Chapter Ten
My cell phone rang, and I almost answered it without looking. It was about the time my sister would call to check in with me and talk about our respective days. The phone number was one I didn’t recognize, but rather than tossing it back on the counter I answered it.
“Hello?”
“Hi, Abby?” A rich masculine voice greeted me.
“Yes?” I responded, and then cleared my throat quietly. Get a grip!
“This is Levi Jensen. I met you over at Frank’s?”
I paused. Hadn’t I told Samantha not to give out my number? How did he get it?
It’s not as if I was unlisted, yet he had called my cell, not landline. Meaning, someone I knew had given it to him. For a moment I debated on what to do, but if he was that determined to contact me, the least I could do was hear him out.
“Yes. Hi Levi, how are you?” I asked casually, curious. Walking over to the window I glanced out at the backyard and waited.
“I’m really doing well, thanks for asking. How about yourself?”
There was something about his voice that settled on my chest like a warm blanket. It was comforting.
“I’m doing alright.”
“I was hoping I could talk you into taking another walk with me, perhaps this weekend?”
That weekend I had my grandma’s eighty-fifth birthday. No way would I bring him there, nor was I going to miss it.
“Sorry, but I have a family birthday for my grandma this weekend.” “Oh! How old is she?”
His quick acceptance took me by surprise. There was no demanding or manipulation involved like I was accustomed to enduring. I fumbled for an intelligent response.
“Um, eighty-five. But you’d never guess it. She dresses better than I do.” That earned me a deep laugh, and I smiled in response.
“Wow! That must be a huge blessing for you and your family.”
“It is, she is.” That was the truth. I adored my grandparents.
“What about the weekend after?”
Persistent much? For a moment I almost said no, but I paused because I was being
pursued. Not the stalker-scary-I-watch-your-every-move. But the I-respect-you-enough to-let-you-know-that-I–think-you’re-worth-chasing. The realization softened my heart, and I accepted.
“Great! Where would you like to go? What would be easiest on your little ones?” My heart melted a bit at his sincere question.
“Actually, if it’s okay with you, we usually have breakfast on Saturday morning
at my parents’ house. They could watch the kids if you want to come, say about 10:30 or so? Chase will be down for his nap anyway.”
Well, there’s nothing like meeting the parents right from the get go.
“Sounds great! I’ll give you my phone number, and would you mind texting me their address?”
Levi Jensen, you are a brave man.
“Sure.”
After we hung up and I texted him my parent’s address, I walked into the living room and spun in a little twirl. It was an amazing feeling, to be wanted. To be pursued.
****
The party celebrating my grandma’s birthday passed without a hitch. Grandpa took it all in with his usual smile and chuckle as he watched grandma spread her
