The Widow of Rose Hill (The Women of Rose Hill Book 2), стр. 67
“We still have much to sort through,” he said, feeling more optimistic than he had during the ride to Rose Hill.
“Yes.” She nodded, looking at him with such hope, it nearly undid him. “But we don’t have to work out everything tonight. Couldn’t we just enjoy the evening?”
He could stare into her eyes all night. “We most certainly can.”
“Mama?”
They both turned to see Samuel peering around the corner of the porch. He came forward, barefoot and wearing his nightclothes. Levi hadn’t seen the boy since the day Lopez announced his guilt in the battle where George Ellis died. If Natalie could forgive him for his role at Manassas Junction, he prayed the little boy could too, someday.
“Samuel, what are you doing out of bed?” Natalie reached toward her son, and he ran across the porch and curled into her side, then peeked up at Levi.
“Hello, Samuel.” Levi smiled, hoping he could win the boy’s friendship again.
“Hello.”
Natalie tipped her son’s chin up. “Do you remember what I said about leaving your room after I’ve put you to bed?”
Samuel nodded. “I’m not ’llowed.”
“Yes. You have disobeyed me by coming downstairs.”
He peeked at Levi again before ducking his head into Natalie’s arms. “But I heard the co’nel talking.”
Natalie glanced at Levi. Was she worried his presence had upset the boy? They might have quite a challenge ahead if Samuel refused to accept Levi in his mother’s life.
“I’m happy to see you, Samuel,” he said.
Samuel looked at him with big eyes the same color as Natalie’s. “You’re not mad at me anymore?”
The question caught Levi off-guard. “Mad at you? Why would I be mad at you?”
“Because I cried when Señor Lopez said you hurt my papa. Mama said Papa got hurt ’cuz he was a soldier, not because you did anything to him. But”—his bottom lip trembled—“you didn’t come back to see us anymore. I thought you were mad at me.”
In an act that seemed perfectly natural, Levi stretched outhis arms. Samuel didn’t hesitate. He crawled onto Levi’s lap and wrapped his thin arms around Levi’s neck.
Gratitude rushed to Levi’s heart. The boy hadn’t held his sins in battle against him after all.
The surprise on Natalie’s face surely mirrored his own. She smiled, her eyes sparkling with happy tears.
Levi tightened his grip on the boy, relishing the warm little body against his chest. “I would never be angry with you, Samuel.”
They sat in peaceful silence for several minutes until Samuel gave a big yawn.
Natalie stood. “It’s time for bed, young man.”
Samuel didn’t let go of Levi. “Can the co’nel tuck me in?”
Levi’s brow rose, and he looked to Natalie for her response. When she didn’t deny the request, he stood, holding Samuel. “I don’t mind.”
Nodding, she led the way into the house and up the stairs. On the second level, he followed her down a darkened hallway to a room on the right.
Levi carried the boy to his bed, which was illuminated by a glass lamp, its wick turned low. He carefully lay Samuel down, and his eyes drooped when he touched the pillow.
“G’night, Co’nel.” He rolled onto his side and tucked a small blanket under his arm. Levi recognized it as the one he’d wrapped the cats in the night of the fire. “Come see us again.”
“I will.” Levi watched the boy drift off to sleep.
Natalie stood in the doorway, her arms wrapped around her waist. He joined her. She didn’t move but only stared up at him, her eyes dark and rounded in the muted light.
He cupped her cheek, and she leaned into his hand. Levi’s heart filled with love for her and Samuel. “I want to tuck him into bed every night.”
She whispered, “I want that too.”
He had no power to keep from capturing her mouth with his own. Her lips were as soft and inviting as he remembered and held a sweetness he found intoxicating. When she sighed beneath his caresses, he deepened the kiss and wrapped her slight body in a fierce embrace, molding her against him. Her hands explored the muscles on his back with feathery light strokes, and he groaned. The desire he had for this woman was like nothing he had ever known.
All too soon, he remembered where they were—with Samuel sleeping steps away—and reluctantly ended the kiss. He didn’t release her, though, but held her in his arms. She pressed her cheek against his chest, a sigh of contentment on her breath.
Eventually, they made their way down the stairs and returned to the porch. If Banks and Carolina had noticed their absence, they didn’t let on. Levi knew he should go. Natalie was far too tempting for him to remain after a kiss like that.
“I’ll return tomorrow.” He took her hands in his. “Perhaps we can take Samuel fishing.”
A happy glow radiated from her face. “He would love that.” Her eyes grew misty. “I was so afraid you wouldn’t change your mind.”
“Change my mind?” he asked. “About what?”
“About staying in Texas. I didn’t think anything could change your plans to return to Pennsylvania. I’m so happy I was wrong.”
Her words sent a chill down his back, dousing the flame his ardor had ignited. “Natalie.” His next words would disappointment her, but they must be spoken. “I haven’t changed my mind. When my commission in Texas comes to an end, I will go home.”
“But … you kissed me and said …”
Her eyes widened, and her hand flew to her lips. Choking back sobs, she whirled and ran into the darkened house. He took a step to follow, but what would he say when he found her? Closing his eyes, he silently berated himself. Of course, she would think, by his words and actions, that he’d changed his mind. When he’d said he wanted to tuck Samuel in every night, he’d meant after they moved to Pennsylvania. He had sufficiently made a huge muddle out of