Page 46 of Ghost Hunted

“But she was going to shoot you,” insists Piper angrily.

“And she has every right to. End of discussion. Let’s all go to bed. Quill, we’re good.”

“You can’t beat him up and then tell him the two of you are good,” lashes out Piper. “I’m pretty sure that’s for him to decide!”

“Yeah, it is.” Quill yawns, and more blood trickles out the side of his mouth. “We’re good.”

Piper lets out a cough that sounds a lot like “Men.”

“C’mon, you,” murmurs Logan, leading me into the bedroom. “I’m sorry I left you alone. It was my fault. The doctor was treating me, but I should have come to you the minute I woke up. I shouldn’t have passed out to begin with.”

He sits me down on the bed, and I stare up at him in confusion. “Did… did something happen, Logan?”

“No, of course not.” He sits across from me, dragging his fingers through my hair. “Nothing happened, except I love you more than ever. You’re my good girl, Lia. Aren’t you?”

“Yes, Logan,” I whisper, closing my eyes as he strokes my cheek.

“I’ll always love you. Do you know that?”

I nod, anxiety making my throat tight.

“Now,” he murmurs, pulling me into his lap, “who the hell is Jane?”

_

“I’m starving. Can we get some food or am I doomed to wither away to nothing?”

“You’re nowhere close to being nothing, cricket.”

“Quill! That’s so mean! I’m not fat.”

“Well, in some places you are. In the right ones.”

“That’s not even true. I’m so flat-chested I’m practically concave. And you’re mean. Let’s get takeout. Can you go ask Logan what they want? Quill? Hello?”

“Hmm?”

“Did you hear anything I just said?”

“Huh? Of course I did. Keep talking. I like the sound of your voice.”

“I meant, did you listen to anything I just said?”

Even in the confused state I’ve been struggling with since I emerged from my nap, I can’t help but smile. Hearing my daughter’s high-pitched, chirpy little voice is bittersweet. Remembering all I’ve found... realizing all I’ve lost.

“How are you feeling, baby?” asks Logan’s low voice. I turn to him and see that he’s sitting beside me on the bed, holding my hand and watching me attentively.

“Good, as long as you don’t ask me about Jane. It makes my head hurt. I remember enough to know that I should know, but I don’t and... it freaks me out.”

“I won’t ask anymore,” he promises. He marks a beat then adds, “So you don’t remember what happened earlier either?”

I shake my head again. “I guess I should. I can tell it was bad. What did Piper say? So much was going on at the same time, and...”

“She didn’t say anything important. We’ll stop talking about it.” His voice is nonchalant, but I can see the concern in his eyes and it makes me nervous. “I agree with Piper. Takeout sounds nice. Doesn’t it?”

“Yes,” I say, trying to sound cheerful.

“I’ll see what’s around. Anything you want? Oh, here’s a pizza place that has good ratings.”