Page 11 of Life After Levi

Taking a deep breath, I lace our fingers together and face him directly. “I think I’d like that but more importantly, I thinkhe’dlike that. One of the things we did as kids was write notes back and forth in a composition notebook, and I partially read through the ones that were in the box last night. Over and over, he stressed that if something ever were to happen to him, he wanted me to find love again and be happy. Not that I’m saying this is love or anything like that,” I quickly amend, my face heating up in embarrassment.

“Well, while it’s far too soon to say anything like that, I will say Idolike you, Emerie, and would enjoy getting to know you better. If something comes out of that, well, it just means he’s still trying to meddle in my life, at least.”

I giggle because today has been full of all things Levi with regard to their conversations, stuff they did while in training, how Levi would tease him about finding someone like ‘his Emerie’, deciding when they finally got out, they’d live in the same state, if not the same town. I briefly wonder if he’s considering moving to Possum Creek since he said he’s at loose ends now that he’s been medically discharged.

“He definitely liked those he cared about to be happy and content,” I reply.

Once we’re back at the Possum Creek Inn, I pull in but don’t shut my car off since Levinia’s still sound asleep in the back. He leans in and asks, “Can I kiss you, Emerie?”

“I think I’d like that,” I admit.

When his lips touch mine, a sensation unlike anything I’ve ever experienced runs through me. Even though Levi and I had a good relationship, I have found myself wondering if we would’ve stayed the course and gotten married, or if we would’ve grown apart. This electrical zap has me suspecting we probably would’ve remained friends throughout our lives but found someone else to marry.

The kiss isn’t too long and it’s not too short; it ends up being just right, even if it leaves me wanting more. “Breakfast again tomorrow?” he asks, his voice huskier.

“Yeah, that sounds good to me,” I manage to say.

“Thanks for a good day today, Em. I honestly wasn’t sure how receptive you guys would be to me coming here,” he admits.

“Well, if you’re gonna be around, you’re gonna have to learn to say y’all because ‘you guys’ is far too Yankee sounding,” I tease.

“You’d be okay with me being around, say in Possum Creek even?” he asks.

“I’d be more than okay with that, Damien,” I reply, leaning in and kissing the underside of his jaw. “Now, I better get Little Miss home before she turns into a pumpkin or something. Don’t forget your bags in the back and we’ll see you in the morning, okay?”

ChapterSeven

Damien

When I wakeup the next morning, I realize I probably overdid all the walking the day before. “Dammit,” I growl out, pain radiating through my leg. I want to spend all the time I can with Emerie and Levinia, but today’s definitely not going to be a good day for me to be physically active.

Sighing, I reluctantly reach for my phone, and I pull up her number. I wrestle for a few minutes about whether to call or to text, then finally opt to text in case she’s not awake yet so Idon’twake her or Levinia up. I can always call later in the morning.

Me: Hey, Emerie, I’m not going to be able to do breakfast today. I’m sorry.

While we talked about everything yesterday, I never discussed my injuries that led to my own medical discharge. Foolish, I know, but it’s definitely too heavy as far as I’m concerned. Still, she deserves to know so she can make an informed decision on whether or not she wants to get involved with me.

Me: Before you worry that it’s something you said or did, it’s about me and the injuries I suffered. I know you probably didn’t miss the scars on my arm; those are from the training accident that killed Levi. But during my last mission, the vehicle we were in crashed and my left leg was pretty much pulverized.

Me: Thankfully, the surgeons who operated were believers in saving a limb whenever possible, although while I was healing, I often thought it might’ve been better to amputate. I have enough rods, pins, and plates in my leg that I will set off a metal detector. I apparently overdid it yesterday and am in a lot of pain today.I see the dots appear then disappear, then reappear once again.

Emerie: So, you’re a stubborn male just like Levi was, huh? How about this, I’ll take Levinia to Miriam and Dale’s house, run by and grab a breakfast special for both of us, and drop it off. I’m sure you have medication to take and most of the strong pills require you to eat.

“This woman’s a fucking unicorn, man,” I whisper to the ceiling after reading her response. “It’s as if she doesn’t care that she’s getting less of a man at all.”

Emerie: And for the record, in the future, if your leg is bothering you, you better tell me! Because whether Levi mentioned it or not, I DO have a temper! I mean, it’s not been that long since you were injured, correct? Stubborn, stubborn man.

Me: Are you for real right now? I don’t want to face your temper, Emerie, so I’ll be sure to tell you in the future. Yes, I’ll take a breakfast special from the diner. And maybe until I fall asleep once the meds kick in, we can talk some more and get to know each other?

Emerie: I’d like that. I’ll be there shortly. Do you need me to pick anything up for you? Stuff to drink or snack on?

Me: Yes, please. Coke is fine, maybe some chips or bugles? Oh, and a chocolate bar.

Emerie: With or without almonds.

Me: LOL. Either’s fine, Em. I eat both.

Emerie: Magazines? I’ll warn you that the convenience store won’t have the latest issue of Guns, Guns, Guns.

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