Chapter 17
CHAPTER 17
A few moments later, Levi was supporting Rachel as he guided her down the stairs. His breath caught at the feel of Rachel’s soft curves pressed against him. Even as a kid, he’d known she’d become a beautiful woman full of feminine grace.
The resistance he’d built around himself crumbled. It would be easy to open the door to a relationship with this woman, but how could he? His life was too unsettled. He couldn’t ask her to wait until he managed his own life.
Because of his father’s stroke, he was back at the ranch, but for how long? His company needed his leadership. Because of the company projects he’d planned, he wasn’t ready to step away.
Holding Rachel closer than he should, he escorted her down the stairs. Through the archway, he looked up to see his father sitting in his favorite chair. Though he faced the picture window that framed Sweet Mountain, his eyes were closed.
Levi’s heart hurt knowing the once vibrant man no longer strode about the ranch but instead waited until someone brought him news of the ranch’s activities.
Rachel released a soft gasp. Levi looked down to see her staring at his father. His nerves stretched tightly. He understood how she felt .
“Is it all right if I sit in here with your father?” She tipped her face to Levi’s, her beautiful eyes filled with sympathy and compassion.
“He’d like that, though I’m not sure how much company he’d be.” Levi’s throat closed as he fought against the emotions washing over him. He hated leaving his father alone all day, but he, his brothers and his mother had a ranch to run. “He sleeps most of the day.”
“As he should.” She looked back at his father. “That will help his brain to heal. I don’t need much company, but maybe it would be good for him if someone sat nearby.”
“It would be,” he said softly.
When she gave him an expectant look, he walked her into the living room.
“Would you like to sit here?” He led her to an armchair that faced the picture window with a framed view of Sweet Mountain.
She looked at the view that captured his father’s attention, then back at Felix. From this angle, she could see the mountain, then face his father when he woke.
“This is perfect.” She tipped her face to his, her smile pressing dimples into her smooth cheeks.
“He’ll enjoy your company,” he said, wondering at the surge pouring through him.
“Go.” She withdrew slightly making him long for her warmth. “I know you have things to take care of. You don’t need to worry about me. I’ll be fine.”
“I never doubted that.” An overpowering feeling made him bend to her and press his lips to the top of her head.
It was her wide eyes that scooped air from his lungs. What had he done? Too late now to reconsider if it had been the right move. He’d done what had been locked away in his heart for years.
“Thank you for spending time with Dad,” he said roughly. He held her as she lowered herself to the chair. He didn’t want to release her, but he had to.
“Don’t worry about anything.” She looked at his father before turning her attention back to him. “Your father and I will be fine.”
“That I don’t doubt,” he said. He didn’t know why he fought the lift in his chest. It was joyful. He should welcome it. “I’ll bring your lunch in here.”
“Thank you.” She dropped her gaze to his father.
He stepped back. With reluctance, he turned and strode from the living room.
Rachel’s need to help others was nothing new. She’d been like that since he could remember. The memories came rushing back. He’d been away from Sweet Mountain for so long, he’d forgotten what it was like to be around someone who sought to help others and not herself.
Throughout college and after he entered the workforce, he’d dated less and less. It was hard to be with a woman whose dinner conversation sounded like a resume. He had thought he was too busy, but now he understood. He compared everyone to Rachel. She was a sweet fragrance compared to the shallowness of the women he’d met.
He stepped into the kitchen where his mother chopped onion. Madeline sat at the kitchen table and drew a meadow filled with flowers and two grazing horses.
“Daddy Levi, look?” She held up the picture to him.
“That’s wonderful,” he said in amazement at the little girl’s talent. She hadn’t just drawn perfectly formed animals. The movement of the horses could be sensed as if they gracefully stepped through the meadow and nibbled the wafting vegetation. “You’re a very talented young lady.”
Her eyes widened beneath his praise before she shyly placed the drawing on the table and bent over it again. On the side of the table, he noticed a stack of other drawings Madeline made.
“I’m going to make a sandwich for Rachel and take it to her, then I’ll be back to look at your other drawings,” he said and smiled when she beamed.
“How is she doing?” His mother looked over her shoulder at him.
“She’s fine. She’s up and sitting in the living room with Dad.” He lifted sliced roast beef and cheese from the refrigerator. After making the sandwich, he filled a glass with ginger ale, then set the sandwich and the drink on a tray. He felt his mother’s stunned surprise and looked over his shoulder at her. “Don’t worry. Everything’s fine.”
“I’m not worried.” Naomi turned back to the cutting board. “I’m grateful. Did Dad say anything?” She glanced at him, then continued chopping.
“No, he’s sleeping.” Levi lifted the tray. “But Rachel sitting in the room with him will be a nice surprise.”
“To say the least,” Naomi said, her eyes soft with gratitude. “I had planned to sit with him this afternoon, but with all the new horses arriving and my being behind with the gardening. I’ve been meaning to paint the garden gate, but haven’t had time.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?” Levi frowned at her. A pang of remorse pressed air from his lungs. He should’ve been aware of his mother’s struggles. “I can paint the gate.”
“You have enough to do.” She waved dismissively.
“No more than you.” He narrowed his eyes at her. “After I finish my conference call, I’ll paint the gate.”
“You will not,” she said firmly. “You had planned to spend time with Madeline.”
“Madeline can help.” He turned to the girl. “How does that sound?”
“Yes.” Her eyes large, she grinned.
Naomi looked wary as her gaze shifted from Madeline to Levi.
“Don’t worry, Mom.” He laughed. “I’ll keep an eye on her. Since she lives on the ranch, she’ll need to learn that we do everything.”
“I don’t know that you need to teach her to paint the gate or even bother with it yourself,” Naomi said, but her eyes filled with gratitude. “I’m the only one who notices the gate needs painting.”
“And you’re worth having a painted gate.” He strode through the kitchen. “I’ll be right back.”
“Where are you going?” Madeline looked worried, her fear of missing out large in her eyes.
“To take this sandwich and drink to Miss Rachel.” He grinned. “Do you want to come?”
“Yes.” She raced after him .
“Now remember.” He looked at her as they moved down the hallway. “Grandpa Felix is asleep. We have to be quiet.”
Madeline nodded and tip-toed beside him.
From the living room came Rachel’s sweet voice followed by Felix’s garbled response.
Madeline’s breath caught. Levi looked down at her—at the concern in her eyes as they approached the archway.
“Grandpa Felix must have finished his nap. He’s talking to Rachel now,” he said gently.
Madeline shifted her gaze to his but still looked concerned until they stepped into the living room where Rachel had pulled a chair next to Felix’s. She’d set a photo album in his lap and turned the laminated pages while talking to him about the photos. Part of Felix’s face shone with delight while the other side sagged. A muddled sound lifted from his throat.
Levi’s heart swelled with joy while aching sadness edged behind it. He hadn’t seen his father smile since the stroke. How had Rachel known that something as simple as a photo album brought back the man Levi remembered? His father’s deep laugh filled the room.
She knew because she had taken the time.
And she was exerting herself. He didn’t want her to collapse in bed after spending time with his father.
When he and Madeline stepped into the living room, Rachel’s eyes lifted in surprise, before her face spread into that dimpled smile that he’d thought about over the years.
As if Felix sensed her distraction, he lifted his gaze to hers, then tried to turn in his chair.
“Levi and Madeline are here, Mr. McSweeney.” She rested a hand on his.
Surprise filled Felix’s eyes. The rumbling in his throat made Levi’s chest ache more. His father struggled to turn to the archway.
“Let me help you.” Rachel started to rise.
“Stay where you are.” Levi’s tone was soft but firm. “We’ll come around.”
He set the tray on the coffee table .
“You should be careful.” He straightened and gave Rachel a direct look.
“We’re just looking at photos,” she said with innocent surprise.
“You moved your chair, and you got the photo album.” He tipped his chin. “You just recovered from a serious illness.”
“Not too serious.” Her laugh was soft and held the musical sound he’d missed since he’d left for college. “I’m feeling much better.”
He gave a dry laugh and shook his head.
“What are you doing?” Madeline asked. She stared at the photo album.
“We’re looking at photos of when your grandpa Felix was your age,” Rachel said. When Madeline’s eyes widened, she asked, “Do you want to look?”
“Yes.” Her imploring gaze lifted to Levi’s.
“We’ll just sit and look at the pictures.” The hope in Rachel’s eyes made Levi exhale softly and shake his head.
“For just a few minutes.” He moved a chair next to Rachel’s and helped Madeline sit. “Let me see what else Mom needs, then I’ll be back.”
“Truck,” Felix said more clearly than Levi had heard him speak since he’d suffered the stroke.
“What did you say, Dad?” Levi’s head came up.
His father stared at the photo album and nodded. His face shuttered by shadows, he lifted a shoulder as if trying to move his paralyzed arm. He was trying to point to the photo. His arm didn’t move. With a frown of frustration, Felix released a rough breath and dropped his head back.
“It’s okay, Dad. I see the truck.” His heart hammered wildly. Was his father healing from the stroke? It was a small step, but any sign of improvement gave him the hope he longed for.
He glanced at Rachel, who watched Felix, a sheen brightening her eyes. If his father was improving, it was thanks to this kindhearted woman. His mind opened with understanding. Her coming to Sweet Mountain was no accident. It was part of a greater design.
After he checked on his mother, he’d come back to the living room and spend time with his dad. It no longer mattered that the gate wouldn’t be painted this afternoon. He’d do that after dinner.
He wondered at the wisdom opening inside him. Getting things done wasn’t what mattered. Making sure his company achieved its latest goals didn’t matter either. It was the people God had placed around him. They were important.
How had Rachel’s illness opened his heart to what counted? He was sorry that she’d become ill, but God had used it for good.
Seeing the softness in Rachel’s eyes caused Levi’s heart to respond even as his mind rebelled. He needed to tear down the walls he’d built around his heart. He was drawn to Rachel Bonneville. His best friend’s kid sister?
He’d never been one to miss an opportunity—in business.
What about personally?
Just because he felt something didn’t mean Rachel did.
Was he afraid to take a risk? He’d never been afraid in his life—and he’d never prayed about the risks he would take. But this risk involved another person. He had to respect that she was a woman with her goals and dreams. He’d honor that, but before he missed another opportunity, he’d take a chance. He’d pray for God’s timing.