The quiet boy stood in the center of them, his face flushed, but his eyes bright. "What happened? " Bo demanded. "Levi, son, are you all right? " "I'm fine, Pa. " Levi said in his soft, careful voice. I just wanted to tell Mama something important, and it felt like the words were ready to come out, so I let them. What did you want to tell me, sweetheart?
Eliza asked, kneeling down to his level. Levi looked at her with those enormous, solemn eyes. I wanted to say thank you for staying when Mama Meer was sick. For loving us, even though we're not yours by blood, for being brave today in town when people were mean. You're a good mama, and I'm glad P brought you home.
Eliza's vision blurred with tears. Oh, Levi, my sweet boy. I'm glad he brought me home, too. So very glad. Levi stepped forward and wrapped his arms around her neck, hugging her with the fierce intensity of a child who'd been saving up affection for months.
Eliza held him tight, feeling the last piece of her new family click into place. That evening, after the children were fed and bathed and tucked into bed, after the kitchen was cleaned and the house settled into nighttime quiet, Eliza found herself once again on the back porch with B. They'd fallen into this habit over the weeks, sharing the end of the day together, talking over coffee or just sitting in companionable silence. Tonight, Bo seemed nervous, his coffee untouched in Catherine's cup that Eliza had insisted he reclaimed for himself. You said you needed to tell me something earlier, Eliza prompted gently before Levi interrupted.
Yes. Bo set down his cup and turned to face her fully. Eliza, I want you to know that I never intended, that is, when I brought you here, I only meant to hire help, someone to care for the children while I worked. That's all. I know that, Eliza said, confused by where this was going.
But somewhere along the way, things changed. You changed from hired help to family. The children changed from tolerating you to loving you. And I He stopped, running a hand through his hair in frustration. I'm making a mess of this.
Bo, just say what you need to say. He met her eyes, and the intensity in his gaze made her breath catch. I'm not ready to marry again. Maybe I never will be. Catherine was she was everything to me and losing her nearly destroyed me.
I can't imagine trying to build that kind of love again. Eliza's heart sank even though she'd never dared to hope for anything beyond what they already had. I understand. But Bo continued, reaching out to take her hand. I want you to know that you're not just hired help anymore.