“If they don’t, we’ll knock their heads together. Maybe then they’ll get some common sense,” he chuckles.
“That reminds me, I’m hoping to have Peyton over a lot more or I may be over her place. Will you be able to hold things down? At least until I convince her to marry me.” I close out my programs on my computer.
“She’ll be here full time before you know it. I see the way she looks at you, it’s like what I once had, but was too stupid and walked away,” he mumbles, as he gets up and heads for the door.
“You’ll have to tell me about what happened sometime, but believe me, I’m not letting Peyton go,” I get up from my desk and walk him out. After talking to Rick and dealing with the emails, I’m ready to call it a night.
“Maybe, have a good night,” Rick says, as he walks down the front porch steps.
“’Night, see you tomorrow,” I reply and watch until he’s out by the barn and out of eyesight. I couldn’t imagine losing Peyton and I only just got her in my life.
7
Peyton
I tossed and turned all night. I was hoping to at least get some kind of sleep. That was wishful thinking on my part. I was excited to see what today would bring, but also, I’m really nervous about starting my new job in just a few days.
I make my way downstairs, still in my sleep set. No one really comes to the house anymore and Buck, well he’s more of a father than an uncle these days. I know it was hard on him to see both of my parents go. He’s their age now and watched me grow up. It’s something I’m thankful for. I shouldn’t feel like I’m alone in this great big world, but sometimes it’s an all-consuming fear of mine.
Once I make it into the kitchen, I notice the light is on above the oven. “Shit, did I leave that on last night?” I mumble to myself.
“No, baby. You didn’t,” I hear Levi respond. I scream out loud, scaring the shit not just out of me, but now Levi. He’s up out of the chair I noticed he was sitting on and brings me into his body and holds me.
I’m not sure how he knows just what I need, but I swear, this man, he’s the best there ever was.
“Shhh…It’s okay, I didn’t mean to scare you. I have to go into town today and knew I wouldn’t be able to see you later on. So, I figured I’d come over this morning and we could have breakfast together,” he whispers to me.
My heartbeat goes back to normal, but I don’t move away from him. If I could crawl into his warmth and live there, that’s exactly where I’d be.
“I’m okay. I promise, just a fright. I’m not used to anyone being in the house these days. Want to have some breakfast?” I ask him.
“Already brought some food over, but I didn’t want to turn the coffee pot on, so you could sleep.” We part ways, but he’s got his hand on my back and I can feel the heat emanating from the palm of his hand. My pajamas aren’t much more than thin pieces of cotton. I look down at myself to at least see if I’m matching and that’s when I notice. My nipples are standing out like a deer caught in headlights. I quickly cross my arms over my breasts and say, “I’ll be right back and then we can start the coffee.”
I grab a sweater that I keep by the front door and throw it on over my top. It’s oversized and comes down to my thighs. “This will have to do,” I mumble to myself.
“What will have to do?” Levi asks as he continues taking out what looks like breakfast tacos. My stomach takes that moment to growl and we both laugh.
“I guess you’re hungry,” he moves around seamlessly in the kitchen, as if he’s been here a thousand times and I’m guessing he has.
“I had to put my sweater on, it’s cold this morning, and are those from Mrs. Miller’s diner?” I respond.
“Want me to turn the heater up? Yeah, they are. She’s got some new staff there and they’re up earlier than me for breakfast these days.” He’s plating our food, so I get started on the coffee.
“Nah, I’m okay now. I can’t believe you brought me breakfast. How do you take your coffee?” I’m sure I already know the answer to this. Most cowboys around these parts take it black and thick as tar.
“Black,” he replies.
“I kind of figured,” I make his coffee and then turn to mine, adding a healthy dose of creamer and then take our mugs to the table, where he has our food plated and ready to eat.