He was busy somewhere else.
On a bright spring afternoon, the Barrett estate looked different. The cold, glossy feel it had once had was gone. The gardens were full of flowers that Helen loved—roses, hydrangeas, and climbing vines full of color. The security system still hummed quietly in the background, but the house felt more like a home now and less like a fortress.
Helen sat on the patio in her wheelchair, a light blanket over her knees. Her face had more color, and her eyes sparkled again. A golden retriever puppy tugged at the corner of her blanket, growling in play.
“Stop that, Benny,” she scolded gently. “You’re going to leave me with nothing to cover my legs.”
Logan walked out carrying a tray of lemonade. He wore a simple T-shirt and jeans. No tie. No mask. Beside him walked Olivia, dressed just as casually, her hair loose around her shoulders.
“Is Benny causing trouble again?” Olivia asked, laughing as the puppy raced to greet her.
“He’s just like his owner,” Helen said fondly, looking at Logan. “Full of energy and too curious for his own good.”
Logan set the tray down and sat between the two women. He looked at them, at the garden, at the big house that no longer felt empty, and took a deep breath.
“Olivia,” he said after a moment.
“Yes?” she answered, eyeing him suspiciously. “What did you break?”
“Nothing this time,” he chuckled. “I just wanted to give you something.”
He pulled an envelope from his pocket and handed it to her. It was thick and official-looking.
She frowned and opened it carefully. Her eyes moved over the first page and widened.
“Logan… this is an acceptance letter,” she said slowly. “To the geriatric care program at Northbridge University.”
“Keep reading,” he encouraged.
Her hand trembled as she reached the next line. “Full tuition… housing… books… all covered by a private scholarship.”
“I know the person who set up that scholarship,” Logan said, taking her free hand. “He’s very stubborn when he wants something.”
“Logan, I can’t—this is too much,” Olivia protested, tears filling her eyes. “I can’t let you do this.”
