Page 41 of The Heart Remembers

“I’ve seen how Levi’s looking at you.” His eyes shift to me and back to the road. “How he can’t seem to keep his hands off you.”

This is a little embarrassing as I’m twenty-seven years old, and I can see my dad’s trying to be confident while cringing at this conversation.

“We don’t need to discuss Levi,” I admit, trying to let him off the hook.

“But I think we should. He’s practically family. Hell, Aunt Tricia considers him hers. I don’t want anyone hurt.”

“I’m not going to get hurt,” I tease, brushing off the possibility while deep down I’m worried about the same thing. How will Levi be when I return for the party? What will happen tomorrow when we both leave?

“I’m not saying I don’t like Levi. I like him well enough. He has a lot on his plate, and I can sympathize with what he’s going through.” Dad means being a single father, far-removed from family. He was once in the position himself. “It’d be nice for him to move closer to home. I know Tricia wants that for him.”

I’d like that as well, but I toss Dad’s words back at him. “But Levi has to make his own choices.”

“He does,” Dad agrees. “But sometimes, when the right person comes along, those choices become easier to make.”

“Dad, now what are you saying?”

“Don’t tell your mother how I’m botching this up, but what I’m trying to say is, I want you to be happy. If it isn’t Derek, so be it. If it’s Levi, then be that.” His knuckles tighten on the wheel again, and I accept that while my dad wants my happiness, no one will really ever be good enough, according to him. “But the man I want in your life is the man who loves you best. He needs to love you more than anything.” Like he loves my mom. Like he loves me.

I want that same thing. I want a man who loves me the most and who I love the same way, and it isn’t Derek. Of that much, I’m certain. What I’m still uncertain of is how Levi feels about me.

“I know, Dad. I want the same thing. I want what you and Mom have.” I pause, looking out the windshield. “Maybe someday.” It’s something Mom would say. Someday my prince will come, only I don’t need a prince, or even a hero, just a soldier willing to fight for me and our future.

+ + +

When we finally arrive back at the house, everyone has moved on to dinner at Ethan’s restaurant. I shower to wash off the drive and loosen muscles already growing stiff. We’re late to the party, but not so late we’ve missed more than the first round of cocktails. As I enter the barn, I instantly see Levi, who rushes to me.

“Are you okay?” He pulls me into a tight hug, not caring that my father stands next to me or that other family members nearby are staring at us. He mutters into my neck, “I was so worried.”

Pushing me back, he holds my shoulders and scans my body like he can read me for signs of harm.

“I’m fine. I’ll be achy tomorrow, but I’m okay tonight.”

“I missed you today.” His voice softens as his hand cups my jaw and his thumb swipes against my cheek. Next to me, my dad clears his throat.

“You should go see your mother,” Dad suggests. He watches as Levi’s hands shift from my face to my lower back. Then Dad clenches his jaw and narrows his eyes, hinting at an all-knowing look.

“You take care of her,” Dad addresses Levi with more warning than necessary, and I shake my head at this masculine standoff. Levi’s hand presses more firmly at my back.

“Yes, sir.” Jesus, why did that sound so inappropriate directed at my father? My face heats as Levi guides me away from my father.

As we cross the barn, Levi speaks to me.

“Why didn’t you call me? I’d have come to get you. I’d go anywhere you needed me.”

I was ready to sarcastically respond to his question with what car? But the earnest tone has me catching my tongue. Would he really go wherever I asked?

We reach my mom before I can question him, and she hugs me like she’ll never let me go.

“I’m fine. It was only a fender-bender.” Back fender. Front bumper. I’m trying not to let the reality of the situation get to me. It could have been so much worse. The car doesn’t look completely like an accordion, just partially.

“I love you,” Mom says, and tears burn the edges of my eyes. However, I fight the reality check of the crash.

“I love you,” I tell her and then pull back from the hug. “But I’d really like a drink.” She smiles, reaching out a hand for Levi and rubbing at his arm before we step away from her.

Levi and I walk to the official bar, no longer a makeshift one from those Halloween parties, but a permanent structure that looks a little more elegant while appropriate for a barn. The place looks great with low hanging mini-bulb lights and country music blaring. We’ve missed a few speeches but I’m certain there will be more as the night continues. My dad will definitely have a thing or two to say about his brother and the last sixty years.

After ordering a glass of wine and Levi a beer, we step over to a high-top table where Levi stands close to me, still touching my back.