15
Levi knelt to June’s level in the kitchen, wiping a stray crumb off her cheek with a grin. “Hey, Junebug, I want to talk to you for a minute.”
June looked up, her expression curious. “What is it?”
He smiled. “Emery’s going to be staying at our house from now on. Figure it’ll be easier having her around to help take care of you—and me, too.”
June’s eyes sparkled with interest. “Really? Like, all the time?”
“Yep. No more running back and forth,” Levi said, ruffling her hair gently. Then, with a sly smile, he added, “And between you and me? I kinda want to be around Emery more… she’s got this way of making the place feel a little more like home.”
June giggled, “Is that why you want her here? ‘Cause she makes you all mushy?”
Levi laughed softly. “Maybe, but don’t tell her I said that, I’ve gotta keep some mystery.”
June giggled again. “Your secret’s safe with me,” she nodded, like it was no big deal. “Okay. Can I go play now?”
Levi chuckled. “Sure, go on. But be good.”
As June scampered off, Levi caught Emery watching from nearby. “Come here, sunshine,” he pulled her close, wrapping an arm around her waist, his voice low and teasing. “Guess you’re officially stuck now. Hope you’re ready for nonstop chaos.”
Emery smiled, warmth climbing in her chest. “I think I’m ready… you’ll keep me on my toes.”
Levi’s fingers traced small, idle circles along her side, sending a flutter through her that had nothing to do with the afternoon’s weather.
He leaned in, just enough to brush his lips against her temple.
“Oh, I plan to.” His hand slid down from her waist to rest on her hip, pulling her even closer.
Their bodies pressed together, heat radiating between them as his lips found hers in a slow, deep kiss.
His hands tangled in her hair, tilting her head, deepening the connection as June’s laughter echoed in the background.
? ? ?
The sun had dipped low, casting warm golden light across the kitchen counters.
Emery sat at the small table, her fingers worrying the edges of the envelope she had read too many times.
The tension filled the air, but with June in bed, she knew that now was as good a time as ever to get this conversation over with.
“I need to tell you something,” she started, voice low.
Levi’s brows lowered slightly from where he stood in the kitchen. “That doesn't sound good.”
Emery swallowed. “It’s about Denny, my old boss. He sent me a letter. It came a few days ago.”
Levi didn’t say anything at first, just blinked slowly, as though bracing himself. “You didn’t think to tell me?”
“I was going to,” she quickly said. “I just—you were moving cattle, we had that argument, and then I was sick. I guess I didn’t know how. I didn’t want you to think less of me.”
Levi pushed off the counter, his feet moving against the worn wood floor as he took a few slow steps toward her. “Why the hell would I think less of you? Emery, what could that bastard possibly say that would change how I feel about you?”
Emery’s eyes welled. She held up the letter with trembling fingers. “He twisted everything. Said I was... seducing clients. That I used people, Levi. Said he’d ruin anything good I tried to build.”
Levi took the letter, not looking at it right away, his stare locked on her instead. “And you believed even for a second, I’d buy any of that bullshit? That I’d think you were capable of that?”
She stood still, wrapping her arms around her ribs like she needed to hold herself together.
“You don’t understand what it felt like—being in that office, the whispers, the way people looked at me after he created the perfect opportunity to make things look any way he wanted.
I barely escaped it. And then I got here, and things felt so good, and I was worried that he would ruin it all. ”
His voice sharpened. “So you decided to face it alone?”
“I guess part of me thought if I ignored it, maybe it would go away. And now I told you, and you're mad.”
He ran a hand down his face, pacing to the far side of the room before turning back. “I’m not mad at you, just upset that you didn’t trust me enough to share the weight of it.”
That landed heavily.
Emery looked up at him, eyes glistening. “ I’m sorry.”
He stared at her for a moment, long and unreadable. Then he closed any distance and cupped her face in both hands, thumbs brushing her cheekbones. “Don’t apologize, but you’re not alone anymore, Em. You don’t carry that shit by yourself. Not here. Not with me.”
Her breath shuddered out, and she leaned into his touch, into his steadiness. “I just didn’t want to ruin what we have.”
Levi shook his head, pressing his forehead to hers. “Not happening.”
She melted against him as he wrapped his arms around her, anchoring her there.
“And Denny?” Levi murmured against her hair. “He doesn’t get to touch what we’ve built. I don’t care if I have to burn every bridge leading back to that old life—I will not let that man hurt you again.”
“I don't want anyone to get hurt,” she whispered.
Levi pulled back just enough to look her in the eyes. “Baby, for you? I’d run right into the fire.”