Total pages in book: 87
Estimated words: 81401 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 407(@200wpm)___ 326(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81401 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 407(@200wpm)___ 326(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
I shiver, and I swear it’s from the wind and not the look that Levi is giving me. When he smiles, it’s the perfect type with his head bent slightly, and his eyes focused on me. My breathing hitches and my heart skips a beat or two causing me to shyly look away. He hands me my plate, and when his fingers brush against my flesh, they cause the same reaction as his smile.
I shouldn’t feel anything for him, and frankly, I don’t understand why my body is having this type of reaction. But it has been since the day I met him at the video shoot. There is something about Levi that I can’t put my finger on, nor do I want to even try. I am in no way ready to pursue anything with anyone. The emotional heartache that Van has put me through is enough to last me a lifetime. What I want, though, is a chance to enjoy the serenity he’s offering me with his home until I’m left with no choice but to return to my life.
“If you don’t like what June made, I can have her make you something else.” Levi points at the plate of food I have yet to touch. I’ve been far too lost in my own head to realize that he’s eaten lunch while I’ve sat here contemplating my reactions to him.
“No, this is perfect,” I tell him as I quickly take a bite. He watches me for a second before he sits back in the chair and closes his eyes. The growling in my stomach keeps me from staring at him for too long, though.
But once I’ve set my plate back onto the table, the sliding glass door opens and June appears, causing Levi to wake up. She is either watching us or has an amazing ability to predict when she’s needed.
“Thank you, June.”
“Yes, thank you,” I add. She smiles softly as she gathers the dishes and returns inside. “Does she know who I am?” I ask Levi once the door is closed.
“Unfortunately, she does, but she’s been a stellar employee for years and has signed a non-disclosure agreement. June met with Barbara this morning to go over it again.
“Barbara. . . I like her.” I spent most of the flight talking to her about Nashville and the music industry here. She’s vastly different from Laura, whereas she only cares about publicity and Barbara cares about the quality of life. It was her son who met us at the airport with Levi’s truck. She told me to call her anytime I wanted to escape the monotony of the ranch. As I look around, I can see what she meant. I’m surrounded by the same view in every direction that I look. I imagine that after a while, it’ll become rather boring.
“Barb’s amazing'. She’s family. I don’t know what I would do without her.”
“I was surprised she went to California with you?”
Levi nods. “She goes everywhere with me, except on tour. Although she’s been known to show up a few times.”
“My publicist is nothing like her. In fact, mine slept with my ex.”
Levi looks at me sharply, causing me to look away. “Stupid man,” he mutters. I don’t know if he intended for me to hear him or not, but I did, and honestly, I like that he said it because yes, Van is a stupid man.
“What are you in the mood for?’ he asks as he stands up. “I don’t know if you’re tired or not or if you’d like to take the horses out for a bit.”
I am tired, but I like the idea of spending some time with Levi. “I’ve never ridden a horse before,” I remind him.
He extends his hand, and I easily slip mine into his. “I won’t let you fall, Zara.”
Somehow I know he means what he says and it makes those words mean more to me than anything I’ve heard in a long, long time.
levi
Sixteen
If I didn’t know any better, I would guess that her hand was made to fit in mine, but I do know better and know that Zara and I are two very different people from vastly different worlds. She’s here because she needs a friend and that is what I am going to be to her.
Knowing this, though, doesn’t make me release her hand once we’ve walked down the wide plank steps, through the yard, and into the barn where the horses neigh for attention.
We have three, one for each of us. Back in the day, I used to think that Stormy would be a barrel racer or a show jumper. She loved her horse so much that she would beg to stay home instead of following me out on tour just so she could ride her. That was until she started dancing and her passion changed. I don’t blame her, but I do miss watching her ride, and I miss having her at home.