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“What friend?” Willow asks. Her question is so innocent and yet causes so many ripples. I motion for the girls to follow me to the hot tub where we can at least sit, and the noise will keep our voices muffled. I don’t know much about the neighbors, but know that I’ll never trust them.
“You know Zara Phillips?”
“Oh God, Daddy! You didn’t!” Stormy throws her hands up in the air, confusing Willow and me.
“Didn’t what?”
“I don’t know, but you said her name, and I freaked out a bit,” she says awkwardly. Despite how mature she is on the outside, she’s still fairly young and gets rather excited at the littlest things.
“Right, anyway. She’s the friend who needs some help. She’s going through some stuff and needs to get away, so I’m taking her to the ranch for a little bit. Zara wants to learn to ride the horses and see why we love the ranch so much.”
“And she’s just a friend?” Stormy asks.
“I promise you she’s only a friend. I’m going to get her settled then I’ll be back.”
“Can I go?” Willow asks.
I look at her confused. “I thought you wanted to stay here?”
Willow shakes her head. “Only if you’re here.”
How am I supposed to leave now? I pull her into my arms and Stormy follows suit. “You girls are the most important people in my life, along with Memaw and Aunt Barb. So I’ll tell ya what. I’m going to go tonight but will be back next week to bring you back to Nashville. Okay, Willow?”
She nods.
“And Stormy, let’s start interviewing dance teachers who are willing to move. Maybe your current teacher knows someone. I’m willing to let you travel, but I think it’s about time we move home.”
She nods too, but I have a feeling she’s going to hit me with some resistance soon. I know Stormy is going to be a hard sell, but it’s what’s best for our family.
zara
Fifteen
I have never heard somuchquiet before until now. My life, up to this point, has been crazy, noisy, and running so fast that I could barely keep up, and yet, the moment I walked onto Levi’s deck, the noise stopped, and the peaceful calm that he described to me took over.
Before I arrived, I can admit that I thought I was coming to some far off cabin without running water and electricity. Deep down, I knew better, but my mind still pictured a rustic way of living. To say I was shocked at Levi’s home would be an understatement.
The cathedral ceilings, along with the skylights let an obscene amount of natural light in, and when I walked into his home, the sun’s rays created a magnitude of colors and designs on his hardwood floors. For a moment I wanted to bask in the glow.
It didn’t take long once we arrived for Levi to go to work. After he had shown me to my room, he disappeared, leaving me to entertain myself. Not that I need him around, but a little conversation or tour would’ve been nice.
With the open concept of his home, a tour has been unnecessary. Everything is out in the open, a free-for-all for the eyes to take in. The biggest attraction is his wrap-around deck, and that is where I find myself, staring at him now.
Even as my eyes droop from the lack of sleep, I can’t seem to tear myself away from watching him work. Hay bales are lifted effortlessly and set onto his bare shoulder as the muscles in his back strain from the weight. With each bend, his jeans tighten around his ass, making me wish I could take a closer look. I never thought I’d find manual labor sexy, but it is.
“Excuse me?”
I jump slightly at the sound of a voice behind me. I turn and find a young woman standing there with her hands folded in front of her. She’s dressed somewhat casually with her hair pulled up into a bun. If I had to guess I’d say she’s younger than I am and for whatever reason, that sets me off a bit. Levi didn’t mention that anyone else would be at the house while we were here. Truthfully, I’m not sure how I feel about sharing space with another woman.
“Can I help you?” I ask.
“Sorry to bother you, Ms. Phillips. Mr. Austin asked that I check on you while he’s working. Would you like something to eat? Coffee?”
She’s his maid? Is that the right word to use to describe her? Instantly I feel like an ass assuming that she’s more than an employee. As I look over her shoulder to try and mask my embarrassment, it dawns on me that his house is massive compared to mine, not to mention he has land to tend to. He likely has multiple people working for him at any given time.
“Um. . . coffee would be good. Maybe some toast?”
“Yes, ma’am.” She nods and disappears into the house through the side door. I find myself leaning toward that direction but realize I'm being stupid. Why does it even matter that he has a maid?
