Chapter 2
CHAPTER 2
I n the barn, Levi helped his brothers clean the stalls and freshen the horses’ water and hay before taking care of the pigs and chickens. Since leaving for college, he’d missed his life on the ranch. If it hadn’t been for his father’s stroke, he’d still be in San Francisco running his tech company and pretending he liked the traffic and the crowds.
Now that Madeline was in his life, he was in Colorado. To stay? That was a decision he had to make.
It was nearly five o’clock when Levi and his brothers finished the chores and headed toward the house to shower and change for dinner. As they moved up the path, they laughed and joked the way they had as kids.
Levi lifted his gaze to the house. Through the living room’s French doors, he could see his father sitting in the easy chair where he’d been confined since he’d been released from the hospital. As he had since the stroke, Levi offered prayers for his father’s healing. Felix had been a strong and vital man. To see him struggle with words and movement broke Levi’s heart. Thankfully, a nurse and therapist came several times a day to check on him and help him with his exercises .
“Dad misses being outdoors and wrangling the cattle,” Levi said to his brother Aaron, who strode at his side.
“Yeah.” Aaron’s gaze followed his. “Every time I take him to see Doc Brown, he tries to convince him he’s well enough to take care of the animals.”
“What does Doc say?” Levi asked.
“The same thing. Give it a few more weeks,” Aaron said. “Dad knows what he means, but you know Dad. He’s too stubborn to believe he may not work the ranch again.”
“His stubbornness may be what saves him.” Levi laughed dryly.
“You know, you didn’t have to move back here.” Aaron gave his brother a sympathetic look. “We could’ve taken care of everything.”
“Thanks, bro, but I was ready,” Levi said and patted his brother’s shoulder.
He hadn’t wanted to leave the Colorado Rockies. When he’d received a full-ride scholarship to college, his parents urged him to accept it. “Being in charge of Madeline convinced me it was time. San Francisco doesn’t feel like the right place to raise a child. Sweet Mountain does.”
He filled his lungs with fresh mountain air. Despite loving the ocean and the beaches, nothing compared to the beauty of the Sweet Mountain Ranch meadows.
It was good to be back where he belonged. Now he had to decide if the ranch should be Madeline’s home.
“Madeline seems to like it here.” Aaron’s smile was slight.
“Yeah, I think she’ll do well,” he said. “Though she’s having some problems at school with her reading and writing. I’ve discussed options with her teacher.”
“You boys doing all right?” Naomi stood at the door to the mudroom. She held Madeline’s hand.
“Yes,” Levi said. “The chores are finished until after dinner. Do you need help with anything?”
“We’re all set. Everything should be ready by five.”
Madeline peered around Naomi. “Daddy Levi!” she exclaimed with the title he had thought she should use so she wouldn’t forget her real father. She raced across the deck to him.
“Hey, big girl.” Levi stepped to her and scooped her into his arms. “Are you helping Grandma Naomi?”
“Yes, we’ve been very busy.” Her face grew serious. When she wrapped her arms around his neck, a lump rose in his throat.
Her life had been upended when her parents were killed in a car crash. She was adapting, though she had moments when she missed her parents. Especially at night. Levi had changed rooms with his brother Aaron so he’d be closer to Madeline in case she awakened from a nightmare.
Two years had passed since she lost her parents. He had feared she’d forget them and had created scrapbooks they could look at together.
“Hurry and change for dinner.” Naomi urged her sons with an arch of her brow. “Remember, we have a guest coming to dinner.”
“I remember.” Levi looked at his mother, amused. “That was some pretty fancy work you did inviting Rachel to join us.”
“That wasn’t fancy work.” Naomi’s brows shot up with exaggerated innocence. “I was being neighborly. The town’s changed since Rachel moved away. Now that she’s back, I want her to feel welcomed.”
“I’ll take your word for it.” Levi chuckled. He set Madeline on the ground. He loved holding her. Until now, he never thought he’d marry and have a family. His company consumed him from morning until night, then filled his dreams. Having custody of Madeline helped him sort through his priorities.
“Let me get cleaned up first, then I’ll come down and help with dinner,” he said.
“Dinner’s ready. You need to clean up quickly, so you can greet our guest.” Naomi eyed him.
“You make it sound like you’ve invited the queen for dinner.” Levi snorted a laugh.
He knew what his mother was up to, though he’d hold back his comments—for now. He’d only been back a week and already her matchmaking antics had kicked into gear.
“Rachel is more important than any queen.” Naomi looked shocked. “And deserves to be treated as such.”
“I promise, Mom, we’ll be on our best behavior.” Levi grinned at her.
“Here! Here!” Aaron stepped next to Levi, looking too serious.
“You act as if I have ulterior motives for inviting this sweet woman to dinner.” Naomi used that I’m-all-innocence look that still melted their father’s heart.
“Your words, not mine.” Levi arched a brow at her.
“I’d think you’d be happy to see her again.” Naomi’s eyes widened. “After all, she’s your best friend’s sister.”
Levi stilled. He didn’t need that reminder. Her being Jonathan’s sister was the main reason he’d kept his distance.
When they were kids, she had been Jonathan’s shadow. Wherever he and Jonathan went, she was two feet behind them. What they did, she did, including playing baseball and being the best running back in their intramural football league. She played with dolls, too, but those were forgotten when Levi visited the Bonneville home.
Growing up, Rachel had been the mascot. Then one day, Levi noticed she was changing. She wasn’t a little girl anymore. She had a mane of glossy dark hair and golden eyes that looked like the sun. When her braces were removed, she flashed a smile that did things to him he didn’t want to think about.
Seeing her at church this morning stirred feelings in him that he’d fought when they were growing up. That had been another reason he agreed to attend college—he needed to get away from Rachel. She was a friend. He’d never see her as more than that.
No, he didn’t want to have those thoughts about Rachel even if they were ten years older and her being two years younger than he didn’t seem like light years as it had when they were in high school.
“Are you going to get ready for dinner?” Madeline’s sweet voice cut through his thoughts.
“Yes, I am.” Levi looked at the cherub face that filled him with joy .
For the past year, she’d been the focal point of his life. Though he’d been stunned to learn he’d been named her guardian, he couldn’t thank his friends enough for the gift they’d given him.
“Ready, bro?” Levi turned to Aaron.
“More than ready and starving.” Aaron pulled a handkerchief from his back pocket and mopped his brow. “Can’t wait to shower and sit down to Mom’s pot roast.”
“Then you boys better get a move on.” Naomi used the same tone she had when they were young and learning how to help on the ranch. “We eat when our guest is ready.”
“Aye, Aye, Captain.” Levi and Aaron stood at attention as they had when they were kids, pretending their mother was a tough taskmaster.
“Aye, Aye!” came Madeline’s sweet voice. Looking earnest, she stood as straight as Levi and Aaron.
Everyone laughed, and she buried her face in her elbow before peering up at them.
“Don’t worry, bug.” Levi used the nickname her parents had given her and cupped the back of her head. He held her close. “We’re not laughing at you. We’re laughing with you.”
“But I’m not laughing.” She looked confused.
“Not now, but you will.” He held back a chuckle.
He wouldn’t bother to explain. She may be a realist, but it wouldn’t be long before she was joking with his mother the way he and his brothers did. At least, that was his dream for this little girl. He wanted his family to be her family. He was working with the court system to make that a reality.
“Get a move on, boys.” Naomi ushered them into the house.
“Why are you so anxious for us to change for dinner?” Levi cast his mother a quizzical look.
“Yeah,” Aaron echoed and frowned. “It isn’t like we’d miss one of your meals.”
“I’m making sure.” Naomi flashed that clear-eyed look.
“You’re up to something, Mom.” Levi narrowed his eyes.
“I’m not up to anything,” she protested. “We have company coming. I want to make sure all my boys are looking good by the time she arrives.”
“You do realize she’ll be the only girl at the table.” Levi still wondered what his mother was up to. “Except for you and Madeline. Maybe you should’ve invited some more women from the church.”
“Don’t you worry,” Naomi’s mouth firmed. “I’ll get to that.”
“So that’s it.” Levi gave a soft laugh. “I knew you had a plan.”
“Not a plan. I’m just looking toward the future,” Naomi said sweetly.
Levi said nothing. His mother may have a plan, but his life was Madeline. Between raising her and running his corporation, he had no time to date, let alone find someone to marry.
They moved across the deck and stepped into the house.
“You help Grandma Naomi.” He turned to Madeline. “I’ll be back in a few.”
That made her puff up with importance. As he crossed the kitchen, he could hear her little voice asking his mother what she could do. Already he knew she’d be the sweetheart of the town—just like Rachel.
His best friend’s sister could’ve had any of the boys in Sweet Mountain. Maybe she had. Though he kept in touch with Jonathan, his friend didn’t share much about Rachel. Levi never asked.
Upstairs, he jumped into the shower. The water pressure rose and lowered as his brothers used the other showers in the house. Levi made his shower quick—something he and his brothers had learned growing up. The house’s old water heater was no match for seven boys washing up for dinner.
He was buttoning a fresh shirt when he glanced out the window—to Rachel. He slowed his movements and watched her climb from her car. Strands of dark hair escaped from the ponytail she had carelessly clasped to the back of her head. Her face was fresh and her eyes shone. The simple dress she wore was a colorful blend of flowers and birds and skimmed her ankles.
She reached into the back seat and lifted a bouquet of roses and daisies along with a baking dish covered with foil .
That would get a comment from his mother. She had said she didn’t need to bring anything.
Levi turned away. As much as he enjoyed looking at Rachel, he wanted to look into her face, which could be an array of expressions from joy to concern.
The doorbell rang.
“I’ll get it.” Madeline’s running footsteps could be heard throughout the house.
“We both will.” Naomi’s singsong tone joined hers.
Soon Rachel’s gentle voice mixed with his mother’s and Madeline’s, along with his mother exclaiming, “Aren’t these beautiful!” and “You shouldn’t have.”
Levi took a last look in the mirror—something he’d learned to do when he worked in San Franciso and wanted to make sure he hadn’t spilled catsup on his shirt—then stepped from his room and into the hallway as Aaron opened his bedroom door.
“It’s showtime, bro.” Aaron grinned at him.
“Your day’s coming.” Levi curved the corner of his mouth.
They both knew that once their mother had a plan, no one escaped until she was satisfied.
Their mother may play unassuming, but Levi and his brothers knew what she was up to. The way she cooed over her friends’ grandchildren was a sign she was ready to pamper her own.
Since Levi had returned with Madeline in tow, he could see his mother missed having a house full of children.
“Shall we take our bows?” Levi joked and extended his hand toward the stairs.
“After you.” Aaron stepped back, letting Levi lead the way.
Levi lifted his brows, then moved down the steps. He tried not to slow his pace when Rachel lifted her gaze to his.
His mother looked over her shoulder. Her satisfied look explained everything. Her plan was in action.