“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 stuff.”

Charlie grabbed his Camp Kioga baseball cap and put it on. “Ready,” he said.

They got in the car. Logan drove a banana-yellow Jeep, good for getting around when the winter snows came.