11
The sun had barely crested over the ridge when Levi rolled out in the older work truck, with the horse trailer fully loaded and dust trailing behind him as he made his way out for the long trip. Emery had gotten June off to school, watching her skip off through the school doors with a little wave.
She’d had a busy morning wanting to knock out all the chores early—dishes, tidying up, a load of laundry—so she and June could have a cozy, no-pressure evening later. Maybe bake cookies or build a pillow fort. Something fun.
The house was quiet now, just the hum of the dryer and the sound of Emery sweeping near the back door, when her phone buzzed.
INCOMING CALL - Levi
She wiped her hands on her jeans before answering. “Hey cowboy, miss me already?”
“Hey.” His voice was tight. Tired already, probably, but there was something else in it too. “I just got a call from the school nurse. June’s not feeling great, said she has a headache and was looking kind of pale. They want someone to come get her.”
Emery’s heart dropped a little, instinct kicking in before she’d even processed his next words.
He blew out a breath. “I feel like hell even saying this, but I’m out here knee-deep in this cattle move. We’ve barely gotten started, and I’m already hours from the house. I won't get to her soon enough.”
“I’ve got it,” she interrupted gently, already slipping her shoes on. “No problem. I’ll go get her.”
He went quiet for a beat, like he wasn’t used to things being that simple. Then exhaled audibly. “Thank you. I hate not being there. ”
“She’ll be okay,” Emery said softly, locking the door behind her as she moved to get to June as fast as she could. “We’ll take it easy tonight.”
Levi exhaled like the tension in his shoulders had just eased. “You’re... kind of amazing, you know that?”
The words landed soft and warm. Emery’s cheeks flushed before she could stop them. “You’re just saying that because I’m rescuing you.”
“I’m saying it because it’s true.” A pause. “Tell her I love her?”
“Of course.”
Levi’s voice was a little rough when he finally answered. “You sure make it easy to miss home.”
Emery smiled, heart stuttering. “I’ll text you once I’ve got her.”
“Thanks again, Em. Really.”
Emery ended the call and climbed into the driver’s seat, already planning how to make June comfortable and calm. Guilt was probably eating Levi alive out there in the field, but Emery was more than ready to step up.
Not just because it was her job.
But because she already cared about that little girl like she wasn’t just filling in.
Like she was already part of something more.
She spotted June before she even reached the curb—shoulders slumped, an office aide gently guiding her forward with her backpack slung loosely over one shoulder.
Emery’s chest ached at the sight.
Emery buckled June with a quiet, mumbled “Hi.” Her cheeks were flushed, and she immediately leaned her head against the seat, eyes half-lidded.
“Hey, bug,” Emery said softly, brushing June’s hair back to get a better look. “Let’s get you home.”
Once they were back at the house, June didn’t protest when Emery helped her out of her shoes and guided her to the couch. That alone told Emery just how sick she was. She grabbed the thermometer from the bathroom cabinet and pressed it gently to June’s temple .
The reading blinked red: 102.7
Emery muttered under her breath and pulled her phone from her pocket, thumbing out a quick text to Levi.
EMERY: Just got her home. She’s got a pretty high fever, 102.7. I’ve got her resting, and I’ll keep an eye on it. She asked for you. I told her you love her.
She didn’t expect a response right away, but still watched the screen for a beat before setting the phone on the counter.
She got to work, grabbing popsicles from the freezer, coaxing June into eating half of one while cuddled under her small blanket. Then came a lukewarm bath. June was shivering and sniffling as Emery gently poured water over her hair, humming something soft just to soothe her.
Afterward, Emery helped her into pajamas, her tiny body feeling too warm against Emery’s hands. “Can I sleep in Daddy’s bed?” June asked, voice scratchy .
“Of course you can,” Emery said, swooping her up and carrying her to his room, tucking her in and sitting beside her for a while. It took less than ten minutes for her breathing to settle into a soft, rhythmic pattern.
Emery waited a little longer before slipping out, carefully easing the bedroom door shut.
She padded barefoot down the stairs and onto the porch, grabbing Levi’s flannel that she had worn before and hung by the door.
The night air was cooler than she expected as she wrapped her arms around herself and finally dialed Levi’s number.
He picked up fast. “Is she okay?”
“She’s asleep,” Emery answered. “She was asking for you, so I let her crawl into your bed.”
“Thanks,” Levi said, quieter. “I hate this. I should be there.”
“You can’t be in two places at once,” she murmured, trying to sound more sure than she felt.
“She’s okay. But I just—” She hesitated, her throat tightening.
“I feel a little in over my head. It’s one thing to wrangle laundry and toys, but when she’s sick…
she just feels so small. And she just wants you. ”
Levi exhaled, long and low. “I know, baby. Trust me, I hate being out here when she’s like feelin’ like this. But I’m glad it’s you there with her.”
That made something warm twist in her chest. “I’ll stay close tonight, in case she wakes up again.”
“Let me know if she gets worse. Or if you need anything. I’ll keep my phone on.”
“I will.” Her voice softened. “Be safe out there. Sleep good”
“You too.”
Emery ended the call and stood on the porch for a long second, letting the quiet settle around her. The crickets chirped softly. She closed her eyes for just a moment, leaning into the stillness as if it might steady the whirl of thoughts inside her.
She turned toward the screen door, ready to step back inside, when her phone buzzed in her hand.
LEVI: I miss her …
LEVI : And you.
Her breath caught. The words were simple, but they landed heavier than she expected.
The message was simple but carried a weight that settled low in her stomach, reaching into a familiar ache deep in her chest.
She didn’t reply right away, but quietly slipped back into the house, locking the door behind her, the floorboards creaking softly beneath her bare feet.
She slipped into Levi’s room, where June was curled up small in the middle of the bed, one hand still clutching the edge of one of Levi's pillows like a lifeline.
She climbed in beside her gently, careful not to wake her, and lay back against the pillow Levi must usually use.
His scent hit her immediately.
That rugged, familiar mix of juniper and rosewood. It was him, woven into the sheets and pillowcase, and it was surprisingly comforting. Intimate, even. She let her eyes close for a beat, breathing it in before grabbing her phone from the nightstand .
Levi’s message still sat there.
LEVI : I miss her…
LEVI : And you.
Her fingers hovered over the screen before she typed back.
EMERY : I just stole your side of the bed. Smells like you.
LEVI: That sounds like more motivation to get back quicker.
Her heart did a slow tumble in her chest.
EMERY: You saying you miss your pillow, or me?
LEVI: …Maybe both.
LEVI: But definitely you.
Emery bit her lip, warmth creeping up the back of her neck.
EMERY : I’d say sweet dreams, cowboy… but you’re clearly already dreaming if you think I’m giving your pillow back.
LEVI: I guess I’ll have to come home and fight you for it. STILL not a cowboy
EMERY : Ok, sweet dreams… Daddy
LEVI: Easy with that Em. G’night, sunshine.
Emery smiled at her screen, locking it before tucking the phone beneath her pillow. June shifted beside her, curling in closer. Emery smoothed a hand gently over her back and stared up at the ceiling, her thoughts spinning like wind through a field.
She had no idea where this was going.
But… it felt like somewhere worth going.