Chapter Seven: Rosie

Rosie ushered Elliott out the door and checked her watch. She should have plenty of time to drop Elliott at Camille’s house and get to her appointment at eleven. It’s not as if she would get snarled up in traffic.

That was one thing she did like about Bear Creek. Life seemed to go at a slower pace.

“Got everything you need?” Rosie asked her son as she closed the door behind him and locked it securely.

Did people do that here? Lock doors.

“Yup,” Elliott replied, his small hands clutching onto his backpack.

“Your game charger?” she prodded, knowing how important it was to him.

Elliott grinned sheepishly. “Yeah, got that, too.”

“Good, because Levi went out of his way to buy you a new one,” Rosie said. “Which reminds me, I need to reimburse him for it.”

“I’m going to ask him if he wants to have a go at playing Space Monkeys,” Elliott said as he skipped to the car.

“Okay, but just remember…”

“That he’s working on Camille’s kitchen and not to disturb him,” Elliott said in a resigned voice.

“You got it.” Rosie slowed her pace as she walked to the car and took a moment to appreciate the start of a new day. Something she never did.

But then her morning commute had never started at a cabin in the woods before.

The mountain and forest seemed to come alive around them, an orchestra of birdsong and rustling leaves a soothing soundtrack to their first morning at Bear Creek Lodge.

The sun’s warmth caressed her face, casting intricate patterns of light and shadow across the gravel parking lot. Shadows that danced and shimmered with the sway of the trees. It was a far cry from city life, where the sun was often a mere suggestion behind steel and glass.

Feeling grounded, she unlocked the car, loaded Elliott into the backseat, and buckled him in. As she opened the driver’s door, she paused, taking a moment to express her gratitude, not just for the chance to enjoy a morning like this, but for the opportunity to share it with her son.

Then she climbed into the car and started the engine, ready to face the day. She glanced at the passenger seat and checked she had everything she needed. Her eyes rested on her purse, which hid the pregnancy tests she’d bought for Camille. She must remember to give it to her today, since she had forgotten to yesterday.

Because Levi had taken her by surprise.

Rosie put the car in drive and pulled away from the cabin. She needed to push Levi out of her thoughts, where he had taken up residence since his visit last night.

He’d been so patient with Elliott, even reading him a bedtime story before he left. But she could not afford to get hung up on a man.

Even a man like Levi.

Who obviously belonged here in the mountains, as much as the birds and the trees.

Yes, falling for a mountain man would lead to nothing but heartache. And not just for her.

Rosie glanced in the rearview mirror. She had to be careful, for Elliott’s sake.

Levi and Elliott had connected in a sweet, wholesome way. They had formed a bond, but in six days, Rosie and Elliott would leave Bear Creek.

She didn’t want Elliott to feel as if he was losing another male figure in his life. It was time to put up walls and do what was best for her son.

As the car hummed along the winding roads toward the heart of Bear Creek, Rosie tried to keep her growing anxiety at bay, focusing instead on the beauty of their surroundings. She glanced at Elliott, who looked lost in thought. “Did you bring something else to do while you’re at Camille’s? Like coloring, or a book?”

“I have a book,” Elliott said, his eyes lighting up as he patted his backpack. “I hope Levi will read to me.”

“Remember what I said.” Rosie drove through the streets of Bear Creek toward Camille’s house.

“Don’t eat too many cookies?”

“No,” Rosie replied, although she could not stop herself from smiling. “That Levi is working.”

“But he’ll have to stop for lunch,” Elliott said. “Everyone stops for lunch.”

Rosie’s smile faltered. She couldn’t fault Elliott’s logic—it was solid, for that of a five-year-old. The child had an innocence about him, a purity in his reasoning that made explaining adult complexities an almost impossible task.

“Yes, most people do. But don’t be disappointed if he’s busy, okay?” She turned the corner and parked in front of Camille’s place. Rosie unbuckled her seatbelt and went to help Elliott with his. The little boy was quick to jump out, his backpack bouncing as he hit the ground, running toward the front porch where Camille stood, a cup of tea in hand.

“Morning, Camille,” Rosie called as she grabbed her purse from the front seat and hurried after Elliott.

“Morning, Rosie! And morning, Elliott. I wish I had your energy first thing in the morning.” Camille grinned down at the young boy as he reached her. “Do you want to go inside? Levi is just having a cup of coffee before he starts work.”

“He’s not working?” Elliot asked happily.

“No, not yet.” Camille smiled, looking a little bemused as Elliott ran toward the door. “What happened? Yesterday he seemed clingy, and I thought I might have to bribe him to stay with cookies.”

“Levi,” Rosie said as she reached her friend. “He was good enough to get Elliott a new charger for his game console and bring it over last night.”

“Did he?” Camille arched an eyebrow.

“He was just being neighborly,” Rosie insisted, then she dug her hand in her purse and inched the pregnancy test out. “I bought this for you.”

“You did.” Camille paled and her hand rested on her belly.

“I can keep it until you are ready,” Rosie said and slid the test back into her purse.

“I should take the test. I know I should. But I’m scared. Not that I am pregnant, but that I’m not.” Camille pressed her lips together and her mouth drooped in the corners.

Rosie reached out, her fingers brushing Camille’s forearm. “It’s okay to be scared. And there is no rush. I can keep hold of it until you are ready.” She gave her a reassuring squeeze.

Camille nodded, taking a deep breath. “Thanks, Rosie.” She opened her arms and hugged her friend. “I know how much Ezra wants a child. And I do, too. So very much. But sometimes I think we are already so blessed, that…”

“You deserve to be happy. You deserve to have children. Don’t ever think otherwise,” Rosie told her.

“Oh, I’m blubbering again,” Camille said and blotted her eyes. “If my hormones are anything to go by, I am definitely pregnant.” She sniffed loudly and then held out her hand. “Give me the test. I need to put myself out of my misery. But not until tomorrow. After the festival.”

“Whenever you are ready. And if you want me to be here for you, just let me know.”

“Thank you.” Camille backed away from Rosie. “Do you have time for a cup of tea? Or coffee?”

Rosie checked her watch. “I do. Plus, I want to check on Elliott. I have warned him not to get under Levi’s feet while he’s working.”

Camille chuckled. “Levi has other ideas. His mom, Mary, dug out an old toy tool kit from the attic that Levi used to play with when he was Elliott’s age. He was going to ask you if it’s okay for Elliott to help.”

“Help.” Rosie chuckled.

“Levi likes the little guy.” Camille smiled as she brushed off her tears. “Come on.”

Camille went into the house, and Rosie followed. As soon as she entered the hallway, she could hear Elliott talking to Levi and asking him questions. Elliott’s favorite thing.

“Hey there.” Rosie forced herself to keep her tone even as she entered the kitchen, but she could not stop her cheeks from flushing pink. Levi had an effect on her that she could not explain.

“Hi.” Levi straightened up from where he kneeled on the floor, his hands steadying a wooden plank that Elliott was enthusiastically pretending to saw.

“Look, Mom, I’m helping!” Elliott beamed, his small hands gripping the toy saw while his face was a mask of concentration.

“Sorry, I was going to ask if it was okay for Elliott to help, but he spotted the toolbox and…” Levi began.

“Camille mentioned you needed Elliott’s help today,” Rosie said. “And I’m happy as long as he doesn’t get under your feet.”

“No, we’ll get along just fine,” Levi insisted. “And I’ll make sure he doesn’t get hurt.”

“Safety first!” Elliott said in a deep voice.

“Well, Mr. Safety First.” Rosie put her hands on her son’s shoulders and turned him to face her. “You need to listen to Levi. And if he tells you to move back out of the way, then you do as he says. And you stay out of the way until he tells you it’s safe.”

“Got it,” Elliott said with a nod.

“I’m doing a lot of measuring and planning logistics today,” Levi said. “So, we’ll be fine.”

“And I’m here, too,” Camille said, handing Rosie a cup of tea. “So, between us, we’ll keep him safe and entertained.”

“Thank you both so much.” Rosie took a sip of her tea, feeling the warmth spread through her as she watched Levi interact with Elliot. The little boy looked up at Levi with pure admiration in his eyes.

Levi caught Rosie’s gaze and winked, sending another wave of heat across her cheeks. It was a simple gesture, but one that tied her stomach in knots. So much for not letting Elliott get too close to Levi.

Was she making a mistake?

It was impossible to tell since she did not have the gift of foresight, but it felt right.

If she was honest with herself, everything about Levi felt right.

“I should get going,” Rosie said as her thoughts left her confused. Was she allowing herself to become infatuated with Levi because he was everything Terry was not?

Levi nodded, his eyes holding a touch of understanding mingled with something deeper, something that tugged at the edge of Rosie’s heart. “We’ll take good care of him,” he assured her.

“Here, let me take that.” Camille took Rosie’s empty teacup. “I’m washing them in the bathroom sink.”

“Thanks.” Rosie reached for her son and tugged at his sleeve. “Be good. I’ll be back soon.”

“Take your time,” Elliott said cheekily as he hugged her, but did not let go of his toy saw.

“You have your packed lunch in your backpack,” Rosie said, dropping a kiss on his head. “And remember to do as you are told.”

“I will.” He looked up at her and she cupped his face in her hand, staring into his eyes. Her heart clenched. She loved him so much.

“Bye.” She squeezed him tightly and then let him go.

“I’ll walk you out.” Levi got to his feet and followed her to the door, as heat crept across her face. What could he possibly want?

She reached the front door, and he opened it for her. Rosie glanced up at him, her brows tugged together. Was she about to learn the real reason he’d been so kind to her and Elliott?

He wanted something in return.

“Did you sleep well last night?” Levi asked, nervously pushing his hair out of his eyes.

“We did,” Rosie said. “Elliott was out like a light for a full two hours.” She pressed her lips together, wishing he’d get to the real reason he’d offered to walk her out. Because it sure wasn’t just for small talk about sleep, was it?

Levi hesitated, his hand still on the door, the cool morning breeze brushing past them. “I wanted to ask you,” he finally began, then took a breath. “If you would like to go to the festival. With me.”

“I…” She looked down at the wooden porch as she tried to figure out her reply. The question had come as a complete surprise. “I’m not interested in dating, Levi. Not now, perhaps not ever.”

He nodded. “I understand.”

But she didn’t. As she turned and walked away, Rosie had the intense impression that she had just made the biggest mistake of her life.