A pleased smile crossed Millie’s sweet face. “Good day, ladies.” She headed up the aisle.
Levi quickly followed her. They stopped long enough to shake the preacher’s hand and then both hurried from the church. Millie looked as if she was going to continue toward the boardinghouse. He stopped her by laying a hand on her arm.
She turned, her sparkling blue eyes flashing up at him. He noted they looked like flowers with specks of white within their depths. The dark pupil made a beautiful center. “Thank you, for back there.” He hooked a thumb over his shoulder pointing toward the church. When she’d turned at his touch they stood so close his breath fanned the hair that had escaped her clasp.
“I should have minded my own business,” Millie said as a pink flush filled her cheeks, but he’d seen the teasing look in her eyes.
He laughed and laid his forehead against hers. “I’m glad you didn’t.” Levi inhaled the sweet scent of lavender and heard the sound of gravel crunching behind him.
Millie pulled away first. Her gaze moved over his shoulder.
“I believe Mr. and Mrs. Lewis are waiting for you.”
Levi looked over his shoulder and saw the Lewises sitting in their wagon. Behind their wagon sat the Lawsons’ wagon. Lucille sat beside her mother.
Seeing his old girlfriend was like a splash of cold water in his face. The warmth he’d been feeling for Millie melted. What was he doing? Lucille had broken his heart. Neither Millie nor any other woman would have the chance to break it again.
* * *
Millie whipped around and started walking again. Her heart pounded in her chest. Levi had run to the Lewises’ wagon as if his britches were on fire. She didn’t blame him. What had gotten into her? Had she looked at him like a lovesick cow? All she’d wanted to do was help him get away from his mother and the brides, but she’d ended up looking like she wanted him all for herself.
She sighed as the boardinghouse came into view. The new porch swing gave the place a homey look. As matters stood right now, it was her home. Millie entered the door and inhaled. Beth’s warm stew soothed her rugged nerves. What was it about the smell of hot food that made a body feel better?
Millie laid her Bible and handbag on the little table by the stairs with the other boarders’ things and then continued to the dining room. As she entered, she heard Beth ask, “Mrs. Englebright? Are you the one who cleaned up in here?”
The older lady chuckled. “Nope. Not me.”
Millie answered. “Levi and I cleaned up for you. I hope you don’t mind.”
“Mind? Of course I don’t mind. I think that’s the nicest thing anyone’s done for me all week. Thank you.” Beth set the stew in the center of the table and began dishing up bowls while Millie and the others took their seats.
Mark came into the room carrying a large basket of bread.
“Give the bread to Mr. Lupin, son.” Beth placed a bowl in front of Millie. “What did you think of our little church, Millie?”
She grinned up at her host. “I liked it. Everyone was so nice and the preacher’s sermon was very good.” She took the bread basket from Mrs. Englebright. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, dear. I’m glad you enjoyed our little congregation.” Mrs. Englebright laid a napkin in her lap while Beth took her seat at the head of the table.
Everyone bowed their heads as Mr. Lupin said grace. When he finished, everyone began eating. Millie wondered why they didn’t ask about Levi but didn’t want to be the one to bring him up so she began to eat, too.
“I noticed Mrs. Westland and those brides you mentioned this morning were in service.” Mr. Lupin tore a chuck of bread from the roll he’d picked up.
Millie couldn’t help herself; she asked, “Doesn’t Mrs. Westland come every Sunday?”
Beth answered. “Yes, but this is the first time all three of the brides have come, too. It looks like Bonnie Westland is trying to get Levi to hurry up and make a decision.” Mrs. Englebright and Beth shared a knowing grin.
“Oh, I see.” Millie ate as fast as she could without looking as though she were in a pie-eating contest.
Had Mrs. Englebright already shared what Levi had said this morning with Beth? Were they thinking she might become the next Mrs. Westland? Millie felt her head begin a steady pounding. All she wanted now was to go up to her room and forget about Levi, Mrs. Westland and the brides.
“Tim said his papa said that Mrs. Westland is demanding Levi up and marries one of them.” Mark stuffed bread into his mouth. “That’s why they was in church this morning.” He spooned stew into his already full mouth, unaware of the adults’ surprised looks.
“Well, it’s not our place to gossip and spread rumors so I’ll have no more talk about Levi getting married to any of the mail-order brides, Mark.” Beth shook her spoon at the little boy.
The little boy swallowed. “But, Ma. You all said they were mail-order brides so isn’t that the point of getting one? So’s you can marry up with them?” He grabbed his milk glass and drank deeply. Before it even hit the table again, he asked another question. “How is talkin’ about it gossip and spreadin’ rumors?”
Beth sighed. “It just is, son, and I’ll hear no more talk from you on the subject.”
“Yes, mum. But I heard lots of folks whisperin’ about it this morning.”
Mrs. Englebright laughed. “I’m sure you did.”
He nodded happily, but one look from his mother and Mark focused on his food again. The little boy sneaked a look at Millie.
Had he heard whispers about her, too? Was that why Beth wanted him to hush up? Well, what should she have expected? She’d shown up shortly after the mail-order brides, and Levi had chosen to sit next to her in church.
From the looks on Mrs. Englebright’s and Beth’s faces, Levi’s plan was working. Folks were assuming they were courting. The pounding in her head increased.
Would she be able to keep a friendship with Levi? Or would the good people of Granite make so much of it that she’d eventually have to move on?
Chapter Six
Levi jumped down from the supply wagon and was greeted by Mark. “Can I help you unload the supplies this morning, Mr. Levi?”
“You sure can. Your ma ordered extra this week.”
Mark grabbed a box and pulled it from the wagon bed. “Why didn’t you bring them yesterday morning?”
Levi’s gaze moved up to Millie’s bedroom window. Had the curtains just fluttered? He hadn’t seen her in two days. “I was kind of busy yesterday and to be honest, they slipped my mind.” After seeing Lucille on Sunday, Levi had decided to put a little distance between himself and Millie.
He pulled a large barrel of flour from the wagon and followed Mark around the building to the kitchen door.
The boy dropped his small box inside the door and turned for another load.
Levi set the flour barrel down and grinned at Beth. “Good morning, Beth. How is our latest guest doing this morning?” He hadn’t meant to ask about Millie and wanted to bite his tongue off for doing so.
She turned from the stove and grinned back. “I don’t know, haven’t seen her this morning.” Her gaze moved to the provisions. “I see you finally decided to bring my supplies. We missed you yesterday. You must be busy over at the furniture store.”
Mark dumped another armload of supplies inside the door. “I’m beating you, Mr. Levi.” A competitive grin filled the little boy’s face.
Levi chuckled. “He has a point. I better get back to it.”
He followed the six-year-old back to the wagon. He’d avoided Beth’s comment because he didn’t want to tell her it wasn’t the store that had kept him away.
The boy climbed inside and pushed a basket of apples toward Levi. “Where did you find apples this time of year, Mr. Levi?” he asked as he jumped down and pulled a smaller, lighter box from the bed with a grunt.
“Mr. Moore sold them to me. I’m not sure how he got them. Didn’t want to ask too many questions.” He winked
at the boy. “But when I saw them I bought all he had. I could just taste your ma’s hot apple pie. She makes the best around.”
Levi grabbed the apples and fell into step beside Mark.
“Yeah, Pa used to say she could sweeten a cranky ol’ mule with her cookin’. I suppose he was right.” He cut teasing eyes at Levi.
“Are you calling me a cranky ol’ mule?” Levi laughed.
“You said it, Mr. Levi, not me.” Mark giggled at his own joke.
“Now why would you think such ill thoughts of me?” Levi grinned.
Mark stopped under the big oak tree and set his box down. “I heard Mr. Lupin and Mrs. Englebright talkin’ about you last night, Mr. Levi. They seem to think you are sweet on Miss Millie and thought maybe you were stayin’ away from the house because of her. Mrs. Englebright said you were as stubborn as a mule when it came to women.” The boy took a deep breath. “So, I guess I should have called you stubborn instead of cranky.” He laughed again, unaware of the thoughts running through Levi’s head.
Levi set his apples down, too. “That right? What else did they say?” He didn’t like being talked about and really didn’t like Millie being talked about, as well.
The boy shrugged and picked up his box. “Not much. Just that you might as well set your mind to marrying one of those gals because your ma is hankerin’ to get you married.” He left Levi standing under the tree.
“Out of the mouths of babes,” he muttered. So Millie had been right. Mrs. Englebright had started the gossip mill running. In all fairness, he had started it. Levi sighed, then hefted the apples up and continued on to the kitchen.
“You better hurry up with those apples. Ma is wantin’ to make apple pies.” Mark ran past him for another load.
He laughed at the boy’s antics and shook his head at the dropping of the letter g on every “ing” word the kid spoke. It drove Beth crazy, but she’d decided a couple of months ago to pick her battles. It seemed Mark had won the g-dropping battle.
As soon as the wagon was unloaded, Levi drove it back to the livery stable, where he housed it along with his stallion, Snow. The horse called out to him when he entered the barn. “Time for a good ride?” Levi asked the big stallion.
Snow nickered an answer and pushed against the stall door.
Levi laughed. “All right, hold your reins. We have to get you saddled first.”
One of the stable boys ran out and took over the grooming of the mare that had pulled the supply wagon. Levi thanked him and then continued to Snow.
The stallion pranced out of the stall and then waited patiently while Levi saddled him. It was a beautiful morning and Levi decided he needed to get out of town and into some fresh air.
After a brisk run, he headed the horse toward the wooded area behind the boardinghouse. It was a beautiful spot where Levi went when he wanted a few minutes of peaceful silence. Snow enjoyed the greener grass there, as well.
He swung from the saddle and tied Snow to a nearby tree. A large rock sat on the edge of the woods and offered comfort from the sun. It would be lunchtime soon, and Levi knew it was time to face Millie again.
If only he hadn’t seen Lucille on Sunday. She’d brought back the memories of rejection and loss. Levi had pondered his feelings all day Monday. He realized he didn’t love Lucille but still had feelings for her. When she’d rejected his proposal, it had been like losing an old friend. What he’d thought was love had been more like comfortable acceptance. Still, it had hurt to be rejected, and Levi couldn’t allow anyone that close to him again, especially Millie Hamilton.
Instead of sitting on the rock like he’d first thought to do, Levi ventured a little farther into the cool woods. A small bird sang in the tree branches above his head. The sound of a lizard or other ground creature rustling through the grass added music to the birdsong. He continued walking and enjoying the sweet sounds of nature.
Just when he’d thought to turn around, he saw something light purple within the green and brown foliage. Curiosity had him making his way toward the color. His boots made a crunching sound as he pushed through the undergrowth.
“There’s a small path toward your left. It would be easier to get over here, if you take it.”
Levi groaned. He knew that voice. “Thanks, Millie. I’ll be right there.”
“Why are you here?” she asked. Her head was bent over a pad of paper, and she held a piece of charcoal, suspended above the paper ready to draw.
Levi walked the rest of the way toward her. “I come out here all the time. Usually after I take Snow, my horse, out for a ride. What brings you out here?”
She sat on a log with her back to the town. Millie wore a light purple dress, and her hair was pulled back in a ponytail. A pencil stuck out of her hair where the rubber band held it up. “I’m sketching.” She looked up at the tree in front of her and sighed.
He walked around behind her and leaned over her shoulder to look at her drawing. The lines were soft, but he could see the beginnings of a picture. The outline of a branch with a butterfly clinging to it was positioned off to the right of the paper.
Millie closed the sketch pad and stood. “I should be getting back. Beth will be expecting me at the restaurant in a little while.”
Levi realized he’d missed her and would have liked to have stayed there and visited for a little while, but he had to get back to town, too. He followed Millie along the narrow animal-made path. It seemed to take longer for them to walk out of the woods than it had for him to enter.
When they came to the clearing, Snow greeted them with a snort. “Millie, you probably shouldn’t go that deep into the woods again. We have mountain lions here and they aren’t friendly.”
She straightened her back, and her gaze moved to the woods. “Have you seen any lately?” Seriousness and something else filled her pretty blue eyes.
“No, but...”
Venom dripped from her voice. “Thank you for your advice, Mr. Westland.” Millie turned on her heels and stomped away.
What was that about? Levi decided not to follow her and find out. As soon as he’d told her about the mountain lions, fire had entered her pretty blue eyes. How was it that he could extract anger from her so swiftly?
* * *
The ground hurt her feet as she marched toward town. How dare he boss her around! She had every right to go into the woods. Mountain lions indeed! He only wanted to prevent her from going to the woods and sketching.
He hadn’t said he liked her drawing. Levi probably disapproved her of art, just like Ma. Well, she didn’t care what he thought. She’d go into the woods if she wanted to and she’d sketch, paint and create any other form of art she wanted to do, as well. He wasn’t the boss of her.
To prove her point, Millie headed to the general store. She hadn’t been there yet and wanted to see what kind of art supplies they carried. The bell over the door jingled as she entered.
Carolyn Moore, the owner of the store, stood behind the counter. She offered Millie a big smile. “Hello, Millie. What can I help you find today?”
Millie remembered Carolyn from church and returned her smile. “I wanted to see if you carried any art supplies.” She felt foolish for asking as she looked about the small building.
“I’m afraid not, but there is a chance I can order them from a supplier in Austin.” Carolyn came around the counter, and Millie saw that she was heavy with child. Why hadn’t she noticed that in church? Probably because all she’d been able to concentrate on was Levi.
“You can do that?” Millie asked, jerking her gaze from Carolyn’s stomach.
Carolyn picked up a dust rag and began to wipe off the shelves to her right. “Oh, yes, we order all kinds of individual things from Austin. The schoolteacher is forever ordering books. Levi Westland has all his special lumbers brought in from there, and just the other day we received an excellent order of fresh fruit, which I’m sad to say has all sold.”
“Fresh fruit—that is pretty amazing this time of year
.” Millie wondered what kinds of special lumbers Levi ordered. She knew he was a carpenter, but so far hadn’t seen anything he’d made except the porch swing.
A sigh filled the room. “Isn’t it, though? This baby is craving hot apple pie. I should have told Wilson, my husband, to hold a few apples out for me.” Carolyn rubbed her tummy with a dreamy look on her face.
Millie wasn’t sure if she should interrupt the woman’s daydream or not. She walked over to the fabric table and looked at a pretty green material with little white flowers on it.
“Anyway, do you know what kind of art supplies you’d like for me to try to get you?” Carolyn asked, having returned to her dusting.
The material slipped through her fingers. She didn’t have extra funds for fabric or art supplies right now. “No, I wanted to see what you had before deciding what to get.” Millie turned from the table. “I’ll think on it and bring a list in later.”
“All right. Is there anything else I can get for you now?”
She shouldn’t have come into the store. “Not today.” Millie walked to the door.
Carolyn called after her. “Come again soon.”
Millie hurried out onto the sidewalk. It was just as well that the general store didn’t have any art supplies. Now that she’d allowed her anger to cool, Millie realized coming to the store had been an act of rebellion. She’d only come because she thought Levi didn’t want her to.
As she walked back toward the boardinghouse, Millie realized how silly she was being. Levi hadn’t bossed her around, not really. He’d simply warned her to be careful around the woods. She shuddered at the thought that there were mountain lions in the area.
Now that she thought about it, Millie knew she wasn’t angry at him but was hurt that he hadn’t complimented her drawing. She’d assumed he thought her art was a waste of time because her mother thought it a waste of time. Why did she still allow those old hurts to sneak up on her? It wasn’t Levi’s fault she had issues with her mother.
Millie pushed through the boardinghouse door and hurried up to her room to change clothes for work and to put away her sketch pad. She knew she’d have to apologize to Levi for her rudeness. As she pulled on a white apron that Beth had supplied earlier, Millie prayed she wouldn’t see him until later in the evening. She needed time to get her thoughts together and figure out the best way to explain her behavior.
His Chosen Bride (Love Inspired Historical) Page 7