Chapter 7
CHAPTER 7
R achel’s heart was pounding when she stepped into her apartment. Growing up, she would have done anything to get a second glance from Levi. Was he interested in her now, or was he being a nice guy?
She was afraid to hope. He hadn’t made a pass, but that had never been his style. He was straightforward and upfront.
Having Levi interested in her was her dream come true—at least Levi seemed interested in her now—but she couldn’t entertain that childish wish. She had to maintain a professional relationship with her students and their families. She wanted to be considered for a teaching position at Sweet Mountain Elementary.
How could the timing of his interest in her be more inconvenient? She squeezed her eyes tight. She wouldn’t dare be ungrateful. A teaching position was her dream come true.
Two dreams coming true—a teaching position at Sweet Mountain Elementary School and Levi McSweeney, the heartthrob of Sweet Mountain High School, interested in her.
She prayed that Mrs. Campbell would return to the school soon, but what about continuing as a substitute teacher? Dating Levi could prove detrimental to that goal .
Why was she worrying about that? Levi hadn’t asked her out … yet … unless she considered their attending the fall festival together a date. But Madeline had asked her, not Levi.
And what about her having dinner with his family? Granted, he had a big family—any member of the family could invite her. Mrs. McSweeney had invited her. Someone would have noticed she’d been at the Sweet Mountain Ranch last Sunday. That could spark all sorts of speculation. People talked. And not just in small towns. Rumors at her school in Columbus, Ohio, spread like wildfire. Thankfully, she had avoided being the topic of conversation.
Here, she may not be so lucky.
I need Your wisdom, Lord.
But the answer to that prayer was obvious. She knew the right thing to do. She’d start by canceling her date to the fall festival with Levi and Madeline.
Her heart ached knowing she couldn’t enjoy the afternoon with them. She adored that precious little girl with her bright eyes and sparkling personality. She’d had a tough life. By the grace of God, she’d persevered.
She glanced at the clock. She couldn’t call Levi now. He’d still be driving back to the ranch and would have to put the call on speakerphone. Madeline was a smart girl. She’d know something had changed. She had been excited to invite Rachel to the festival. Rachel hated to disappoint her, but she couldn’t make a decision that would interfere with her reason for coming to Sweet Mountain. She was there to teach. She believed her moving back to town was God’s plan.
Until she could talk to Levi, she had to do something to get her mind off the call she had to make. The agony of waiting would drive her crazy, but she would do what was right. Levi would understand. He wouldn’t date one of his employees—not that he had indicated he wanted to date her. Because she was Jonathan’s sister? Maybe there were other reasons, but that seemed to be the obvious choice.
Slipping out of her slacks and blouse, she pulled on a pair of jeans and a fleece top that felt comfortable after spending the day on her feet. In the kitchen, she spied the leftover pot roast and vegetables Mrs. McSweeney had insisted she take home with her last night. She heated the dinner and sat at the kitchen dinette set. She didn’t have much of an appetite, but eating would give her something to do and hopefully take her mind off the call she’d have to make.
When would be a good time to call? Maybe later this evening after the family had eaten dinner and Madeline would be in bed.
What time would that be?
She pressed her lips together. No more excuses. She had to make the call.
Staring at her phone, she picked at her dinner while staring at the weather app, an online boutique—if the school gave her a teaching position, she’d need more work clothes—and the local bookstore website. She jotted down the titles of books she’d buy the next time she visited the shop.
Absently, she lifted a bite-size piece of potato to her mouth. She grimaced at the cold mush in her mouth and reluctantly swallowed. What had tasted delicious Sunday night when she was surrounded by Levi and his animated family, now tasted bland.
She had no appetite. With a sigh, she dumped the rest of her dinner into the trash, then glanced at the clock. She’d procrastinated long enough. Her heart sank. It was time to call Levi.
Sitting at the dinette table, she pressed the speed dial and lifted the phone to her ear.
“Rachel?” Levi’s deep voice made her close her eyes and wish she’d called for a different reason.
“Hi, Levi.” She grimaced at the strain in her voice. “I hope I’m not interrupting.”
“Not at all.” There was a lightness in his voice.
Calling him had been a mistake. She pressed a fist to her mouth. No, it was right.
She shook her head. She was so confused.
“We just cleaned the kitchen and are getting ready to play a game,” he said, but she sensed a change in his tone. “Is everything all right?”
“Everything’s fine,” she said quickly. “But I do need to tell you about a change in plans for this weekend. It has to do with my attending the fall festival with you and Madeline.”
“You’re not attending.” The disappointment in his tone made her exhale slowly.
“I think it’s better if I don’t go with you and Madeline.” She spoke so softly. She hoped he heard her. She didn’t want to repeat herself. “And I don’t think I should have dinner with your family after church Sunday.”
“Because you’re working at Sweet Mountain Elementary and will be Madeline’s teacher for the next few days … maybe longer,” he said.
“I’m sorry, Levi,” she said. The softness in his voice made her feel bleak inside. “It isn’t that I don’t want to go with you and Madeline. When you first invited me, I had looked forward to spending the afternoon with you, but now that the school has hired me as a substitute teacher, and I’m teaching Madeline, I believe if I attend the festival with you, it presents the wrong image. I haven’t read the school’s policies yet, but it’s a written rule that teachers not have personal relationships with their students or their families.”
“That’s understandable,” Levi said gently. “I’m sorry I left the decision to you. I should have discussed this with you before letting Madeline invite you to go to the fall festival with us.”
“It’s fine.” She wouldn’t let him take full responsibility. “We’re both adults. Madeline is still learning.”
“She is,” he said, a gentle huskiness in his voice.
“I can speak to Madeline tomorrow,” she said. She didn’t want Levi to disappoint her because of her decision.
“I’ll tell her tonight. As her guardian, it’s up to me to guide her through these disappointments,” he said.
Her heart stilled. He had explained why he had custody of Madeline, but Rachel still had questions. Had his friends wanted him to raise Madeline because he was married? That made more sense than asking a single man to raise her.
Was there a Mrs. Levi McSweeney? She dragged in air. Maybe not now, but had there ever been? She couldn’t ask. His relationships were none of her business. She’d let him decide if she should know more .
“Unfortunately, it’s one of the lessons we all learn. She’s made great strides in overcoming other challenges. She knows there will be disappointments in life. It’s up to me to guide her,” he continued.
A muscle tightened in Rachel’s jaw. She wished she could protect that precious little girl from disappointments, but they were part of growing up. They were necessary to strengthen people. Something better learned as a child than as an adult.
“If you want me to talk to her, I will.” Her heart beat dully. She didn’t want Madeline to take her decision personally.
“That won’t be necessary.” He gave a dry laugh. “I’m learning a lot about raising a child. If anything, it’s reminding me to turn to God for guidance. There’s no limit on increasing our faith and trust in Him.”
“I agree,” she said, letting his wise words sink in. This was the opportunity she should take to grow more in her faith. “I’ll let you go.” She didn’t want to end the call. She loved hearing his voice. “Please tell Madeline I’m sorry I can’t attend the festival with you and her and that I wish her sweet dreams tonight.”
“I will.” He sounded more relaxed, making her wonder if God’s peace was already at work in him. “Will you attend the festival? I don’t want you to miss it because of us.”
“I’ll attend, so I’m sure I’ll see you and Madeline.” She laughed softly. “Some of the other teachers invited me to go with them. I had told them I’d let them know. Now I’ll tell them I’d be happy to join them.”
“I’ll probably see you before then when I pick up Madeline from school, but we’ll look forward to seeing you at the festival.” He hesitated. “You had offered to help Madeline with her writing.”
“I can still do that if you like.” Her heart picked up speed. She knew techniques that would benefit Madeline’s writing ability, though other teachers would have similar skills. “Several of the teachers tutor students after school if you don’t mind my keeping her after class is dismissed. I won’t keep her too long.”
“I don’t mind,” he said.
“What she needs to learn, I can cover in thirty minutes,” Rachel said. “After a day in class, that should be enough time to work with her but not tire her out. I’ll explain my plan to the principal and let you know if I have her approval. If she prefers I not tutor Madeline, I’ll ask her about alternatives and share those with you. Otherwise, we can start the tutoring sessions tomorrow afternoon. Twice a week should be often enough. I’m sure she’ll catch on after a couple of weeks. If Mrs. Campbell returns before then, I’m happy to continue the sessions. I can come to the ranch.”
“That’s what you wanted to tell me when I first came to pick up Madeline, isn’t it,” he said.
“Yes,” she said, remembering that as kids he’d been intuitive. “I didn’t want to say anything in front of Madeline in case it didn’t work out.”
“I appreciate that,” he said. “I’ll wait to hear from you.”
After she and Levi disconnected the call, Rachel sat at the dinette table for a long time. Despite her disappointment in having to break her date with Levi and Madeline, she was grateful for peace. In the quiet of her apartment, she whispered a prayer, thanking God for His wisdom and guidance.