I was examining a display of local honey near the counter when I heard Levi's voice again, this time talking to Mrs. Morrison about delivery schedules for the Henderson property. I tried not to listen, tried to focus on reading the labels on the honey jars, but his voice carried in the small store.
"...should have the last of the furniture arriving next week," he was saying. "Then we'll finally feel like we're actually living there instead of camping."
"About time you boys got settled," Mrs. Morrison replied warmly. " Garrett’s father was worried you'd change your minds about Haven's Rest."
"Not a chance. This place feels right, you know? Quieter than what we're used to, but in a good way." He laughed as he grinned at the older woman.
"Well, we're happy to have you. Especially after what you did at the market the other day—standing up for our Daphne like that…even though she did try to stand up for Oliver first." She told him softly.
I froze, honey jar forgotten in my hand.
"Oliver just did what anyone should do," Levi said, his tone turning more serious. "Trinity was out of line. Way out of line."
"Still. Takes character to step in like that, especially for someone you barely know." There was a pause, then Mrs. Morrison added, "She's a good girl, our Daphne. Been through more than most, though she doesn't talk about it. Keeps to herself, but she's got a good heart."
"I can tell," Levi said quietly, and something in his voice made my chest tight.
I set down the honey jar and moved to the counter quickly, not wanting to hear any more. Mrs. Morrison looked up with a knowing smile as I approached, and I knew she'd been aware of my presence the whole time. "Find everything you need, dear?"
"Yes, thank you." I started unloading my basket, avoiding eye contact with both of them.
Levi stepped aside to give me space, but I could feel his attention on me. When I finally risked a glance, he was watching me with an expression I couldn't quite read—something softer than his earlier playfulness, more thoughtful.
Mrs. Morrison rang up my items with her usual efficiency, chatting about the incoming storm and how her garden would appreciate the rain. I responded with nods and minimal words, hyperaware of Levi standing a few feet away, scrolling through his phone but clearly still present.
"That'll be thirty-two fifty," Mrs. Morrison announced, and I pulled out my wallet.
"Add it to mine," Levi said suddenly, stepping forward.
I turned to stare at him. "What?"
"Your groceries. Put them on my tab." He said it casually, like it was the most natural thing in the world.
"Absolutely not." I held out my cash to Mrs. Morrison, who looked between us with barely concealed amusement.
"Why not? I'm already paying, you're already here. Makes sense." He told me, but I could see something else under his eyes and I didn’t know what it was.
"It makes no sense. These are my groceries. I pay for my own things." I told him, trying to get him to see reason. I only met him, he didn’t need to pay for anything of mine.
"I'm aware you're capable of paying," Levi said, that playful tone returning. "I'm just offering to do it this time. Neighborly gesture."
"We're not neighbors. Not really." I told him, raising an eyebrow in challenge.
"We're close enough. Same road, separated by what, a quarter mile of trees?" He leaned against the counter,completely at ease despite my obvious irritation. "Besides, you gave me valuable sourdough advice. Consider it payment."
"I don't need payment for basic information." I titled my head at him, trying to see what he was going to really get out of this. People weren’t just nice like this because they could.
"Maybe not, but I'd like to offer it anyway." His expression turned more sincere. "Look, I get that you're independent. Garrett's made that very clear. But letting someone buy you groceries once doesn't change that. It's just... kindness. No strings."
There was that phrase again.No strings.Why did they keep saying that, like they knew exactly what I was afraid of?
Mrs. Morrison was watching our exchange with undisguised interest, her hand hovering over the register, waiting to see who would win this standoff.
"I pay for my own things," I repeated, more firmly this time. "It's not personal. It's just how I do things."
Levi studied me for a long moment, then nodded slowly. "Okay. I respect that." He stepped back, hands raised in surrender. "Your groceries, your rules."
I handed the cash to Mrs. Morrison, who accepted it with a small smile. "You're as stubborn as as ever. " she murmured as she counted out my change.
