Loving Logan Read online

  LOVING LOGAN

  Legacy Series: The Beasley’s Book Two

  By

  Leila Lacey

  This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales or persons, living or dead, is coincidental.

  Copyright © 2014 by Leila Lacey.

  All rights are reserved in accordance with the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976. The scanning, uploading, and electronic sharing of any part of this book without the permission of the publisher is unlawful piracy and theft of the author’s intellectual property. If you would like to use material from the book (other than for review purposes) prior written permission must be obtained by contacting the publisher at [email protected]. Thank you for your support of the author’s rights. Editing by: Geri Hansford who may be contacted at: [email protected]

  Dedicated to my best friend and Sister Lacole Rose. You gave me wings to fly even though you don’t realize it and I will be forever in your debt

  Love Ya

  Leila

  CHAPTER 1

  “Dr. Beasley, Dr. Beasley!” Sarah Miller, one of Shelby’s students was saying as she ran after her. Shelby was still getting used to her new position at the university. It had been 2 months since she was offered the position, and a month sense she had accepted. Shelby had initially thought about not taking the position at Hiram Revels College. Thinking about it now she could not believe that she had almost given up the chance to run her own department here. Hiram Revels was an independent undergraduate college Shelbyville Georgia, nestled inside the perimeter of the bustling metro-Atlanta area. The college was founded in 1889 by a group of Presbyterians. In 1890, the name was changed to Hiram Revels Institute to honor Sen. Hiram Revels, the first African American to serve in either house of Congress. The name was changed again to Hiram Revels College in 1906, and remains today a liberal arts college for women. The college offers 34 undergraduate majors and 31 minors and is affiliated with numerous institutions. Hiram Revels College educates women to think deeply, live honorably and engage the intellectual and social challenges of their times.

  Shelby’s class was Ancient to Medieval Art: Students are introduced to ancient artworks, beginning with Egyptian and proceeding through to Gothic art. Throughout this undergraduate course, sculptures and paintings from these historic eras are discussed with an emphasis on cross-cultural, political, religious and economic issues. This was the starts of her dream job. She had almost let it go because of all that was going on with her sister’s wedding that never was. After the confrontation with her family Shelby had decided, it was time for her to put herself first.

  “Sarah, slow down. How can I help?” Shelby said. Shelby was a favorite professor at the school already and she had only been teaching there a month.

  “Some of my sorority sisters and I are going to that knew art exhibits and Chandler art gallery tonight and we wondered if you would like to go with us.” Sarah said smiling

  Smiling and hugging her student Shelby said “Thank you so much Sarah normally I would love to, but I have some papers to grade and I am trying to wait and get some news about a friend. But thank you so much for the offer.”

  “Oh! Yeah anytime! You know you are our favorite professor” Sarah said pretending to look around and whisper it to make sure no one heard her.

  Leaning in and pretending right along with her Shelby whispered “I won’t tell if you won’t.” They both laughed and said there good buys.

  By the time Shelby got to her car her cell was ringing. “We’ll all of a sudden I am as busy as a stump-tailed cow in fly time” Shelby was thinking. Not looking at her caller ID she us answered the phone.

  “Hello” she said distracted by the rose that was on her windshield.

  “Hey Shel! It’s me” Lance said. Shelby was so glad to finally hear from Lance. It had been a month since the last time she had saw or even spoken to Logan. She could remember that day like it was yesterday. When Logan had gotten the call that Gia had been kidnapped he had gotten dressed and ran out of her house so fast it was almost like he was never there. Shelby had not known what to do she had just known that she needed to do something. So she had called Lance and told him what was going on.

  “WHAT?” Lance had said to her “Where is Logan Shelby?”

  “I don’t know he ran out of here without two words to me. What do I do?” Shelby was not sure if it was her place to do anything.

  “DAMN IT!” Lance said in the background she could hear his moving around in the back ground, probably packing. “Shelby I know where he is going, I need you to do me a favor” Lance finished

  “Of course! Anything” Shelby said to him

  “I need you to contact the best criminal defense attorney your family knows and have him go with you to the address I am about to give you.” he finished. He gave Shelby an address that she knew was in a very bad part of town where there was a lot of crime and danger. She felt her stomach do a flip in fear but she had to help Logan.

  “Lance what is this place?” Shelby said

  “It’s the location of the crack house that if I am not mistaken, Gia’s mother took her to sell her for drugs” Lance said

  “OH MY GOD!” Shelby said slapping her hand over her mouth. Tears automatically welled in her eyes. What kind of mother could sell their child for drugs? Dear God poor Gia.

  “Shelby I need you to be quick if I am right, Logan is about to kill someone” Lance said to her.

  “Ok, Ok, I will get it done right now.” Hanging up from Lance, Shelby ran to her bedroom to get dressed all the while waiting for her father’s attorney to answer the phone.

  After two hours a HUGE retainer Shelby was almost to the address that Lance had given her, that he said Logan would definitely be at. She took the corner of the street that she needed to be on at 60 mile per hour almost on three wheels.

  “That takes the cake Shelby!” her family lawyer Richard Brownstone said from the passenger seat of Shelby’s Mercedes clutching his briefcase like it was a life vest. “I realize you need to get where you are going in two shakes of a lamb’s tail, but we cannot do that wrap around a tree, SLOW DOWN young lady!” he finished. Shelby had known Mr. Brownstone her entire life he was like an uncle to her.

  “I am so sorry Uncle Richard but I have to get you to Logan” Shelby said. As she came down the street she saw several police cars with light flashing. Officers were standing around outside the house with their guns drawn and some were just waiting. There was a woman standing near a minivan at the corner looking very official. Just as Shelby got to the corner that the van was parked on she stopped the car and went to jump out.

  “SHELBY, SHELBY!” Mr. Brownstone said to her climbing out of the car, he was excited and flustered and concerned for her safety. “Shelby, come back here he said trying to keep up with Shelby. Just as she was getting to the crime scene tape that the police had set up on the street to prevent anyone from getting to close to the old run down brick bungalow. She saw a woman that looked very malnourished worn down, and well smelly out of the house she was handcuffed. There was a uniformed police officer that followed with a small beautiful girl in his arms crying and reaching behind the officer as he headed toward the woman standing by the minivan. Shelby assumed that was Gia. She has only ever seen pictures of her. She was a gorgeous little girl, and Shelby’s heart broke for her. Shelby then saw two paramedics wheeling a man out of the house on a gurney. Shelby could plainly see that his face was beat bloody there was so much swelling and blood she almost couldn’t tell his nose from his eyes and mouth. Very close behind Logan was being escorted out, by two armed officers with his hands handcuffed behind his back. He had a cut
above his eye and his hands were dripping blood. The officers were telling him he was going away for a long time.

  “I do not care what you do to me!” Logan said to the officer. “Take my daughter to my mother” Shelby heard him say. That was when the officer said something that Shelby could still not really believe she was hearing “Why so she can raise her to be like you?” Shelby could still remember the sinking feeling she got in her stomach when she heard that. Right away Logan head butted the officer and bloodied his nose. The officer started to hit him in his back and head, once he hit the ground Shelby could not be quite anymore.

  “STOP IT! You stop that this minute!” She yelled at them. Another officer helped Logan off the ground and just before he was shoved in the back of the police car Shelby said “Logan I am here I will meet you at the police station!”

  Logan stopped and looked back at her saying, “Go home daddy’s girl! Nobody wants you here!” He was then pushed into the car. Shelby was heartbroken, she had not expected that response from him she was not sure what to do. As she turned to walk away from this scene. Mr. Brownstone said to her, “Shelby you have to know these people live like animals there is nothing you can do for them”

  Stopping dead in her tracks Shelby turned to him and said “What people Uncle Richard? What people? You know not so long ago some of these people”. She said looking around at the lower middle class neighborhood with her arms out. “Would have said the same thing about you and me, because we are black.” She finished looking at him in disappointment.

  “If you cannot help Logan, and keep this between us then I will find someone else who will” she said to the lawyer as she walked back to her car. Following behind her he said “Oh don’t be so dramatic! I will help him” he said as he climbed in the passenger seat. “You think we can take the scenic route home? I kidney is still trying to catch up to us from driving here.” He finished in that deep southern gentleman drawl. Smiling and kissed him on the cheek, Shelby said “Thank you Uncle Richard”

  “Shelby are you there?” Lance said to her jarring her back to the present. “Did you hear what I said?” he finished

  “What? No I am sorry Lance I was distracted what did you say?” Shelby said trying to shake off her memories.

  “I said that mother is having a get together to welcome Logan home and we would like you to be there” Lance said to her.

  “Wasn’t Logan released a week ago?” Shelby asked confused as to why she would be invited to a celebration for Logan.

  “Yes he has, but I was out of town so we postponed it. If it was not for you and that killer lawyer Logan would have spent much more time in jail than 17 days for assault.” Lance said to his friend. He has not seen her much sense Logan’s sentencing and it was starting to worry him. Shelby had distance herself from her family and still had not really talked to him about it other than saying that it was time for her to stand on her own.

  “You know Lance I have a ton of papers to grade and I am really behind. I do think Lance would want me there anyway.” Shelby said to him. “But tell you mother thank you for me and give her a big hug.

  “Alright Shelby what is going on? We have not had lunch in weeks and we have barely spoken. Now you don’t want to come to Logan’s celebration what is going on?” Leaning her head back against the head rest Shelby closed her eyes. She was almost in tears, being strong these past few weeks and not being able to talk to her best friend in the world had really taught Shelby a lot about herself. But knowing what Logan was going through Shelby, had kept it all to herself. Not wanting to burden Lance, now he was pressing her for answers that she was not ready to give. Just then there was a knock on her car passenger side window.

  “AHH!” Shelby screamed startled she had not seen anyone approaching her car because she had her eyes closed. When she looked out the window she saw her father.

  “What? What? SHELBY! What happened?” Lance screamed on the phone “SHELBY?”

  “Lance I will call you back” Shelby said hitting end. Staring at her father outside the window. She hit the automatic locks on her car to let him in. Shelby was in total shock to see him here, as he got into her car Shelby was trying to figure out what was wrong that would make him come to her.

  “Hello Shelby! You do not have a greeting and a hug for your daddy?” he said to her.

  “I..I… Hello Daddy!” Shelby stammered leaning in to kiss his cheek, as she sat back into her seat she stared at him again waiting for him to explain why he was here. “Daddy, Daddy what are you doing here?” she said to him.

  “I am your father and I have not seen or spoken to you in weeks. As a matter of fact the only thing that I have heard about you is the about of money you have been spending on that low-life’s defense in court” He father said in his usual southern stately manner.

  Getting irritated Shelby turned away from her father. “Daddy of that is what you came here for then” Shelby started to say but her father cut her off.

  “It’s not, it’s not!” He father said waiving off her attempts to get upset. “No need to get your ruffles feathered darling we all have to learn some things the hard way” he finished.

  “Right like I learned that you were unfaithful to mother and made her raise me, and treat me like crap my whole life. Without me understanding why?” Shelby said sarcastically “Is that what you mean daddy?” Shelby said sarcastically to her father. Looking at him Shelby realized that she had always put her father on a pedestal, because unlike her mother he had shown her as much love as he or her mother would allow. Taking a deep breath her father said. “Shelby I accept your anger, with everything that has gone on with our family and the way things are now. But I cannot and will not condone your disrespect and your high and mighty behavior young lady.”

  “Daddy, I do now and always will respect you.” Reaching across the car she took his hand. “Until I take my dying breath I will love you and be grateful for the daddy that you have been to me.” she said smiling a said smile as she looked him in the eye. “But I cannot sit here and let you bash Logan because of the things that his life have thrown at him. Regardless of Logan’s financial status daddy, he is a good man and a good father.” Tapping her hand and looking down Jackson said “My baby is a woman, I guess I doubted it until this moment but now I know. You are a strong beautiful woman Shelby and I am so so proud of you.” he finished smiling at his daughter. Reaching across the seat with tears streaming down her face Shelby hugged her father as tight as she could in the constraints of the car. “Thank you Daddy! You have never said you are proud of me. You don’t know what that means to me” she said tearfully

  Pushing her back Jackson said. “Shelby Beasley! That is a lie from the pits of hell! I have told you I am proud of you!” he said looking ad her in surprise that she would say that.

  Smiling slightly Shelby shook her head saying “No daddy, if you think about it. You haven’t” Looking around Jackson ruffled his brown trying to think of a for instance to give her a realized he couldn’t. Shaking his head he said “Well I thought it was implied baby girl”

  “I understand daddy. But it is certainly nice to hear!” She said smiling at his daughter.

  “Well I will make sure I do it more from now on baby girl.” He said smiling as he stroked her cheek. Leaning her cheek into his hand she smiled and said “That is all I can ask for.”

  Shelby and her father talked a little longer and just as her father was about to leave he said “Baby girl, its time you come and have a sit down with your momma a sister. I will have not have the separation of the family.”

  “I am not ready for that yet daddy” Shelby said solemnly looking out the window. Her father opened the door to get out the car. “Shelby I will give you more time. But not much more. Are we clear?” Jackson said firmly.

  “Yes daddy” Shelby said looking at the steering wheel. Before he closed the door he said “Your daddy loves you girl”

  CHAPTER 2

  “Just a minute” Shelby was s
aying as she was walking to her front door. She had first heard the doorbell when she was getting out of her bubble bath. But figured it was the kids down the street playing at the door. So had taken her time, then she heard it again and this time it was more instant.

  Ding Dong, Ding Dong. “What in heaven’s name! Ok, I am coming!” Shelby said as she was running down her stairs when she go to the door without even thinking she pulled the door open. Logan was standing there leaning against the glass window on the right side of her door. He looked good enough to eat. He was wearing a navy blue button down shirt with white pinstripes and white buttons a navy blue fedora with a white a ban around it, and a pair of dark colored jeans and white loafers. He smiled at her from under the hat. Logan had one dimple on the right cheek and whenever he smiled genuinely smiled made his crystal blue eyes shine.

  “You should not open your door unless you know who is on the other side” he said to her smiling with a white rose in his hand

  “Ok!” Shelby said in her sweet southern bell voice as she slammed the door in his face. Knock Knock Knock..

  “Shelby! Shelby! Please open the door” Logan said on the other side. Shelby opened the door again. When they stood there staring at each other for twenty seconds Shelby waiting for Logan to say something and Logan trying to think of what to say. When he did not say anything Shelby went to slam the door in his face again and Logan put his hand up to stop the door from Closing.

  “Shelby?” Logan said as he stepped into her house and closed the door behind him. Turning and walking toward her living room, pulling her robe tighter closed Shelby turned back to him.

  “WHAT?” she said crossing her arms across her chest she knew her nipple could clearly be seen through her silk robe. “You came to my home to call me names Logan?” she said staring at him.