I have never heard so much quiet before until now. My life, up to this point, has been crazy, noisy and running so fast that I could barely keep up, and yet, the moment I walked onto Levi’s deck, the noise stopped, and the peaceful calm that he described to me took over.

Before I arrived, I can admit that I thought I was coming to some far off cabin without running water and electricity. Deep down, I knew better, but my mind still pictured a rustic way of living. To say I was shocked at Levi’s home would be an understatement.

The cathedral ceilings, along with the skylights let an obscene amount of natural light in, and when I walked into his home, the sun’s rays created a magnitude of colors and designs on his hardwood floors. For a moment I wanted to bask in the glow.

It didn’t take long once we arrived for Levi to go to work. After he had shown me to my room, he disappeared, leaving me to entertain myself. Not that I need him around, but a little conversation or tour would’ve been nice.

With the open concept of his home, a tour has been unnecessary. Everything is out in the open, a free for all for the eyes to take in. The biggest attraction is his wrap around deck, and that is where I find myself, staring at him now.

Even as my eyes droop from the lack of sleep, I can’t seem to tear myself away from watching him work. Hay bales are lifted effortlessly and set onto his bare shoulder as the muscles in his back strain from the weight. With each bend, his jeans tighten around his ass, making me wish I could take a closer look. I never thought I’d find manual labor sexy, but it is.

“Excuse me?

I jump slightly at the sound of a voice behind me. I turn and find a young woman standing there with her hands folded in front of her. She’s dressed somewhat casually with her hair pulled up into a bun. If I had to guess I’d say she’s younger than I am and for whatever reason, that sets me off a bit. Levi didn’t mention that anyone else would be at the house while we were here. Truthfully, I’m not sure how I feel about sharing space with another woman.

“Can I help you?” I ask.

“Sorry to bother you, Ms. Phillips. Mr. Austin asked that I check on you while he’s working. Would you like something to eat? Coffee?”

She’s his maid? Is that the right word to use to describe her? Instantly I feel like an ass assuming that she’s more than an employee. As I look over her shoulder to try and mask my embarrassment, it dawns on me that his house is massive compared to mine, not to mention he has land to tend to. He likely has multiple people working for him at any given time.

“Um… coffee would be good. Maybe some toast?”

“Yes, ma’am.” She nods and disappears into the house through the side door. I find myself leaning toward that direction, but realize I'm being stupid. Why does it even matter that he has a maid?

Of course, my mind wanders to places it shouldn’t with Levi. Does his maid live here? Have they been intimate? All the while I’m mentally kicking my ass for even thinking these things when I shouldn’t be. I should be focused on healing, setting my mind free from the damage that Van has caused and finding myself again. I am here to learn how to be Zara without Van; how to survive in a world that worships the ground he walks on. My time away from Los Angeles is meant to be peaceful. Not a time filled with self-induced drama over whether my friend, a man I barely know, is boning his housekeeper.

By the time I’m done with my musings, she’s returned with a tray that she sets down on the small table between two Adirondack chairs, and also sets down a blanket. I’m chilled, but not cold as the sun is doing its job to try and warm everything up.

“Thank you,” I tell her as I move closer. The aroma of the coffee has my taste buds begging for a sip.

“You’re welcome. I’m June, and I’ll be in the house if you need anything else. Just give me a holler.” She’s gone in a flash, not willing to hang out and see if I do, in fact, need anything else. I suppose, since I only asked for coffee and toast, it isn’t that hard to mess up, and she probably figures I’ll be fine for now.

As soon as I sit down, I regret it. While the chair is hard, it’s not uncomfortable, but my view of Levi is now limited due to the slats on his deck. I can only see glimpses of him, and while I shouldn’t be focused on him while he works, I am. For whatever reason, I can’t seem to get him off my mind.

After I finish eating, I cover my legs with the afghan and wish that I had a book to read, something to take my mind off Van, our divorce, and Levi being shirtless. I lean back and let the mid-morning sun warm my face. Even the sun feels differently than it does in California. Brighter and dare I say more cheerful. There isn’t an abundance of noise, buildings, or smog blocking out the rays. No wonder Levi prefers it here rather than Hollywood. I haven’t been here a day yet, and I can already see why. It’s not long until sleep finds me before it takes me away from my viewing pleasure and turns my sights into dreams.

My name is being called, and I can’t tell if it’s part of my dream or if someone is trying to wake me up. I stretch and yawn, only to hear a small bit of laughter. It takes a few seconds for my eyes to adjust. Standing before me, shielding part of the sun is a still shirtless Levi.

“How long have I been asleep?” I ask as I sit up.

“At least a couple of hours. June came out to get me for lunch, and this is how I found you.”

Instinctively I cover my face with my hands and groan. I hadn’t meant to fall asleep outside, but between the sun and being exhausted I couldn’t help it. “I’m sorry,” I tell Levi.

“For what?” He sits down in the chair next to me, but instead of sitting back, he positions himself, so he’s facing me. “You’re on vacation. Sleep all you want. No one will judge you here.”

“Speaking of… how many people do you have working here?”

Levi takes his hat off and runs his fingers through his damp hair before replacing his cap. “June manages the house, but it’s mostly when I’m gone. Since I’m the only one who lives here, I’m really not that messy, so she only comes in once a week or so. With you here, she’ll be on hand to make sure you’re comfortable, and I have one guy who manages the land. He often brings others in to help, but it’s at his discretion.”

“But you were working today?”

“I like to. It keeps me in shape.”

I want to tell him that it’s noticeable, but I don’t. He doesn’t need to know that I was checking him out. Leading him on is the last thing I want to do.

Lunch is served, and for the most part, I feel like an invalid sitting on this chair with my legs wrapped in the afghan, but it’s chilly, and the idea of being in the house right now makes me feel a bit claustrophobic. Every day that I’m not working, I’m holed up in my house, confined to the walls that keep me safe.

I shiver, and I swear it’s from the wind and not the look that Levi is giving me. When he smiles, it’s the perfect type with his head bent slightly, and his eyes focused on me. My breathing hitches and my heart skips a beat or two causing me to shyly look away. He hands me my plate, and when his fingers brush against my flesh, they cause the same reaction as his smile.

I shouldn’t feel anything for him, and frankly, I don’t understand why my body is having this type of reaction. But it has been since the day I met him at the video shoot. There is something about Levi that I can’t put my finger on, nor do I want t even try. I am in no way ready to pursue anything with anyone. The emotional heartache that Van has put me through is enough to last me a lifetime. What I want, though, is a chance to enjoy the serenity he’s offering me with his home until I’m left with no choice but to return to my life.

“If you don’t like what June made I can have her make you something else.” Levi points at the plate of food I have yet to touch. I’ve been far too lost in my own head to realize that he’s eaten lunch while I’ve sat here contemplating my reactions to him.

“No, this is perfect,” I tell him as I quickly take a bite. He watches me for a second before he sits back in the chair and closes his eyes. The growling in my stomach keeps me from staring at him for too long, though.

But once I’ve set my plate back onto the table, the sliding glass door opens and June appears, causing Levi to walk up. She is either watching us or has an amazing ability to predict when she’s needed.

“Thank you, June.”

“Yes, thank you,” I add. She smiles softly as she gathers the dishes and returns inside. “Does she know who I am?” I ask Levi once the door is closed.

“Unfortunately, she does, but she’s been a stellar employee for years and has signed a non-disclosure agreement. June met with Barbara this morning to go over it again.

“Barbara… I like her.” I spent most of the flight talking to her about Nashville and the music industry here. She’s vastly different from Laura, whereas she only cares about publicity and Barbara cares about the quality of life. It was her son who met us at the airport with Levi’s truck. She told me to call her anytime I wanted to escape the monotony of the ranch. As I look around, I can see what she meant. I’m surrounded by the same view in every direction that I look. I imagine that after a while, it’ll become rather boring.

“Barb’s amazin'. She’s family. I don’t know what I would do without her.”

“She went with you to California?”

Levi nods. “She goes everywhere with me, except on tour. Although she’s been known to show up a few times.”

“My publicist is nothing like her. In fact, mine slept with my ex.”

Levi looks at me sharply, causing me to look away. “Stupid man,” he mutters. I don’t know if he intended for me to hear him or not, but I did, and honestly, I like that he said it because yes, Van is a stupid man.

“What are you in the mood for?’ he asks as he stands up. “I don’t know if you’re tired or not or if you’d like to take the horses out for a bit.”

I am tired, but I like the idea of spending some time with Levi. “I’ve never ridden a horse before,” I remind him.

He extends his hand, and I easily slip mine into his. “I won’t let you fall, Zara.”

Somehow I know he means what he says and it makes those words mean more to me than anything I’ve heard in a long, long time.