Chapter 8
CHAPTER 8
T he next afternoon, at four o’clock Levi parked his truck in the nearly empty school parking lot. He was grateful when Rachel called him this morning to say that Principal Whitaker had approved her request to tutor Madeline. He remembered the kind but firm woman, her hair always tucked into a French roll, who had been the principal when he and Jonathan had started kindergarten. Rachel also said she had discussed the confrontation between Madeline and Robby. Mrs. Whitaker had said she’d take care of that, too.
As he spoke to Rachel, he relished the sound of her gentle voice. He’d have to curb that feeling. Instead, he’d be grateful she could tutor Madeline, who would be delighted with the news as well. She adored Rachel.
When they spoke, Rachel mentioned she would finish tutoring Madeline at four. He had spent the rest of the day trying to distract himself with ranch and company work. He didn’t want to check the clock every few minutes. Still, his eyes drifted to the clock on his phone and the one on his computer.
Levi shared the good news with Madeline after they had completed their appointments. The little girl’s face brightened at the prospect .
Last night, she had been hurt to learn that Rachel wouldn’t attend the fall festival with them this Saturday. Though Levi explained to her that Rachel’s decision had nothing to do with Madeline, hot tears still streamed down her face. He held her until she quieted. She had lost her parents. She didn’t need any more disappointments in her life, though in this world they couldn’t be avoided.
“Remember that our invitation to Rachel is a private matter and isn’t to be discussed.” He arched a brow at her to make sure she understood.
“Okay.” She sighed.
He studied her a moment. He hoped she did.
As a child, she was learning the hard lesson that life wouldn’t be easy, but her faith in God would give her the strength to face these disappointments.
Levi pressed his cowboy hat into place, something he’d worn even in San Francisco, and climbed out of his truck. Despite establishing a tech company, he was a cowboy at heart. It felt good to breathe the fresh mountain air and spend mornings working in the barn with his brothers.
Striding toward the elementary school, he steeled his heart for when he’d see Rachel again. It had only been a day, but he had given into his emotions at the delight of having her in his life.
Jonathan was too smart to not know how Levi felt about his sister but respected Levi’s struggle and never discussed it with him. Levi was grateful to be saved from that embarrassing situation.
He stepped into the school and removed his hat from his head.
“Daddy Levi said that you won’t attend the fall festival with us,” Madeline’s little voice traveled down the corridor to Levi.
He stiffened. She had promised not to discuss the matter, but it weighed on her heart. He stepped into the classroom where Rachel and Madeline stood in front of the whiteboard. He wanted to dispel any tension Rachel might have at the awkward comment.
“Hello.” Levi kept his voice low and even. He was relieved to see Rachel showed no surprise at what Madeline had said .
Madeline’s eyes widened before she dropped her gaze. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t supposed to talk about that.”
“How was the tutoring session?” Levi wanted to get everyone’s mind off the elephant in the room.
“It went well.” Rachel smiled at Madeline, who still looked guilty for having said what she knew she shouldn’t have. She slipped the marker from Madeline’s fingers and pushed the cap into place. “Don’t you think so, Madeline? Your paper is at your place at the table.”
“Oh, yes.” As if she’d forgotten about the forbidden comment, she rushed to the table, grabbed the paper and held it up for Levi to see.
“Hey, that’s great.” He stared at the columns of words that showed artfully drawn letters and few erasure marks. As usual, her penmanship was impeccable.
He stepped to Madeline. She squealed when he lifted her into his arms. He had to do something to keep from looking at Rachel. Despite teaching all day, she looked wonderful in a flowing blouse and tailored slacks.
“It was so much fun.” Madeline glanced at a stack of papers sitting on the table at her place.
“Show me.” Levi set her on the floor. He watched Madeline race to her chair. He wouldn’t look at Rachel.
“Look.” Madeline grabbed the papers and held up a sheet covered with well-formed letters. Even printing showed her artistic talent.
“That looks pretty good.” Finally, he looked at Rachel but remained silent. He waited for her remark.
“She did very well.” Rachel smiled at Madeline as if last night’s discussion had been forgotten. “I believe two more sessions should be enough for her to remember the correct way to write her letters. I received the notes from the specialist you talked to this morning and followed her guidance on instructing Madeline.”
Madeline grinned and bounced on her toes. It was plain she enjoyed this one-on-one time with Rachel. How disappointed would she be when she understood she would no longer have private time with her teacher ?
Levi would deal with that disappointment when it happened. Already he was learning parenthood—or guardianship—had its ups and downs.
“Good to know.” Levi laughed softly at Madeline’s excitement.
“I can schedule a time with her Thursday afternoon and again next Monday, if that works.” Rachel’s voice was subdued and revealed nothing of the excitement that made her Rachel—one of the many reasons he was drawn to her.
Now she was Madeline’s teacher. She would be professional.
“We have nothing scheduled,” Levi said more calmly than he felt. He would delay his trip to San Franciso. Madeline was more important. “I take it Mrs. Campbell will be out of the office next week.”
“Sadly, yes,” Rachel said, compassion in her eyes. “Today, the students wrote her notes telling her they missed her and hoped she’d return soon. The secretary at the school office will mail the notes to her tomorrow.”
“I’m sure she’ll appreciate that.” Levi’s heart filled with the feelings for her that were hard to keep buried. If he weren’t careful, his heart would tell him that feeling was love.
“I hope it makes her feel a little better.” Rachel’s mouth tipped before her demeanor changed into that professional expression that had to make her an effective teacher. “Is there anything else?” She looked at Levi.
There was a lot more he wanted to say. Instead, he pushed down his emotions. He’d be professional, too.
“I think that’s it.” He looked at Madeline. “Let’s grab your things so we can head back to the ranch. Grandma Naomi has a delicious dinner and your favorite dessert waiting for us.”
The question in Madeline’s eyes showed she was wondering what had passed between him and Rachel. She didn’t seem interested in the dessert Naomi had made. Thankfully, she said nothing.
“Okay.” Turning away, she dashed to the rows of cubbies and lifted her backpack from its hook.
Levi helped her with her coat and her backpack. He was about to tell her to thank Rachel for the tutoring session when Madeline turned to Rachel and thanked her. He felt proud that Madeline remembered.
Surprise widened Rachel’s golden eyes.
“You’re welcome.” She smiled. “You did very well. I look forward to our next session.”
Madeline glowed, then turned to Levi.
“Let’s get home to Grandma Naomi and Grandpa Felix.” He rested a hand on her shoulder.
With her mouth pressed into a straight line, Rachel faced him. The concern in her eyes quickly vanished and her mouth curved. She dropped her gaze to Madeline. “I’ll see you in class tomorrow.”
“Can we walk you out?” Levi asked.
He didn’t want to cross the line, but the sun was setting. Rachel had stayed late because she was tutoring Madeline. He didn’t want her walking home in the dark.
Madeline lifted a hopeful look to Rachel. She’d want to spend as much time with her as possible. So did Levi.
“Thanks, but because I knew I’d stay late this afternoon, I drove today.” Rachel’s smile was gentle.
Madeline’s expression turned crestfallen, but Levi had to ask. Even if he weren’t interested in Rachel, he’d want to make sure she returned safely to her home.
“But don’t worry,” Rachel said. “We’ll spend another day together tomorrow.”
Madeline’s face brightened at the prospect.
“Say good night to Miss Bonneville.” Levi looked down at Madeline.
“Good night, Miss Bonneville,” Madeline said with a sigh and tipped her face to Levi’s as if hoping for approval.
Levi smiled at her, then looked at Rachel. “Good night, Miss Bonneville.”
“Good night, Mr. McSweeney. Good night, Madeline.” She smiled at each of them.
Levi led Madeline into the hallway .
“How much longer before I go to school again?” Madeline’s face was deep in concentration.
“We can calculate that on the way home,” Levi said.
He’d like to know how much longer until he saw Rachel again. At least two days. He had plenty to do to keep his mind off Miss Bonneville.