Page 121 of Bound in Ashes

“You seen Uncle Levi?” I asked.

“In the barn,” she said.

“Okay,” I responded, and then walked off to the barn.

I found Uncle Levi on a stool propped in front of Aunt Kathleen’s horse as he gently brushed her.

“You’re supposed to be resting,” I said.

“You hear that, Spark? This girl thinks she’s grown enough to tell me what to do on my own land,” he said.

“Is everybody stubborn?” I looked around the barn, searching for backup that I knew wouldn’t come.

Uncle Levi chuckled, then put the brush down.

He wobbled as he turned on the stool, and I stepped toward him quickly, ready to catch him if he tilted.

He didn’t, but I saw the split second of panic in his eyes.

Was grateful that he hadn’t been hurt, and that he had his pride.

“You come to talk about your man-friend?” Uncle Levi asked.

“He’s not my…man-friend, old man,” I said, smiling.

“Then what is he?” Uncle Levi asked.

“Complicated,” I said.

Uncle Levi laughed.

“Pot meet kettle, huh?”

I smiled, but Uncle Levi stopped. He looked at me intently.

“What’s going on, baby?”

“I…”

I trailed off, then went closer, stroking Spark’s soft side.

“You worried about him?”

“I’m worried for him. And us,” I said.

The words fell out in a rush, but I was glad when they were out.

I never said them out loud. Hadn’t even really allowed myself to think about them. But now that I did, they were there in full force.

“You think he’s dangerous?” Uncle Levi asked.

“Don’t you?”

I heard something, looking back, but didn’t see anything there, and refocused on Uncle Levi.

“Well, don’t you?” I repeated.

“Of course he’s dangerous. I know the type. But he cares. Means well. And that…”