Read Lakeshore Chronicles [10] Candlelight Christmas for Free Online

big multinational corporation, but seemed a lot more content these days as a firefighter and an arson investigator.
    “I’m thinking about taking over Saddle Mountain,” said Logan. Every time he thought about it, the idea fixed itself more firmly in his mind.
    “The ski resort?” asked Suzanne. “You’re joking.”
    “Maybe not.”
    “You’re crazy,” she said.
    “I bet people told you that when you said you were opening your shop,” Adam pointed out.
    “You’d lose,” she retorted, though she seemed to like his teasing.
    “I’d better catch up with Charlie,” said Logan.
    “I’ll join you,” Adam said. “Hungry again. And I want to hear more about your new plan.”
    They found Charlie waiting at the bakery, seated at a painted enamel table and eyeing the fragrant, glistening contents in the display case. The café seating area was busy with its morning crowd of locals and tourists. The walls featured a series of stunning photographs by Daisy Bellamy—Logan’s ex. Even though she’d moved away, reminders of her lingered everywhere. She was a Bellamy, after all; in Avalon, they were ubiquitous.
    As he studied the beautifully photographed nature scenes, Logan felt a curious detachment. He didn’t miss her. He didn’t still love her. But he missed the life of the family they’d made, the day-to-day routines, the companionship, the fun they’d had with Charlie.
    Adam went to the counter and ordered coffee and kolaches, and Charlie’s usual—an iced maple bar and a mug of hot chocolate. “So, when are you going to set this new plan in motion?” he asked Logan.
    “New plan doing what?” Charlie asked, then took a big bite of the soft pastry.
    Logan gave a slight shake of his head. Not now .
    “His new plan to be as awesome as me,” Adam said, clinking cups with Charlie. “Your dad says he needs a cooler job.” He consumed half a kolache in one bite.
    “Yeah, like a time traveler or a shape-shifter,” Charlie suggested.
    “I already do that,” said Logan. “But don’t tell anybody.”
    “Really?”
    “You don’t think I sit at a desk all day studying actuary tables, do you? That’s just a cover for my true identity.”
    “What’s your true identity?”
    “The Silver Snowboarder.”
    “You like snowboarding with your dad?” Adam asked him.
    Charlie nodded. “It’s the best.”
    “Better than that maple bar?”
    “Well...almost.”
    Adam finished his coffee. “I need to roll, my brothers.” He bumped knuckles with Charlie, then gravely shook his hand. “You take care, now. Work hard in school, and I’ll see you when you come back around.”
    “Okay, Adam. Don’t let the place burn down while I’m gone.”
    “Never happen.” He left a tip on the table. “MTB later?” he asked Logan.
    “Indubitably.” Mountain-biking was exactly what he’d need later in the day, when Charlie’s departure for Oklahoma hurt like a fresh, gaping wound in his chest. He and Adam had begun a tradition of tearing up the trails in the hills above Avalon after work, in all kinds of weather.
    Charlie dawdled over finishing his snack, and Logan didn’t rush him. Though neither had mentioned it, they both knew they were only minutes away from the dreaded long goodbye.
    As soon as they left the bakery, the inevitable process would begin. Charlie’s mom was waiting for him at the Inn at Willow Lake, which was owned by her folks. Daisy always stayed there when she came to town. Logan’s duty was to hand the kid over and pretend it was great, a big adventure for Charlie. “Coparenting” was one of those terms that sounded like a good idea until it was actually put into practice. In actual fact, every time he said goodbye to Charlie, it ripped out a piece of his heart.
    His phone vibrated, signaling a text message. Daisy’s ID came up. We’re hoping to make the noon train to the city. Possible?
    Shit.
    “We need to go, buddy.” Logan added to the tip on the table. “Don’t forget your