20. Levi

20

LEVI

L evi picked up Flora from his mom and arrived back at his home office with just enough time to change clothes and dash out to the hospital to meet Lily and the kids.

He’d hoped to be earlier, but maybe this was for the best. Days of wasting time trying to reach her had only convinced him that he really just needed to give her space and some time. And after tomorrow, he’d have nothing but time on his hands.

He was glad now that he had avoided Lily’s shop. He would see her today on her terms, and that had to count for something.

Grabbing the plastic bag off the porch, he headed inside and jogged up to his bedroom to try on the Santa suit, putting Flora in her pack-and-play and singing Christmas carols at the top of his lungs as he changed clothes so she wouldn’t feel completely abandoned.

Luckily, Ashton also had broad shoulders, so the fit of the jacket was a little snug but fine .

Unfortunately, the pants were very short. Even the black felt spats meant to make his shoes look like Santa boots didn’t fully cover the gap, but they would have to do. He had no time to spare.

“You’ve got this,” he told himself in the mirror.

Though the sight of himself in a massive white beard and red hat and suit with a generously padded belly didn’t exactly make him feel like the catch of the county.

It doesn’t matter , he told himself. Showing up for her when she needs it is what’s important.

He quickly checked Flora’s diaper as she chuckled at him and tried to grab his beard.

A minute later they were in his truck, heading out on Route One to get to Tarker County General. Elvis crooned on the radio, imploring Santa to bring his baby back to him, and Levi shook his head, irrationally wishing that Santa could give him just a little more time with Flora.

But the thought of the baby that had become so dear to him leaving with her mother tomorrow made it hard to breathe, so he kept his eyes on the road and focused on the rhythm of the music until he felt a little more like himself again.

He turned off the main route, using a shortcut through the more rural area behind some of the dairy farms to get to the hospital. It wasn’t really a whole lot quicker, but it was a much nicer drive. The woods spread out on one side and a little farmhouse was just visible on the other.

It was odd to be so upset when he had known all along that Andrea would be back as soon as she could for her daughter. It was a good thing that she was feeling well and strong enough to come for her.

But he couldn’t help feeling anxious anyway. Maybe it was knowing that his poor friend might always struggle with her illness. And he had learned in small ways how difficult it was to be a parent on top of it. He wished he could ease those burdens for her, and for Flora too.

He knew the best solution might be to offer the ring in his pocket to Andrea. But even though Lily wouldn’t speak to him, he couldn’t imagine being anyone’s husband but hers. And he’d certainly never had any kind of romantic feelings for Andrea. He just wished he had some way to make things easier for his old friend.

Maybe Andrea would at least allow him to help out financially, and of course he would take Flora anytime she needed a hand, although they didn’t live close enough for that to really be feasible.

He was just thinking up all the ways he could keep being a positive presence in Flora’s life when his engine made an odd sound, his headlights dimmed, and the truck shuddered to a halt.

“No,” he groaned, looking at the dash where the battery light had flashed to life.

Five miles ago he had been on Route One where a dozen cars would have passed them in the next two minutes, and he could have easily gotten them a lift to the hospital. But he had taken the shortcut, and now he had no idea how far the nearest house was or long it would be until another car came along.

He pulled his phone out of his pocket, but he wasn’t surprised to find that he had no reception. Coverage was always spotty on these little backroads, and the hillside on the right seemed like it was blocking the signal completely. Help wasn’t coming. He would never get to the hospital on time. And he didn’t know how long he could keep Flora warm and cozy if he didn’t get moving. He would have to walk back toward the village to get them to help faster. And that would take time.

He glanced over at the field side of the road and blinked when he spotted a tall chestnut mare standing by the fence gazing back at him. The horse was big and healthy, and even looked pretty fast…

You can’t steal another man’s horse, a sensible voice in the back of his head told him sternly.

You’d just be borrowing it, his darker angels whispered. And you’d be leaving a truck as collateral. It’s a very good truck. All it needs is a battery.

Glancing at the time again, Levi knew what he had to do.

He popped the truck into neutral and pushed it as far into the weeds on the side of the road as he could, then set up some triangle reflectors in front and back, the whole time terrified he was going to spook the horse. But someone could get hurt if they didn’t see his truck and crashed into it.

He tucked the keys under the floor mat, figuring he could call for a tow as soon as he got into cell service area.

Then he put on the baby carrier and got Flora out of her car seat.

She was chuckling at him as he strapped her in, endlessly delighted with the long white beard he still wore. He thought about taking it off, but it wasn’t like he had any way to carry it.

Once Flora was secure, he turned to the mare, who was still eyeing him like a nosy neighbor.

“Hi, pretty girl,” Levi said with the calm confidence that horses loved. “Want to go on an adventure?”

She snorted but held her ground, even when he removed two horizontal boards from the split rail fence and headed inside.

“ Gahhhh ,” Flora yelled in wonder, wiggling her fingers at the big animal in what seemed like pure delight.

The mare stood stock-still when Levi climbed another section of fence so he could mount her gently.

Please, don’t let her spook, he prayed as he placed a hand on her withers and swung his leg over . I can’t have anything happen to Flora.

But the mare seemed quite pleased to have a rider.

“Good girl,” he told her when he was settled on her back.

Her ears swiveled back to him, as if she had been dying for a stranger with a baby strapped to him to come along for a bareback ride on Christmas Eve, and was only awaiting further instruction.

He clucked, and she began walking. Her gait was smooth and slow, but he could sense the speed coiled in her and the excitement in her dancing feet when he tugged her mane gently to ask her to stop.

“I don’t know what your name is, but I think we’re going to call you Dancer for today,” he decided. “Let’s see if we can make it to the kids in time, pretty girl.”

She pricked up her ears and snorted, sending frosty plumes into the air and making Flora chuckle.

And when Levi gave the big horse a squeeze, she took off like she had been waiting all her life to rush a perfectly healthy man dressed like Santa Claus to the hospital with his baby.