Page 82 of Levi

“Levi, I’m sure he could use a break. He’s been out there all day.” She smiled.

Levi chuckled. “Alright then, I’ll head over there. You have a great day, Kelsey.”

“I will. You do the same.”

He touched his hat in farewell and made his way down the steps, heading toward the barn where Ryder was working. As he neared it, he could hear the sound of various tools running.

Ryder not only raised and sold American Painthorses, but he also built and sold furniture made from cedar wood. Levi knocked on the door but wasn’t sure if Ryder could hear him over the noise of the saw running inside. He cautiously opened the door and stepped inside where he saw rows of beautifully crafted furniture at the back of the workshop. The scent of cedar filled the air and Levi couldn’t help but grin.

Not wanting to startle Ryder while he was operating the dangerous machinery, Levi carefully made his way through the workshop toward the table saw where Ryder was working. He caught Ryder’s attention and he shut off the saw before removing his ear protection.

“Hey, Levi. What brings you here?” Ryder greeted him.

“Do you have a minute?”

“Sure, what’s on your mind?”

Levi took a deep breath, unsure of how to approach the topic.

“I wanted to ask you something, but I don’t want to upset you.”

Ryder crossed his arms and tilted his head, giving Levi a curious look.

“Why do you think it would upset me?”

“I wanted to ask about your father,” Levi said and noticed Ryder clenching his jaw.

“What about him?”

“I know he physically abused you, and my father was the same way. He used to beat my mother and me until one day he killed her and went to prison.”

Ryder’s eyebrows shot up in surprise.

“I had no idea.”

“Not many people do. It’s not something I likesharing with others.”

“I can understand that. So, what can I help you with?”

“Were you afraid of becoming like your father?”

“Yes, I didn’t want to get married or have kids because of that fear.”

“What changed your mind?”

Ryder smiled. “Kelsey. She was my rock then and still is now. I was scared that I’d turn into my father so having children was out of the question for me. May I ask why my past interests you?”

“I’ve fallen in love with someone but I told her I didn’t want kids for the same reason.”

“I resisted for a long time, but my parents barely raised me, even though I was sixteen before I got away from them. I ended up living with a man and his wife. Frank and Grace took me in, and I’ll always be thankful for that. But when it came to bringing kids into this world, I was scared. After all, my father’s blood runs through my veins. I was afraid I would hurt any children I’d have, but Kelsey made me see that it didn’t matter whose blood was in me. Frank and Grace raised me right. I have never wanted to hurt Kelsey or our children.”

“I’m glad to hear that, but violence can often pass from parent to child, you know, that cycle of abuse. Even though they say it’s not hereditary.” Levi shrugged. “It scares the hell out of me. I ran away from foster care when I was sixteen and even lived on the streets for a year.”

“What happened then?”

“I was making my way across Montana, tryingto stay ahead of anyone looking for me. At seventeen, I ended up at Mr. Brown’s ranch. That man was more of a father to me than my own father. He taught me a lot. But I drank too. On weekends, I’d get so drunk to try and forget the memories of what my old man did to me and my mother. Mr. Brown found me passed out one weekend and straightened me up by telling me I was becoming an alcoholic. I knew I was going down the wrong path, so I listened to him. He made me a better man, but just like you, my father’s blood is still in me.” Levi shook his head. “I have a quick temper too, but whenever it starts flaring up, I take a deep breath and step back to ask myself if it’s worth getting so angry over.” Levi grinned. “It never seems to be.”

“What was your mother like?”

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