Chapter Eleven – Rosie
“That truly was magical,” Rosie told Levi as they left the trail, and followed the winding path back to the veranda that overlooked the lake.
“It was.” He smiled wistfully and glanced toward Elliott, whose pace had slowed now that the excitement of the lantern trial was waning. It was way past his bedtime, and they really should be getting back to their cabin. But she couldn’t resist the urge to linger a little longer.
As they strolled along the side of the lake, the moonlight cast a silver glow over the water, making the water shimmer like liquid diamonds. Rosie felt a pull, not just toward Levi but to this entire place, as if it were calling to her, with a promise of a peaceful life.
But this was not where her dream life lay.
She would not be swayed by pretty lights. Or handsome men who made her insides turn to liquid fire. Wasn’t that how she ended up married to Terry?
Terry, who had offered her a life filled with love everlasting. Only to leave her devastated and broke.
No, she had to stick to the plan. Her plan.
“Seeing the lantern trail through Elliot’s eyes was incredible,” Levi told her. “It’s like being taken back to my childhood and re-experiencing the wonder all over again.”
She nodded, watching Elliot’s small figure ahead, his steps becoming more languid as he fought off sleep. “He’s had such a good time tonight. It’s been a while since I’ve seen him this happy.”
“My mom tells me that kids are resilient,” he replied, offering her a reassuring smile. “They bounce back quicker than we think.”
Rosie sighed heavily. “I hope she’s right.”
Levi’s eyes searched hers, as though seeking to understand the depths of her worries. “She is. You’re doing a great job with Elliot, Rosie.”
“I hope so,” Rosie replied. “I was worried about bringing him here because I had to work. But I think it’s been good for him. The change of scenery is helping him heal.”
Levi’s gaze softened as he looked out at the glimmering lake. “There’s something about these mountains, the air, the people….”
“Magical?” Rosie asked, raising a questioning eyebrow at him.
He chuckled. “Magical.”
“Here they are,” Mary greeted them as they reached the bar area and Elliott climbed the steps wearily. “How did you like the lantern trail?”
“It was great,” Elliott said, summoning the last of his enthusiasm.
“You look all done in.” Mary held her arms out to Elliott, who went to her and climbed into her lap. “Oh, this takes me back.” Mary rested her chin on Elliott’s head. “I miss the times when you boys were small enough to climb onto my lap.”
“Although, she does not miss the time when all six of our sons thought they could sit on her lap at once,” said an older man whose eyes crinkled at the corners as he smiled, reminding her of Levi. “I’m Waylan, by the way.”
“Hi, Waylan,” Rosie said as she reached Levi’s family, who had swelled in numbers as they gathered in the corner of the bar area.
“And I am Dougray,” a younger man, perhaps in his mid-forties, with a close resemblance to Levi and Ezra, nodded at her.
“I’m Klein. Good to finally meet you, Rosie,” another of what she guessed was Levi’s brothers said.
“And you’ve already met me,” Henry said with a mischievous wink. This was met by a stern stare from Levi as he guessed who the storyteller was. Teasing his brother seemed to bring Henry a wicked sense of joy.
“It’s good to meet you all,” Rosie said, overwhelmed by the greeting. They seemed to genuinely welcome her, making her feel instantly at ease.
Mary’s arms tightened around Elliott, who was already nodding off, lulled by her gentle rocking. “Will you come to dinner tomorrow night? It’ll give us all a chance to get to know one another,” she said softly to Rosie, her eyes kind.
“Oh, I don’t want to impose,” Rosie began.
“Nonsense,” Waylan interjected with a laugh that echoed through the bar area. “Mary makes enough food to feed a small army. Two more plates won’t make a difference.”
“Oh, having Rosie and Elliot to dinner will make all the difference,” Mary said quietly so as not to wake Elliott. “You’d be doing me a favor, there is only so much men talk I can take.” Her smile told Rosie she was only joking, but it also helped put her at ease.
“Well, if you’re sure,” she said hesitantly.
“Please, say yes,” Camille chimed in. “Ezra and I will be there. It would be fun to catch up.”
“Why don’t you come up before dinner and I can take you on a tour of the ranch?” Levi suggested.
“Yes, please,” Elliott muttered, even though he appeared to be snoozing.
“That’s settled then,” Mary said, as she stroked Elliott’s hair back from his forehead. “Now, why don’t you two go and have a dance while I keep a watch over this little man?”
“I should get him home,” Rosie began, glancing at Elliott’s small, sleepy body nestled comfortably in Mary’s arms.
“He’s in expert hands,” Waylan told her gently. “You deserve to have a bit of fun.”
“One dance?” Levi asked hopefully.
“One dance,” she agreed, but as she slid her hand into his and he guided her toward the dance floor, she wasn’t sure one dance with Levi would ever be enough.
As the music struck up a country ballad, he pulled her close, his hand warm as he rested it on the small of her back. Rosie felt a spark, an undeniable connection that made her heart beat faster as his thumb made lazy, soothing circles that sent shivers down her spine.
If this was how his touch made her feel through fabric, what would it do to her if she were naked? She closed her eyes and instinctively pressed closer to him. He tightened his hold on her and whispered softly in her ear, a low rumble that sent another shiver through her. “It feels good to hold you like this.”
Rosie’s breath caught in her throat at his words, feeling the sincerity and yearning behind them. A sincerity and yearning matched by her own, though she had tried hard to quash them. She opened her eyes and looked up at him, finding those earnest eyes fixed on her with an intensity that made her both nervous and exhilarated.
What was she supposed to tell him? That it felt good to her, too? That she never wanted this moment to end?
Instead, she leaned on his shoulder, resting her head on his chest, and let the warmth of his arms and the strum of the guitar sweep her away to another place. A place where worries melted away, and the past was a distant memory not worth dwelling upon. She let herself be carried by the music, feeling every note resonate through Levi’s chest beneath her cheek.
Her breath synced with his, rising and falling in a slow, comforting rhythm. It felt so natural, so right.
But as the song came to an end, she knew she had to resist. She’d simply been swept away by the magical evening. It had been perfect, but it was an illusion. As soon as the music stopped and the bright lights came on, that illusion would slip away, and reality would come closing in.
And with it would come a feeling of disappointment, as if waking from a beautiful dream only to face the cold light of day. She’d faced that cold light of day before.
It had so nearly led to darkness. A sense of overwhelm, as if life were spiraling out of her control. She’d fought against it then and won, but it had cost her so much energy. Energy she had not regained yet.
She had to protect herself. Because no one else would.
So, she pulled back from Levi’s arms. It was time to get her son to bed. She saw a flicker of disappointment in his eyes, but also understanding.
“Thank you, Levi,” Rosie whispered, placing a hand on his chest. “This has been a wonderful evening.”
“It has,” he agreed, his eyes fixed on her face. “But like Cinderella, you have to go home from the ball.”
She chuckled and leaned into him again, not wanting to break the contact between them. Damn, if she had to pick a man, she would pick Levi in a heartbeat. Not only was he strong and dependable, but he had a sense of humor, too. One that did not take cheap shots at other people to make her laugh.
“I promise not to leave my shoe,” she said in return.
“Pity, I would like an excuse to come over to your cabin to see if it fits.” He locked eyes with her, and she licked her lips, wishing that he would kiss her.
But what then? What would happen if they kissed?
She stepped away, not wanting to risk finding out.
Goodness! Being with Terry had turned her into a coward, too scared to take a chance.
What could be the harm of one kiss? She’d kissed plenty of men in her life.
But Levi felt different. That one kiss would mean something. And she was not sure what.
“Do you want me to pick you up tomorrow?” Levi asked as she finally stepped away from him, choosing safety.
“Tomorrow?”
“Have you forgotten our date already?” He chuckled as he guided her through the other couples toward his family, who all suddenly looked in opposite directions as if they had been caught spying.
“Date?” she asked.
“Dinner and a tour of the ranch,” he reminded her.
“Oh, of course. No, I can drive.” She nodded as heat colored her cheeks at the thought of being in close proximity to Levi. Sitting beside him, their thighs touching…
“I’ll text you the directions.” He stopped before they reached his family and Elliott, who looked as if he were fast asleep. Rosie looked up at him as his eyes caressed her face, as if trying to commit it to memory.
“I really should get Elliott to bed,” she whispered as her eyes lingered on his lips and she willed him to kiss her.
“I wanted to say…” He paused, his hand on her back, holding her there. Not that she had any intention of going anywhere. Ever.
It was as if he put a spell on her. One that was almost impossible to deny.
“That I’m really looking forward to showing you around the ranch tomorrow. And I know how much my mom is looking forward to dinner. My dad wasn’t joking when he said that my mom always makes her famous pot roast for special guests.”
“Special guests.” Rosie smiled at the thought of being considered a special guest in their home.
“And Mom wasn’t joking when she said she craves more female company,” Levi added.
“Oh, I understand completely,” Rosie said. “Since I often crave adult company. I mean, I meet lots of adults at work, but not so much outside of work. The one thing I have learned after my divorce is that a five-year-old doesn’t offer much in the way of nuanced conversation,” she finished with a light laugh, her eyes glancing toward Elliott.
Levi’s hand reluctantly slipped from her back as he nodded. “I get that. Although, my family’s conversation is not all that nuanced. It mostly revolves around the weather, the horses, and the price of feed.”
She gave Levi a small, appreciative smile. “You’re a close-knit family.”
“We are,” Levi said and the look he gave her made her believe she was part of that family.