakery. It flew off the shelves so fast and I even had people coming in to ask if there were anymore.

"Olivia you didn't have to." Iris tried to protest but I stopped her.

"They were just going to go to waste anyway so I figured you guys could at least enjoy them." I reached over at patted her hand. "And I won't see you for a few weeks with the holidays."

"You spoil us." I just grinned. Iris's eyes darted away from me and landed on Logan, who was still standing there with his arms full. "And who is this?"

"This is my helper for the day. Logan this is Iris. Iris this is Logan."

"Nice to meet you Hun." Iris smiled over at Logan. The front desk phone started ringing, our sign to get going. "They are right through there." She nodded towards the archway leading to the huge room that laid beyond it.

"See you in a little bit Iris." I grabbed my boxes. Before I walked off Iris whispered to me.

"He's cute Liv." With a wink she picked up the phone before I could say anything. Pretty sure Logan heard that, I ducked my head and walked around him. Yeah, that's not embarrassing.

Thankfully the embarrassment didn't last long. As soon as I stepped foot in the room my name echoed around the space.

"Olivia!" An even bigger grin broke out on my face at the sight of everyone.

I lead Logan over to the wall that was lined with tables. I brought enough stuff for everyone to have some now and take home some too if they wanted. I barely sat down the last box from Logan's arms when I was swept into a tight hug.

I knew who it was without having to look. There is only one person who greets me like this every time I come here.

"How have you been Darlin'?" Cyrus finally let me go and took a step back.

Cyrus was one of the first people I ever met here. The moment I met him and his goofy, yet charming self I liked him. In a weird way he reminded of my grandpa who had passed when I was little.

He was in his later sixties and had one of the thickest southern accents I've ever heard. He's the only person I'll let call me darlin', and only because his accent made it sound sweet.

Cyrus was a regular here at the VA center. He ran multiple support groups and was literally one of the most liked guys here. There have even been people that come in requesting to be put in his groups. I think one of the main reasons people like him was although he was missing his leg you would never know it.

I've never once seen him mad or angry at his situation. He doesn't have a chip on his shoulder about losing his leg. Countless times I've heard him say, 'Yes its a shitty thing and I miss my damn leg but I'd rather be alive than dead'.

"I've been good." I sent him a smile. "Brought some of your favorites." I gestured to the boxes. Leaning in I whispered. "I marked one with your name so no one can take it."

"I knew there was a reason you were my favorite." Cyrus grinned back. It was hard not to when you were in his presence. I watched him look at Logan at my side. I knew what he was doing as he looked Logan up and down.

"Soldier?" Although it came out more of a statement than a question.

"Staff Sergeant James, Sir." Under Cyrus's gaze Logan seemed to straighten up. His shoulders widened and he clasped his hands behind his back. Pure military stance. Logan was taller than Cyrus but Cyrus had a way of making himself seem taller than he was. Probably had to do with his time in the military. From what he's told me he had one of the highest ranks in the Army.

"Marines." Logan did one stiff nod. It was weird but standing next to Logan I could practically feel the power radiating off of him. In a matter of seconds he wasn't the Logan that helped at the bakery, now he was Marine Logan. I couldn't lie...it was kind of hot.

"He served with my brother." I butted in. Cyrus did this with everyone who was new here. He ceased them up, asked them a few questions, and then went back to his normal chippy self.

My words seemed to snap the two of them out of their little stare down. A smile spread across Cyrus's face and he clapped a hand on Logan's shoulder.

"Nice to meet you, Sergeant."

"Logan." He corrected him. "I'm no longer active duty."

"Hope you have been treating our girl right." The way Cyrus said it implied that Logan and I were together.

"Oh, no, Cyrus we aren't." I shook my head, waving my hand between us.

"Let me introduce you to some people." Cyrus completely ignored me and gestured for Logan to follow after him. Logan shot me an amused look before following after Cyrus, leaving me standing there staring at the pair.

Before I could really think about it my name was called. Ignoring that weird moment and knowing Logan would be fine with Cyrus, I turned to greet more familiar faces.

For the next two hours I made my way all around the room talking to people. Everyone seemed to be in a chatty mood so every time I tried to go find Logan I was swept into another conversation. I didn't mind but I felt bad throwing Logan to the wolves.

Every so often I did catch sight of him talking. From the looks of it he had relaxed some and was actually talking to people not just standing there. I couldn't help but wonder if being here was actually a good thing for him. Being around people that have been through somewhat similar things, that knew what it was like being in the military.

"So who's the youngster?" Glen, another regular I've known since I first started coming here, asked a little bit later. We were sitting at a table snacking on some of the desserts I had brought. I knew who was talking about. Logan was one of the younger guys in the room.

"He isn't that young. He's 33."

"Hun, 33 is a child to us oldies."

"You aren't old." He gave his cane a pointed look.

"Is he your boyfriend?" I snorted at his words.

"Definitely not."

"He's been watching you the whole day."

"Maybe you are getting old and seeing things." I teased. There was no way Logan was watching me. Every time I've seen him he's looking the other direction. "And he's older than me." Eight years is kind of a lot.

"When I met my Ellie I was 7 years older than her. When it comes to love, age doesn't stand a chance. And Hun," Glen leaned over to pat my hand. "That boy looks at you like you are his lifeline." 

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 

Logan helping out at the bakery every day for a week...can he get any hotter? Where's my Logan? Wonder if Amazon ships one. 

I wanted to highlight a little bit of the VA and the men and women that serve. A lot of the time things are glossed over when it comes to Veteran's and the things they go through. So sad how some veterans are treated and don't get the help they need. My heart goes out to anyone in the military or has/had someone that served <3

I hope you guys enjoyed these new chapters! I am loving seeing all of your comments as we go. You guys are so sweet and kind! Thank you for the love and support you are giving this book and my others <3 <3 <3

-Ken

P.S Any holiday movies you guys watch this time of year?? My family and I always have a list we like to go through. Elf, Santa Claue, Family Stone, Love Actually, The Holiday, The Christmas Story.