Page 64 of The Hardest Part

“Oh, God, what if Daddy had brought me the baby monitor instead of Benjamin?” Arien squeezed her eyes closed, clapping a hand across her mouth.

The man would’ve found him in his crib and he’d probably be…

Wait. Baby monitor?

Emily’s gaze shot up to Jake, and as if he’d read her mind, he looked over at his father.

Victor glanced at her mom, then with a nod he turned back to Jake and said, “We need to check the house.”

The fort never slept.

All night long, Levi gazed up at a starless sky, listening to the cacophony of drunken, raucous laughter, whores plying their trade, brawls, hooves on dirt, and gunshots. He breathed in the dung, the blood, the mud, and the piss. It seeped into the soil of this godforsaken place, forever becoming a part of it.

How long had it been since they set off on this never-ending journey? Four months? He’d grown so fucking weary of it. And as weary as he was, sleep should’ve claimed him the moment he closed his eyes, despite the sounds, the stink, and the cold, hard earth he’d lain upon.

He could tell himself he remained awake to ensure no harm came to his sisters, and while indeed that was true, Levi gazed across the camp at the object of his utmost desire and the overwhelming source of his restlessness.

“If you want my Lucy as your wife, then you’ll be weddin’ my Fallon, too.”

Walker couldn’t have meant it. Why, the notion alone was preposterous.Like them crazy Mormons.Booted out of Ohio, Illinois, and Missouri, they’d heard the polygamist followers of Joseph Smith were staking their claim farther west in the UtahTerritory desert, and there they’d build their Zion. He’d seen them along the trail. Men, young and old, with twenty wives a piece, proselytizing their faith.

It wasn’t his.

She raised her head. Wisps of sable blowing with the wind, her golden eyes locked on his. Men milled about the camp. Shoshone and Bannock, trappers, traders, godless and god-fearing men alike, walked past Lucy as if she wasn’t there. But powerless under her gaze, Levi went to her.

“You spoke to my father.” It wasn’t a question.

“I did, but…” He wasn’t sure what to say or how to go about it.

“I love you, Levi, and this is what I want.” She grabbed onto the collar of his shirt, bringing his forehead down to hers. “A life with you and my sister.”

“Why?”

“It is the way of my mother’s people,” she simply said.

Taking a step back, Levi pulled away. “Do you understand what you’re asking of me?”

“Do you love me?”

“You know I do.”

Her lips quirked up. “Then what else is there for me to understand?”

“You want me to lie with her, to bed her, and put children in her belly?” His words louder than he intended, Levi brought her to the fencepost, raking his fingers through his hair.

She cupped his face, tenderly stroking his beard. “Yes, and the love we have will be even stronger for it.”

“How?” And with his hand on Lucy’s, he stilled hers.

“The earth says so. The spirit says so.” She kissed his lips. “My father has seen it come to pass.”

His brows drawing together, he cocked his head.

“It’s the nature of the universe. Heavens, waters, and earth. Mind, body, and spirit. Even your Christian faith teaches theFather, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.” Pawing his chest, Lucy smiled up at him. “Everything that comes in threes is perfect.”

Jesus.

“I’m not like them.”

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