Page 86 of Stuck with the Hero Next Door

“Cassie,” Levi warned.

“Oh, hush and open gift two,” I said, practically bouncing in my seat.

Levi opened the next gift—tearing at the paper.

“Oh, Cassie.” Levi sighed. “It’s beautiful.” He stroked the wooden box.

“It’s made from the old cherry tree your grandpa had in his backyard. Baxter had it cut down last month, so I had Dane teach woodshop at school to make you a box from one of the branches.” I wrung my hands together when he didn’t say anything. “Do you like it?”

When Levi looked at me, he had that smile that made me go weak at the knees. The one that said everything without words.

“How did you know?” he asked in awe.

“Your mother.” I shrugged. “When I heard that Baxter got the south forty from your grandpa in exchange for your north forty, and your grandpa always regretted giving that tree away, I spoke to Baxter. He was more than happy. He even saved several large pieces for you that he’ll have delivered to your house for anything else you want.” I sat taller, feeling a little proud of my new discovery. It took everything I had not to tell him last week when the box was done.

Levi didn’t answer in words. When he kissed me beside the tree, his arms wrapped around my waist, he left a streak of kisses along my jaw before kissing my nose, then my forehead, then my lips. His lips were warm and soft, and I melted into his arms. His kisses weren’t ravishing or feverish; they were soft, sweet, and perfect. One hand moved to my cheek, and his hands tangled in my hair before he pulled away, his forehead resting against mine.

Outside, snow began to fall again, but inside, wrapped in Levi’s arms with my mother’s initials warm against my skin and the lights of home glowing around us, everything was exactly as it should be.

Cozy and joyful and beautifully, completely perfect.

Chapter 24

Real Love, Real Life

Cassie's

Watching Levi field questions from twenty-six ninth graders was entertaining. Every once in a while, he looked over at me as if seeking approval for his answers. It was adorable how he had made flashcards to help him stay on topic. I probably should have warned him that you can’t plan with kids. They have a tendency to make their own plans. Today was Career Day at Everwood High, where most of us teachers hosted speakers to help students start thinking about their futures. And for the most part, so far, these kids had listened to an assistant manager convey the importance of being on time, and Milly talk about inventory.

For the last few days, Levi had asked me for pointers.

“Don’t sweat it. They are only freshmen. None of them is actually planning their lifelong future. It’s mainly telling them there is more than one path. Just be prepared to talk about just about anything,” was the only advice I could give him. He gave that look he always gave me when he thinks I’ve been just about as helpful as a parsnip.

"So, Mr. Marshall," Emma said, raising her hand. She'd been planning this question for days, and she even asked me if it was okay, "when you were in the military, how hard was the training? I’ve seen the movie Renaissance Man, and the victory tower looked kind of fun."

I looked up from organizing my class materials, genuinely curious about his answer.

"Well," he said, taking the question in stride, "I’d have to say the movie does not portray the actual training, except for the part where they were in a foxhole in the rain.” He pretended to shiver at the thought, and the kids laughed. “The training in the military was far harder than the movie. It was closer to taking an algebra exam blindfolded with bombs going off.” That got the attention of the kids who were taking Career Day as free time, looking up. “No, I’m just kidding, but the training was more than physical fitness—though there was a lot of that too.” Levi and the kids laughed. “The fitness was never just about physical strength. It was a mental game you played with yourself to carry out the next task. It was also about the fine line between leadership and following orders. Most often, leadership isn't about being the loudest person in the room. It's about staying calm under pressure, making decisions with incomplete information, and taking care of the people depending on you. Those skills transfer to pretty much everything: running a business, volunteering with the fire department or veterans, even just being someone your neighbors can count on."

I felt something warm settle in my chest. This was exactly why I'd fallen in love with this man—the way he made something that looked like work, fun, and the way he lightened the mood, even when being asked about his military training. Something I doubt Emma, or I, would find fun.

Tyler's hand shot up immediately. "What kind of training did you have to complete?"

"Extensive physical conditioning, weapons training, survival skills, medical training, navigation, communications," Levi listed, and I watched several students nod. "But honestly, the most important part was learning to work as part of a team where everyone's life depended on everyone else doing their job right."

Marcus raised his hand next. "My grandpa said he had a hard time going from military life to civilian life. Was that hard for you too?"

I saw something shift in Levi's expression—a brief flicker of something deeper before he answered.

"It was difficult," he admitted. "The structure is completely different, the pace is different, the sense of mission changes. But I found that a lot of the skills I learned in the military translate. For instance, problem-solving, working under pressure, attention to detail, reliability. I learned that I needed to shift my thinking. As a firefighter, my crew depends on me to lead them with clarity and confidence. As a Veteran, I need to guide them to make and find mission objectives in their communities and daily life. Those skills are important, no matter what field you're in."

The honesty in his answer made me love him even more. He wasn't giving them platitudes or oversimplifying complex realities.

Mandy put up her hand. "What about the seasonal work? Besides being a firefighter, aren’t you a lumberjack too? How does that all fit in?"

"Good question. Seasonal lumber work pays extremely well during the active months, giving me additional income for the things I find important, like helping others. I combine that with year-round ranch work, plus all my handyman jobs. For me, the key to my transition to civilian life is being adaptable and keeping busy. A lot of you will probably end up with careers that don't even exist yet, so learning to adapt is going to be crucial."

"What about volunteering?" asked Jessica from the back row. "How do you balance that with work?"