Chapter Eleven
AS THE DAYS ROLLEDinto weeks, Levi spent more and more time watching the ranch house down the creek. And as he stood there, hidden and silent, all he could think about was how close he’d been to Prather—and how close Prather had been to Rebecca and the little ones.
The former thought maddened him, and the latter one sent fear racing down his spine.
And every day, when he left his post behind the trees to return home, he vowed yet again to get Prather out of this valley for good. The man had shown he was willing to leave—and even pay a visit to town—but Levi had spooked him.
He was restless now, though. Levi could feel it. A man like Prather couldn’t remain trapped forever. At some point, he’d throw caution to the wind and leave again.
The question was whether Levi would know when it happened.
Outside the corral, he yanked off his hat and raked a hand through his hair. That was the most troubling thought, and short of asking Denver for reinforcements he’d never be able to explain to Rebecca, he didn’t know how he was supposed to live a regular man’s life, run a farm,andkeep his eye on Prather—all at the same time.
He was beginning to think he’d need to draw the man out. The thought was dangerous, but it was better than lettingPrather escape because Levi was busy tilling the dirt or enjoying a good night’s sleep after one of Rebecca’s filling meals. He hadn’t entirely settled on that course of action yet, though.
Satisfied that the animals were taken care of, he slowly made his way toward the house. Nothing about Rebecca’s demeanor toward him had changed, but now he knew that she sensed he was keeping something from her. He’d overheard it, that day in town, when he arrived at her sister’s house. Before he’d lifted his hand to knock, he heard her telling Eleanor about how he seemed to be withdrawn and distant at times.
He winced now at the memory. She was right, of course, even when he didn’t realize he was doing it. He was trying to protect her. And maybe, he’d begun to think, he was trying to protect himself. Because if she knew what his real job was here, she’d likely pack up the children and leave him.
It was hard to change his ways, though now he was aware of every word that came from his mouth and every movement he did or didn’t make. But tonight he had something that he thought might make up for the reticence she saw in him.
Inside the house, the scent of roast beef made his stomach rumble. Rebecca stood over the stove, stirring something that looked like mashed potatoes. Damp strands of her chestnut hair curled around her face, which was flushed pink. She was so beautiful, and she had no idea. All he wanted to do was go to her and take her up into his arms and kiss her until she understood how very lucky he was to have her here, in his life.
“I drew you a picture.” Johnnie tugged on his coat, pulling Levi out of his own reverie and back into the moment.
“You did?”
The little boy nodded, a mischievous grin tugging up the corners of his lips. He handed Levi the handwritten receipt they’d gotten on their last trip to the general store. Levi turned the receipt over in his hands, and there, staring back at him inpencil, was a stick figure wearing a giant hat and an equally giant frown. A deformed horse stood at attention nearby, sending a suspicious sideways look at the grouchy stick man.
“It’s you,” Johnnie said unnecessarily.
Levi stared at the picture another moment, wondering if his frown really was that large, then glanced down at the little boy with the round face who was waiting for his reaction.
And he laughed.
He laughed so hard that he had to press a hand to his stomach and lean forward.
“Levi?” Rebecca’s incredulous voice sounded from across the room, but Levi couldn’t look at her because tears were starting to stream down his face.
Curiosity got the best of the other children as they crowded around him. Sarah took the drawing, and immediately started laughing too as she passed it to her older sister.
“Me too,” little Emmy cried as Gwynnie and then Roger began giggling.
Levi couldn’t catch his breath. Every time he thought he’d laughed as much as he could, he took one glance at the drawing and it would start all over again.
“Oh, my.” Rebecca held the receipt now, a hand over her mouth.
“It’s not that funny,” Johnnie said in between giggles, and that was all it took for Rebecca to begin laughing too.
“Gwynnie,” she finally managed to say after a few minutes had passed. “Will you begin filling plates before our supper gets cold?”
