To Win Her Heart by Karen Witemeyer

Author:Karen Witemeyer
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Published: 2012-04-03T13:00:58.421000+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Four

Levi closed up shop late on Friday afternoon, and whistled as he crossed the road. He couldn’t remember having a better week. Not even when he took out three opponents in three rounds back in ’84. For the first time in ages, he felt comfortable in his own skin. He’d finally turned loose of his guilt and discovered a new lightness in his heart. He no longer wasted time bemoaning his mistakes and worrying about his future. Instead, he focused on his work and on helping the people around him.

When Claude asked him to reinforce the chicken coop two days ago, he’d hummed while he hammered; whereas last week he’d somberly chopped firewood as if it were some kind of penance rather than a simple farm chore done in exchange for room and board. He found more joy in his forge work, too, and his customers responded. The smithy was turning a modest profit, enough that he’d splurged yesterday and bought himself a pair of heavy denim trousers for work so he could save his wool ones for Sundays.

Tipping his hat to the lady who ran the bakery as she pulled her door closed, Levi smiled as much to himself as to her. Things had been improving with Eden, too. After the excitement over the weekend, they had picked up their letter writing again. And with each letter, their literature discussions became more and more overshadowed by personal matters. Eden wrote him about Violet’s visit and the untimely arrival of Mrs. Fowler, as well as sharing everyday concerns—such as how she struggled to find just the right centerpiece flower for her pressed bouquet. Knowing she trusted him with such private matters gave him hope that she might be coming to care for him in the same manner he did for her.

If he timed it right, he would arrive at the library just as the school kids were leaving from their story hour. Being with the children always seemed to put Eden in a good mood, and if a man wanted to, say, ask a lady to supper at the café, her being in a good mood would greatly increase his chances of success.

Levi turned down Oak Street, repositioning the book containing his latest note under his arm. He’d begun sharing things about his family with her, revealing innocent bits and pieces with the goal of making his background more palatable. He figured it’d be easier to swallow if he doled it out in small bites. This time he’d mentioned the teasing he’d been subjected to as a boy due to his impaired speech and how that led to his first schoolyard fight. He was nervous about how she might react to the violence, but if they were to share a future together, he’d have to eradicate the secrets between them sometime. Might as well test the water.

He strode up the walk and clasped the door handle. Taking care to keep the hinges quiet in case the story was still in progress, he slipped inside.

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