Chapter Thirteen

Levi couldn’t get Kinley out of his mind as he left the store. Despite how good she looked, he had to accept that they were over. As much as he wanted her back in his life, he knew it wasn’t a possibility. Even if she insisted she no longer wanted children, Levi couldn’t help but worry that she would change her mind again.

He accepted that there would never be another woman who could compare to her. She was the one he wanted by his side, but he couldn’t take the risk. She had told him she only needed him in her life, but then later revealed that she wanted children.

Thinking about losing Kinley and then seeing his father show up made Levi want a strong drink, but he resisted. He knew the dangers of alcohol and refused to give in.

Arriving at his house, Levi spotted an unfamiliar truck parked by the porch. He turned off his truck and stepped out, immediately clenching his jaw when he saw his father exiting the other vehicle. Fisting his hands, he marched toward him.

“You need to get the fuck off my property,” Levi demanded, his voice trembled with anger and defiance as he faced his father, the man who had caused him so much pain. The only emotion he felt toward him now was pure hatred, a consuming fire that burned in his chest.

“We should talk. Move past... the past,” LeRoy replied calmly.

“We have nothing to discuss, and I will never move past what you did. So, get back in your truck and leave, and don’t ever come back.”

LeRoy leaned against his truck, crossed his arms, and looked at Levi defiantly.

“I like this town. Maybe I’ll stay.”

“Do whatever you want. Just stay away from me and Kinley. And how did you even find out about her?” Levi asked.

“I told you, I saw you on TV and she was sitting next to you.”

“That doesn’t mean anything. How did you get her name?” Levi felt a surge of anger as LeRoy chuckled.

“It’s amazing what a good P.I. can find out,” LeRoy admitted.

Levi took a step closer, relishing the fact that he was taller and bigger than LeRoy. “Stay the hell away from her.”

“Why should it matter to you? She told me she wasn’t going to marry you,” LeRoy shrugged.

“That’s not your business. All you need to know is that you better stay away from her or face the consequences. If you do anything wrong, I’ll see to it that you’re sent back to prison.”

“I’m not doing anything wrong.” LeRoy stepped closer but had to look up at Levi.

“You were at her house.” Levi couldn’t help but smirk as LeRoy’s eyes widened. “Stalking is a crime.”

“You have no proof of that,” LeRoy defended.

“You’re a fucking liar. If you try anything like that again, Kinley will call the sheriff. And you just stay away from her. ”

“I just thought since she was your woman, we could get to know each other,” LeRoy said with a sly grin.

Levi refused to engage in conversation with his father and simply stared back at him. But when LeRoy took a step toward him again, Levi didn’t move an inch. They locked eyes for a moment before Levi broke into a grin.

“You want to try to hit me now, old man?” Levi said. “I’d take great pleasure in knocking you on your ass.”

LeRoy didn’t back down, meeting Levi’s gaze with a cold, unforgiving stare. After several seconds of tense silence, he finally let out a mocking laugh and took a step back, heading toward his truck, but stopped and looked at him again.

“See you around, son ,” he sneered.

“No, you won’t,” Levi retorted, his voice trembling with rage. “Step foot on my property again or speak to me, I will get an Order of Protection. You’ll be legally barred from coming near me.”

LeRoy’s face twisted into a cruel smirk. “Is that a threat?”

“It’s a promise,” Levi replied through gritted teeth. “And I’ll make sure Kinley gets one too. Leave Clifton. No one wants you here.”

“I thought we could have a civil conversation, but you refuse to budge.” LeRoy’s tone turned bitter and resentful.

“I told you; I want nothing to do with you,” Levi seethed. “You killed my mother!”

LeRoy’s expression darkened at the accusation. “I should’ve done the same to you,” he snarled.

Without hesitation, Levi stepped forward and shoved his father hard in the chest, making him stumble back. “Like I said, come on, try it now.”

Their eyes locked in a fierce battle of wills before LeRoy finally broke the intense stare and turned away, climbing into his truck and driving off.

Trembling from head to toe with lingering adrenaline and anger, Levi took several shaky breaths and tried to calm himself down. He never wanted to see that man again. Entering his house and closing the door behind him, he leaned against it and closed his eyes, hoping to forget the confrontation ever happened.

The following day, he worked in his office, ordering feed and things needed for the ranch. He’d gotten over his argument with LeRoy. He knew to keep his temper in check.

“Hey, Levi,” Cody sad as he entered the office.

“Cody. What brings you out here?”

“I wanted to check on our supply on feed.” Cody took a seat in the chair across from Levi’s desk.

“I’m on it.”

“Of course, you are.” Cody shook his head, making Levi grin.

“I just sent an order in to Ash and he said a shipment would be here tomorrow.”

“Good. Have you heard from LeRoy?”

Levi huffed. “Yeah, he showed up at my place yesterday. I almost knocked him on his ass. I shoved him away from me.” He shrugged. “I think he was at Kinley’s place because her car alarm went off at four yesterday morning. ”

“Damn, I’m not sure I would have just shoved him. What are you going to do about him?”

“I might have to take legal action to keep him away from me.”

“You talked to Sam?”

“Yeah, he explained everything to me. I just hope the old man gets the message and leaves town. He has to know I want nothing to do with him.”

Cody chuckled. “I think you made that pretty clear, and he knows he better not set foot on my property again. It’s posted and since I told him to leave, he can’t come back without my permission.”

“That’s what Sam said too. I didn’t realize you had signs up. I’ve never paid attention to any of them.”

“I put them up right after buying this place. You should consider putting some up around your property too, Levi.”

“Never thought about it, but I’ll make sure to do that today. I can head to town and pick up some no trespassing signs.”

“Sounds like a plan. Let me know if you need help putting them up. Oh, and you should also get a survey map of your property.”

Levi shook his head. “My property. I still can’t believe you and Addison did that, but I appreciate it.”

“Hey, it was my way of keeping you here at the ranch,” Cody said, grinning.

“You don’t have to worry about that. I like working here.”

“Good to know.” Cody stood. “I’ll talk to you later. Let me know if you want help with putting the signs up.”

“Will do.” Levi watched as Cody left the office.

Once he finished with the orders, he strode from the office, placing his hat on his head and headed for his truck.

****

Kinley worked on a prescription. She loved her job but her heart just wasn’t into it today.

“Are you having a rough day?” Addison asked her.

“Yes, and I’m probably going to have a lot more of them, so just remember that if I yell at you.”

Addison touched her hand, making her look at her. “I’m so sorry. I know you love him. He loves you too, you know.”

“Yes, but as I told Celine, I ruined it with him.” She faced Addison. “He should have told me before we even went out.”

“I know. He should have, but that’s not something people bring up on the first date.”

“There shouldn’t have been a first date. If he had been upfront—”

“If he had been upfront, you never would have never known him or fallen for him. I’m not sure if that’s good or bad.”

Kinley sighed. “I know. I hate that he kept it from me, but I cannot imagine not knowing him or being with him.”

“Damned if you, damned if you don’t.”

“Talk about being between a rock and a hard place.”

Addison laughed. “He should have set the record straight. ”

Kinley snorted out a laugh. “I guess I’ll have to weather the storm.”

Addison laughed. “Please, we have to stop.”

“You hit the nail on the head.” Kinley laughed.

“Please stop, I’m going to pee my pants.”

They both laughed until tears ran down their faces, but when the door chimed they stopped, then laughed again when Cody walked in, then raised an eyebrow at their laughter.

“What’s so funny?”

Addison waved her hand but couldn’t get any words out. Kinley sat on the bench behind the counter trying very hard to get herself under control. She watched as Addison did the same.

“Well, I was going to ask if you two want anything from the diner, but you can’t seem to stop laughing to tell me.”

“Sorry, baby. We needed that laugh.” Addison smiled.

Kinley cleared her throat, stood and walked to the counter.

“Sorry, Cody. I would love a salad.”

“Me too,” Addison said.

Cody stared at them for a few seconds, then nodded and walked out. Kinley looked at Addison and they laughed again.

“God, I did need that,” Kinley said as she wiped tears away.

“I’m sure it helped.”

“It did. I do miss him though. So much. I’ll never have sex that good again.”

“You never know. You might meet someone and he’ll be better than Levi,” Addison said with a smirk.

Kinley shook her head. “I can promise you that will never happen.”

“It would be the same with me if I lost Cody. No one could replace him.” Addison faced Kinley. “I think you need to think about which you want more. Kids or Levi.”

“That wouldn’t matter to him. He won’t get back together with me because he’s afraid I’d change my mind again. But, I had to be honest, right?”

“Yes. If you two did get married with that secret between you, then you tell him later, it could end the marriage. I really don’t know when he could have brought it up, but he should have told you, before you fell for each other.”

“I agree, so I’d say we both share equal blame.”

Addison nodded. They got back to work waiting for Cody to return with their salads. Kinley didn’t know what she could do. She knew even if she made the decision not to have kids, Levi would still think she could change her mind and that was going to keep them apart.

****

Levi drove to town to get the signs, but when he passed the pharmacy, his thoughts went to Kinley. He missed her so much that he was afraid his heart would never heal over losing her.

After parking in the lot of the small hardware store, he exited his truck, then entered the store.

As he looked at the different signs, he picked up a few of them then walked to the register and paid for them. Driving past the pharmacy again, he shook his head, knowing he would never love another woman .

Later that evening, he was so tempted to call Kinley, but what good would it do? He would love to get back together with her, but he was too afraid she’d always want kids even if she said she didn’t, and he knew she’d never truly be happy.

Getting up from the recliner, he looked at the clock to see it was almost eight o’clock. He strode to the kitchen, grabbed his hat, walked out the back door. He had to get out or he’d go insane.

Without no destination in mind, he drove past Dewey’s, circled back, parked, and stepped from the truck. He stared at the building and he could hear music and laughter each time the doors opened. He shook his head, turned to get back into the truck, but slammed the door, and headed for the doors of the bar.

Levi entered Dewey’s and was immediately engulfed by the boisterous crowd. He made his way through, until he reached the bar. An empty stool beckoned to him and he sank onto it.

The bartender, a striking woman with fiery red hair, paused in front of him and flashed a friendly smile. “Hi, what can I get you?” she asked.

“A shot of whiskey,” he replied.

“Any particular brand?”

“The best you’ve got.”

She nodded and turned to prepare the drink. Levi took the opportunity to observe his surroundings. The air was thick with the smell of alcohol. The wooden bar top was well-worn, and the wall behind it was lined with bottles of various liquors.

“Here you go. Callahan Whiskey,” the bartender announced as she slid the glass toward him.

Levi handed her his money and waved away the change before taking a closer look at the dark amber liquid in front of him. He could almost taste it on his tongue just from the aroma wafting up toward his nose. Lifting the glass, he admired its beauty as it caught the dim lights of the bar. Bringing it to his nose, he inhaled deeply before setting it back down.

Resting his arms on the bar, he rested his chin on them and continued to stare at the drink in contemplation. After a moment, he reached for it again but hesitated and pulled back his hand.

“How long has it been?”

He turned to see the bartender, looking at him sympathetically. He knew exactly what she meant and shook his head.

“Twenty-five years.”

She leaned against the bar, folding her arms in front of her. “I’m Scarlett. I own this place.”

Levi couldn’t help but grin at her introduction. “Your name’s not Dewey?”

She laughed, and he realized she was even more stunning up close. “No, Dewey was my uncle. He retired, so I took over.”

“I do know who you are. I was here a couple of years ago for Cody and Addison’s engagement party.”

“I see. You didn’t drink, did you?”

“No, ma’am.” Levi met her gaze and couldn’t help but feel a sense of ease around her. “I bet you see a lot in this bar.”

Scarlett nodded knowingly. “I do, but most people just toss back their drinks and order another. You’re different though. You seem to be studying that whiskey as if it holds all the answers, but you know it doesn’t.” He smiled as she reached out and touched his hand. “Do you really want that drink?”

“No,” Levi admitted, “but—”

“What’s your name?” she interrupted. “I don’t think we met back then.”

“We didn’t. I’d remember. It’s Levi.”

“Well, Levi, what brings you here if you don’t want that drink?” she asked curiously.

“A woman,” he replied with a smirk.

Scarlett laughed, and Levi found himself grinning in response.

“Of course,” she said playfully. “What else would it be? So, tell me, did this woman break your heart?”

Levi let out a sigh and proceeded to tell Scarlett all about Kinley and their complicated relationship and about his past.

“And you want to marry her but not have kids?” Scarlett prodded further.

“I... can’t ,” he confessed, feeling a weight on his chest lift as he confided in her.

“Okay, explain that one to me,” Scarlett insisted with a smirk.

Levi narrowed his eyes at her playful tone but found himself opening up even more.

“I love her more than anything,” he admitted with a heavy heart.

“More than that whiskey?” Scarlett asked with a raised eyebrow and a nod at the drink.

“Definitely.”

“Then push it away and go to her. Marry her, Levi. Have kids. I believe you’ll be just fine,” she encouraged .

He couldn’t help but smile at her warmth and genuine concern. “You don’t even know me, Scarlett.”

“I know a lot of men like you. My husband swore he’d never get married because of past relationships failing,” she replied confidently. “And if you want her more than that drink, then you know what you need to do. Do you know of anyone who had a childhood like yours?”

Levi frowned, then nodded. “Yes, a friend of mine. Why?”

“Just curious, and what is his life like now?”

Levi grinned. “Married with two kids.”

“See? It can happen. Maybe talk to him.”

Levi considered her words for a moment before looking back at the shot glass in front of him. Slowly, he reached out and lifted it, taking one last sniff before setting it down and pushing it away. He met Scarlett’s gaze with determination.

“I don’t want it,” he declared before standing up from his stool. “Thank you, Scarlett.”

“You’re welcome,” she said with a smile.

Levi touched his hat at her in gratitude before maneuvering his way through the lively crowd once again and stepped outside into the warm summer night. He had some thinking to do. He just hoped he came to the right decision. He honestly didn’t know what he was going to do.

The only thing he knew at this minute was he would never pick up a drink again. All he really needed was Kinley. She was much more intoxicating than any whiskey could be. His emotions overwhelmed him as he hoped she would take him back.

Starting his truck, he drove home as a tear rolled down his cheek, knowing that he really didn’t need that whiskey to numb his pain.

Tomorrow he would have a talk with his friend. If he could do it, why couldn’t Levi?