Page 31 of Into the Fire
She gave a small nod. Picking up on his nervous energy, she set aside the spoon she was using to stir. “Okay.”
“I’ve gotta move cattle tomorrow. To the far field on the perimeter of the property. It’s an overnight job—dusty, long, pain in the ass. We usually crash in the bunkhouse out there, especially if we don’t finish by dark.”
“Sounds... awful,” she teased lightly.
He smiled but didn’t lose the seriousness. “I need someone to stay here with June. Just one night. She’s good at her bedtime routine, and she sleeps through the night with no problems. I can ask mom if you don't feel comfortable or have plans, so please don't just say yes because you feel like you can't say no.”
Emery’s brows lifted slightly. “Levi, that wasit? You made me nervous, but would you trust me with that?”
“Yeah,” he answered without hesitation. “I already do.”
The words landed between them like a truth they hadn’t quite spoken out loud before.
Emery’s expression softened. “Of course. Yeah.”
He blinked. “That easy?” Relief softened his face. “Thank you. I’ll leave the truck in case of any emergencies. Numbers are on the fridge. She knows the drill.”
She turned back to the stove, and he lingered for just a second longer before backing away. “I’m gonna go shower. Wash this day off.”
She gave him a little nod, already reaching for a strainer. “Good, you’re getting dust on my fancy noodles.”
He shook his head and turned toward the stairs, peeling off his dirty shirt as he went.
Halfway up, he paused and pulled out his phone. His fingers flew over the screenbefore he hit send.
Then he stopped and leaned against the wall, just out of sight, but angled perfectly to see her in the kitchen.
He watched as her phone buzzed on the counter.
She glanced over, wiped her hands, and picked it up.
LEVI:If I come back downstairs and you’re still barefoot in my kitchen, wearing my shirt and making dinner looking like that… I’m gonna have a hard time trying to behave.
He watched it happen. The flush that touched her cheeks, the soft bite of her lip, the exact second she realized he was watching her from the stairs.
She looked up, eyes locking onto him.
“Shower,” she said, voice a little breathless but full of sass. “Now. Before you make a scene.”
He grinned. “Yes, ma’am.”
And with that, he disappeared up the stairs—still smiling, because yeah, tomorrow might be long.But coming home to her?
That was already starting to feel like the best part.
He was buzzing with the feeling that something between them had just shifted again… and this time, it wasn’t going back.
11
The sun had barely crested over the ridge when Levi rolled out in the older work truck, with the horse trailer fully loaded and dust trailing behind him as he made his way out for the long trip. Emery had gotten June off to school, watching her skip off through the school doors with a little wave.
She’d had a busy morning wanting to knock out all the chores early—dishes, tidying up, a load of laundry—so she and June could have a cozy, no-pressure evening later. Maybe bake cookies or build a pillow fort. Something fun.
The house was quiet now, just the hum of thedryer and the sound of Emery sweeping near the back door, when her phone buzzed.
INCOMING CALL- Levi
She wiped her hands on her jeans before answering. “Hey cowboy, miss me already?”
