Levi (Prairie Grooms, Book Five) (14 page)

She gawked at him, shocked that Levi would feel his money was safer at home. The safe was magnificent, and wide open. Though some money and small bags of gold were there, it wasn’t much. The townsfolk of Clear Creek, like Levi, must still keep their money at home. Either that or they just didn’t have any. “The door is so thick and heavy,” she commented as she continued to stare.

“Which is why you wouldn’t want to get stuck in there; once locked in, you’d suffocate.”

“Oh, dear; that would be horrible!”

“I quite agree.”

“I don’t understand,” she muttered, still puzzled over the fact that Levi kept his money at home.

“What was that?” Mr. Van Cleet asked.

“Oh, nothing; I was just wondering why people don’t use your bank.”

“They use it, but they still use other means of keeping their money safe.”

“What means?”

“A loaded shotgun, for one,” he said with a smile.

Apple blinked at him a few times. Answers! She had to find answers! “But, I don’t understand why anyone would keep a large sum of money in their bedroom rather than in your safe.”

“I don’t understand, either, but people are strange that way.”

Apple fiddled with a stray curl and twisted it around a finger, her usual habit when nervous or excited. “Do people around here do that? Keep a lot of money in their house instead of the bank?”

“Didn’t we establish that already? Not to mention that it would be very bad to get in this safe?”

She smiled. “Did we?”

“If you’re worried about your money, bring it to me, I’ll put it in ‘old faithful’ here and your worries will be over.” He gave the safe a respectful pat for emphasis.

“Oh, I couldn’t do that, Mr. Van Cleet.”

He gave her a quizzical look. “Why not?”

“I don’t have any money.”

“Don’t have any money? Then why all the questions?”

“Curiosity?” she said and shrugged.

He sighed and nodded. “You’re young enough to still be full of the stuff. Curiosity is how a young person learns about the world. What else are you curious about, young lady?”

Apple froze. Should she ask him? But what if it made Mr. Van Cleet think Levi was involved with the outlaws when he wasn’t? Smiling, she did the only thing she could think of, and shook her head.

“Then I’ll bid you a good day, I’ve got work to do, you know. I’m manning the bank while Levi adjusts to married life.”

Apple suddenly had an idea. “Mr. Van Cleet, how long has Levi worked for you?”

“Oh, about a year or so, I guess.”

“Does he like working in the bank?”

“Wouldn’t still be here if he didn’t.”

“What if he had a lot of money tucked away? Would he still work for you?”

Mr. Van Cleet studied her. “Are you afraid he can’t provide for your sister?”

“Oh no! He’ll take care of her, I’m sure of it. But if, say, he did have a lot of money, and was perfectly capable of taking care of my sister, would he still work here?”

“Levi is my employee, but he’s also my friend. If he wanted to still work here, and it wasn’t taking a job from someone who really needed it, I’d let him.”

Apple looked at the floor. Mr. Van Cleet obviously didn’t know about Levi’s mysterious trunk money; otherwise, wouldn’t he have said something by now? “Thank you for showing me your bank, sir.”

“You’re welcome, Miss Sayer. “And you’re welcome to come again, anytime.”

She smiled at him as she left. She was no closer to solving this mystery than when Fina first told her. What was she going to do? How on earth was she going to help her sister?

Apple let out a heavy sigh as she headed for the mercantile. Maybe Mr. or Mrs. Dunnigan could shed some light and give her something, anything that would help Fina decide what to do. For all Apple knew, Levi had poor Fina trapped in his evil clutches, ignoring her whimpers and cries for mercy. Her hand flew to her mouth at the thought. “Don’t worry, Fina! I’ll save you!” With that, she hurried down the street to Dunnigan’s Mercantile.

Fourteen

Fina moaned with pleasure. Levi had backed her into an empty stall and pinned her against the wall. He kissed her mercilessly and she felt herself wanting, no
needing
to give herself over to him. But she couldn't, not until she knew the truth behind the mystery of the trunk. To give into him now would make it all the harder to let him go if she had to. The thought almost tore her heart out.

“You're so beautiful,” he whispered into her hair and released her.

“I thought you were going to show me how to gather eggs,” she whispered back.

“Eggs? Oh, yes, the eggs. I already gathered them.”

“Why?” she asked, and gave him a playful shove.

Levi laughed and used his body to press her against the wall again. “I think gathering kisses is much more fun, don't you?”

“Is there any place on this earth you wouldn't kiss me?”

“No,” he breathed and kissed her again.

“Look out!” she suddenly cried. “It’s Mrs. Dunnigan!”

Levi leapt from her and turned, but there was nothing there.

Fina laughed. “Well, what do you know? There is
one
thing that would keep you from kissing me.”

“Very funny, my dear; very funny indeed.”

“I thought so.”

“If she had her ladle, I'd still kiss you.”

“What about that hatchet of hers?

“I'd take it from her.”

“I'd like to see you try,” she said with a laugh.

“So would the rest of the town. If I could accomplish that, history would be made.” He bent his face to hers. “But I'd rather be here with you, making our own history.”

She sighed. “You’re impossible, do you know that?”

“It's why you married me, isn't it?”

“It is nothing of the kind, and you know it.”

“Stop arguing with me and kiss me instead, will you?”

“No,” she laughed. Of course, if she played her cards right, she could banter with him all afternoon, but then he'd only start up again in the evening after dinner and, if she wasn't careful, this time he'd have her. She had to think of something to do to keep that from happening. The ironic thing was, is if it weren't for the trunk, game or no game, she'd let him. They were bonding, fusing, becoming one. There was no other way to explain it.

“Are you okay, beautiful?” he asked with concern.

She looked at him and realized she'd been staring at the straw at their feet. She could stand it no more. “Levi,” she began, “do you trust me?”

He took a step back so he could look at her. “What do you mean, trust you? In what way? This?” he said and indicated the stall with a sweep of his hand.

“Not just this. I mean, what if I had done something in my past that I didn't want to tell you, but you wanted to know?”

He cocked his head. “What is this about, Fella? Have you done something you don't want me to know about?”

Her eyes dropped to the straw again. “If I had, and didn't wish to share it with you just yet, would you respect that or would you be afraid to find out what I'd done?”

Levi stepped away from her and let out a low whistle. “Fella, is there something you need to tell me? Whatever it is, know that I’ll not love you any less.”

Fina almost sank to the straw. “Love me?”

He went to her. “Does that surprise you?”

“But… how can you love me? We've only known each other a few days.”

He shrugged. “Sometimes that's all it takes.” He licked his lips and stepped away from her, turned, and faced the stall door. “It happened yesterday, when we were walking to Chase and Lena's. I looked at you, saw the way the sun was shining on your hair, and thought about that stupid red table.” He turned back. “I fell in love with you in that moment, Fina Stone. And I’ll forever love you until the end of my days.”

Fina's mouth dropped open in shock. He
loved
her? “Oh, dear me,” she said and unwittingly sank to straw.

Levi was at her side in an instant. “Are you all right? Are you not well?”

She swallowed hard and closed her eyes. What was she going to do now? Could she believe him? She looked into his eyes as he knelt next to her. “I need more time,” she said. It was the only thing she could say. Besides, it was true, wasn't it?

“I understand,” he said in a gentle voice. He sat beside her, took one of her hands and held it. “I always used to dream of falling in love at first sight. I thought it would be romantic. But, you know, having to wait awhile made it more romantic than ever.” He leaned over and kissed her on the cheek. “In time, Mrs. Stone, I know you’ll love me and, until then, I'm willing to give you the time you need before I show you what I feel for you.”

Fina wanted to cry. “You've had every right to me since we've been married,” she said, knowing what he referred to. “And I appreciate the fact you’ve not consummated our marriage yet, and respected the time I requested. Thank you.”

“I won’t lie; it's going to be hard for me, but I care too much about you to simply take what I want, even if it is my right.”

Fina closed her eyes. She wanted to kiss him with every fiber of her being. He loved her, and was willing to wait for her to love him if he had to! What sort of fool was she to think he'd done anything illegal? If he had, then he was the best con artist she'd ever seen. Make that the only one, but what did it matter? If he'd conned her into loving him, then he was truly a master.

Wait a minute,
loving
him? Good Lord! Had she… fallen in love, too?

“You know,” Levi began. “You remind me a lot of your sister, Apple, when you have that funny look on your face.”

“What look?”

“The one you have right now; a sort of confused-but-I've-just-come-up-with-a- wonderful-idea sort of look. What are you thinking?”

Fina gaped at him. She couldn't tell him, not yet; not until she was sure. She had to hang on to what little piece of her heart hadn't crossed over to become his. “I'm hungry,” she announced.

He studied her face, and lifted his hand to stroke her cheek with the back of a finger. “Then let me feed you,” he whispered.

She reached up, stopped his finger, and took his hand in her own. “Perhaps a cooking lesson is in order.”

“We can do that. We still have some bacon. You can show me how well you won't burn it.”

She smiled, her emotions still conflicted, and gave his hand to squeeze. “I'd like that.”

He stood and pulled her up alongside him. “To the kitchen then, and I'll run upstairs and bring down that tablecloth.”

She stared at him. She'd forgotten about the tablecloth from the day before. “Yes, please do; I think it would look lovely.”

“So do I,” he said. “Let's fetch it together, shall we?”

Fina almost tripped as they left the barn. Together? That meant opening the trunk…
together
! Finally! Now she'd have a chance to really confront him on the matter. At this point, she had to. Her heart was completely lost to him.

* * *

Apple fidgeted in her chair as Imogene poured. They had less than half an hour for tea, which meant she had very little time to dig up more information on Levi Stone.
Hmmm, who else in town knows him well?

“Whatever is the matter, Mr. Cutty?” Imogene asked. “You've hardly touched your apple tarts.”

Cutty looked extremely uncomfortable, and fidgeted almost as much as Apple. “Er… I guess I'm just not used to such a fancy setting,” he explained. “Ain’t had no fancy tea with a passel of women before.”

“I beg your pardon?” asked Seth he set down his cup.

“No offense,” said Cutty.

“None taken,” replied Seth with a chuckle. “Ryder will be happy you're up and around. As soon as I get a chance, I'll let him know. I’m sure he’ll want to see you sooner than he’d planned.”

“I'd appreciate it, though I don't know what Ryder’s gonna do about it,” Cutty told him. “It's not like I can go live with him and his new missus. Guess I'll have to just mosey back up to my place.”

Seth frowned. “You live in a cave.”

“What?” Imogene exclaimed with surprise. “A
cave
?”

“Keeps the rain off my back,” Cutty said in his defense.

“Oh, my heavens!” said Imogene. “I had no idea that you could endure such a…”

“Existence?” Cutty finished for her. “Beats being out in the elements.”

Imogene could only sit and stare at him in shock. Apple, on the other hand, was intrigued. “Were there any wild animals in the cave with you?”

“If’n there was,” Cutty began as he leaned across the table in her direction. “I'd have shot ‘em!”

Apple gasped. “And eaten them?”

Cutty looked at Imogene. “What are you lettin’ this child read? Is she like this because of them tiger tales of yours?”

“Certainly not!” huffed Imogene. “Apple has a, shall we say, vivid imagination, is all.”

“Another storyteller, eh?” teased Cutty, with a smile.

Seth laughed then looked at him. “You're not going back to those caves.”

“Ain't got no other place to go, boy. What else am I gonna do?”

“You'll stay here at the hotel, with me and Eloise, if you have to. I'll speak to Mr. Van Cleet. Don’t let Ryder or me catch you heading back up to those hills. I’m sure I speak for Ryder, too, when I say you won’t be returning to that dank place, ya hear?”

Cutty grumbled something unintelligible and glared at Seth. You ain't the boss of me.”

“You're quite right,” said Imogene. “He's not. But until you're able to take good care of yourself, someone has to be! You'll stay here in the hotel, if I have to pay for the room myself.”

“Now, see here,” Cutty snapped. “I ain’t takin’ charity from no woman.”

“This isn't charity; this is about your survival,” she argued.

“Survival? It’s not like I’m about to drop dead!”

“Of course you're not,” she said as she set down her cup. “But you will be if you go back to those caves of yours.”

Apple giggled. “I think you're out-gunned, Mr. Cutty.”

Cutty rolled his eyes. “Wouldn't be the first time.”

“Well, now that that's settled,” Imogene said with a smile. “More tea, anyone?”

“Mr. Jones,” said Apple as Imogene poured them each another cup. “How long have you known Levi Stone?”

Seth thought a moment. “Let me think. He came to town when we were still working on the hotel, so I guess I've known him almost two years now. Why?”

“I was just wondering about the man my sister is married to,” she said with a smile.

“And what about Mr. Adams?” Imogene asked.

“I've known him just as long. Both are good men, if you ask me.”

“Not the type to run with outlaws, I would think,” said Apple in a small voice.

“Outlaws!” coughed Cutty. “Them two is about as far from being outlaws as Seth here, or your cousin.” He eyed Imogene. “Maybe not your cousin, after what I've heard.”

Imogene glared at him. “Don't misinterpret my tales of valor, sir. I
had
to do what was needed at the time!”

Apple and Seth could only stare at her. “Cousin?” began Apple. “Just what have you been telling him?”

“Tales of India!” she said with her signature ominous tone and a wave of her hand.

Apple laughed. “Has she told you about the Duke of Stantham and the crocodile yet?”

“Oh, you mean that…” Cutty stopped short and coughed.

“Of course I haven't; I wasn't there,” said Imogene.

Cutty tried to get his cough under control. “I ain’t heard no story about no crocodile,” he sputtered and took a sip of his tea.

“Too bad,” commented Apple. “It's quite the story. You should ask Colin or Harrison about it some time.”

Cutty almost choked.

Imogene waved a spoon in the air. “The only one who knows that story is in England, and I somehow doubt Mr. Cutty will ever have the chance to meet the former Duchess of Stantham.”

Cutty coughed again. “You mean she's still alive?” he asked, shocked.

Everyone stared at him. “How could you know about Isabel Sayer?” asked Imogene.

“Oh… ah … Ryder …
cough
… Ryder told me.”

“Stories of the Cooke and Sayer families aren't exactly a secret around here, ma'am,” Seth explained. “And we all think they’re mighty entertaining.”

“I see,” said Imogene and picked up her cup.

Apple slumped in her chair. This brief time in town was all well and good, but she hadn't got any closer to finding out anything that would help Fina with her dilemma. She supposed it was now time to take matters into her own hands.

* * *

Fina wiped the palms of her hands on her dress as she followed Levi into the house. They were sweating, a sure sign of her anticipation of what was to come. She felt a tingle go up her spine and something resembling a lead weight drop into her belly. Would he