Page 8 of Into the Fire
He walked to June’s room and peeked in one more time. She was still fast asleep, her wild hair splayed across her pillow, her current favorite stuffed unicorn tucked under one arm. The book Emery had read to her was still lying open on the floor next to the bed.
He snuck in and picked it up, flipping briefly through the pages, noticing a tiny crayon doodle tucked into the corner of one. Probably June, trying to personalize it.
Back in the living room, Levi sat down on the couch, sinking deeper than he expected. He rubbed a hand over his face and let his head fall back against the cushion, staring at the ceiling.
This whole arrangement? It had felt like a bad idea the second he opened the door to Emery standing there. Her messy hair and big, dark—but still warm—eyes, and not a single ounce of hesitation. But she hadn’t run for the hills. She handled June like she’d known her for years. She didn’t flinch at his gruffness. Hell, she barely blinked when he was rude.
And she did the dishes.Without being asked. It wasn’t just that she’d helped. It was how easily she’d fit right in, how effortlessly she slipped into a space he hadn’t even realized was so empty until she was there filling it.
Levi sat in the quiet for a long while, one leg bouncing slightly, arms folded across his chest in a posture that looked like comfort but was really his armor.
He didn’t know what all of Emery’s story was. Why she’d come to town, or why she seemed to understand what it felt like to be completely worn out and still trying to do right by someone. But somehow, she just seemed to get it.
And that scared the hell out of him.
He eventually stood and pushed off the couch with a grunt and turned off the lights one by one, moving through the house like a man who didn’t want to admit he already looked forward to tomorrow.
4
Levi had just poured his coffee when he heard the knock at the door. Too early for most people. But, apparently not for Emery. He pulled the door open, wearing an open, unbuttoned flannel with a white tee underneath, jeans, and white socks with a hole in one heel, only to be met with a bright-eyed, coffee-in-hand version of the woman who’d somehow already begun to change the rhythm of his house in less than a day.
“Morning, Cowboy!” she chirped, like the sun had personally hired her to be its spokesperson. “I brought muffins. Blueberry. Store-bought, don’t get too excited.”
“Uh, morning, sunshine? And I'm not a cowboy,” Levi stared at her like she was an annoyingly cheerful way to start the day.
He looked her over, thinking she looked like she’d gotten a full eight hours and was completely rested. Her bun was a little less messy and more intentional this morning. She wore a slightly oversized graphic tee and light-wash denim jeans cropped at the ankles. Practical, other than her ridiculous flip-flops. She somehow made it all look polished.
“Didn’t think you’d be here this early,” he muttered, stepping aside so she could come in. “You always this chipper before seven?”
“Couldn’t sleep. I was excited,” she replied casually, setting the muffins on the counter. “And I figured since I’m here short-term, I might as well jump in where I can. You said mornings are hectic.”
He watched as she moved through the kitchen like she belonged there, pulling open cabinets and drawers like she was mappingthe place in her head.
“I can pack June’s lunch if you tell me what she likes to eat,” Emery offered, opening the fridge.
Levi raised an eyebrow. “You sure?”
She gave him a look. “Pretty sure I can handle a peanut butter sandwich and some snacks.”
He grunted—not quite a yes, but not a no, either. “Uhm, no carrots. She says they squeak when she chews ’em. Oh, and the sandwich has to be cut diagonally. Triangles only, apple slices, and goldfish crackers if there are any left.”
Emery gave a dramatic mock salute. “Noted. Princess mac-and-cheese, triangle sandwiches, anti-squeak veggies. Got it.”
As she started gathering everything she needed, Levi leaned against the doorway separating the kitchen and the laundry room, sipping his still-too-hot coffee.
“June’s gotta be out the door by 7:30,” he said. “Bus picks up at the end of the road, but I usually just drive her in.”
“I can take her,” Emery offered,glancing up briefly.
He hesitated, then nodded slowly. “Yeah, alright. School lets out, she’ll be out front. If I’m not back by five, you can start dinner without me.”
“Noted,” she said again, already sliding a bottle of water into June’s backpack like she’d done it a hundred times. “Anything specific you want me to get done around the house today?”
“Uh—no, nothing specific,” he said, looking around the house. “I’ll be out in the north field today. Gotta swing into town around lunch to pick up some supplements for the calf I’ve got in the barn. Been a little slow on weight gain, I’m trying to stay ahead of it.”
Emery glanced up from slicing the apple. “Why don’t I just pick those up for you while I’m dropping June off? I’ll be in town anyway.”
Levi blinked. “You sure?”
