Reaching for the Moon by ThePekingNoodle

Chapter Three:  You Can Call Me Max

Our heroine tries her wings and our hero makes a promise…

Logan gulped at the sight that met his eyes as he turned in his chair to face the house.

He instinctively rose with Nathan to greet the new arrival, but his actions were pure instinct.  He felt like he had just taken a punch to the gut.

The young girl, no, young woman, approaching was a vision in blue. She didn't share her parents' height, reaching only 5'6" at best, but that didn't detract from her in the least. Her hair was dark and thick and fell in a shimmering waterfall of soft waves around her face and down her back. She was wearing a full skirted dress of royal blue, held up by the tiniest of straps, baring her shoulders and arms to the kiss of the sun. The blue of the dress set off her skin, which was a light creamy mocha in tone. The dress was not cut inordinately low, but it emphasized her full breasts and tiny waist.  She wore a simple gold locket around her neck and a tiny gold chain on her left ankle that sparkled as the sun caught it. The anklet drew Logan's attention to her perfect legs, which were further set off by the strappy sandals on her feet.

Despite her physical perfection it was something else that held him transfixed. Her eyes were dark brown, almost black, framed by thick lashes, but it was what he saw in them that held him captive. They were not the eyes of a fifteen year old girl. There were hidden depths in those eyes, a knowledge and even pain, that this girl of all girls should certainly not know. Looking into those eyes Logan felt the world screech to a stop around him.

Nathan hurried forward and caught the girl in a hug. "It's about time you pulled those lazy bones out of bed, nina. Come, kiss your mother and then meet my young friend, Logan Cale. He will be our house guest for this week and I will expect you to help your mother in seeing that he is well taken care of." 

The girl glided over to her mother and leaned down to kiss her cheek softly. "Good morning, Mama."  Standing straight she turned to be introduced to her father's guest.  As she did, her eyes met his once again and she took a breath. She had never seen such eyes before in her life. They were blue, but it wasn't the color that struck her. It was something else, something in them that struck a chord in her. A deep rooted knowledge and pain, well hidden but still there.

Nathan looked at his daughter curiously. She was normally in complete control, poised and calm but she appeared to be suffering a sudden attack of shyness as she looked at his guest.  He quickly moved to make the introductions.

"Logan this is my daughter, Linetta Maxine. Linetta, this is my very good friend, Logan Cale." He paused then continued, "Logan, my daughter prefers to be called Max or Maxie and her friends indulge her, but Annette and I are old fashioned and we call her Linetta. The choice is yours."

Logan took a breath and smiled down at the girl. "Enchante, mademoiselle." He was surprised he had managed to get the words out at all. "The choice is not mine, but that of your lovely daughter."

Max smiled up at Logan as she addressed her father, "Oh I like him, Papa." She then gathered herself together and inclined her head regally at Logan, enjoying the little game they were playing. "My choice is Max."

"Very well, Max." Logan smiled back and pulled out a chair for her. He seated her then sat back down himself. The maid returned and filled Max's glass with lemonade and soon the four were chatting comfortably. At Annette's signal, a light luncheon was brought out and served, and Logan soon felt completely at home. 

When he finished his lunch, he leaned back and observed Max as she talked with her parents. They were clearly wrapped around her fingers, but to his surprise she didn't appear to be the spoiled brat he had expected. She seemed much older than her fifteen years, calm and poised but with a hint of mischief peeking out of her dark brown eyes as she teased her father gently.  Logan had a hard time keeping himself from staring at her, and he finally tore his eyes away and turned to look out over the gardens that stretched from the patio.

His attention was drawn back as Max and Annette pushed back their chairs preparatory to rising, and he quickly jumped up and pulled out Annette's chair for her. Max had already risen from her own chair and stood watching in amusement.

"If you'll excuse us Logan, Linetta and I need to see to her clothing since she's only just arrived home." Annette was saying.

Logan smiled, "I'll look forward to seeing you again later." Max smiled back flirtatiously and turned quickly, sending her shimmering waves flying and her skirts swirling around her legs, and then she was gone.

Nathan watched the byplay with a knowing look in his eyes, and smiled in satisfaction.

Logan dropped back into his chair and took a gulp of his lemonade.

"So what do you think of my Linetta, Logan?"

Logan hesitated, but then plunged in. "Your daughter is probably the most beautiful girl I've ever laid eyes on, Nathan. I hope you're prepared to beat off the young men who will certainly be coming around after her before she gets much older."

Nathan laughed, "Why do you think I send her to an all girls school back east? My Linetta is not for the local boys. She will need someone who is worthy of her, and until the proper time comes I will keep her safe. You are the first one of my friends or associates she has ever met. Tonight will be her first adult party and it will be here, in her home, where her mother and I can keep watch over her. You better than most, know what a jungle this world has become. A man in my position needs to be very careful and guard his treasure carefully. My Annette and my Linetta are my treasure, worth more to me than all my billions, and the man who tries to harm either one of them will regret it."

"You don't need to worry about me, Nathan. Beautiful as your daughter is, I promise you that I would never think of harming her in any way. And I give you my word that I would gladly join you against anyone else who tried."

Nathan looked seriously at Logan. "You think I don't know that? If I thought you would hurt my daughter you would not be here in my house as my guest. Even our great friendship would not stand in that case."

"I'm honored that you trust me, Nathan. That means the world to me coming from someone who I look up to as I do you. You're what I wish my father had been."

"And you are the son I never had, Logan. But enough of such solemnity. You are not here for business. This is a vacation for you. You must relax and enjoy your time here."

"Thank you Nathan. I certainly intend to. But if there is a party tonight I need to go up to my room for a bit. Is there someone who can show me the way?"

"Of course, my friend." Nathan signaled with his head and a young man came to the table. "Show Mr. Cale to his room and be sure he gets whatever he needs."

Logan followed the young man from the patio. As he left, Nathan raised his glass to his retreating back in a toast, and softly said, as he smiled to himself, "To you my young friend. I think perhaps you are the one who needs to take care, not me."

End of Chapter Three…TBC…