Levi (Prairie Grooms, Book Five) (6 page)

“I have a present for you, Mrs. Stone,” he whispered in her ear.

Fina swallowed, her mouth dry, her senses breaking apart. “You… do?” her breathing began to pick up.

“Uh huh. Come downstairs with me and I'll show you what it is.”

“I'm so… sorry.”

“For what?” he asked as he wrapped an arm around her.

“I haven't anything… for you,” she breathed.

He cupped her face. “You’re present enough,” he told her, then lowered his lips to hers in a tender kiss.

No!
Fina silently screamed as her traitorous body reacted to him once again. Heat poured through her like warm honey and, to her utter horror, she moaned.

Levi broke the kiss and put his mouth to her ear. “Would you like to see what it is?”

Fina could only nod. Once again, he'd managed to render her speechless. How was she ever going to fight against this?

“Come on then,” he said as he took her hand and stepped away. “I'll show you.” He led her downstairs to the kitchen, where a large box sat on the table.

By now she'd managed to gather her wits. “What is it?”

“Open it and find out.”

She glanced between him and the box, and then went to the table. It was wrapped in pretty green paper, that looked to be very expensive, and she admired the gift and the white ribbon used to tie it up with. Judging from the size of the box, it must be a dress or jacket of some kind, and if there was one thing Fina loved, it was a new dress. She untied the ribbon, glanced once more at Levi, and then pulled it from the box. He now stood, legs spread, arms crossed over his chest, and smiled as he watched her. She removed the paper, set it aside, then pulled the lid off the box and gasped. “Levi! It's beautiful!”

“I thought so,” he said with a satisfied grin.

Fina pulled the dress from the box, and held it out at arm’s length to study it more closely. “I've never seen anything so pretty.”

“I thought you could use it for a Sunday dress,” he said. “You'll be the prettiest girl in church.”

The dress was a lovely light green, with pearl buttons and a lace collar and, Fina concluded, probably very expensive. “I haven't seen anything like this since I was in London.” She held the dress against her and turned to him. “Thank you.”

“My pleasure,” he drawled.

She folded the dress and held it to her chest, eyes downcast. “I feel terrible that I don't have anything for you.” She looked up at him. “We got married so fast… I didn't think about it. How did you manage to…?”

He pulled her into his arms and put a finger to her lips. “Shhh, don't worry about it. This is something I planned months ago. Now, why don’t you run upstairs and try it on? I'd love to see how it looks on you.”

She looked toward the stairs. “You bought this dress for your wife, whoever she turned out to be…”

I bought this dress for
you
, after I wrote my letters and gave them to Sadie. Then all I had to do was hope and pray it would fit you.”

She smiled at that. “It's a good thing I not overly fond of sweets, then, isn’t it?”

“It most certainly is. But…”

“But, what?”

“You're not fond of sweets? I was under the impression that you were.”

She straightened. “It depends on what kind,” she said, one eyebrow raised.

“Hmmm, I see; I shall have to remember that.”

“Shall we deduct a point for your ignorance?” she asked.

“Absolutely not,” he said with a firm tone. “If anything, I should gain a point for this new little piece of information about you.”

Her mouth dropped open.

“Don't look so shocked, Mrs. Stone. In fact, I should get another point because you liked the dress, just as I knew you would.”

“Oh no, you don’t!”

“And I should get another point, because I know you're going to look absolutely beautiful in it.” He leaned toward her. “Aren't you?”

Fina closed her eyes and fought the urge to stomp her foot. The man was infuriating!

“Go upstairs, try it on, and let's see if I'm right.”

Fina opened her eyes and promptly narrowed them. “
You
do
not
play fair,” she stated in a flat tone.

“On the contrary; I'm as square as they come.”

He had her and he knew it, the blackguard! With a huff, she shoved past him and headed to the stairs, making a point to stomp up every one. When she reached the top, she turned and stared down at him. “Were you expecting me to be this irritated every time you think you're right?”

“
Think
I'm right? I
am
right.”

“Oh!” she huffed, turned on her heel, and marched into the bedroom to fume over the fact that the man had just gained himself another point.

Six

Fina's frustration over Levi’s antics quickly dissipated when she looked into the vanity’s mirror. The dress he'd given her was beyond beautiful. It was downright stunning. So much so, that she hardly recognized herself as the woman who was staring back at her. The dress was simple, yet elegant, and she marveled how it brought out the green in her eyes. “Very well, Mr. Stone,” she muttered to herself. “You've earned this point.”

“Why, thank you,” said Levi as he strolled into the room.

Fina spun to face him. “Did it ever occur to you to knock?”

“What for? I live here.”

“That may be well and good, but I was dressing.”

“I can see that, and you did a fine job of it, too. Now, let me look at you.” He took her hand and pulled her away from the vanity, then stepped back and admired her. She stood stock-still as he walked a complete circle around her in silence then stood before her once more. “Well, what do you know, it
does
fit,” he said with a grin.

She took in his triumphant smirk and shook her head. “You've gained one point,” she told him with a wag of her finger. “Just one, and no more!”

“I wasn't asking for any more points,” he countered as he rocked toe to heel a few times. “Besides, I’ll have plenty of opportunities to outscore you again by morning.”

Fina crossed her arms over her chest. “I must say, but you sound quite confident in your abilities.”

He gave her his signature, devilish grin. “That's because I am, Mrs. Stone.”

Fina rolled her eyes at him, then smoothed the skirt of the dress. “I suppose I should change out of this. I would hate to soil it.”

He stepped to her and took her hands into his own. “Please don't.”

“But I don't want to risk ruining it in any way.”

“You can't ruin it if we don't go outside, and you're not cleaning anything. That dress was an investment and I'm going to enjoy it.”

“Well, I suppose if you put it that way, I can wear it a while longer for you.” Her words were even, but her hackles were up. She couldn't decide if he was truly admiring her, or simply reveling in the fact that he could control her. Or at least thought he could.

“Come, let's go back downstairs and I'll build us a fire,” he said as he pulled her toward the door. They went downstairs, where he sat her on the sofa, then set to work. In no time, he had a crackling fire built and joined her. “So tell me, Mrs. Stone; what did you do for fun back in England?”

“Fun?” she repeated. “Oh, dear me, now let me think.” She sat a moment, as if in deep thought, then looked at him. “Tell me, have you ever been to a ball?”

“A ball?” Now it was his turn to look like he was concentrating. But was he really, or was he playing with her again?

“Oh, come now,” she said. “Surely you did something for fun growing up.”

“Of course. But my idea of fun and your idea of fun are probably two different things.”

“Where I come from, everyone anticipates the
Season
.”

“The
Season
?” he asked. “I think I’ve heard of that. Is that where stuffy aristocrats parade in front of each other during a steady succession of balls, soirees, and musicales?” he paused and looked at her. “Shall I go on?”

Her mouth dropped open. “You know of such things?”

“I am not without some knowledge about the ways of the
ton
. Where I come from, there were quite a few ladies just like you. However, none were so gutsy as to come out West to find a husband.”

She blinked a few times while she gathered her wits, then stared at him. “Where are you from again?”

“Didn't I tell you?” He absently rubbed his chin with one hand. “I thought I had.” He shrugged. “Boston.”

“Boston? That's where Belle comes from.”

“And Cyrus Van Cleet. Other than the three of us, I don't think there's anyone else in Clear Creek from that area.”

“My, my, that explains a lot.”

“Like what?”

“Well, I’d say your speech is much more refined than most of Clear Creek's residents.”

“Are you making fun of the way people talk out here?”

“Of course not; I'm just pointing out that you speak more eloquently than others in the area. Therefore, I can only conclude that you are not from here originally.”

“As I recall, you said something to that effect on the wagon ride home. And yes, Boston is a far cry from Clear Creek, I'll give you that. But I'll take Clear Creek over Boston any day.”

Fina studied him a moment and noticed a brightness in his eyes when he mentioned the tiny town. “Why? Why do you like it here so much?”

Levi smiled. “Because here, I can be free.”

“I'm afraid I don't understand you.”

He shrugged again. “You know, free; the open prairie, the mountains, Clear Creek. There are no stuffy aristocrats here to look down their noses at you, or ridicule you for not living up to their standards.”

She gave him an inquisitive look. “Were you hurt by such people?” she asked, her voice soft.

Levi laughed. “No, no I wasn't hurt by anyone. I just didn't like being there anymore. I got tired of the crowds of people, the smells, and the hustle and bustle. All of it.”

She sat a moment, then asked, “What did you do there?”

“For work, you mean?”

She looked down at her lap and folded her hands. “Yes.”

“The same thing I'm doing here. I work with numbers.”

“Don’t you mean a banker?”

“Of sorts; more like a bookkeeper then a banker. Both I guess. There was an older couple who came here a few years ago and took care of Mr. Van Cleet’s accounts and bookkeeping for him, but they only stayed the one year and then left. Mr. Van Cleet asked if I'd like the job, and so I took it.”

“I see,” she said as she gazed at him. For the first time, she noticed how beautiful his dark eyes were and noted the strength in their depths. “So you came for the wide-open spaces and fresh air, but found it lacking in genteel company?”

Levi rested an arm across the back of the sofa and scooted a few inches closer. “That about sums it up.”

The heat of his body engulfed her, and Fina began to fidget. “And were you expecting something as genteel as me or my sisters?”

“No, I didn't have a clue I'd be getting someone so…”

“So what?”

He looked her over and scooted closer. “So beautiful.”

His words and the heat of his body were like some intoxicating elixir she could not resist. “You think I'm beautiful?”

He looked taken aback. “Don't you think so? Do you have any idea how you look in that dress?”

“I've never owned such a beautiful frock. It is most becoming, dare I say, on me.”

His arm came around her and pulled her against his chest. He then cupped her face with a hand and brought his lips to hers. “You may say, Mrs. Stone. And you may keep saying it because it's true.” He kissed her, slow and gentle, and Fina once again lost herself in his arms.

* * *

Levi broke the kiss, leaned back, and drank in the sight of his new bride. He licked his lips and closed his eyes at the sweetness she'd left on them. “The sun will be setting soon,” he told her in a husky voice. “I should take care of the stock.”

She slowly opened her eyes. “Stock?”

Levi grinned, pleased with himself. He loved the way he could kiss the sense right out of her. “Yes; cows, chickens, horses…stock.”

She gave him a single nod and continued to stare at him. After a moment, she nodded again, with a small, “uh-huh,” to go along with it.

Levi chuckled. Never had he been around a woman like this before, one so passionate and pure all at the same time. In that moment, he realized he'd married a true gem, a jewel among women, and almost sighed in relief at his luck. But he knew well that it wasn't luck; it was Divine intervention. He’d prayed long and hard for a woman such as this, and the good Lord in His mercy saw fit to answer. “You can change back into your other dress if you want,” he said. “If you'd like to bathe I can bring in water to heat.”

Her eyes widened. “Bathe?”

He shook his head and chuckled again. “Take a bath?”

“That would be lovely,” she answered, her voice barely audible.

Levi caught one of her dark curls and twirled it around his finger. “You know what, Mrs. Stone?”

She shook her head, but said nothing, still too starry-eyed from the kiss.”

“I think I'm going to like being married.”

She raised a single eyebrow at him in response. “No points?”

“Points? No, I'm not worried about scoring more points. We’ll pick up tomorrow where we left off, and have at it again tomorrow. What's the score now, anyway?”

“I'm afraid I haven't the foggiest.”

“Well,” he began as he took his arms from around her and stood. He stretched as he looked down at her. “I'm still ahead.”

That got her. She narrowed her eyes at him and stood. “Enjoy your brief victory while you can, Mr. Stone. You may have won the last few battles, but that doesn't mean you’ll win the war.”

He raised both brows at that. “I take it you're ready to go another few rounds?”

“With pleasure, come morning.” She took on a frightened look as her eyes darted about the parlor.

He knew what she was thinking. “If it makes you feel any better, I’ll sleep in the other bedroom.”

Her eyes found his and widened further. “I… I would appreciate that. Now, if you don't mind, I should go and change.”

He watched as she hurried toward the staircase, took one last look at him, and went up. Levi took a deep breath. If he was lucky, he’d be able to last a few more days, but doubted he could take it much longer. His new wife was too beautiful and two passionate for her own good, and hadn't the slightest idea of the power she held over him.

He shook his head as he stared at the empty staircase. “Fella, if you had any idea what you do to me, you'd win this war in a heartbeat.”

* * *

Fina awoke to the sound of a rooster’s crow and slowly opened her eyes. Levi had remained true to his word and slept in the other bedroom, while she had the main room. All night long, she'd wondered what it would be like to have him next to her, the warmth of his body covering her as no blanket could. But she was determined to wait to find out, not to mention learn how to control her raging… Good heavens! What ever should she call it? Passion? Desire? Stupidity?

Not wanting to think on it further, she got out of bed, removed her nightdress, and sought the day dress she’d brought along until she could get the rest of her things from the Triple C. It was a bit too fancy for farm life, but would have to do. It was a pretty powder-blue and one of her favorites. Her mother and Cousin Imogene had insisted she and her sisters only bring part of their wardrobes with them to America. This meant the girls had to be very selective of what they brought and only took their favorites. Fina looked at her reflection in the vanity mirror. “Oh dear, I'm afraid it's only a matter of time before you get ruined, but I suppose there's no help for it.” She picked up the comb she’d brought and ran it through her hair. She then twisted her tresses into a knot and pinned them in place. “I dare say, Fina,” she muttered to herself. “But you’re not as fetching as you were last night in that green dress.” Good. She was about to pinch her cheeks, but thought better of it, and then left the bedroom.

Downstairs, there was no sign of Levi, and she figured he must be up and about doing his morning chores. “Now, why didn't he get me up?” she asked herself. She pushed the thought aside and glanced at the table.

The food she’d taken out of the basket the night before was nowhere in sight, and her stomach growled in protest. “Quiet, you,” she told it as she looked around the kitchen for something to eat. She noticed there was a fire in the cook stove and a pot of coffee. Just how long had Levi been up? She poured herself a cup, took a few sips, and continued her search. She found the pies tucked into a nearby cupboard and sighed in relief. “Oh, thank heavens, you're still here,” she said to the pastries. She took one from the cupboard, set it on the table then looked for a knife and plate. When she found what she needed, she cut herself a slice and sat down to enjoy it with her coffee. It wasn't her traditional fare at breakfast time, but beggars can't be choosers. Then, of course, she had to face the cold hard fact that she couldn't cook. She'd better enjoy the pie while she could.

Levi came through the front door. “There you are, beautiful! I'm glad you finally decided to get up.”

“Get up? How long have you been awake?”

“Hours!” he said as he held his arms wide for emphasis.

So, she thought to herself. The battle had already begun. He certainly didn't waste any time. “What time is it?”

He pulled a pocket watch out and opened it. “Seven-thirty. I've been up since three-thirty.”

“Three-thirty? I don't even know if Harrison and Colin get up that early.”