Right Move (Clean Slate Ranch #6) - A.M. Arthur Page 0,55
“Which should be any moment.”
Sure enough, the bell clanged a few seconds later.
“Come on,” Levi said. “Let’s go see what Patrice, Shawn and Miles cooked up for us.”
“All three of them?”
“Apparently, during their vacation time Shawn and Miles can’t help themselves. Cooks like to keep busy in kitchens.”
“I guess if something is a calling.” George smiled but still seemed subdued on their walk downstairs.
The dining room’s buffet was set up with all kinds of breakfast foods, and Levi made an eclectic plate. George took one biscuit and a lot of fresh fruit, and Levi started making a connection between his early run and George’s mood. George had once been an athlete in a very competitive sport that required dexterity and leanness. Had George battled an eating disorder during his figure skating days? His modest food choices in the few weeks that Levi had known him suggested maybe. But since asking was hugely inappropriate, Levi ignored his worries and ate his breakfast.
Most of the guests sat around the big dining table. George had chosen an end seat to prevent him from sitting next to a stranger, and everyone chatted amiably about the day’s activities. The weather tonight was supposed to be warm enough that they were offering the overnight camping trip. During warm weather, guests could go out Monday, Wednesday or Friday night (or all three if they really loved it), but during the colder months Reyes called the trips based on the overnight temperatures. The sleeping bags were warm but no one wanted to risk a guest getting sick.
Faith was excited for the camping trip, her dads not as much, but they agreed to sign up after breakfast.
George didn’t speak during the meal, and once they were done and had cleaned up their dishes, Levi gently nudged him outside to the front porch. “What do you think about camping tonight?”
“I’m curious because it’s something I’ve never done before,” George said. “Do you want to go?”
“Sure. I’ve slept in way more uncomfortable places than a sleeping bag on the ground.”
“Sounds like an interesting story.”
“I’ve got a lot of those.” George seemed more settled now than earlier but something still wasn’t quite right. “Does it bother you that I run every morning?”
“No, your running is different than mine was. You run for your health, sure, but you also run to feel close to nature. To appreciate her beauty and gifts. I used to run because my coach demanded it. Twice a day for miles. He said the better my endurance the better I’d skate, and it was true, but...he was a little extreme in some of his coaching techniques.”
Levi took a calculated risk with his next question. “Do you miss running?”
“Sometimes. I miss the exhilaration and the freedom of moving through the world really fast. It’s how I used to feel when I’d land a hard jump combo. Or when I’d medal in a competition. The pride of accomplishing something. All I seem to accomplish anymore are my work assignments.”
“You accomplished quite a few things these last few weeks, George. You befriended me. You saved my cat. You left your apartment and are here with me. Hanging out with perfect strangers. I am so proud of you for all of that.”
George’s expression cleared, and he smiled. “Thanks. You being proud of me means a lot.” His gaze flickered to Levi’s mouth. “A whole lot.”
As much as Levi wanted to drag George into his arms and kiss him breathless, other guests were filtering outside on the porch. Making out was best left to the privacy of their room or the walking trails. “So camping?”
“Why not? Let’s do it.”
“Excellent. I’ll run over to the office and sign us up. From what I remember Robin saying, we’ll have to work with the horses for a while again this morning.”
George grinned. “Good. I’m excited to ride again.”
The old Levi would have had a heck of a lot of fun with the innuendo in that statement; this Levi behaved. “You’ll get your chance, soon. I’ll be back in a few minutes.” He strode off the porch, eager for today’s activities and every single minute he got to spend with George—in and out of the saddle.
Chapter Twelve
George settled in one of the porch chairs to wait for Levi’s return, stomach pleasantly full from his fruit breakfast. He’d wanted to put some of that delicious smelling sausage gravy on his biscuit, but his overreaction to Levi’s early-morning run had pressed his guilt button too damned hard, and he’d