Page 16 of Levi

Kinley walked around the counter, and marched toward him, her temper flaring. She placed her hands on her hips and glared at him.

“I haven’t heard from you in days, and now you just expect me to go to lunch with you?” she snapped.

“First of all, I didn’t expect anything, and secondly, my phone died. I had to get a new one. That’s why I’m in town, to explain and ask you to lunch,” he said.

Her anger deflated at his explanation. “Oh,” she replied quietly.

“Yeah, ‘oh’,” Levi said sarcastically.

“I’m sorry,” Kinley murmured, then a thought occurred to her. “You could have called the pharmacy.”

“I don’t have a landline. How would I call?” Levi retorted.

“Cody—”

“I don’t involve other people in my personal business. Damn it, Kinley, we agreed to talk before Thanksgiving. Give me a break.” He sighed.

She swallowed hard, knowing he was irritated by the tense line of his jaw. “I understand. I’m very sorry,” she said, blinking back tears.

“It’s fine. I’m sorry for snapping at you. It’s been a hellish few days on the ranch,” Levi admitted.

“What happened at the ranch?” Addison asked him.

“Wolves. We had to move the bulls again. That electric fence doesn’t seem to bother them.”

“I forgot. Cody did mention something about that.”

“I’d still like to go to lunch with you,” Kinley said with a small smile.

Levi smirked. “Okay, but put some shoes onfirst,” he teased as he glanced down at her socked feet.

Kinley gasped in embarrassment. She had been so flustered that she forgot about kicking off her shoes earlier. Rushing back behind the counter, she quickly tugged them on before joining Levi again.

“Are you in socks back there too, Addison?” Levi asked with a grin.

“Yep,” she said, laughing.

“I’ll be back in an hour, Addison.” Kinley leaned close to her. “I feel like an idiot.”

“Make it up to him. You did jump to conclusions.”

“Yeah, make me feel better. Some friend you are.” Kinley picked up her coat, slipped it on, then headed to Levi again. “I’m ready.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He held the door opened for her, and walked on the outside of her as they walked to the diner.

“I’m so sorry for jumping to conclusions,” she said.

Levi took her hand in his. “One thing about me, Kinley, I’ll never lie to you. If I tell you I’ll call or take you out, I will. If I can’t, I’ll let you know.”

“Alright. I’m so—”

“No need to apologize again. I accepted it the first time.”

“I seem to be on the track of wrecking this relationship before it even gets started,” she said.

Levi chuckled. “All relationships have some problems. Really, it’s fine. I feel bad for snapping at you.” He shook his head.

“It’s okay. Did the wolves hurt anything?”

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