AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“As nice as that sounds,” she said, her voice low, “it’s not that easy. I can’t do it alone. I don’t have that kind of money, and I’d need to buy land, pay employees, deal with regulations… It’s a lot.” She turned and looked at me with a sad smile.
“You wouldn’t have to do it alone.”
The words slipped from my mouth before I could stop them. I meant them. The idea of running a sanctuary with Anna would be a dream come true. I’d already started my little farm of rescue animals, but I could only do so much. With Anna’s help, there were no limits to what we could do.
“Levi–”
“I know, I know. Temporary. I didn’t mean it like that. It’s just, well, I have similar dreams as you to help animals, but I get it. You need to do this.”
“I do, and honestly, running something large-scale… even with the two of us? That’s a lot. A lot more work than you probably realize.”
I nodded. “Oh yeah, of course.”
“We should probably get back downstairs before they think we’re doing something naughty,” she joked, though it felt flat. “I had just wanted to get you away from their prying questions and give you a break.”
“I appreciate it.”
“My family can be a bit much sometimes.”
“They’re fine, I swear. I love your family, prying questions and all.”
Anna smiled. “I knew you’d understand.”
She took my hand, and since we were alone, I wasn’t sure if it was for show or because she wanted to. She guided me out the door and back downstairs to the sound of crying children. When we got down there, Nicholas and Maddy were making kissy noises toward Anna and me. I stuck my tongue out playfully.
“Sorry for leaving,” Candace said, holding a screaming Olivia while Noah tried to calm Sophia. “The girls are usually in bed at this time, and they’re starting to get grumpy.”
Grace piped up. “Yeah, we have to go soon too, or else we’ll be facing the same problem.”
“I don’t wanna go home!” Nicholas cried, his mood suddenly changing. “I wanna stay with Levi!”
“Well, I have to go home too, little guy,” I said, kneeling to Nicholas’s level. “I have work in the morning, but I’m sure we’ll see each other again.”
“Promise?” Nicholas asked.
I looked at Anna. I didn’t want to promise something I couldn’t keep. Anna nodded. “They’ll be at Summer Fest and Emily’s wedding.”
“Then yes, I promise, little man.”
“You really are so good with kids,” Grace said softly as she and Brad moved their children toward the door.
“You really are,” Mrs. Berkshire echoed with a knowing smile in our direction.
Emily quickly changed the subject. “So, sis, are you staying at Levi’s house… or is he maybe staying here to change things up?” Emily winked at me.
“Oh no, I have something to do tomorrow morning,” Anna said.
It was her phone interview, but she hadn’t broken the news to her family yet.
“And I have an extra early morning tomorrow,” I said, mostly a lie because every morning was extra early when you had roosters.
“Well, it was good to see you,” Emily said. “It’s nice seeing my sister so happy.”
“I’m glad she’s happy.”
Anna walked me to my truck, and as soon as we were outside, she let out a sigh of relief. “We made it through another family event. I swear, we’re getting better at this.”
“Better at what?” I asked without thinking.
