Chapter Five – Emeline
Emeline
My heart pounded in my chest as I walked out of the café. I drew in a deep breath of fresh air and closed my eyes, willing it to settle down.
Had I imagined that Levi appeared to want to kiss me? In the middle of the freaking café?
Yes, you did imagine it, Emeline Wilde.
I opened my eyes and glanced behind me. Levi had stopped at a table, talking to whoever was sitting there.
I hadn’t even paid attention to who was in the café.
I was too busy trying not to let my emotions show around Levi.
The man I’d been crushing on since I’d first learned boys didn’t have cooties had actually been sitting directly across from me eating lunch.
I started to pace back and forth in front of the café.
Why did I say date? What if someone heard me? Was that why Levi had been stopped? Were they asking him if we’re…dating?
“Oh God, The Daily Dirt,” I whispered.
I leaned against the building and looked up. “If only there was a time machine so I could take it back.”
“What a curious thing to say!”
The sudden voice from beside me didn’t make me feel any better.
Janet Miller. She owned Main Street Gifts…
and was also the writer of The Daily Dirt, the gossip column in our local newspaper.
The column’s motto was, ‘We dig up the dirt so you don’t have to.
’ And Janet was good at digging up dirt.
She pretended she wasn’t the anonymous columnist, but everyone in town knew she was.
To give credit where credit was due, not all of the articles in The Daily Dirt were gossip…
just the vast majority. I also had a sneaking suspicion that Janet’s daughter, Grace, was behind some of the articles.
Especially the ones geared toward my family.
My mother said Grace had a thing for my father back in high school, and to this day she blames my mom for stealing him away from her.
Even though Dad insisted he never once dated Grace—and he didn’t meet Mom until they were juniors in college.
“Janet! Hi, how are you?” I asked with a sugary-sweet smile.
“I’m doing well, little Emeline.”
I wanted to roll my eyes. The woman was forever calling me little Emeline. I was twenty-five years old, for goodness’ sake.
“That’s good to hear.”
Trying not to let her see where my gaze went, I stole a glance into the café. Now would not be a good time for Levi to exit.
He glanced up at that exact moment and held up a finger, silently telling me he’d be right out.
No. No. No! Stay in there, Levi!
“What were you saying about a time machine?” Janet asked.
Acting as if I had no idea what she meant, I replied, “A time machine?”
“Yes, you said if only there was a time machine?”
I frowned. “Are you sure it was me?”
Janet looked around. Various locals were walking by, and she frowned. “I don’t recall anyone being near you, but it could have been someone else, I suppose.”
“I’d love to stay and chat, but I don’t want to keep you.”
Janet smiled. “I’m just heading into the café to grab lunch.”
“Lunch…”
“Yes, have you eaten yet? You can join me if you’d like.”
“In the café? You’re going into the café? Right now?”
When her brows slowly drew down, I knew I’d made a fatal error by showering her with all my crazy talk.
Shit. Shit. Shit, Emeline. What is wrong with you?
The door to the café opened, and Levi stepped out. He placed his black cowboy hat on his head as he said, “Sorry about that. I got stopped by one of my father’s friends, and let’s just say he was lobbing questions about you and me left and right.”
I shook my head, feeling slightly panicked. He clearly hadn’t even noticed Janet.
“Levi Tucker? Is that you?”
Levi’s head snapped to the left, and I watched as all the color drained from his face. “Mrs. Miller, how nice it is to see you!”
She gave him a quick hug, then looked between us—and boy, did she get right to the point. “Are you two a thing? Is your divorce final?”
“No!” we both said at the same time.
“It was a working lunch,” I added. “Levi’s going to be volunteering at the ranch for our summer camps, and we also discussed his son, Rhett, attending camp.”
Janet completely ignored me as she focused solely on Levi. “I heard about you and Caroline. I’m so sorry.”
How in the hell had she heard about the divorce?
He forced a smile. “No need to be sorry.”
Janet leaned in. “I heard she gave up custody of your little boy. Is that true? Such a shame. I hope that isn’t why you two are divorcing.”
“The reasons are no one’s business,” Levi replied bluntly.
“No, of course not. My heart breaks for you three, and I say a prayer for you every night. I’m sure your little one is looking down on you all, though. I’m also sure your mother and father are so happy to have you home.”
Clearing his throat, he said, “Yes, they are.”
She reached out and placed a hand on his arm. “All the girls in town will be clambering to get your attention.” Then she looked at me.
I held up my hands. “Not this girl.”
Janet looked between us. “Well, of course not. Levi is so much older than you, little Emeline. There are plenty of single girls in town who’ll be ready to go when you are, Levi.”
I was two seconds from informing Janet Miller that I was a grown woman when she said, “My granddaughter, Logan, is the vet tech at your father’s clinic. She’s single, and I think she’s close to your age. Have you met her yet?”
My mouth dropped open before I quickly shut it. Was she serious right now?
“No, I haven’t been by the clinic yet, but it’s on my list of things to do this week. I’m sure I’ll meet her then.”
“I think you’re going to just adore her. She was crowned Miss Rodeo two years in a row.”
Levi looked at me and smiled. “You still hold the record of four years winning, then?”
“Five. I won the year after I graduated.” It was childish of me to correct him, but I was irritated and didn’t care at this point.
Janet cleared her throat. “Yes, well, things changed so much after my Logan won. Made it easier for girls to win multiple times.”
My arms folded over my chest. “She won after me,” I corrected. “And isn’t she twenty? That’s not close to Levi’s thirty-two, by any means. I’m closer in age to him than she is.”
Janet waved me off. “Yes, but she acts older than her age, and I didn’t realize you were in your thirties, Levi,” she said as she playfully slapped his arm. “You don’t look a day over twenty-five!”
Levi forced a smile. “Thank you for that, Mrs. Miller.”
“We should probably get to that other meeting,” I said to Levi, with another sugary smile in Janet’s direction.
“Oh, you two are busy with the meetings, then.” Janet winked.
Levi tipped his hat. “It was a pleasure seeing you, Mrs. Miller.”
“Have a good day!”
I watched her enter the café. Levi motioned for me to lead the way, and as soon as we were out of view of the restaurant. I stopped and looked at him.
“She’s going to write about this, you just watch and see! And she’ll say something shitty about me, and how you’re the perfect match for her precious little Logan.”
Levi stared at me, his brows drawn together.
“Why are you frowning at me?”
“It’s just gossip, Em. Everyone will know that. And do you not like Logan?”
I sighed and started walking again. “I’m sorry. I just get so jumpy around that woman. She’s forever writing about my family, I swear. And as far as Logan goes, I don’t know her that well. I’m just leery around Janet.”
“It’ll be fine.”
Glancing at him, I said, “You’ve been gone a long time. You haven’t had to deal with the gossip, so it’s easy for you to say that. Lord knows what that woman’s going to write.”
“I think you’re worried for nothing. She wouldn’t write about me, not with the year I’ve had.”
I raised a brow. “You say that now.”
He rolled his eyes. “So, where’s the perfume store?”
The other reason I was in a foul mood: Levi wanted to see Lilibeth again. Pointing to the sign, I replied, “Right there. Wonderland Whimsy.”
We walked the few remaining yards to the store. I pushed open the door and smiled when I walked in. The place was adorable and full of Lilibeth’s personality, so it was easy for my mood to lift.
“Wow, the smell really hits ya,” Levi said as he shut the door behind me.
“Hi! Welcome to Wonderland Whimsy. Did you have an appointment for the perfumery?”
When I turned around, I drew in a sharp breath. “Moreen?”
My best friend from high school smiled back at me. “I didn’t even see that it was you, Emeline!”
Confused, I asked, “What are you doing here?”
Moreen walked around the counter and gave me a quick hug. “Lilibeth hired me to help out at the shop. It’s been a nice change, I’ve got to tell you that.”
Moreen had been working for her mother’s catering business, mainly as a waitress, but also helping with the cooking. She’d attended culinary school and hoped to open a bakery in town, but had yet to do so.
She looked past me and her eyes widened in surprise. “Levi?”
He reached out a hand. “Hey, Moreen, it’s good to see you.”
Absently taking his outstretched hand, she shook it. “Are you visiting?”
“No, I’ve moved back to River Falls with my son.”
A shocked expression transformed her face. “Moved back for good?”
Nodding, he replied, “Yep, for good.”
“I didn’t think Caroline wanted to live in River Falls.”
He gave her a soft smile. “We’re getting divorced.”
“Oh,” Moreen said. “Gosh, I’m so sorry to hear that. I hope you got my family’s card and flowers.”
With a nod, he stated, “We did. It meant a lot to us, thank you.”
When her eyes snapped back to me, I said, “My mother talked Levi into volunteering during the camps, talking to the kids about his job being a vet and taking care of animals.”
“Did she? Wow, well, the kids will love that. I usually help Emeline out during the summer camps, but I’m going to be manning the shop here while Lilibeth also volunteers with classes for the kids.”
“When were you going to tell me about the job change?” I asked.