Summoned

Chapter 20

"I like this one," Levi said, turning up the volume to the music in Junie's car.

"I feel like you're just saying that because you haven't liked any," she protested, turning it back down.

Levi shrugged.

She laughed a bit as she exited the freeway. Maisy, MiMi and Luc were in the car behind her. They were just a few minutes out from their rental in the mountains for the weekend.

"As long as you like it, then that's all that matters," Levi said, picking up her hand. He brought it up to his lips.

"Being stuck together in the car for nearly three hours is certainly an interesting way to get to know each other," Junie said, mostly talking about Luc meeting MiMi for the first time.

She added, "It's probably the longest consistent time that he and Maisy have spent together, too."

"That you know of," Levi said back. He chuckled at her cute pout.

She certainly hoped Maisy would tell her if something major had developed.

They drove through a cute small town and decided to stop for some lunch. The spot was local and small, but incredibly charming.

"How's the drive been?" Junie asked MiMi as MiMi settled in her seat next to Maisy who sat between her and Luc.

Junie and Levi sat on the other side of the table.

"The views have been incredible," MiMi said, avoiding the topic that Junie was actually curious about. "I'm looking forward to seeing the house."

It was quiet for a moment as they flipped through the menu.

"Hi, guys. My name is Matthew and I will be your server this afternoon. Are you ready to order?"

Maisy looked at Junie, telling her to go first.

Junie ordered a sandwich and fries, only looking up from her menu when Levi stretched his arm across the back of her chair casually.

"What was that about?" Junie asked Levi curiously when their waiter walked away.

Levi leaned down, brushing his lips with hers. His eyes were locked somewhere behind her when he straightened. Junie turned just in time to see a red faced Matthew disappear into the kitchen.

Junie blushed. "Are you serious, Levi?"

"He was staring pretty hard," Maisy giggled. "You just didn't notice."

Levi's fingers skimmed across her shoulder. He didn't seem the least bit fazed by the fact that he had just scared off a boy who couldn't be much older than a teenager.

"Let's hope he doesn't spit in our food," MiMi said, a gentle laugh also escaping her.

"Are you feeling okay after sitting in the car?" Junie asked her, hopefully changing the subject.

"Yes. I'm not sore at all, and the scenery has been wonderful," MiMi said, and she seemed to genuinely mean that.

"Luc has been sleeping in the backseat," Maisy grinned, nudging Luc, whose lips turned up as he looked down at her.

Levi narrowed his eyes at Luc. "You don't sleep."

"No, but I can close my eyes," Luc retorted. "Maisy gave me her blanket."

Junie muffled her laugh because it was genuinely adorable how smitten he was.

---

"I can't believe that you were jealous," Junie said to Levi as they got into her car. They were about fifteen minutes away from the house they were staying at.

"Not jealous," Levi said. "Just letting him know that you were taken."

Junie rolled her eyes. "He was a young boy. Maybe even a teenager. It doesn't matter."

Junie reached over, cupping his face and pressing her lips firmly to his.

His stern features eased a bit as she dropped her hands.

"Grump," she teased.

He took her hand as she pulled out of the parking lot of the restaurant.

They followed a windy road up the side of a mountain until it became gravel. It wasn't much longer after that that they spotted their house for the weekend, nestled between some trees up on the ridge.

It wasn't a massive house. It was a quaint cabin with a master bedroom on the first floor. There was a large loft for a second floor that contained two smaller bedrooms, one with two twins and one with a king, with a small shared bathroom.

They all had agreed that MiMi would take the master bedroom as it was just safer for her that way without good use of her arm, especially since she would be alone in the house while they went out to hike.

Luc and Maisy took the bedroom with the twin beds while Junie and Levi took the room with the king.

Maisy seemed to be a little hesitant about the idea of sharing a room with Luc.

"You and I could share the big bed and Levi and Luc could stay in here," Junie offered, sensing Maisy's hesitation.

"Maybe," she said. "If you're sure that you're okay with that."

Junie smiled. "Of course I'm sure."

Levi didn't seem too keen on sharing with Luc and being away from her, but the two didn't even sleep anyway.

Junie walked down the stairs, finding MiMi on the deck. There was a spectacular view of the mountains with all of their fall colors.

"This is beautiful," MiMi said. Junie helped her ease down into a chair. "Coming out here was a good idea. I think we all need to be refreshed."

"I agree," Junie said, finding a throw blanket in the living room to place across Mimi's legs. "How about some tea or coffee before we head out to hike?"