Chapter 24
CHAPTER 24
R achel had changed three times before deciding what to wear when she had lunch with Levi. Her bed was piled with discarded clothes that looked good in the classroom, but not on a date. Because of the warm weather, she opted for a print skirt, a cap-sleeve top and a loose-fitting blazer.
Now what to do with her hair? Staring at her reflection, she decided not to straighten it. God had blessed her with easy care hair. Why make it complicated? The curls would be back by the end of the date anyway.
Pushing her fingers through her hair, she fluffed her curls, then turned from the mirror. Her hair was her hair. Levi probably wouldn’t notice how she wore it.
A knock sounded at her door. Her pulse skyrocketed.
Every time she’d been with Levi, someone had been with them. Lately, Madeline had been with them. Except for the one day when she and Levi had been caught in the rain shower and he’d walked her home from school, they’d never been alone. She couldn’t believe she still remembered that day, but she remembered every detail.
Taking a breath, she opened the door to the man who still made her heart flutter. He looked casual but sleek in a shirt, jacket and tan pants. Seeing him made her take another quick breath. He was well-built, strong and very male.
She couldn’t believe how high school she was, but her feelings for Levi would never change.
“You look nice.” His mouth spread into a slow smile. He didn’t look her over. His gaze locked onto hers.
“So you do.” Somehow she managed to stifle a nervous laugh. Never had Levi made her anxious. He was the boy next door, though he lived in the country. “Let me get my purse.”
He nodded and waited. She turned away, wishing her heart didn’t pound so hard. How many years had she dreamed of going on a date with Levi? She thanked God for giving her this desire. What happened next was His plan.
“You said we were going to that new place near the amphitheater,” she said as she stepped from her apartment and locked the door. “I’ve never been, but some of the teachers at school have been and said the food is delicious.”
“I haven’t been there either, but I’ve heard the same thing. Aaron took a date there the other night and said the food was great but not as good as Mom’s.” His eyes danced.
“Nothing is as good as your mom’s cooking.” She laughed. “I didn’t realize Aaron was dating anyone.”
“Was being the operative word,” he said dryly.”
“Oh.” She released a slow breath. Though she’d never been attracted to Levi’s older brother, he was a nice guy who did remote design work while helping at the ranch.
“I thought we’d try this place until I can take you to a San Francisco restaurant.” His smile seemed to hold more than she could allow for her heart to hope.
“I’ve never been there, though I’ve heard great things about the food.” She couldn’t imagine traveling to San Francisco. For now, she was glad to be in Sweet Mountain.
Levi guided his truck easily along the winding road so typical of the Colorado mountains. He talked casually about the ranch, the horses, his father, but not his company, which had to consume him. He’d made national news with his company’s latest launch, yet here he was going on a date with a local girl and driving a truck.
What did he drive in San Francisco? He probably didn’t drive. He probably had a driver.
When they arrived at the restaurant, a gentle rain fell. He parked the truck beneath the porte cochère and handed the keys to a valet while another valet helped Rachel from the truck.
He took her to lunch at a restaurant with a valet! Even her prom date hadn’t done that. She was bursting to tell her mother about the date, but maybe she should wait. Though she and her mother rarely talked about Levi, her mother knew how she felt about that McSweeney boy. Mothers were like that. She hadn’t even told her mother that she’d tutored Madeline. She wanted to cherish every moment she spent with Levi, not talk about them.
Inside, the hostess seated them at a window with a view of the plains that stretched toward Denver. No other tables surrounded them making her wonder if that was at his request. He had the power and the money to request privacy. Looking at him, he still seemed like the small-town boy she’d known all her life. No one would suspect the powerhouse brain that churned behind those handsome features that made her stomach drop.
“Aaron said the bison steak is good.” Levi glanced at the menu.
“Then that’s what I’ll have.” She set the menu aside. She was having trouble focusing. She knew they wouldn’t just discuss the ranch and Madeline.
“Would you like an appetizer?” He lifted a brow.
“No, thanks.” She’d never have room for lunch if she ate anything else.
A moment of silence passed between them. She could tell something consumed him.
“Levi.” She couldn’t stand it any longer.
“Rachel,” he said her name at the same time. His face came up. For a moment, they stared at each other, then they both laughed.
She wouldn’t say anything else. She wanted him to talk.
“My legal team has been talking to investment banks.” He hesitated, then looked straight at her. “About taking the company public.”
She wasn’t sure why he confided in her. That he would consider releasing control of his company was shocking. Jonathan had said Levi was involved in every aspect of the business, but it had grown so much over the years, maybe he needed a break or help or whatever corporate executives needed at a company like his.
He laughed dryly. She hadn’t concealed her surprise.
“I’m as surprised as you are.” He continued to look at her.
“Why?” she asked. “And why now? It’s no secret investment bankers have been clamoring to own a piece of your company.”
“I’ve done what I set out to do—change the tech industry.” He looked out the window, then back at her. “Now that I have Madeline, my perspective has changed. Her parents, Ray and Arlene, entrusted her to my care. Though they’ll never know, she was the gift that added to my life more than any technology. You have to know what I mean. I see you teaching the kids in class and in gymnastics. There’s pure joy in your face when you’re helping them. When you worked with Madeline on her writing, your face came to life. Not that your face isn’t animated at other times.” He grinned sheepishly. “But I can see you were created to help children learn.”
“I didn’t know anyone could see that.” She blinked twice. Apparently, she’d been more transparent than she realized.
The server delivered their meals, and they quieted. Rachel’s mind was so full with everything Levi was saying, she couldn’t think about eating despite the beautiful presentation of the entrée.
“I didn’t just want to have lunch with you to talk about Madeline and especially not my company.” He pushed his plate away and stared straight into her eyes.
She couldn’t eat another bite. If he said the word, she’d give him her heart.
“I’m growing fond of you, Rachel.” He shook his head. “It’s more than that. I’m falling in love with you.” His shoulders lowered as if draining tension. “That still isn’t right. I’ve been in love with you for a while. ”
“You never said … anything.” She stared in stunned surprise.
“No, I have no excuse. At first, it seemed awkward to have feelings for you because Jonathan was my best friend,” he said. Her body responded to the huskiness of his voice. “When I left for college, you were never far from my mind. Whenever I heard you were dating someone, I thought that was a sign for me to move on.”
“All I did was date.” She blushed and lowered her face, then looked at him again despite the heat in her cheeks.
“And so?” His voice was calm, his eyes intense.
“I knew I wanted to marry and have a family, but not with just anyone.” She looked into his eyes. “I was waiting for you, even though I was never sure we’d be together.”
“Is it too late?” he asked.
Never had she seen him look more unsure.
“No.” Her emotions running high, she wouldn’t try to make her voice sound normal. “A year from now. Ten years from now. Fifty years from now. It would never be too late. I’ve loved you for as long as I can remember.”
There. She had said it. She’d told him she loved him. The release filled her with joy—and apprehension. He had said he loved her. The admission had filled her with confusing emotions. The words she’d prayed to hear but never expected flowed from his lips. A flood of relief surrounded her. She’d confessed what she felt. She wouldn’t think about his feelings for her.
With each word she spoke, he looked stunned, then relieved.
She thanked God she hadn’t settled for another man. The urge to be with someone and start a family hadn’t been there. The desire of her heart was to be with Levi. God had given her that desire.
“I’m so lucky.” He wrapped his hand around hers.
The touch brought her mind out of the moment, and she glanced at her watch. “The diner,” she gasped. “My shift starts at three.”
“We’ll get back in time,” he said, resigned. He released her hand.
The server approached them and glanced at their barely touched meals.
“Was everything all right?” His gaze flicked from Levi to Rachel .
“It was fine … better than fine.” Levi withdrew his wallet. “We’re ready for the check.”
Frowning slightly, the server nodded, picked up their plates, then withdrew.
They said little on the way home, though twice Levi tried to start a conversation.
“My mind is too full.” She looked at him hoping to alleviate the frown pressing between his brows.
He nodded. Silence fell over them for the rest of the drive. When they reached her apartment building, he was out and opening her door before she reached for the handle.
“If you want, I’ll wait and drive you to the diner,” he said. “I’m not ready to leave you yet.”
“I feel the same way, but I’ll need to drive back,” she said.
“I’ll do that, too,” he said. “When does your shift end?”
“At nine. Do you want to come up?”
“I’ll wait here.”
She nodded and dashed upstairs. As she threw her clothes on the pile that cluttered her bed and pulled on the requisite black t-shirt and jeans, she couldn’t ignore the pounding in her chest. She’d spent her life knowing she’d never be with Levi.
Cold sweat beaded on her forehead. Was she watching the perfect unfolding of God’s plan for her life … and for Levi’s? Whatever was in store, she would trust Him.