“That’s an easy one. I learned from my uncle. He owns a little shop that my cousins and I grew up running around in. To keep us out of trouble, he’d have us work on things around the store to keep us busy.” I scoop up another mouthful of soup. “What about you?”
He finishes chewing his bite before he answers. “I took a shop class in high school and was good at it. Working with my hands came naturally to me, so I kept up with it. Spent a couple of years in the program at Rosewood. Then, I worked for a bit in town after I graduated, but I took a job in the city for a couple of years.”
“What’d you do there?” I’m finding myself genuinely curious about the man sitting across from me.
“I worked at a custom furniture place. The owner ran it into the ground, which was a bummer, but I was already wanting to come home at that point. That became the excuse I needed to come back here.” His eyes meet mine; his voice is soft as he says, “I’m glad I did though. I wouldn’t have come across such a beautiful spitfire to keep me on my toes.”
Beautiful? Spitfire? Is this what he thinks of me?
My throat is suddenly dry, and I quickly chug the rest of my water, the ice splashing into my face, causing me to choke. Water spews up my nose and there’s no stopping the harsh coughs that leave my body. Water drenches the front of my shirt as I work to get myself under control.
Levi reaches across the table, placing his hand on my shoulder. “Are you okay?” His voice is gentle and kind as I continue hacking up my lungs. My face flushes red with embarrassment and lack of oxygen, and all I can do is nod while my body seems to expel some kind of demon.
“Goodness, do you guys need some more napkins?” June stops by our table as I continue to cough.
“Yes, please. And some more water.” Levi answers, his hand never leaving my shoulder.
All I can think about is that hand, how warm it is, and the kindness of the man it belongs to. His thumb strokes back and forth along my collar bone and all my awareness shifts to that small caress.
What other kind of caress can he make? And why do I want it?
Finally regaining control, my cough slows just as June returns with the napkins and water. Levi’s hand moves from my shoulder as he grabs a napkin and begins to clean up the wet table. Without his hand on me, I feel deprived of that connection. And I want it.
So much more than I should.
Chapter Six
Levi
After my lunch with Sammie, I couldn’t get her out of my head.
She puts on this tough exterior, but she’s started to open up. The way she would pause, her head tilting while she looked at me, made me think she was wondering how much to share with me. Like she was fighting with herself. She keeps her card close to her chest, but I’m willing to play her game. I’ll wait her out, show her I’m the real deal and get her to open up even more to me.
There had been a moment when I’d wondered if I said too much, been too forward. But then she started choking on her water and all I could think about was comforting her until she calmed down. Something had flashed in her eyes, so quickly that I barely noticed, when my hand was on her shoulder.
A look that I wanted to see again.
The rest of the afternoon we worked on the houses. We’d managed to get them all built and ready for the Rosewood College art department to come up and attach their decorations. It’d been a long afternoon, both of us weary and tired at the end of the day.
Later that night, I check my pockets for my keys, and I get ready for dinner with my family. It’s a weekly tradition for all of us to get together for a meal and now that I’m back in town I’m expected to join. Honestly, I’m not looking forward to it. My aunt will be there, and I know she’s going to hound me with questions on what’s happening with the Christmas Spectacular and “that Miss Williams.”
Heading to my beat-up Ford, I notice that Sammie isn’t home. Absent-mindedly, I wonder where she is and what she’s doing. I’m sure she’s working on some of the smaller projects for the Spectacular. She’s one focused woman and I find that attractive. Who am I kidding? I find everything about her attractive.
Sprinkles of snow are descending from the sky creating a light dusting that coats the grass.Sammie would love this.And there I go again thinking of her.Dammit man, get a hold of yourself.
My parents live in a white, two-story house with a wraparound porch. Their Christmas tree is lit in front of the bay windows looking out into the front yard. Garland hangs over the front door with poinsettias delicately placed and I can’t help but think Sammie and my mom would get along great. Sammie and my aunt, however…
“I’m here,” I call out while stomping snow from my boots before removing them and placing them under the bench next to the door.
Right on cue, the sound of nails scraping against the hardwood floors echoes through the house as the family dog, Lucky, runs as fast as his little legs can carry him. Lucky is a beagle that my parents picked up around five years ago off the side of a country road. He was cold and skinny and covered in fleas and ticks. It was a no-brainer to bring him home, and he’s been a welcomed addition ever since.
“Hey, bud.” Bending down I rub his ears as he tries to jump and lick all over me. He’s at least seven years old now and should be slowing down, but he’s still as spry as the day he came home.
After greeting Lucky, I head into the kitchen where my mom and aunt are hard at work. “Hi, Mom.” Giving her a quick peck on the cheek before moving to hug my aunt. Donna Ross is one classy lady. She’s the type of mom who looked fantastic wherever she went, even if it was running errands around town, she was always dressed to perfection.
“Hey, Aunt Lo.” My aunt wraps me in a quick hug. My mother and her sister are very similar in looks, but my aunt is far more uptight than my mom. My sister and I didn’t particularly like going over to Aunt Lo and Uncle Rob’s house when we were younger because we would get in trouble for moving something a centimeter to the side. We love her, she’s just…particular.
She pulls back, giving me an inquisitive eye. “Before you leave, I need to have a chat with you.” Yeah, I saw this coming from a mile away.
