“Perfect. And there’s space to spread out.” She waved her hands to indicated the echoing living area with the scarred wood floor. “Plenty of room for all our stuff, and a good-sized shed out back.”
“Much better than the overpriced apartment with a view of the parking lot we looked at a few days ago. Sign us up.”
After dealing with the lease and talking to the owners about the deck repairs, they stood in the driveway between her Jeep and Ursula’s car. The rental agent had left for her next appointment. Dex ran around the thimbleberry bushes in the yard, chasing Woody, and Kira fussed in her front pack.
“Sorry I assumed you were out running and forgot about our meeting.” Raine stroked Kira’s soft hair, and the baby quieted. “Instead, you were being a good brother and uncle.”
He grimaced. “I couldn’t believe how long it took to get everyone in the car. And then Woody howled until I let him come with us. It was like a freaking three-ring circus.”
A grin curled her lips. “But you managed.”
“Yeah, I did.” He ran his thumb over her cheek where a faint bruise still showed. “And we’ve got a place to call home for the next year. I called the building department about the permits we need to build on my land. I had a headache by the time I hung up, but I got the ball rolling.”
“That’s great.” Her heart softened at the steady look in his eyes. “Are you sure this is what you want to do? Building a home is going to take a lot of time and money.”
“I’m one hundred percent sure.” He grimaced. “Dalton teased me about being a responsible adult when he handed over his kids today.”
“I may have to smack your brother for picking on you.”
His smile turned into a look of alarm. “Hey, don’t eat those!”
Dex paused with a thimbleberry halfway to his mouth. “Why? They taste good.”
“Except Woody just peed on that bush.”
The boy examined the berry. “I don’t see any pee.”
“Drop it and come eat your crackers. It’s time to go, anyway. Kira is going to start howling for her bottle any minute now, and I want to get home first.”
“Fine.” Dex threw the berry and ran toward them. “Are you coming with us, Raine?”
“I’ll be over later, but I have to go back to work right now.” She helped him into his car seat while Levi took Kira out of the baby carrier and strapped her into the second seat.
Opening the front passenger door, he whistled, and Woody bounded over to jump inside. “He likes to ride shotgun.”
Raine smiled. “Pets are allowed here. I asked the agent. So, he can come visit us.”
“Or maybe we can get a dog of our own.”
“I’d like that.” She looped her arms around his neck and stood on her toes to kiss him. “I’ll see you in a few hours.”
“I can stay in town tonight, if you want.”
“Nope. I’ll come to you.”
He kissed her again, taking his time. “Okay.”
“Uncle Levi, I can’t reach the crackers,” Dex yelled.
“Coming.” He dropped another quick kiss on her lips. “Love you.”
“I love you, too.”
Raine got in her Jeep and waited while Levi backed out of the driveway and drove away with a tap of his horn. She was reaching for her keys when her phone rang. Pulling it from her purse, she glanced at the display and smiled as she swiped to connect.
“Willow! How the heck are you?”
“Me? How are you? Good God, Raine. I talked to Camille, and she told me what happened in Yosemite last week. What Ava did to you. I’m having a hard time processing that.”
“You and me both.” She slumped against her seat and closed her eyes for a moment. “I’m okay. The scrapes and bruises from my fall off the cliff and where that bastard slapped me around are fading. I still wake up in a cold sweat some nights, but I have Levi to hold onto.”
“I’m glad you have each other. I’d be shocked if you weren’t traumatized after nearly being murdered. Have you heard what’s going to happen to Ava?”
“Detective Gilbert said the D.A. would probably file second degree murder charges in Cooper’s death and conspiracy to commit murder and abduction charges for what she and her cousin did to me.”
“I can’t believe she pushed Cooper over that cliff. I thought she loved him.”
“She swears it was an accident. She was furious with him because he’d been cheating on her again—”
“Surprise, surprise.”
Raine grimaced. “I know, right? Cooper was never going to change. Anyway, they had a fight. She grabbed him and shoved him in a fit of rage, but didn’t intend to kill him. Or so she says. I was awake when she came back into camp after midnight, and she thought I saw her. I didn’t.”
“So, all her attempts to cover up her crime by eliminating you were pointless?”
“Exactly. If she’d done nothing, she might have gotten away with it.”
“Unbelievable.” Willow let out a long breath. “Why would anyone agree to help her commit murder?”
“Sullivan Dwyer was her cousin, second cousin, actually, which is why the police didn’t immediately connect them. They were close growing up, and he’d been arrested on a couple of minor charges. Apparently, when he was still underage, he was also involved in a gang incident that resulted in two deaths. Ava provided an alibi for him, and his juvenile records were sealed.”
“She guilted him into helping her?” Willow asked.
“More likely, she threatened him since I got the feeling she lied about his alibi. She’s been cooperating with the police, trying to get the charges reduced to manslaughter. Detective Gilbert filled us in on the details, which was the least he could do, considering what she put us through.” Raine gently touched the side of her face, and her lips firmed. “Both Levi and I will have to testify when the case eventually goes to trial.”
“God, how awful.”
“I guess fear and panic send some people over the edge, and they’ll do whatever it takes to save themselves.”
“Sad, frightening, and all too true. I’m just glad you’re safe and Cooper will get the justice he deserves. Ava doesn’t deserve any of our pity.”
“I just want to move on with my life.” Raine let her gaze wander toward the cabin. “Levi and I are renting a house together, and my business is growing faster than I expected. We’re in a good place right now.”
“That’s terrific. I’m happy for you both.”
“How about you? What’s going on with you?”
“I have my artwork to keep me busy, my dog for companionship, and peace. That’s important to me. I’m content.” Barking sounded in the background, and her tone changed. “Hey, I need to go. I just wanted to check in and tell you I’m thinking about you.”
“I appreciate that. Hopefully we can all get together again in the near future.”
She laughed. “Possibly at a wedding. Take care, Raine.”
“Bye, Willow.”
Dropping her phone on the passenger seat, she started the engine and backed out onto the road. She and Levi hadn’t discussed marriage yet, but they both wanted a future where they would grow old together. Just the two of them. If—when—he officially asked her to marry him, she would say yes in a heartbeat.
* * * *
Levi fastened the life vests on the two young girls and held the canoe while the elderly couple climbed aboard. “Should be a beautiful evening for a cruise around the lake.”
“Oh, we’re looking forward to it.” The spry, older gentleman picked up the paddle and pushed off from the dock. “We don’t get to spend near enough time with our granddaughters, so we enjoy every minute when we’re together.”
“I bet. Have fun and catch a fish or two.”
The older girl waved her pole. “I’m going to catch a monster.”
Smiling, Levi headed up to the lodge where Dalton was stacking wood along the side of the building. Picking up the gloves he’d disc
arded to help with the canoe launch, he put them on and went back to work.
“Raine and I signed a rental lease on a cabin in Prosser Lake Heights today.”
“You did?” Dalton grabbed two chunks of wood off the mammoth pile that would supply the lodge all winter. “When did this happen?”
“While you were at the lawyer’s office.”
His brother’s eyes widened. “Please tell me you took the kids with you and didn’t leave Woody to babysit?”
“Very funny. I strapped everyone into their car seats and let Woody come along for the ride. We all survived with no mishaps.”
“Good to know.” Dalton studied him for a minute. “We changed our will.”
“Sure. You added Kira. Not that you’re going to need to worry about estate planning for a very long time. You probably have a few good years left.”
“Let’s hope so.” His tone was sober. “We made a last-minute decision while we were with the attorney. We named you as their guardian instead of Ursula’s parents if anything happens to both of us.”
Levi dropped the log he was holding and turned to stare. “You’re kidding?”
“No, I’m not. We decided choosing you would be far less of an upheaval in our kids’ lives since they wouldn’t have to move or change schools once they get to that age. Ursula wanted to call you to discuss it before we made everything official, but I said you’d step up. Am I right?”
Letting out a ragged breath, he rubbed a hand over the back of his neck. “I guess so. Nothing’s going to happen to you and Ursula, but I love those kids.”
“I know you do. Besides, you and Raine will probably have a couple of your own before too much longer. We figured the more the merrier.” A frown drew his brows together. “Or am I jumping the gun in assuming you plan to marry that girl? I’m not going to lie. Having Raine in your life kind of sealed the deal when we named you as their guardian.”
“Of course I plan to marry her. She’s everything to me. I haven’t asked her yet, but I bought a ring.”
“Well, that’s a relief. Hopefully she’ll say yes.”
Levi bent to pick up the log he’d dropped and added it to the stack. “We aren’t planning to have kids, though.”
“You’re joking, right?” When he opened his mouth, Dalton continued, “Because I figured you would have come to your senses by now. I know Raine backed off after that whole incident at the dinner table when Mom and Dad were visiting. She told Ursula she had some serious concerns. When you came home from Yosemite together, looking happy—despite what happened—I assumed you admitted you were an idiot, pleaded for forgiveness, and told her you would give her whatever she wants.”
“I planned to do exactly that because I love her more than anything. But she said she had no intention of forcing me to be a father. She agreed we’ll have a great life simply doing the things we love without kids to tie us down. She understands how important my free time is to me, that I don’t want to give up running and skiing. Not like you did to marry Ursula when you chucked what could have been an incredible pro ski career.”
Turning, Dalton rested clenched fists on his hips. “Is that what you believed all these years, that Ursula asked me to quit skiing?”
Levi shrugged. “You gave up a spot on the U.S. Ski Team and got engaged instead. Hey, you know I adore Ursula, but sacrificing your dream . . .”
“You’re a freaking moron.”
“Am I wrong?”
“Hell, yes, you’re wrong. Ursula begged me not to quit skiing. I’m the one who wanted a different future. After I recovered from my last injury, I decided I didn’t want to live my life in and out of rehab. I didn’t want to spend all my time training and racing all over the world. My dream was to live my life here with the woman I love and raise a family. They don’t tie me down. I choose them every day. Maybe I’ll ski more for fun when the kids are a little older, but I’m not sacrificing anything.”
“Oh.”
“Good God, Levi. If you want to run, then run. Having kids doesn’t mean you need to give up anything. That’s why you have a partner in your life—to work together to make sure you’re both happy and get the important things you need. I’m not saying you won’t have to compromise now and then, but I’d think you’d be willing to do that for the woman you love.”
“I offered.” As his defenses came up, his voice rose. “She said just the two of us together was all she wanted.”
“Probably because you made it clear you were willing to be a martyr—for her sake. Tell me this. If you weren’t the man she loved, do you think she’d want a family?”
An image of Raine coaxing a smile from the lost toddler before she picked him up flashed through his mind. “Probably. She’s really good with kids. They respond to her.”
“Because they know she cares. If you deny her this, you’re going to set your marriage up for failure. So, before you propose, maybe you need to ask yourself what’s critical to your own happiness.”
“Raine. Only Raine.”
“Then don’t make her give up her dreams.”
Levi didn’t respond. He kept stacking wood until a sudden thought occurred to him. “Do you mind if I help with this later. I want to make a phone call before Raine gets home.”
“Sure. We have plenty of time to stack wood.”
“Dalton?”
His brother placed a log on the long row. “Yeah?”
“I know you basically called me a selfish asshole, but thanks. I appreciate your insight. And if—God forbid—something happens to you and Ursula, Raine and I will make sure your kids have stable, happy lives full of love.”
“I know you will because you’re a good guy and a better brother. Now go straighten things out with your woman.”
He grinned. “I intend to.”
Levi tucked his gloves in his back pocket and pulled out his phone as he walked toward the cabin. After dialing Jake’s number, he waited while it rang. Finally, his buddy picked up.
“It’s not often I hear from you twice in one week, Levi. Please don’t tell me someone else from our club is trying to murder Raine.”
He grimaced. “Hopefully the rest of our group aren’t homicidal maniacs like Ava. I did have a long talk with Matt, and he may eventually forgive me for believing he was the guilty party. After Raine nearly died at the hands of that lunatic, he gave her a pass for not trusting anyone.”
“How is she?”
“Strong. Amazing. Handling everything far better than I am.”
“That’s our Raine.”
“Yep. Actually, Jake, I’m calling about the architectural drawings for the house.”
“All I need is that site plan, and I can start designing your dream home based on the specs you gave me.”
“I scheduled someone to survey the lot at the end of this week, so that should be on its way to you shortly. I do need to make a major change in the specs, though?”
“Oh? What did you have in mind?”
“Adding two more bedrooms and a bath. I know that will require a lot of additional square feet, so I’ll need to lose my mancave to do it.”
“I can make that work, but I thought you said you didn’t want too many guest rooms.”
“I don’t. These won’t be for guests. They’ll be for kids. Our kids.”
Jake was quiet for a moment. “Dude, is Raine pregnant?”
“No. Not yet.” Amazingly, not a hint of trepidation shivered through him at the idea. A smile spread as he pushed open the cabin door and flopped down on the couch. “But I intend to ask her to marry me and have babies. As many as she wants.”
“Congratulations. That’s awesome. I wish you both nothing but the best.”
“Thanks. What’s new with you?”
“Just work. A little hiking and biking. I’m taking some time off in October for a backpacking trip in Yellowstone.”
“That sounds like a lot of fun. Are you going with friends?”
“Nope. This will be a solo trip.”<
br />
Levi hesitated before blurting, “When are you going to start dating again? It’s been a couple of years now, and you deserve to be happy.”
“I’ve tried. I’m not ready yet.” Muffled words followed before Jake came back on the line. “I have a client waiting. Tell Raine I said hi. You can also tell her I said you’re a lucky man.”
“Don’t I know it. I’ll talk to you soon.”
Levi hung up and dropped his phone. Jake had lost his wife. A ragged breath escaped as his old friend’s pain hit home in a way he’d never expected to understand.
If he hadn’t reached Raine in time . . .
A car pulled up outside, and he shoved the torturous thought to the back of his mind. A smile curled his lips as he rose to his feet and took the jeweler’s box off the shelf where he’d hidden it behind some books. He’d planned to take Raine out to a fancy dinner to propose, but maybe there was a better way.
Sliding the box into his pocket, he headed out the door. “Don’t come in. Let’s take a little drive first.”
Her brows shot up. “Seriously? All I want to do is crash on the couch. I had a busy day.”
“This will be worth it. I promise.”
She gave him a good-humored smile. “If you say so. Lead on.”
They climbed into his pickup, and he turned around to head down the access road to the highway.
Leaning back in her seat, she glanced over at him. “Where’re we going?”
“It’s a surprise.”
“I hope your surprise doesn’t require me to be well-dressed since I spilled an iced coffee on my dress and didn’t get the whole stain out.”
He let his gaze wander over her curves beneath pink cotton, to the edge of the skirt that stopped above her knees, and down the length of her shapely legs. “You look beautiful and sexy and perfect.”
“Levi, the road.”
“Oh.” He jerked the wheel to cross back over into his lane. “Anyway, we aren’t going out in public.” Making a right onto Alder Creek Road, he accelerated up through the thick forest, gaining elevation before finally entering an area with homes.
Midnight Reckoning (Leave No Trace Book 1) Page 28