Chapter Seven

Kinley exchanged a concerned look with Addison.

“He’s overwhelmed,” she said before getting up and following after him.

As she stepped onto the porch, she saw him leaning back against the house, his head hung low. She walked over, stood beside him, and placed her hand on his arm.

“Are you okay?” she asked softly.

Levi’s gaze met hers, his eyes filled with tears. “I... I never expected something like this. I’ve never owned my own place before,” he said, his voice wavering with emotion.

“Cody thinks the world of you, Levi. He wouldn’t have done this if he didn’t believe in you,” Kinley reassured him.

Levi straightened up. “I have to talk to him.”

“You can do that tomorrow. Right now, you just need to thank them for doing this. They think they’ve upset you.”

He looked startled. “They didn’t upset me. But they did shock me. I just didn’t expect something like this.”

“Then tell them that. Come on. It’s too cold out here. I didn’t grab my coat.” She hugged him, then took his hand and led him inside.

Levi slipped off his coat and hung it carefully on the peg. He stood there for a moment, staring at Kinley.

“Thank you for coming out,” he said.

“You’re welcome,” Kinley replied with a smile .

Addison and Cody entered the kitchen with worried expressions. Levi smiled at them.

“I apologize for storming out. I was just completely caught off guard. Please know that I appreciate your gesture, though you didn’t have to do it.”

Cody grinned. “We know that, but we wanted to.”

Addison walked over to Levi and hugged him tightly. “We love having you here, Levi. Please accept it.”

Levi returned her hug. “I do. Thank you. It’s incredibly generous of both of you.” He shook his head. “I shouldn’t have reacted like that. I was just so shocked.”

“You’ve already put so much time and money into the cabin, Levi. It’s yours to do with as you please,” Cody reassured him, shaking his hand.

“Let me finish getting dinner ready, then we’ll all sit down,” Addison said, turning to Kinley. “Will you help me?”

Kinley nodded. “Of course.” She reached out to touch Levi’s hand, and whispered, “I’m happy for you.”

He kissed her lips, then he and Cody walked into the dining room.

****

Levi turned to Cody. “I can’t thank you enough.”

“No need, my friend,” Cody replied with a smile. “You’ve truly made that place your own with all the renovations you’ve done. You’re one hell of a manager and a damn good man. We wanted to do this for you.”

Levi swallowed hard, feeling overwhelmed by their kindness. “I truly appreciate it more than words can express. Once today is over, I’d love to sit down and talk with you.”

“Anytime,” Cody said. “But for now, let’s watch some football.”

Levi grinned and nodded in agreement. “Sounds good to me.”

A few minutes later, Addison called out to the men that dinner was ready, and she needed the food carried to the table. Levi and Cody entered the kitchen, their stomachs growling.

“I’m starving,” Cody exclaimed with a grin.

“Me too. We haven’t eaten since breakfast. We wanted to wait for this. Everything smells incredible,” Levi added, his mouth watering at the sight of all the delicious dishes laid out on the counter.

“Could you please carry the turkey to the table, Cody?” Addison asked.

“Anything for you, my love,” Cody replied with a quick kiss on her lips before picking up the platter holding the perfectly roasted turkey and heading for the dining room.

“What can I help with, Addison?” Levi asked.

“Anything on the counter will do, Levi,” she replied with a grateful smile.

Levi turned to survey the counter filled with an abundance of food, then looked at her with a raised eyebrow. “Were you expecting more guests?”

Addison laughed. “No, but you and Kinley will have leftovers to take home with you.”

“You won’t hear any complaints from me,” Levi quipped as he picked up a bowl of steaming corn and a dish of freshly baked biscuits.

****

Kinley watched Levi disappear into the dining room before turning to see Addison looking at her curiously.

“What?” Kinley asked.

“You two are in love.”

“Yes, we are. We told each other the night before Thanksgiving,” Kinley confirmed with a smile.

“I’m so happy for you.”

Kinley’s gaze drifted toward the dining room where she could see Levi laughing with Cody. “He’s just so... hot.”

Addison chuckled knowingly. “Yes, they both are.”

“I’ll never forget the first time Cody came into the pharmacy,” Kinley recalled, smiling at the memory.

“Oh my God, I thought he was so friggin’ gorgeous,” Addison agreed, fanning of her face with her hand.

“And he is. I’m happy for you and Cody. He loves you very much,” Kinley said wistfully.

“As Levi does you. I can see it when he looks at you,” Addison whispered, nodding toward the dining room.

Kinley grinned. “I’m so happy.”

“I know you are. I’m happy for you.”

The men returned from the dining room, grabbing more plates of food before settling down at the beautifully set table .

“I think we’re all set,” Addison announced with a smile.

“I’m starving and everything smells and looks incredible,” Levi said as they eagerly dug into their delicious Christmas dinner.

Kinley loaded her plate with food, picked up her fork, took a bite of turkey and couldn’t help but groan in delight.

“Oh, Addison, this is fantastic.”

“Thank you,” Addison replied with a smile.

“It really is, Addison,” Levi chimed in before taking a big scoop of mashed potatoes.

As they ate, lively conversation and laughter filled the room. Kinley considered Addison to be like a sister to her, and she was thrilled to see how happy she was with Cody. She glanced around the table, and when her gaze landed on Levi, her heart skipped a beat. Their eyes met, and she could feel her cheeks flush with heat. He was the person she wanted in her life.

When he grinned at her, she flashed him a smile, then he winked at her, causing her to giggle like a schoolgirl.

She noticed Addison looking at her with a smile on her face and Kinley cleared her throat before glaring playfully at Levi when he chuckled.

“What are you two laughing about?” Cody asked as he looked at them.

“Nothing,” Kinley replied quickly before bursting into laughter again when Levi snorted.

After the meal, everyone helped with the clean-up, while Addison put leftovers into bowls for Kinley and Levi. Kinley knew they would have to leave soon as she didn’t like being out at night, especially in snowy conditions .

“We should head out before the roads get too bad,” she said.

“You can stay here tonight,” Addison offered.

“Thank you, but no.” Kinley hugged her friend. “I’ll call you tomorrow. Thank you for the lovely blouse and the fantastic dinner.”

“Yeah, we need to head out. Thanks for dinner and the gift.” Levi shook his head.

Cody smiled. “You’re welcome. For both.”

“Be careful going home.” Addison nibbled on her bottom lip with concern.

“We will,” Kinley promised.

“Okay, but text me when you get home. Please.”

“I will.” She hugged her friend again before grabbing her coat from the hook. As she turned away from him to put it on, Levi reached out and took it from her, holding it for her. She smiled at him before slipping her arms into the sleeves. She pulled a beanie over her head and mittens from her pockets.

Levi grabbed his coat and hat from the rack, pulled on his coat and held his hat in his hands. He shook Cody’s hand before hugging Addison, then he picked up the bag containing their leftovers,

“Thanks again,” he said as he opened the door for Kinley. They stood on the porch, looking out at the falling snow, as he turned to face her he placed his hat on his head, then took her hand and led her to the truck. He put the bag on the backseat and closed the door.

“I hate being on the road in this weather.” She glanced back at the door. “Maybe we should just stay here. ”

“My place is close. Let’s stay there tonight,” he suggested quietly.

Kinley looked at him. “That sounds good.”

He opened the door of the truck for her, and she slid onto the seat. Levi closed the door, then strode around the truck, climbed in, started it, and drove to his cabin. His cabin. He still couldn’t believe they did that for him.

****

Kinley’s heart pounded, and she was sure he could hear it beating in her chest. She couldn’t wait to see his place.

As they pulled up to his cabin, the security lights illuminated the area. She couldn’t help but smile at the picturesque setting. The porch seemed to wrap around the entire cabin, but it was hard to tell.

Levi parked his truck and turned off the engine. Taking a deep breath, he opened the door and stepped out then got the bag from the back while she stepped out. Levi walked toward her.

“Come on, let’s get inside. It’s freezing out here.” He took her hand and led her indoors. He flipped on a light switch and the foyer lit up.

“It’s so beautiful here. I love log cabins.”

“Let me take your coat.” He set the bag down, then helped her out of her coat and hung it up, while she removed her mittens and beanie and stuffed them into the pockets. Turning to face him, she noticed he had taken off his hat and coat as well. After he picked up the bag and put it in the fridge, he took her hand again and led her into the living room. Kinley glanced around and couldn’t help but notice that it was definitely a man’s home, rugged and masculine, just like Levi. The room was spacious with wood beams across the ceiling. The back wall was mostly windows, with a stone fireplace sitting cattycorner beside them.

Levi guided her to the sofa and motioned for her to sit. She did and looked up at him.

“This room is absolutely gorgeous,” she said with a smile.

Levi grinned back at her. “Thanks. When Cody first showed me this place, I knew I wanted it but it needed a lot of work. The front porch was a disaster waiting to happen. Inside, it was all open space with just a bar separating the kitchen from this room. I ended up gutting both rooms and closing off the kitchen. This room used to have a set of sliding doors on the back wall, but I wanted more natural light, so I made the entire wall into windows. There were two bedrooms and one bathroom in between them. So, I added more space to the bigger bedroom and added a bathroom to it, then tore down the wall in the smaller bedroom to make it a shared bathroom with two entrances, one from the bedroom and one from the hallway. It took me almost a year to finish it all, but I knew I wanted to stay here.” He shook his head. “And now it looks like I will for sure.” He let out a sigh. “I still can’t believe they did that.”

“I don’t know Cody as well as Addison, but she’s an amazing woman and friend.” Kinley looked around. “I can’t wait to see it all.”

“There’s not much else to see except the bedrooms,” he replied .

“Are you going to sit with me?” She smiled.

He sat down beside her, leaned over and kissed her lips, then raised his lips and gazed into her eyes.

“We’re going to have to talk soon.”

“Yes, we are, but let’s just be lazy the rest of the evening.”

“Alright.”

She grinned. “Do you have a T-shirt I can wear to bed?”

“Why? It’ll just end up on the floor,” he said, and she laughed.

“True.”

“I’ll get you one if want.”

“I do. I usually don’t sleep in the nude.”

Levi grinned. “Better get used to it, sweetheart. You’d better send Addison a text, she’ll be worried.”

“Oh, my God! I completely forgot. I’ll do that now. Thanks.” She smiled.

He nodded, then leaned back on the sofa to get comfortable, but slid his hand under her hair to wrap it around the nape of her neck.

Pulling her phone from the pocket of her jeans, she sent a text to Addison.

Hey, I wanted to let you know we’re staying at Levi’s.

Oh, good idea. Addison added a smiling emoji.

Kinley grinned.

I’ll talk to you tomorrow. Love you!

Love you too. Bye!

After setting her phone on the coffee table, she leaned against Levi, and smiled when he wrapped his arms around her.

*** *

The next morning, Levi stumbled into the kitchen, still half asleep. He put the K-cup in the coffee maker and watched as it slowly brewed his cup of caffeine. With a heavy sigh, he took a sip and then walked over to the back door. The snow was still falling relentlessly outside, but Levi couldn’t bring himself to care. All he could think about was the woman in his bed and the difficult conversation they would have soon.

He took another sip of his coffee and wondered if Kinley would be awake soon. He knew she would want to go home later today if she could. As he stood in the kitchen, his phone buzzed in his pocket. He removed it and saw a text from Tara. Another one? What was she up to?

Good morning!

Hi.

Are you going to work today?

Yes. I have to. The men are off until Monday.

I’m planning to visit my grandmother in Clifton in the spring. Can we meet up?

Levi frowned at the text. He didn’t see any reason to meet up with Tara. She was in his past; Kinley was his future. Or at least, he hoped she was.

I can try.

Okay. Talk soon! The text ended with a heart emoji. What the hell?

“Good morning,” Kinley’s voice broke through Levi’s thoughts as she entered the kitchen.

“Morning,” he replied with a smile and placed his phone on the counter.

She walked over to him, kissed his lips, and then playfully moved him aside to make her own coffee, causing him to chuckle.

“Did you sleep well?” Levi asked as she waited for her coffee to brew.

“I did,” Kinley replied with a smile. “I love sleeping next to you.”

“Same here.” Levi kissed her forehead. “What do you want to do today?”

“Can we just stay at my place and be lazy?”

“That sounds perfect to me. I have to muck out the stalls first.”

“Is it okay if I shower before we go?”

“Kinley, you can do whatever you want,” Levi replied with a smile.

“I thought I’d ask first.”

He kissed her lips and couldn’t help but smile while looking at her in his shirt.

“Make yourself at home. You look good in my shirt,” he commented as he pulled away.

“I love it. It smells like you.”

“I smell?” Levi joked.

“You smell wonderful.” Kinley laughed.

Levi grinned. “Good save.”

She sipped her coffee and then walked toward the archway to the living room. He couldn’t help but notice that shirt barely covered her ass. Kinley stared at the large wall of windows.

“You know, a Christmas tree would look beautiful in front of those windows,” she said wistfully, as she glanced over her shoulder at him.

“We’ll put one there next year,” Levi promised with a smile.

Kinley’s face lit up with a beautiful smile. “I’d love that. ”

“As I said, I need to head down to the barn to muck the stalls. It’ll take me about an hour and a half. You can take your shower and be ready to go by the time I get back.”

“Why do you have to do it?”

“The men are off until Monday and stalls have to be cleaned every day.”

“Oh, okay. I’ll be ready when you get back.”

Levi kissed her lips. “Alright.”

After putting his cup in the sink, he pulled on his coat, lifted his hat off the hook, then kissed her lips again. As he turned to leave, his phone buzzed from the counter, and he saw Kinley glance at it and a frown furrowed her brow.

He walked to it and almost groaned when he saw another text from Tara.

I really can’t wait to see you, Levi.

Kinley folded her arms across her chest, raised her eyebrow, and looked at him.

“It’s not what you think,” he said.

“What is it I think, Levi?”

He sighed. “She’s been texting me. There’s nothing between us anymore.”

“ Anymore? Who is she?”

“We were a couple years ago. She usually just texts me on my birthday or holidays. She’s married, but we kept in touch. As friends .”

“Were you in love with her?”

“Yes, but I’m not anymore.”

“This sounds like she wants to be more than friends.” Kinley shook her head. “Look, if you say you’re only friends, I believe you, but she says she can’t wait to see you.”

Levi picked up the phone, scrolled back through the messages and showed them to her .

“Honestly, I don’t know what’s going on with her, but I didn’t say I’d meet up with her. I said, I’d try.”

“You don’t have feelings for her?”

He huffed out a laugh. “No. I only have feelings for you.”

“We’re going to talk.”

“I know. We will when we get to your house. Now, I have to go.” He kissed her forehead, put his phone in his pocket, and walked out the door.

As he was working on one of the stalls, he heard a familiar sound outside and smiled. It was Mr. Barton on his backhoe, clearing the roads for everyone. This was a common routine whenever it snowed and people were always grateful for his help.

Finishing up with the last stall, Levi leaned his rake against the wall and went outside to see Mr. Barton operating his backhoe to push away snow. Levi walked toward him and when Mr. Barton noticed him approaching, he turned off the machine and climbed down.

“How are you doing, son?” Mr. Barton asked as he shook Levi’s hand.

“Cold. And you?” Levi replied.

“I love this weather.” Mr. Barton grinned. “I finally have something to do now that I’ve sold all my pigs and hogs.”

Levi nodded in understanding. “Everyone is grateful for your help, Mr. Barton. How are the roads?”

“Clear now.” Mr. Barton chuckled.

“That’s good,” Levi said. “Although I don’t plan on going far, it’s nice for those who do.”

Mr. Barton shook his head. “Clifton is packed with people today. You know how it goes after Christmas. Everyone rushing to make returns.”

“I guess they think the stores won’t wait a few days for returns.” Levi shrugged, not really understanding why people couldn’t just wait a little longer.

He then thought about how different his own childhood Christmases had been, simple and modest, with only one gift from his mother because that’s all she could afford. But it didn’t matter to him, he learned to appreciate what he had. He was reminded of this as he thought of the land and home that were now his, thanks to an incredible gift from Cody and Addison.

“I’ll let you get back to work, Mr. Barton. I’d offer you a cup of coffee, but I don’t have any made,” Levi said with a smile.

“No worries, son. Cody already brought me a cup. It’s in there,” Mr. Barton replied, pointing to the enclosed cab of the backhoe.

Levi chuckled. “You’ll need it after being out in this.”

Mr. Barton chuckled as well, “Nonsense, son. The cold air is good for you.”

“If you say so. I’m heading back into the barn to finish my work. You have a good day.”

“You too.”

Levi turned and walked toward the barn, glancing over his shoulder as he heard the backhoe starting up again. He shook his head, knowing that the older man loved helping out everyone.

As he entered the barn, his phone buzzed in his pocket. He stopped to check it and grinned when he saw a message from Kinley .

Any idea how the roads are?

Mr. Barton is here clearing the yard and said they’re clear now.

Great. I need to get home and feed my cat. She probably thinks I abandoned her.

Okay, I won’t be much longer. I’m working on the last stall now.

Alright. Hurry up, cowboy. He chuckled at the cowboy emoji.

Levi smiled as he put his phone away. He really hoped they could talk and it not end up her not wanting to be with him. It’s how his past relationships always ended when the woman wanted more than he could give. He hoped it wouldn’t be like that with Kinley.

After finishing his work, he put the tools away, and drove back to his cabin.