UNBROKEN PROMISE

~89~ Frozen in time

When Logan and Oma got to the main house, Cookie and Caleb were tumbling about on the rug, the boy’s laughter mingling with the puppy’s eager yips.

Megan sat close by, rocking Miriam who was red faced and fussing, while Mama Becca busied herself at the sideboard, tidying away the last traces of breakfast.

Logan stepped inside with Oma at his side, his tall frame filling the doorway. He offered a quiet greeting to the room, before moving to Megan. With a silent request, he eased Miriam out of her mother’s tired arms. The baby whimpered once before settling against his broad chest. Logan swayed, humming low and soft, and soon the cries melted into sweet little gurgles.

Megan gave a breathless laugh, brushing a strand of hair from her damp face. “You’re a natural. I’ve been trying to soothe her all morning.”

Logan’s mouth curved into a faint smile as he kept rocking. “Go on an’ rest. I got her,” he said simply.

“Thank you,” Megan murmured with a weary yawn. She rose, pausing to give Oma a grateful smile before heading upstairs.

Mama Becca wiped her hands on her apron and gave Logan a careful look. “How are you feelin’ now, son?”

Logan’s mouth curved into a faint smile as he shifted the baby against his chest. “Far better’n I been in days.”

Mama Becca gave a simple nod and continue what she was doing.

Oma’s heart warmed as she watched Logan carry the baby. When he caught her gaze, his whole face lit with a broad smile. She moved toward him, and he shifted Miriam carefully into one arm so he could draw Oma closer with the other. He brushed a tender kiss across her nose.

“Ain’t you gonna eat?” he asked gently.

“I still want to,” she admitted.

He smiled and turned to Mama Becca. “Anything she can eat?”

“Of course,” Mama Becca replied, returning his smile. “All she had to do was ask. Come, child, take some food.”

Oma went and got some food before sitting down to eat, while Logan kept rocking Miriam in his arms. Mama Becca suddenly paused in her tidying.

“Oh, I almost forgot,” she said.

Logan glanced up from the baby. “Forgot what?”

She disappeared into the back room and returned with a small photograph. She handed it to him, her expression fond.

It was an old picture, taken years ago at Oma’s father’s shop—the last time Logan had visited with his own pa. Their fathers stood side by side at the back, while Oma, still a little girl, stood at Logan’s side, her hand tucked trustingly jinto his. In her other arm she clutched a sweet, her eyes lifted toward him in distraction.

Logan smiled softly at the memory. Adjusting Miriam against his chest, he walked over to show the picture to Oma.

At first she looked puzzled, then recognition dawned, and a smile spread across her face.

“Do you remember that day?” he asked.

She shook her head.

Logan’s smile deepened as he studied the picture one last time, then he glanced at Oma.

“Ya don’t recall it at all?” he asked gently, still rocking Miriam in his arm.

Oma shook her head  again with a faint shrug. “No… I wish I did.”

He chuckled low, leaning close to press a kiss against her nose. “Well, I remember it clear. That was the last visit me an’ Pa made. S’posed to be helpin’ your papa mend a wagon wheel. You...” he smiled wider, “...you were more interested in the candy jar.”