Levi jammed his boot down on the shovel and pushed hard. The smell of old hay and dried manure rushed into his nostrils. Scott had run the ranch alone, and from what Levi’s trip around the three hundred acres revealed, the place was thriving but needed some upkeep. Not a lot, but enough to make a difference in the sale price. Money mattered, and this place owed him. Scott, too. Maybe he’d leave the money in a trust for Mason. Scott would like that. But to get the best price, he’d have to stick around long enough to make repairs and updates.

He lifted the shovelful of manure and dumped the contents in the wheelbarrow. The big, metal container, red paint long faded to rusty brown, was the same one he’d used a boy.

Last night, he’d dreamed the idiotic dream again, only this time when his father bellowed up the stairs in his scary voice, a smaller version of Scott had scurried into his clothes, heart thundering. The boy had been Mason.

Levi had awakened with an ache beneath his ribcage and the worry that he’d do the wrong thing. He’d hated his father, still did if he was honest, and being here brought back the feelings of anxiety and dread. He didn’t want that kind of childhood for Scott’s boy.

People in Calypso had hated the old man too. Mason shouldn’t have to grow up with that kind of legacy hanging over his head either.

But the preacher said Scott was well liked, well respected. Could he have somehow vanquished the curse of Slim Donley?

This morning, Levi had driven into town to visit Aunt Ruby. She’d cried. He’d wanted to. The once vibrant Ruby was a tiny, fragile old woman who required the assistance of a walker. Her mind, however, was still sharp, and she’d made her opinion about Scott’s baby clear. Donleys take care of their own.

Levi had already failed at that. With Scott. With Ruby. Would he do the same with Mason?

He swiped a forearm across his brow and mulled. His life had gotten way too complicated.

Out in the barn lot, Freckles whinnied to a pair of pasture horses. He and his mount were used to long days in the saddle. Long days of work and cows and wide-open spaces. Making camp. Sleeping on the ground.

How could he manage a baby?

He jammed his boot against another shovelful. His bum knee whimpered. Sweat beaded on his neck and back.

As he dumped the load into the wheelbarrow, he heard a door squeak open.

“Levi? Are you out here?”

His pulse jumped. Emily. He’d know that voice anywhere.

“In the third stall.” He propped the shovel in a corner and pushed out into the barn’s open alleyway. Behind him, the wooden door bounced a couple of times.

Emily stood in the open doorway gilded by a beam of sunlight, dust motes dancing around her. For a second, he was transported back in time. They were seventeen again, and his whole being leaped in delight to see her here. No amount of time could erase that feeling.

Then he noticed the baby in her arms and something entirely different stirred beneath his rib cage. That connection thing again. To Mason. To her.

“I wasn’t expecting you today.”

“I called. You didn’t answer your phone.”

He slapped at his back pocket. “Must have left it in the house.” Or maybe he’d dropped it in a pile of manure. Wouldn’t be the first time.

She remained frozen in the doorway as if afraid to come any further. Levi closed the distance between them. Like a deer about to bolt over the nearest fence, Emily clutched the baby to her shoulder.

“Is he asleep?” He reached for his nephew.

She drew back, expression as harsh as her voice. “Don’t touch him. You’re dirty.”

Chastised, Levi’s hand dropped to his side. What did she expect when she came into a barn?

“I’ll meet you at the house.” She spun around and rushed out.

The woman must despise him. And here he stood like a dummy thinking how beautiful she was and how right a baby looked in her arms.

He was seriously messed up.

Stomping mud and muck from his boots, Levi followed her across the yard. Halfway, he stepped in a hole and twisted his already throbbing knee. With a groan, he limped on.

Some days were diamonds. The past few had been stones.

The only bright spot had been a conversation with Miranda Bernstein, a local realtor. She was coming by this week to give him an appraisal. With a few repairs, the ranch should bring a good sum.

Entering the house through the back way, he stopped in the mudroom to wash up and change into a clean shirt—one of Scott’s. His brother’s clothes remained as he’d found them, carefully folded atop the dryer as if he or Jessica would return soon to put them away. Levi hadn’t had the emotional strength to do anything with them.

Truth was, he didn’t know what to do with any of Scott’s things, including his ranch and his son.

He smoothed a palm down his chest, over the blue cotton. Wearing Scott’s T-shirt hurt even more than his knee. But it felt good too.

He stuck his head into the living room. “Want something to drink?”

She shook her head. “This isn’t a social visit. I brought some portfolios for you to look at.”

The reminder stung. It shouldn’t have, but it did.

The years hadn’t brought forgiveness.

She hates your guts, Donley. Deal with it.

With a sigh, he filled a glass from the fancy refrigerator door and chugged the water before joining her. Though he did his best to hide the pain, his knee screamed. Emily already thought he was worthless. No use confirming it.

“Are you always this friendly with clients?” He crossed the space, trying not to limp.

She bit down on her lip, eyes widening. “Coming here is…difficult. The barn. Jessica.”

Mention of the barn made the hair on the back of his neck rise. He latched onto the topic of Jessica.

“You were close to Scott’s wife.”

“Yes. Very. I see her everywhere in this house.” Emily’s rosy lips quivered a teeny bit. “The colors, those throw pillows, the photos.”

Despite himself, Levi moved closer, the temptation to touch her strong. Emily was hurting. He’d never been able to stand seeing her upset. Maybe that was why he’d run in the first place. He couldn’t undo what had been done.

“Me, too. About Scott, I mean. It’s hard, but good too, Em. They were happy in this house.”

Green eyes lifted to his. He and Emily were close enough to touch, but neither moved. Levi wanted to reach out. He wanted to give and receive comfort. But he couldn’t. He’d always been bad at that sort of thing. She wouldn’t want it anyway. Not from him.

He looked down at the baby in her arms, the tiny reminder of why she’d come. Certainly not for a beat up cowboy with aching knees and an empty soul. She’d dreaded the trip, dreaded the stupid barn. No wonder she’d bit his head off and stormed out.

“Yes,” she said softly. “I realize this is harder for you than for me. It has to be. Scott was your only brother.”

Here was the Emily he remembered. Empathetic. Kind. Beautiful.

He felt as soft inside as Mason’s skin. Emily did that to him. She’d always made him feel things.

“Em—” The apology he’d owed her for fourteen years stuck in his throat.

She stepped back, her shoulders tight, chin rising. “The sooner we get Mason settled, the sooner you can put all this behind you and move on with your life.”

He blanched, stung. Move on.

That’s why she was here. To convince him to go away.

For a minute there, he’d almost forgotten himself.

“Right. Sure. I get it.” He rubbed the spot over his heart, the spot that never stopped hurting. “I want to hold him.”

He could manage. He wasn’t that useless. This was Scott’s baby, and Levi had an enormous decision to make. For once in fourteen years, someone else mattered more than him.

When Emily hesitated, Levi held up both hands. “Clean. Clean shirt. I’m going to hold him, Emily.”

She nodded. “As his uncle, you have that right.”

Didn’t she understand? This wasn’t about rights. It was about the DNA he shared with this little human being. It was about the brother he’d failed so miserably. No matter her opinion of him, he had to be sure his decision was the right one.

Awkward and more than a little anxious, he reached for his nephew. As Emily transferred the baby, her fingers grazed Levi’s shoulder. This time he was ready for the electric charge. If Emily felt the jolt, she didn’t let on.

“Put your hand against his back.” Her tone had softened again. But not for him.

Levi slid his hand into place and spread his fingers wide. His hand seemed huge against the small body. “Brace his neck. I remember.”

As if she expected him to toss Mason into the air and let him hit the floor, Emily remained close, one hand bracing the child. Levi had no objections. Being near her was a flood of good and beautiful through his weary soul.

“He’s real soft.” Holding Mason was doing things to his insides that he didn’t understand, but he liked the feelings.

Was there more daddy material inside him than he’d ever dreamed?

Emily’s lips curved. “Squishy.”

Levi smiled, too, mesmerized by the child…and the woman.

“Yeah. Like he’s boneless.” Levi rubbed his cheek against Mason’s head. “He smells nice.”

“Connie bathed him before I picked him up. Baby lotion.”

“Beats the cow manure I’ve smelled all afternoon.”

Her gorgeous grin widened. “Only a cowboy would make that kind of comparison.”

For the first time in days, Levi’s spirits lifted.

Had they actually experienced a friendly moment?

“Does he sleep all the time?”

“A lot. Babies this young do. Fifteen hours or more.”

He knew less than nothing about babies. Give him a calf or a colt and he was good.

The baby squirmed, his too-big-for-his-body head wobbling like a bobble doll. Levi braced the ultra short neck and watched, fascinated, as the little guy searched for something.

“What does he want?”

Before she could answer, Mason found his tiny fist. Loud sucking noises commenced.

Levi chuckled, heartened when Emily smiled too.

His warm fuzzies were short lived when Emily got to the point. “Have you thought any more about Mason’s future? About adoption?”

Apparently, her smile had shark’s teeth.

“Constantly.”

“I brought the files of several prospective families for you to consider.” She motioned toward a stack of manila folders near Mason’s car seat. “I think you’ll agree any one of them would be perfect for Mason.”

They were back to that. She was bulldog determined to scoot him right out of Mason’s life and right out of town. He didn’t mind the latter. He was going anyway. But Mason was a different matter.

The pleasure of the last few minutes faded. His heart thudded painfully against Scott’s shirt. “I can choose?”

“The court will make the ultimate decision, but they rely heavily on family wishes.”

“I haven’t agreed with this idea yet, Emily. What if I decide to raise him?”

She picked up the folders and fiddled with the edges. “Do you think that would be the best thing for Mason?”

There was the kicker. It probably wasn’t. He should let Emily decide and keep his opinion, his feelings, out of it. The only reason she let him have any say at all was because of her commitment to Jessica and Scott. What did he know about such things? Nothing. Less than nothing.

But he knew how he felt when he looked into Mason’s face and saw his brother. Leaving this boy would poke a hole in his soul that might never heal. He had too many of those already.

Yet, this wasn’t about him. Mason was the one who mattered.

Carefully, he placed the infant in the carrier and gazed down into the perfect sleeping face. His heart dipped lower than a snake’s belly. Could he sign away any opportunity to ever see that face again? Should he?

He pulled a hand over his mouth.

“Let’s see those files.”

---

In the kitchen, Emily spread the four file folders out on Jessica’s blue tablecloth and tried not to look at Levi. In the living room just now, she’d gotten mushy and tender inside. A cowboy holding a baby was a sight to soften anyone’s heart, but who was she kidding? Being near Levi stirred emotions long buried. Anger, hurt, love. That’s what had her so rattled.

Out in the barn, she’d overreacted terribly. The moment she’d opened that door and smelled hay and horses, the memory assaulted her. That single event had changed everything, destroyed their dreams and separated her from the boy she loved.

None of that was Levi’s fault, but she’d been uncharacteristically rude. Now she was pushing him away all over again.

Lord, help me. I’m doing this all wrong. I only want what’s best for Mason.

But Pastor’s words kept returning. What about Levi? Didn’t he matter, too? Had she really ever forgiven him?

Did he feel as uncertain and lost as he looked? Was God using this tragedy for deeper purposes? And if he was, what were those purposes? And what was her part?

Emily knew Levi’s past, knew the smoldering anger and hatred he’d harbored toward his father. Had he ever come to grips with that childhood wound? Had she?

She’d thought so, but had she?

She had a lot of praying in front of her. But right now, she had a job to do.

Clearing her throat, Emily flipped open a file. Levi stood at her shoulder. The scent of cotton shirt and recent soap surrounded her as he leaned in to study the photos and read the information. He was sincere, earnest, trying to do the right thing. The boy she’d known had been that way too.

She didn’t want to remember that.

Everything about this situation confused her.

In spite of herself, she breathed him in.

Except for one, her memories of Levi were lovely. As a couple, they’d been perfect together, a match made in heaven. Two ranch kids from a small town who loved all the same things, especially each other.

Then, after that ugly day, he’d disappeared. He’d left and never looked back. He hadn’t even called. She couldn’t forget that.

Tapping her index finger on the file in front of him, she drew his attention to the application. “Debra and Steven Banowski are wonderful people, Levi. All these couples are. They can give Mason everything, but most importantly, they can give him two stable, loving parents.”

He turned his head her way, shadows in his eyes. The rescuer in Emily wanted to rush in and make things better. Not that she would.

They were as close as lovers, and as far apart as Earth and Jupiter.

“You know them?”

“I vetted each one myself.” She tilted away from his tempting presence and shoved a curl behind her ear. “Mason’s placement is extremely important to me. I’ve spent one-on-one time with each of these couples. I’ve seen them interact. I’ve talked to people who know them, and I have a very good instinct in these cases.”

“No failures?”

“Not one.”

“Okay.” He sighed, his shoulders lifting as if he carried a heavy weight.

Emily knew what she was asking of him. She also knew he’d abandoned her, his brother, his home, and she was afraid he’d eventually do the same to Mason. When the going got tough, Levi got going.

As badly as she felt for Levi, Mason’s well-being took center stage. Those were good motives, weren’t they?

From the living room came a mewling cry. Both she and Levi spun toward the sound.

Emily moved first. “I’ll get him. You go ahead and look through those files.”

---

Levi watched the beautiful social worker exit the kitchen, his head pounding with indecision. She was right. Any of these families would make great parents for Mason. But were they the right parents for him?

What if he chose wrong? What if Mason grew up lonely or abused or was turned into a workhorse the way he and Scott were?

But Emily said these were great people, warm and loving. The same could never have been said about Slim Donley by anyone.

Levi rubbed at his chest, fretting, unsure. He trusted Emily’s judgment. She’d never given him any reason not to. He’d been the failure, not her. And yet…

He flipped a page to a smiling blond couple. The Sinclairs liked to ski and spent vacations in the mountains. His bum knees meant he’d never so much as visit a ski resort. The Westins owned their own business and had a large extended family to give Mason cousins and grandparents. He and Scott hadn’t had anyone but Dad and Ruby.

Next, there was Abby and Matt Priestly. They lived on a farm with cows and horses and chickens and dogs. Mason could have pets, something Levi and Scott had begged for and never gotten. With the Priestly couple, Mason could grow up a country boy like his daddy.

If Levi kept the ranch, Mason could be a country boy here. He could have pets, a horse, a dog. All the dogs he wanted.

Levi shook off the thought. Wasn’t going to happen. He hated this place. The best job in Texas awaited him, and he wanted it. All the perks without the hassle.

Mason could go with you. He could be a country boy there, too.

The idea held appeal, but was that the best situation for Mason? Hiring into a new position required time and commitment and long hours. How was that good for a baby?

He returned his attention to the file.

Yeah. He liked the sunburned Matt and sweet-faced Abby. Matt looked like a teddy bear, and Abby looked like a cookie baker. He’d always wanted a mom who baked cookies and gave hugs. Maybe he’d pick them.

The awful knot in his gut tightened to the point of pain.

What did he know about any of this? A week ago, he hadn’t even known he had a nephew.

Now that he did, the responsibility was overwhelming. Scott had wanted him to raise Mason, but Emily ruled him out. And why shouldn’t she? Why should she trust him with something as precious and fragile as a baby?

Emily was right. He couldn’t be a daddy. Even now, with this monumental decision in front of him, his first inclination was to hit the road.

Except the little boy crying in the living room held him with the power of an industrial-sized magnet. With Levi out of the picture, who would tell Mason stories of his father’s childhood? Who would talk about Scott and keep his memory alive? Who would be able to point out the traits Mason shared with his daddy? With him? And how would the little man ever know how much his daddy had loved and wanted him?

Mason needed kin. He needed Levi.

People had kids all the time and still held jobs. There were babysitters, housekeepers, day care. It wouldn’t be easy, but a determined cowboy could figure a way to make things work in Texas.

Quietly, shaking inside, he closed the folders and went to the doorway between the kitchen and living room. Emily sat on the couch, her head bent over Mason as she changed him.

“I’ve decided.”

Her head jerked up. “Which couple?”

“None of them.”

Her expression grew wary. “I don’t understand. We have others, but those are all terrific.”

“Agreed.” He swallowed the knot. “Good people. I hope they get a baby, but it won’t be Mason.”

Slowly, head turned toward Levi, her eyes locked on his, Emily tugged Mason’s blue onesie into place. “What are you saying?”

“If I sign away Scott’s son, I won’t have anyone.” Sign away. The words burned a hole in him. Somehow, he had to make her understand.

“This isn’t about you.”

“Maybe not, but he’s my blood. Without each other, neither of us has family.”

“He’ll have a fantastic family, Levi. Any one of those couples will be his family forever. He’ll be connected to them and everyone who comes after.”

Levi exhaled in a frustrated gust.

He wasn’t saying this right. He tried again to make her understand what he couldn’t fully understand himself.

“Scott wanted me.” He tapped his chest. “Not strangers. Even really great strangers like those in there.” He gestured toward the kitchen. “No one can give him what I can.”

Her look was skeptical. “You’re planning to settle down on this ranch for the rest of your life?”

“No. I won’t.” The very thought of being stuck here forever sickened him. “But I’ll do my best for Mason.”

Emily slapped the wet diaper into a baggie and reached for hand sanitizer. Mason lay upside down on her lap, his cheek against her knee, eyes closed as if a dry diaper was the only requirement for a life of contentment.

Life was a lot more complicated than that, as Emily’s flashing eyes could attest.

She was ticked. He seemed to have a unique ability to infuriate the social worker.

“So.” She bit off the words. “What you’re really saying is, you’ll stick with Mason as long it’s convenient and as long as everything goes well.”

His confidence wavered. “That’s not what I meant.”

“Exactly what did you mean?” She rubbed the pungent-scented sanitizer on her hands with enough vigor to start a fire. Mason jiggled but didn’t wake up.

“I don’t know how to explain. Mason is a Donley. It seems wrong for me to give him to someone else.”

“Wrong for who?”

“Me. Mason.”

“Adoption is a beautiful, blessed option. Even God loves adoption. It was his idea. He adopts us into His family when we accept Jesus.”

She clapped her lips together as if she hadn’t intended to bring God into the conversation. Probably in her line of work, discussing religion wasn’t acceptable. He didn’t care. In fact, talk of Jesus put him in mind of the Emily he’d known.

His lips curved. “Saint Emily.”

Memory sparked in her eyes. “I apologize. Again. Bringing up my faith was inappropriate given the circumstances. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I promise I am not usually so out of control. You seem to bring out the worst in me.”

“I wonder why that is,” he said softly.

Her shoulder lifted in a shrug that ended in a slump of despair. “Oh, Levi. What a sad, tragic mess.”

Fighting the urge to take her in his arms and promise her anything she wanted, he crossed to where she sat and lowered himself to the cushion next to her. Gently, he lifted the sleeping baby from her lap onto his much longer thighs. Mason, warm as toast, snuggled right in.

Emily’s thigh brushed his, and Levi knew right then he’d never get over her, no matter how far he roamed. But to do what he thought was right, what was best for him as well as Mason, he’d have to disappoint her. Again.

Emily was lost to him anyway. Mason wasn’t.

He swallowed the lump of sorrow. “Tell me what to do to become his legal guardian.”

She was silent long enough to remind him that he was not her choice and that she disagreed vehemently.

“Are you absolutely sure?”

He was scared out of his mind, but the other options promised more regrets. He already had plenty of those, including the woman sitting next to him. “Yes.”

“If you had to keep him by yourself for one full day, would you know what to feed him? How much? How often? Would you know if he was sick?” She pivoted in his direction. Their knees bumped. “Child care is a huge learning curve. Are you up for it?”

He was shaking in his boots. “Can’t be that hard. People have babies all the time.”

She rolled her eyes so far back in her head, they disappeared. “Which is why my case load gets heavier every day. Too many people having babies without knowing anything about proper parenting.”

“I want to learn, Emily. Teach me.” Gently, with emotion thick in his chest, he stroked the back of Mason’s head. This little baby already had his heart. Might as well make it official. “I’ll never be as good as his daddy, but I’ll be the best uncle I can.”

She did the silent thing again, and when he wondered if she would grab the baby and run, Emily took a deep breath and said, “There’s paperwork involved. You’ll have to undergo a background check and home study.”

“Let’s do it.”

“The state also requires you to take classes.”

His eyebrows came together. “He can’t move in with me right away?”

“Not until the background check is cleared.”

More delays. This could put a crimp in his plans to sell out and get moving.

“I’m not a criminal, Em, and I’d never do anything to hurt him. Look at him. He’s so little.” A single glance at the little man turned him to pudding.

“Standard procedure. Everyone has to have one.”

“How long?”

“A few weeks, maybe six or thereabouts.”

He’d be stuck here in Calypso for six weeks! Would Jack hold the manager’s position for him? He’d have to ask and hope the man understood the importance of what he was about to do.

And if he didn’t?

Levi would cross that bridge when he came to it. For now, he knew one thing for certain. Six weeks or six years. It didn’t matter. He and Mason were going to be together.

“Is there any way to speed things up? I’m thinking about heading to Texas. Got a good job waiting for me.”

“Texas?” The color drained from her face.

“Is it against the law to take him to Texas?”

“No, of course not. Once you’re his guardian, where you live is your business.”

He’d expected her to be thrilled that he would be out of her sight, but she looked anything but pleased at his news.

He glanced down at the sleeping baby. “Meantime, he’s stuck in foster care?”

Her nostrils flared. “I don’t call being with me and Connie stuck.”

Levi leaned back and pinched the bridge of his nose. No matter what he said, she took offense. If he didn’t know he owed her, he might get plum aggravated.

“I didn’t mean that personally, Em.” He pulled in a determined breath. “Tell me what to do, and I’ll do it.”

---

Texas? He was moving Mason to Texas?

She’d expected him to leave again, but not this soon. Not before she’d had a chance to be sure he’d take good care of the baby. Not before she came to grips with this crazy feeling she got every time she saw him.

Her eyes fell shut.

There was the crux of the matter. She was concerned for Mason, of course, but Levi’s sincerity was undeniable. When he held Mason, his tender expression said it all. He would do his best.

The problem wasn’t Mason or Levi’s guardianship. The problem was in her heart.

He’d called her Em, as if they were still close, as if they still could be.

Hearing the nickname, the name he’d whispered in her ear so many times, did funny things to her insides. For a fraction of a second, she’d wondered what might happen between them if he stuck around. If they could be friends again.

And then, he’d dropped the bombshell. He was leaving. Again.

Levi, oh Levi. What are you doing to me?

Troubled, heavy-hearted, she guided him through the proper forms and showed him where to sign. Careful of Mason sleeping on his knees, he leaned the papers on the couch arm and scribbled his name. Though Emily had plenty of misgivings, Pastor Marcus had been proven right. Her feelings for Levi had gotten in the way. She’d considered them dead and gone, but being near him still made her skin tingle, her pulse beat a little faster. Made her remember what he’d done.

Looking back was futile. The past hurt too much, and there could be no future.

She gathered the papers and files, preparing to leave. As she reached for Mason, Levi put a hand on the baby’s back.

“I’ll carry him.”

Gently, he lifted the ragdoll baby, attention riveted to the child. Something shifted in Emily, feelings she didn’t want.

It was these feelings throwing her out of kilter.

Levi’s hands looked huge against Mason’s tiny form, huge and tender and cowboy manly. He slowly pulled the infant to his chest and patted Mason’s tiny bottom. Another piece of ice chipped from around her heart.

Emily tried to look away and couldn’t. “I have another home visit to make before church, Levi. I have to go.”

“When can I see him again?”

“That’s up to you.”

“Can you bring him every day? If I’m going to learn…” He let the words dwindle. She knew what he meant. In her role as social worker, it was her place to teach him everything she could. While he was here.

“I’ll try. If I don’t have time, you can visit him at the Triple C. He’ll be with Connie when I can’t take him with me.”

His lips curved and drew attention to his mouth. What would it be like to kiss him again? Would he still make her feel fragile and cherished the way he had before?

“Is Connie still the Triple C’s head boss and the best cook in the county?”

His voice jerked her thoughts back to the present.

“That’s Connie.”

“They doing okay? Connie and Gilbert and your brothers?”

“Good. Real good. Gilbert has to watch his sugar these days—that Native American genetic thing—and Connie fusses over him.”

“Connie fusses over everyone. Or she used to.”

“Still does. If you need prayer or an enchilada or a helping hand, call Connie.” The Donley boys had been the recipient of all three during their growing up years. “Nate married a great girl and Ace—well, Ace has his struggles, but he’s still my brother, and I adore him.”

“What about Wyatt?”

“Wyatt’s a military man these days, the only brother without horse hay in his veins.” And she worried about him more than she cared to admit.

“You’re lucky.”

“No, I’m blessed. Thankful, too, to have such a great family.” Something Levi never had. And the truth of that softened her even more. He was never a bad boy. Mostly, he was a lonely, hurting teen who made the best of a bad situation. Would he do the same with Mason? Was it actually possible they could thrive together?

“You’ll let Connie know I might stop in?”

“I’ll leave the ranch phone number for you, but yes, you know Connie. She hasn’t changed.”

A wry chuckle left him. “Your dad was the one who gave me the long eye.”

“That’s because he was afraid you’d steal his little girl.” She didn’t know why she’d said that. Reminiscing wasn’t good for either of them.

“You don’t wear a wedding ring.”

She jerked. Physically jerked. “My husband died in an oilfield fire six years ago.”

“Em.” His voice was breathy, shocked. “That’s awful.”

“One of the worst times of my life. Without the Lord—” Another reminder that only God could heal the pain of loss. Hers and Levi’s.

His quiet gaze lingered on her face, and she could read the sympathy he struggled to express. He wanted to hold her. She could see it, always could. As a teen, she’d take the initiative, lean close and let those strong cowboy arms offer comfort.

As an older, wiser adult, she couldn’t succumb to such foolish emotions. Especially now.

“Kids?” he asked kindly, taking one step closer.

“No.” This was getting too personal, and she was tumbling back in time so fast her vision was blurry. She had to snap out of it before she said or did something stupid. “I have to go, Levi.”

This time she stood and reached down for Mason. Levi rose, too, standing so near she saw the flecks of green in his brown eyes and the thick spiky lashes surrounding them. They’d always said their babies would have beautiful eyes.

Swallowing the unexpected gulp of longing, Emily buckled Mason into his car seat and tried to understand the unwelcome surge of memories and emotions.

Maybe she wasn’t over Levi Donley after all.