Chapter Fourteen

Levi drove onto Ryder Wolfe’s property and pulled up to the house, taking in the beautiful surroundings. Though he considered Ryder a friend, he had never been to his place before. He couldn’t help but admire the log home, as he had always loved that style. It reminded him of his own place.

He got out of his truck and walked up the steps to knock on the door. Kelsey, Ryder’s wife, answered with a smile while holding a little girl in her arms. Levi couldn’t resist smiling back at the child when she waved her hand at him. Then he noticed a little boy clinging to Kelsey’s leg.

“Levi! What a pleasant surprise. Would you like to come in?” Kelsey asked.

“Thank you, Kelsey, but is Ryder around?”

“He’s in his workshop,” she gestured toward the barns. “It’s the one on the left of the middle barn.”

“I appreciate it. I don’t want to bother him if he’s busy.”

“Levi, I’m sure he could use a break. He’s been out there all day.” She smiled.

Levi chuckled. “Alright then, I’ll head over there. You have a great day, Kelsey.”

“I will. You do the same.”

He touched his hat in farewell and made his way down the steps, heading toward the barn where Ryder was working. As he neared it, he could hear the sound of various tools running.

Ryder not only raised and sold American Paint horses, but he also built and sold furniture made from cedar wood. Levi knocked on the door but wasn’t sure if Ryder could hear him over the noise of the saw running inside. He cautiously opened the door and stepped inside where he saw rows of beautifully crafted furniture at the back of the workshop. The scent of cedar filled the air and Levi couldn’t help but grin.

Not wanting to startle Ryder while he was operating the dangerous machinery, Levi carefully made his way through the workshop toward the table saw where Ryder was working. He caught Ryder’s attention and he shut off the saw before removing his ear protection.

“Hey, Levi. What brings you here?” Ryder greeted him.

“Do you have a minute?”

“Sure, what’s on your mind?”

Levi took a deep breath, unsure of how to approach the topic.

“I wanted to ask you something, but I don’t want to upset you.”

Ryder crossed his arms and tilted his head, giving Levi a curious look.

“Why do you think it would upset me?”

“I wanted to ask about your father,” Levi said and noticed Ryder clenching his jaw.

“What about him?”

“I know he physically abused you, and my father was the same way. He used to beat my mother and me until one day he killed her and went to prison.”

Ryder’s eyebrows shot up in surprise.

“I had no idea.”

“Not many people do. It’s not something I like sharing with others.”

“I can understand that. So, what can I help you with?”

“Were you afraid of becoming like your father?”

“Yes, I didn’t want to get married or have kids because of that fear.”

“What changed your mind?”

Ryder smiled. “Kelsey. She was my rock then and still is now. I was scared that I’d turn into my father so having children was out of the question for me. May I ask why my past interests you?”

“I’ve fallen in love with someone but I told her I didn’t want kids for the same reason.”

“I resisted for a long time, but my parents barely raised me, even though I was sixteen before I got away from them. I ended up living with a man and his wife. Frank and Grace took me in, and I’ll always be thankful for that. But when it came to bringing kids into this world, I was scared. After all, my father’s blood runs through my veins. I was afraid I would hurt any children I’d have, but Kelsey made me see that it didn’t matter whose blood was in me. Frank and Grace raised me right. I have never wanted to hurt Kelsey or our children.”

“I’m glad to hear that, but violence can often pass from parent to child, you know, that cycle of abuse. Even though they say it’s not hereditary.” Levi shrugged. “It scares the hell out of me. I ran away from foster care when I was sixteen and even lived on the streets for a year.”

“What happened then?”

“I was making my way across Montana, trying to stay ahead of anyone looking for me. At seventeen, I ended up at Mr. Brown’s ranch. That man was more of a father to me than my own father. He taught me a lot. But I drank too. On weekends, I’d get so drunk to try and forget the memories of what my old man did to me and my mother. Mr. Brown found me passed out one weekend and straightened me up by telling me I was becoming an alcoholic. I knew I was going down the wrong path, so I listened to him. He made me a better man, but just like you, my father’s blood is still in me.” Levi shook his head. “I have a quick temper too, but whenever it starts flaring up, I take a deep breath and step back to ask myself if it’s worth getting so angry over.” Levi grinned. “It never seems to be.”

“What was your mother like?”

Levi shook his head. “To me, she was a saint. She never hit me and always tried to protect me from my father. Even though she knew that by protecting me, he would go after her.”

“You know, you have her blood running through your veins too. And if you did turn out to be abusive, she would be disappointed in you.”

“I never thought about it like that.”

“You should. My mother wasn’t a good person, so whenever my dad took something out on me, she never stood up for me. But at least you had a good mother who would do anything to protect you.”

“I did.”

“Then you should also know that you’re a good man because of her and your former boss.”

Levi nodded. “You’re right.”

“I know,” Ryder said with a grin .

Levi reached his hand out, and Ryder shook it.

“Thank you. I need some time to think.”

“Just don’t take too long. You don’t want to lose the woman you love, do you?”

“At this moment, we’re not together due to my fear of becoming like him.”

“I’ve been through something similar. Kelsey left me and went back to Georgia. I even traveled there to try and make things right, but she refused to come back with me. After talking to Frank, she had a change of heart and returned.” Ryder chuckled. “She came back when we were in the middle of a snowstorm. She told me she knew I was a good man, nothing like the man whose name is on my birth certificate.” Ryder shrugged. “I don’t know what I’d do without her.”

“I can relate. I miss having Kinley in my life, and I probably need to do some groveling.” Levi grinned.

Ryder chuckled. “Yeah, been there.”

“Thank you for your time, Ryder. I’ll see you around.”

“Feel free to drop by anytime. Have a great rest of the day.”

As Levi walked out, he heard the sound of a saw starting up again. Talking it out with someone who understood had been helpful.

Levi got into his truck and drove home, determined to figure out what to do next.

****

Kinley sat on her couch, a movie playing on the television to fill the silence. Her mind couldn’t help but wander to Levi, especially when she looked at the dollhouse he had given her. She kept it on display on a round table in front of the window. She longed for him to be back in her life, but how could she make that happen when he didn’t trust her enough to believe that all she needed was him? If he was truly set on not having children, she would do her best to convince him that she could live without them; all she truly wanted was him.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door and Kinley furrowed her brow. She wasn’t expecting anyone, so she picked up her phone and opened the doorbell camera app. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw LeRoy Thomas standing on her porch. She hesitated before getting up from the couch and cautiously looked through the peephole.

“Go away or I’m calling the police,” she yelled through the door.

“I just want to talk to you,” LeRoy’s voice came through muffled.

“Well, I don’t want to talk to you. Please leave.”

She watched as he walked off the porch, only to come back a few moments later.

“I’ll be back. You can’t avoid me,” he snarled.

“Watch me. Now get away from my house.” Kinley retreated to the comfort of her couch.

As she continued to watch him through her phone, he gave one more angry kick to the door before turning away and sitting down on the steps of her porch. Fear crept into Kinley’s chest as she dialed nine-one-one and reported LeRoy’s aggressive behavior and refusal to leave. They assured her that someone would be there soon, and did she want to stay on the line with them. She told them he couldn’t get inside and there was no way she was going out, so they hung up, then she called Levi.

“Please pick up, please pick up,” she whispered as his phone rang.

“Kinley?” His familiar voice brought her some comfort.

“Your father is here, and he won’t leave. He’s kicking my door. I think he’s drunk. I called for help, but I don’t know how long they’ll take. I’m so scared.”

“I’m on my way, baby. I won’t be long. I’m in town. Just stay inside and make sure all the doors and windows are locked.” He hung up.

LeRoy kicked the door once more before stumbling away from the porch. Kinley checked every lock in the house and let out a sigh of relief when she found them secure. She sat back down on the couch, keeping an eye on LeRoy through her phone as he slumped down onto her porch steps.

The phone in Kinley’s hand vibrated with an incoming call. She saw Celine’s name flash on the screen.

“Celine?” she answered, her voice shaky.

“Who is that man?” Celine’s panicked voice filled her ear.

“Levi’s father,” Kinley replied, keeping her eyes on the man in question who was still sitting on her porch steps.

“I could hear him over here. Did you call the police?”

“Yes, they’re on their way and so is Levi.”

“Do you want me to come over? ”

“No, don’t do that,” Kinley said quickly. “I’m not sure what he’d do, and I am not opening the door for anyone except the police or Levi.”

“Okay, just call me back when you can.”

“I will. Thanks.” Kinley hung up and kept her gaze fixed on the man outside. His presence was unsettling, and she wanted him gone as soon as possible. She watched as he got up from the step and made his way toward her car.

“Don’t you dare touch my car, asshole,” she muttered under her breath, but he simply walked around it and returned to the porch.

He stepped closer to her front door and peered into the doorbell camera. Kinley felt a chill run down her spine at his intense stare.

“What is this, some kind of camera?” he called out, but she refused to engage with him.

He kicked the door again, causing her to jump.

“I know you’re watching me, and I don’t care. I just want to talk to you.”

Kinley stayed silent, hoping he would leave soon. She watched him take a few steps back and almost lose his balance, but he grabbed the post of the porch to catch himself before he fell into her large Crepe Myrtle bushes.

“Where are the police?” she whispered, then heard tires screeching on the blacktop. She looked at her phone again to see Levi stepping out of his truck and LeRoy approached him. She could hear their conversation through the camera.

“Get the fuck out of here,” Levi yelled as he advanced his father.

“I’m not doin’ anything to your woman. I just want to talk,” LeRoy slurred .

“You’re drunk, as usual. She doesn’t want to talk to you. You have nothing to say that she’d want to hear.”

Kinley gasped as she watched LeRoy take a swing at Levi, but he missed when Levi stepped back. Then she saw LeRoy let out a loud laugh.

“I bet you want to hit me, don’t you... son ?” LeRoy taunted.

Levi crossed his arms over his chest. “As a matter of fact, I do, but I won’t.”

“Even if I hit you?”

“If you can manage to hit me in your drunken state, then I will hit you back, but only once. That’s all I’d need.”

“Only once, huh?” LeRoy laughed again.

“Yes. Unlike you, I don’t let my temper control me. But you don’t hit grown men, do you? You like hitting women and children.” Levi stepped closer to him. “You want to hit me? Go for it. But you’re scared. You’re no man, you’re just a pussy.”

Kinley watched as LeRoy turned away from Levi but quickly spun around and took another swing at him. He missed him completely and stumbled backwards, falling on his ass.

“You’re so drunk you can barely stand up straight.” Levi shook his head in disgust. “How did you even know where she lived?”

LeRoy grinned. “I followed her home one day,” he slurred.

“Get out of here and never come near her again.

“Do you even know who you’re talking to? I’m your father,” LeRoy’s voice boomed, causing Kinley to notice the neighbors standing on their porches.

“This is just great. I’ll never hear the end of this,” she murmured.

“I know exactly who I’m talking to. A drunken murderer,” Levi retorted, his voice filled with anger. “You may have fathered me, but because I have my mother’s blood coursing through my veins, I’m a much better man than you. She was the only good thing in my life, and you killed her. You fucking killed her! This little stunt of yours will land you back in prison, and I hope when you die, you rot in hell. It’s no less than what you deserve.”

Kinley held her breath as she watched LeRoy’s intense gaze lock onto Levi, his body tense and ready for action. She could feel the tension in the air, like electricity before a storm. But just as she kept her eyes on the two men, a distant sound caught her ear.

A siren, growing louder and louder with each passing second. As the sheriff's SUV came into view and slid to a halt, Kinley saw Deputy Logan Townson step from it. He had his gun drawn and aimed at LeRoy from behind the safety of the vehicle’s hood.

The scene unfolded in front of her like a twisted dance. Logan ordered LeRoy to get on his knees, but he stood defiantly in place, staring back with wild eyes.

“I ain’t going back to prison,” LeRoy bellowed, his voice shaking with fear and desperation.

“You’re either getting in my vehicle, or the coroner’s. Makes no difference to me,” Logan shouted back, unwavering in his resolve. “If you make one move, I will shoot you where you stand, and I don’t miss.” The words hung heavily in the air as both men faced off, waiting for the other to make a move. “Get on your knees. Now! ”

After what seemed like forever, LeRoy dropped to his knees.

“Place your hands on your head and interlock your fingers.”

Once LeRoy did that, Logan moved from around the hood, keeping his gun on him, then pulled handcuffs from his utility belt. He holstered his weapon and put the handcuffs on LeRoy, then put him in the back of the SUV while reading him his rights.

Kinley opened the door and ran to Levi, who caught her in his arms.

“It’s okay, baby, I’ve got you,” Levi murmured as she cried on his shoulder. “You’re shaking.”

“I was so scared, Levi,” she said against his shirt.

“Thanks, Logan,” Levi said.

“You’re welcome. Kinley, do you want to press charges?”

She looked at Levi to see him nod.

“Yes.”

“Alright. Come to the office tomorrow and fill out a form about what happened.”

“I will. Thank you, Logan.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Logan looked at Levi. “He’ll be going back to prison.”

“Good,” Levi said.

“You two have a good evening.” Logan got into his SUV, then drove off.

“I’m so sorry,” Levi whispered.

She pulled back and looked into his eyes.

“You have nothing to be sorry for. This was all him.”

“I know that. I am sorry he did this, but I’m sorrier for walking out the last time we were together. I have missed you so much, Kinley.” He kissed her lips.

“It’s alright. I know you were angry with me when I said I did want kids, but I don’t need them, Levi. I only need you.”

“Let’s talk inside without an audience.”

Kinley nodded, took his hand and led him into her home. They walked to the sofa and sat down.

****

Levi held on to her hand, and looked into her eyes. He took a deep breath, hoping this would go well.

“I went to Dewey’s—” he stopped when Kinley gasped. “I didn’t drink. I ordered a shot of whiskey. I wanted to prove to myself that I didn’t need it. Scarlett and I talked. I told her everything about my past, and you. I told her I loved you more than anything and she asked me if I loved you more than that drink. I said, definitely. She then suggested I talk to someone who had been through it but is in a good relationship now.” Levi grinned. “I pushed the drink away. It didn’t appeal to me in the least, and I knew I’d never drink again. Then I had a long talk with a friend of mine. He had a childhood almost as bad, but he got through it. He’s married and has two kids. He’s happy.”

“Who?”

“Ryder Wolfe.”

“I know Ryder and Kelsey. They are both happy. Their kids are adorable.”

“Yeah, I saw them. She answered the door, holding one of them, and the other was clinging to her leg and she had a big smile on her face. I could tell she was very happy. Even with the little boy tugging at her pant leg, the smile never left her face. She didn’t seem frazzled, just… happy. After talking with Ryder, he made me realize that even though LeRoy was a bastard, my mother was a kind, loving woman, and I have her blood running through me too. Then he said I was a good man because of her and Mr. Brown. Kinley, I promise to never hurt you or any children we have.”

“You don’t have to promise me. I know you won’t. I trust you completely.”

“And I trust you. I love you, Kinley. I will never do anything that would make you want to leave me.”

“I love you too. I won’t do anything to make you want to leave me either. These past couple of months have been hell.”

Levi grinned. “You can say that again.”

“We’ll be fine. Wait. You said, any children we have.”

“You heard right. I want to marry you. I didn’t realize I wanted kids until I saw Kelsey and Ryder’s.”

“You want to have kids?”

“Yes,” he said with conviction.

Kinley wrapped her arms around him and pulled him close for a kiss.

“Are you sure?”

“Positive. We’re going to make this legal.” He kissed her lips. “Now, when are you going to move in with me?”

“Whenever you want. I think I’ll rent this place to someone.”

“Sounds like a good idea.” He glanced down to see Tootsie staring at him, then he looked at Kinley. “The cat will stay here, right?” He chuckled when she elbowed him.

“She’ll get used to you.”

“Sure.” He shook his head.

“Are you sure about this?” Kinley asked again.

“I am. Seeing Ryder’s family and how happy they were made me realize that I could have that too. With you.”

Kinley stood, put her hand out to him, and pulled him to his feet.

“I think we have to make up for lost time.”

“I agree. You lead, I’ll follow. Always,” Levi said as he picked her up and climbed the stairs.

He knew it would work for them. Of that he had no doubt.

Entering the bedroom, he kicked the door closed behind them.