Page 56 of Getting Wrapped Up

He met Levi’s eyes and Levi had a feeling that his brother understood something had happened that made him want to do this for Sapphire Falls.

“Let him…” Phoebe turned back to Levi. “Really?”

“Really. It’s all set up. I just need to give Cora a head count.”

Phoebe sighed. “I’ll call Lauren and get it.”

Levi felt a surge of satisfaction. Kate had asked him what he was going to do here and he hadn’t known how to answer. She’d meant as a job, he knew, but he wasn’t in need of a job. What he did do for the family business could be handled remotely with occasional trips to Vegas or their other sites. The reason for living in Vegas had been all about the parties.

But what was he going to do here? Besides relax, recover and become a better man?

Become an even better man. He could work on community development, marketing for tourism, and he could provide funding for community projects along with continuing to support IAS.

He was fine. He was going to make a home in Sapphire Falls. He was going to adjust to no food delivery and everything shutting down at ten p.m. on the weekdays. It might take a little time, but he’d do it.

Kate was just going to have to accept that.

“I need to go,” he said, pushing back from the table and standing.

“Where are you off to?”

“I need to find a gorgeous blonde and convince her I’m not crazy.”

Joe nodded. “You’re sure that you’re not?”

“I am.” And he was for maybe the first time ever.

“I assume you’re talking about Kate?” Phoebe asked. “Not just some random gorgeous blonde.”

“I’m done with random gorgeous blondes,” Levi said. “And brunettes, redheads and anything else,” he added before they could ask.

“That was fast,” Joe said mildly.

“Fast but not crazy,” Levi agreed.

“Where is she right now?” Phoebe asked.

“On her way back to San Francisco.” He looked at the clock. “She’ll be getting to Denver in about thirty minutes.”

“San Francisco?” Phoebe asked, clearly alarmed that she hadn’t known her friend had left town. “I thought she was downtown getting a pedicure or something. Why is she going home?”

“Because in her life, happiness and fun have always covered other things up. She didn’t want to dig down through the happiness and fun here to find out what it was covering.”

Joe and Phoebe both looked startled by his insightful answer.

“And what’s underneath it here?” Phoebe asked.

“More happiness and fun,” Levi said.

Phoebe seemed to like that answer.

Joe, on the other hand, said, “Sapphire Falls isn’t perfect, Levi. It’s notallhappiness and fun.”

“Yeah, well, good thing Kate’s happiness isn’t about Sapphire Falls then.” Levi started for the door.

“It’s about you?” Joe asked.

“Damn right.”

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