Free Levi (Prairie Grooms, Book Five) by Kit Morgan

hands occupied while you visit.”
    Fina's eyes lit up. “I had no idea; that's so exciting!” She threw her arms around Levi's neck. “That makes me so happy!”
    Levi pried her off, and pulled out the paper and pencil from his pocket. “That makes the score eight to five.”
    Her jaw tightened. “You said that on purpose. You baited me!”
    He raised an inquisitive brow and smiled. “I did nothing of the kind.”
    Fina closed what little distance there was between them, and glared up at his face. “You saved that for this morning, knowing how I would react!”
    “Did I?” he purred.
    “Oh!” She spun on her heel to leave, but he grabbed her again. “Very well, I won't take the point. In fact, I'll give it to you.”
    “Why?” she asked, suddenly suspicious.
    “Because I'm in a generous mood again,” he said with a wink.
    She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I should take points from you. It's not fair.”
    “All's fair in love and war,” he drawled.
    She crossed her arms over her chest and drummed her fingers against them. “Very well, then I shall take the point. But don't count on me to be as generous.”
    Levi did his best to hide a smile. “I’ve heard that before. Nevertheless, it’s a deal. Now, as for the mercantile, do you wish to purchase fabric for a dress, or needles, yarn, o
    books?”
    She realized he was being exceedingly generous and not just with his points, but his resources. He was telling her she could get anything she wanted. Her heart skipped a beat. “There is… one thing I could use.”
    He watched her as he stuffed his paper and pencil back in his pocket. “And what would that be?”
    She swallowed hard. “Paint.”
    He took a step back. “Paint?”
    She nodded. “And perhaps a new brush.”
    Levi gave her a gentle smile. “I see; paints and brushes. So, you like to paint?”
    “I adore it.”
    “Well then,” he said as he held his arm out to her. “Shall we?”
    She took his arm with a hesitant smile and nodded. “Yes, we shall.”
     
    * * *
     
    The trip to town was uneventful and Levi hummed a merry little tune as the horses plodded along. Fina enjoyed sitting next to him, absorbing the soothing sound of his voice as he continued to hum. She wanted to ask more questions about his past, but decided against it, choosing instead to enjoy the peaceful ride and her husband's happy mood. Flowers dotted the prairie, and she could smell their sweet scent mingled with a slight tang in the air, a sure sign the season was changing. Summer would soon pass away into autumn.
    Fina took a deep breath and took in the different scents around her. She could smell the pine trees in the far distance, mixed in with the grassland and late summer flowers of the prairie. “So peaceful,” she whispered.
    Levi stopped humming. “What was that, beautiful?”
    Fina turned on the seat to look at him. “I said it's very peaceful here.”
    “Yes, it is,” he agreed. “Like I told you last night, it's one of the reasons I came out west. A man can breathe here and live a good, long life.”
    Feeling bold, Fina hooked her arm through his, and gave him a shy smile. “I'm beginning to understand your love for this place.”
    He glanced at their arms then looked her in the eye. “I'm glad.” He leaned over and kissed her on cheek. “You can lean your head against my shoulder if you like.”
    Fina's heart skipped a beat as she felt the muscles in his arm tighten, urging her closer to his body. She sucked in a breath and, praying she didn’t make a fool of herself, leaned her head against his shoulder. She swore she felt him smile, not to mention give a slight pull on the reins to slow the horse’s pace. Which was fine with her; this was something she could handle without her passions getting the best of her. Once they got to town, however, she'd have to sit up and again be a lady. But until then, she decided to enjoy resting her head against her husband. So, with her arm