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Leviwipedhisdamppalms on the legs of his jeans, took a deep breath, and walked into the apartment building where Grace said she lived.
Grace Marshall.
Now that he knew her name, Levi would never forget it. Or her.
He’d spent all last weekend feeling guilty and terrible about the way he’d left the hospital in a foul mood and for the things he’d said under his breath about Grace. Even as he’d muttered them, he knew they weren’t true. Her presence had unsettled him so much he’d felt completely unlike himself.
It wasn’t until he’d arrived back at the farm with the parts his dad had ordered and the groceries his mom had wanted that he had acknowledged he’d acted like a blustering blockhead. Levi might no longer be full of laughter and fun, but he wasn’t rude or condescending. It disturbed him more than he cared to admit that he’d acted that way to a woman who’d just wanted to help him.
After church on Sunday, as he joined his parents for lunch at their house, he brought up what had happened. His mother had lectured him for twenty minutes on minding his manners while his father had given him several you-know-better-than-that looks that made Levi feel like he was nine years old.
When he’d asked if they thought he should apologize, his father nodded while his mother spent another twenty minutes discussing, mostly with herself, all the appropriate ways he could offer a sincere apology.
The flowers she suggested seemed like the simplest thing to do. His mother had helped him choose the blooms and arranged them on Sunday evening. The thought of taking the flowers up to the doctor’s office and asking for Nurse Marshall had made Levi feel sick to his stomach, so he had decided he’d drive to the hospital early Monday morning and wait for her arrival. His patience had paid off. He’d watched Grace pull up in a sporty teal blue Impala that looked like it would be a blast to drive. It wasn’t the vehicle he’d pictured her owning, but she appeared both comfortable and confident behind the wheel.
Before she could get out of the car, he’d grabbed the umbrella his mother had insisted he take with him because it looked like rain—was Stella Gibsoneverwrong?—and rushed over to hold it for Grace as she got out of the car.
She looked utterly taken aback to see him. For the briefest moment, he’d seen questions in her eyes, but she’d allowed him to hold the umbrella for her as they rushed to the hospital’s main entrance, then she’d waited inside while he retrieved the flowers.
She’d been open to accepting his apology, then had shocked him by asking if he was busy tonight.
Honestly, if she hadn’t offered the invitation, Levi wouldn’t have worked up the courage to ask her on a date. Not after he’d insulted her and acted like a petulant child in the exam room.
Despite his embarrassment over his behavior, he’d been eager to see her again.
When he’d phoned last night to see what time she’d like to get together, she’d suggested he pick her up at her apartment and given him directions. They’d made plans to eat dinner first, then go to the movies.
Levi made his way up the stairs to the second floor of the apartment building, then found the apartment door with her number and knocked twice on the portal.
Out of habit, he shoved his left hand into his front jeans pocket, then stepped back, hearing voices inside just before the door swung open.
The woman smiling at him in welcome looked nothing like the nurse he’d first encountered. The stark white of her uniform and the severity of the bun she wore at the back of her head did little to diminish her attractiveness.
Yet, seeing her now, she appeared incredibly feminine and lovely with her hair flowing in thick waves around her, wearing a floral dress in shades of teal blue and white. Instead of her sensible and somewhat ugly, nurse’s shoes, she had on a pair of wedge sandals that added a few inches to her already tall height.
If Levi hadn’t left his cowboy hat at home, he might have swept it off his head and bowed to her in greeting. As it was, he couldn’t hold back a satisfied smile at seeing her. He drew in a breath and found his senses ensnared by her tropical fragrance.
Man, did she smell good.
Levi took a second whiff before he yanked his thoughts together and forced his stiff posture to relax.
“Hi, Grace. I hope I’m not too early. I wasn’t sure how long it would take me to get here.”
“From Star, right?” she asked, stepping back so he could enter the apartment.
The living room was tidy and smelled like cookies, making him wonder if Grace had been baking that afternoon. He liked the eclectic mix of furniture and the fact that the walls and décor weren’t bright, gaudy colors, but subtle and subdued.
“You have a nice place here,” he said as his eyes roved around the room, landing on a female who stood in the doorway to the kitchen. She was cute, in a pair of jeans with the cuffs rolled up and a cotton top, with her blonde hair pulled into a ponytail tied with a yellow ribbon.
“This is my roommate and best friend, Cindy Milton. Cindy, meet Levi Gibson.”
Levi held out a hand and met the girl halfway across the living room. She shook his hand with enough enthusiasm that it made him grin, then she gave him a teasing wink and tipped her head toward Grace.
“Grace has been looking forward to seeing you all week. I hope the two of you have a great time.”
Levi bit his cheek to hold back a laugh at the furious frown Grace tossed to Cindy. Her cheeks had turned a bright shade of pink, betraying the humiliation she felt at the comment. He was grateful to Cindy, though, for making it known he wasn’t the only one who’d been anticipating his date with Grace this evening.
“What will you do this evening, Miss Milton?” Levi asked as Grace gathered her purse and dropped in a set of keys.
