Page 61 of Into the Fire
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Almost a week passed with no strange cars, no mysterious photos, and no whispers in the dark. No Cole. No Denny. Maybe the warning Levi gave had landed just right.
But now came the one thing Levi wasn’t ready for—splitting up, even for a few hours.
Levi peeked out of the kitchen window again at June playing on the porch with his brother. He was good with her, and she loved her uncle. She was talking a mile a minute, and he was completely entertained by whatever story she was telling him.
Levi watched them for a moment, letting a gentle smile form on his face. He couldn't help his mind wander about how his brother may be a bit of a rambler and lost at times, but his heart was genuine. Jess, being four years younger than Levi, made it so he was still just a child when their dad ran out, and Jess took it pretty hard.
Thinking back, Levi was probably forced to grow up a little too soon, all of a sudden becoming the man of the house. He had to step up to get things done. He tried to shield his brother from the stresses thatcame with that. But it was obvious their dad's leaving seemed to haunt Jess still to this day.
He let a wave of familiar guilt wash over himself, wondering if maybe he could have been there more to help Jess through it back then. Maybe that would have made it easier for Jess not to feel like he always had to be searching for something now. He shook it off, not wanting to dim the evening’s mood, and set off through the house to go find Emery.
He stood in the hallway, watching while Emery was at June’s dresser, finishing an overnight bag for her to stay the night with Margaret. “You sure about this?”
“You said it yourself, it’s Cold Creek’s biggest fundraiser, Levi. It's too late to cancel, and people are counting on you. We will be fine.”
Levi didn’t look convinced.
She walked over and slid her hand along his jaw, thumb brushing the recently lined-up and neatly trimmed beard on his cheek. “It’s 2 hours, you go ahead with the truck to helpthem finish setting up. I’m gonna try to get myself looking presentable, cause I don’t exactly think these yoga pants and tank qualify as black tie, and I’ll meet you there.”
Levi’s eyes were now drawn to the yoga pants, and he had zero complaints. “Okay, fine. Jess is here—” whenever you’re ready, he’s driving you to drop June off and then straight to the event.” Taking her hand, he walked down the stairs to gather his things.
As if on cue, Jess sauntered in the front door and gave a casual nod and a crooked grin.
“Evening, folks,” he called. “Got strict orders to sit, sip coffee, and be a human guard dog.”
Levi let go of Emery's hand and walked to his brother, leaned in close, and said something Emery couldn’t hear—the tone was low and serious. Jess nodded, wiped the grin from his face, and parked himself at the kitchen table, June joining him with her bucket of crayons and princess coloring book.
Levi turned, eyeing Emery. “I don’t like this.”
Then, looking back to Jess. “Straight to moms. Drop off June. Then straightto the event. Don’t let her outta your damn sight.”
Jess held up two fingers in a Scout’s honor salute. “Consider me glued to her side.”
Emery walked up behind Levi and slid her hands around his waist. “See? We’re good.”
“I swear to God, Jess,” Levi growled low, “You so much as blink too long, I’ll beat your ass.”
Emery gave Levi a dry look. “You’re doing that overprotective cowboy thing again.”
He sighed, taking in a deep breath, willing his nerves to settle down, leaned in, and kissed her once, firm, possessive, full of everything he wanted to say. “You text me the second you leave my mom’s? I’ll be posted right by the main entrance. You won’t make it ten feet inside before you see me.” With that, he grabbed his keys and forced himself out the door.
???
The bathroom mirror wasfogged over from her quick shower. Emery stood there wrapped in a towel, her damp hair cascading in long, loose waves down her back. The black satin dress she'd ordered hung on the back of the door like a dare. Elegant. Dramatic. A stark difference from what had become her usual attire of tank tops or graphic tees and cutoff shorts or leggings.
She let the towel drop and reached for the lotion she knew that Levi liked. Jasmine, with notes of warm vanilla and amber, and rubbed it gently into her skin.
She scrunched a curl cream into her hair and diffused it, drying until it was soft and full, bigger than she ever wore at her prissy job in the city, but this fit her. A dusting of bronzer across her cheeks, a double coat of mascara, and a quick swipe of lip stain she loved but didn’t wear often—a rich, earthy red with warm undertones of terracotta and cinnamon. The bold color bringing out the golden tones in her sun-kissed skin, the perfect contrast between her bare shoulders and the sleek black satin of herdress. Not too dramatic. But definitely not soft.
She paused to study herself in the mirror, then turned slightly to check the back of the dress. The cut was low and open, dipping deep between her shoulder blades and gathering slightly above the small of her back.
She smoothed the fabric down, fingers brushing over the slit that ran high along her thigh, and took a slow breath. This wasn’t necessarily within her comfort zone, but she wanted to feel like more than just the girl who sits on the porch, makes the lunches, or feeds chickens. Tonight, she wanted to really impress Levi.
Checking the time after she adjusted the strap of her simple black heels, she stood and made her way downstairs, grabbing June’s backpack along the way.
Jess had started helping June into her shoes, looking up from beside his niece as he strapped the last velcro strap. He gave a low whistle. “Damn, Emery. Levi’s gonna need a minute. Or a drink.”
