Chapter 5
CHAPTER 5
R achel’s heart pounded as she drove down the McSweeney driveway to the county road. She pressed three fingers to her lips and swallowed.
Growing up, she’d been infatuated with Levi McSweeney. Those feelings hadn’t faded. It disappointed her that they were stronger than ever.
He wasn’t just handsome, he was nice. The affection his eyes held for Madeline was heartwarming. She still didn’t understand his relationship with the little girl, who didn’t call him daddy. She hadn’t called him anything. That she referred to Naomi and Felix as Grandma Naomi and Grandpa Felix made her wonder if that was to avoid confusion with her mother’s parents.
And who was her mother? Had she left? Was she still alive? No one referred to her throughout the evening.
She didn’t want to pry, but she wanted to know. She could call one of her high school friends, but that would spark curiosity at her interest in Levi. She’d give it time. Someone would tell her why Levi was raising Madeline alone. She would feel more comfortable if that news came from Levi, but he’d never been one to discuss his personal life .
At her apartment, she climbed the stairs and stepped into the quiet place so different from the conversation and activity at Sweet Mountain Ranch. That place buzzed—mainly because of Madeline. She was a ball of energy, which made Rachel like her more.
Rachel wanted to talk to someone. That was the trouble with living alone. There was no one to talk to. When she lived in Columbus, she had two roommates. Someone was always coming or going. Glancing at the clock, she saw it was too late to call her parents.
Pulling her phone from her purse, she glanced at the screen. Her mother had called her twice. It was past midnight in Florida. She’d have to wait until morning to return the call.
She pressed the voicemail icon.
“Hi, honey,” came her mother’s voice, which always filled Rachel with emotion. “We just wanted to see how you’re doing, and if you like living in Sweet Mountain. We talked to Jonathan, and he’s doing fine. We’re always up late so give us a call.”
Rachel’s finger hesitated over the phone pad. Should she call?
Her phone rang. Her parents’ phone number appeared on the screen.
“Hello?” She heaved a sigh of relief.
“Hi, honey.” Her mother’s voice was warm and comforting, and made Rachel close her eyes. She’d left home ten years ago, but she always loved talking to her parents.
“Hi, honey.” Her father’s deep voice joined her mother’s.
“Hi, I just listened to your message.” Rachel couldn’t control the excitement in her voice, and she didn’t want to. “I was going to call you in the morning.”
“I had to give you one last call,” her mother said.
“I’m so glad you did,” Rachel said.
“Did you go out for the evening?” Her mother always got straight to the point.
“In a way.” She released a soft laugh. “The McSweeneys invited me for dinner.”
“Isn’t that nice,” her mother said. “And what did Naomi serve you for dinner? ”
Rachel talked about the evening but didn’t mention Madeline or Levi. If her parents knew he was back in town and raising a little girl, they didn’t mention it. They talked for half an hour before her father said it was time to say good night. Her mother sounded disappointed. Rachel felt the same way.
“I’ll call you tomorrow evening early so we can talk longer,” Rachel said. After saying good night, which took a few more minutes as her mother thought of more things to tell her, they hung up.
Rachel changed for bed, but the apartment’s quiet closed in around her. She couldn’t sleep, so she lifted her Bible from the nightstand and opened it to the Book of Psalms.
At five minutes to four the next afternoon, Rachel was breathless after climbing the stairs while carrying three bags of groceries. She rushed into her apartment, set the bags on the counter. While she dug through her purse for her phone, it began to ring.
“Hello?” She pressed the phone to her ear.
“Rachel? It’s Madeline and Levi.” The gentle huskiness of his voice made her breath still. “Is this a good time?”
“It’s perfect!” She inhaled slowly. “How are you two doing?”
“Hi, Miss Rachel. We’re fine. How are you?” Madeline’s voice was soft and sweet.
“Great!” Rachel took another breath.
“You sound breathless.” Concern filled Levi’s tone.
“I just stepped into the apartment. Climbing the stairs can do that to me.” She pressed her hand to her heart, not sure if it hammered because she ran up the stairs, or was it from hearing Levi’s voice? Even through the phone, he sounded handsome.
“We called to set up a time to get together with you,” Levi said.
“We want to ask you to the church festival,” Madeline blurted out.
“That sounds fun.” Rachel had seen the announcement in the bulletin. Because she had grown up in Sweet Mountain, she knew it was an event that everyone looked forward to. “I’d love to go with you.”
“It lasts all day Saturday, but we wouldn’t stay the entire day.” Madeline sounded as if she’d been coached on how long they’d be at the festival.
“Anytime at all would be fine,” Rachel said. “Just let me know when.”
“We can pick you up at five,” Levi said. “They’ll serve a barbeque if you don’t mind Sloppy Joe’s. Otherwise, we can go out to eat. Your choice.”
This was starting to sound like a date, but Madeline was the one who had invited her, not Levi, even though he had placed the call.
“Dinner at the festival would be wonderful. Sloppy Joe’s are my favorite. They have such a fun name.” She had always loved the meals served at the church.
“Good,” Levi said. “We’ll see you at five. Text me your address and we’ll pick you up. And we have another invitation to extend to you. Mom wanted to make sure you knew you were welcome to come for Sunday dinner the next day if you can stand another day with the McSweeneys.”
His mother and not Levi had invited her, but it was her house. She should extend the invitation.
“Let me think,” she teased and set her mouth in a thoughtful twist even though Levi and Madeline couldn’t see her. “Yes, of course, I’d love to come. Let me know what I can bring.”
“Just yourself,” Levi said quickly. “We look forward to having you.”
Rachel’s phone flashed, and she glanced at the screen. It was a call from the county school system, which made her heart leap. She’d filled out an application and had had an interview to substitute teach. She hadn’t expected to hear from them so soon.
“I’m so sorry to cut this short, but there’s a call I have to take.” She liked talking to Levi. She liked hearing his voice.
“By all means. We’ll see you Saturday,” Levi said.
“Goodbye, Miss Rachel.” Madeline’s voice vibrated, making Rachel wonder if she were waving .
“Goodbye, sweetheart, see you Saturday.” With a sigh, Rachel disconnected the call and connected to the call from the school system.
“I’m so glad I caught you,” came the harried voice of Mrs. Young, the administrator’s assistant. “One of our teachers had an emergency and we need a substitute to fill in until she returns.”
“I’m happy to help.” Rachel sat a little straighter as if Mrs. Young could see her. “Which class needs the substitute?”
“It’s one of our first-grade classes,” Mrs. Young said. “As we mentioned during your initial interview, the teachers team teach so you wouldn’t be alone.”
Which would be reassuring for the school because they hadn’t observed her in the classroom. No matter what the situation, she was excited to teach first grade. Six-year-olds were eager to explore the world around them. The opportunity to guide them was fulfilling.
Would Madeline be in her class? If not, she would be part of the team teaching her class, which would be fun.
“I can start anytime,” Rachel said. “Just let me know when.”
“I know this is short notice, but can you start tomorrow morning? We’d like you to take over Mrs. Campbell’s class. She has time to come in before school starts and review the lesson plans with you. Can you meet her in her classroom at eight o’clock? She’s in room number fourteen,” Mrs. Young said.
“I’ll be there at eight tomorrow morning.” Rachel could barely control her excitement.
When she ended the call, she leaned back in her chair.
Is this the door opening, Lord?
When the door closed at her school in Columbus, she and the other teachers had been devastated. Soon the reassurance came to her that God was in control. It was the spiritual lesson she needed—trust God.
In her heart, she felt peace.
Even if there was no future for her with Levi, she had his friendship. He had been a good friend growing up. She would settle for that .
There would never be anyone else. She could only see herself with Levi McSweeney. As long as they remained friends, she’d be satisfied. Madeline was an adorable little girl. She looked forward to watching her grow under Levi’s guidance.
What if Levi returned to San Francisco?
She tried to ease the tension out of her body. She was trusting God. She would keep her eyes on Him.