An Unexpected Love

by Martha

Note: This story chronicles a part of Levi's life, Andi's nephew from Family Secret. 

The blazing sun was sinking into the Sierra hills in California in the summer of 1889 when a glistening black buggy pulled up to the Carter ranch late Friday evening. A young man flung open the buggy's door and jumped lightly to the ground. He straightened up and looked around at the familiar yard with its corral, horse barn, and Spanish style house. He'd just slammed the door shut and was reaching for his heavy luggage when a beautiful woman hurried eagerly out of the house to greet her grandson.

"Levi!" Elizabeth Carter said happily, opening her arms to embrace the boy. "I've missed you." 

 "Grandmother!" Levi Swanson exclaimed, grinning. He allowed her to hug him, then stepped backward so he could take his carpetbag out of the surrey. "How're you doin'?"

 "Oh, I'm doing well," Elizabeth replied, looking the tall youth up and down. "My, you certainly have grown. How old are you now, eighteen?"

 "Yep. I sure am," Levi answered, heaving his large brown suitcase onto his arm. He headed for the house, asking, "Where's Andi? Is she at home with Loretta?" He glanced around for any sign of his aunt. 

 "Yes, she is. She wanted to come meet you, but she has been quite tired lately because of her pregnancy," Elizabeth told him, opening the front door. She followed Levi inside.

 "Hey, Levi!" His 30-year-old uncle, Mitch, hailed him cheerfully from the dining room. "You look older." He strode over to Levi and slapped him on the back. "You don't look like a rough twelve-year-old any longer. No, sir. You finally look like a handsome, respectable man." He winked.

 Levi's brown eyes flashed at Mitch's teasing, but a grin was pulling at the corners of his mouth. "Oh, I do, do I?" He guffawed at Mitch's seemingly outrageous claim. "Well, I'll just pretend I'm takin' that as a compliment . . . for now." His voice held a warning ring. 

 Mitch shrugged off Levi's reaction with a laugh and motioned toward the kitchen. "Hurry and put your luggage in your room. Bridgette, Nila, and Luisa just finished making roast beef, mashed potatoes, and apple pie." 

 "I will go see that supper is ready to be served, then," Elizabeth announced, hurrying into the kitchen.

 "Sounds good," Levi said, licking his lips expectantly. "I know for a fact that Bridgette's food is delicious. Maybe that's why you married her," he mused. "Anyway, I haven't had anything to eat since noon."

 "Then get going. I'll help you carry your bags." Mitch reached out and took the heavier bag. He grunted. "Ooof. What are you carrying in here? Bricks?" He hefted his burden to his left shoulder. "How many more bags have you got?"

 "None. Just these two," Levi replied casually, smirking at Mitch's discomfort. Then he added in, "If that bag is too heavy for you, you can have this lighter one, and I'll carry that one." He shoved his hand into his pant's pocket and sent Mitch a teasingly superior glance. Then he brushed past Mitch and headed up the stairs.

 "Nope, I've got it. It's not too heavy for me, young man," Mitch answered firmly, grinning at

Levi's antics. He trailed behind his nephew as they trudged upstairs.

 Levi paused at the top and glanced down at Mitch. "Do you actually need help?"

 "No. It's not really that heavy," Mitch replied. "Let's just hurry up and get these to your room so we can eat!"

 "That's the most sensible thing I've heard said all day," Levi quipped jokingly, yet with a perfectly serious expression. He shook his head, and a hank of his brown hair fell into his eyes. "I'm starving! Practically any food would taste good right now."

 "Then you should try Andi's cooking," Mitch told him, raising his eyebrows. "It's actually not that bad. She made a pretty good peach pie yesterday, and she might have some left over."

 "I was planning on visiting her tomorrow anyway." Levi said, swiping the hair out of his face.

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

 "You know, that's one of the most peculiar things I've ever seen," Andrea Prescott confessed the next day, watching her daughter poke at Levi's ebony shirt buttons. "Loretta doesn't really get attached to anyone right away. She's a little cautious. But she seems to love you."

 "Oh. Really?" Levi grinned. "Ah, whoo!" He lifted the one-year-old up and held her in the air. "You like that, don't you?" He crooned to the baby, who was giggling gleefully. "Yeah? Yeah?"

 Andi chuckled. "You know, Levi, you really have grown. You used to think all girls were sissies. And yet you seem charmed by Loretta."

 Levi rolled his eyes and snorted. "Well, some girls are sissies. But Loretta is a baby, so she doesn't count." He chucked the delighted child under the chin. "Besides, I like babies now." 

 Andi's eyebrows arched at Levi's show of affection. Suddenly, the sound of a wagon rattling broke the momentary silence. "That will be Nanette Forest," she said, rising from her seat and moving to the front window. She confirmed her own words with a nod. "Yep, that's her all right."

 Levi froze. "Who?" He turned and stared at Andi with suspicion. "You didn't invite a girl here with the intention of setting us up, did you?" he accused her.

 Andi laughed and tossed her dark braid. "No, but that is a great idea," she teased, her blue eyes twinkling mischievously. Then she explained seriously, "No, Nanette is here because I invited her here five days ago. I didn't know for sure whether you were going to be here today, anyhow. Don't worry; she's not a sissy." Andi gave her nephew a sly grin and opened the front door. "Just don't act stuffy, and you'll be fine."

 Levi sighed and muttered, unimpressed, "Oh, great. Ain't this somethin'." He held his tiny cousin at eye level and told her, "You know what? Your mother hasn't changed much. She's still as silly as she was at age fourteen."

 "I heard that!" Andi's indignant exclamation sounded from outside. Then the door swung open and a pretty girl appeared. 

 The young woman's chestnut-brown hair cascaded down her shoulders in long curls to her waist. Her blue-green eyes almost matched the blue calico dress she wore. When she saw Levi, her eyes widened.

 So did Levi's. Against his will, he stared at her. Oh. She is pretty. Then, realizing that his mouth had opened slightly, he turned red and dropped his gaze to the ground. He hoped earnestly that he hadn't looked ridiculous in front of the newcomer. All was silent for a few moments, and he glanced up.

 The girl walked slowly over to him and gave him an unreadable look. Then, suddenly, she smiled broadly, revealing slight dimples in both cheeks. "Hello, Levi."

 "Oh, um, hi," Levi stammered awkwardly. Stop it! You're acting like a lovesick sissy! He mentally scolded himself, but it did no good. He couldn't help but be embarrassed. He glanced up at the visitor, who had a knowing expression as if she could read his thoughts. Clearing his throat uncomfortably, he asked, "You're Nanette, right?"

 "Yes. But my good friends call me Nan," Nanette replied, smiling at his flustered reaction. "I am delighted to meet you." Then she paused. "May I hold Loretta?"

 Levi blinked in surprise at Nanette's lightening-fast way of changing the subject. "Oh. Sure."

He handed the little girl up to her. "Here you go." He uncrossed his legs and rose from the floor, where he'd been sitting.

 Andi smiled innocently at him when he sent her another suspicious glare.

 "Hi, sweetie," Nanette cooed to Loretta, who babbled happily. "I've missed you, yes, I've missed you." She kissed the little one's soft cheek and then turned to Levi. "Are you Andi's brother?"

 "No, I'm her nephew. I'm visiting for a year," Levi said. "Um, how do you know her?" He desperately searched his mind for something interesting to say.

 "I'm one of Ellie's friends, and since Ellie's married to her brother, Chad, we ended up getting introduced," Nanette explained. "I know this may seem an odd question, but how old are you, may I ask?"

 "Eighteen. You?" Levi inquired hesitantly. 

 "Seventeen."

 Levi's heart leaped, though he wasn't sure why. What's wrong with me? I know I'm not very shy. I haven't been sick since June, two whole months ago. And I used to say that all this mushy stuff was so gross. I never expected it to happen to me, really. Confused, he brushed away his befuddling questions and bit his lip. Then he turned to Andi, who looked amused. "When is dinner?"

 Andi's teasingly triumphant look instantly disappeared when she heard the reminder. "Oh my! I forgot! Dinner is supposed to be ready in half an hour. Riley will be expecting it when he comes back from town." Andi moaned. "I keep forgetting the meals!"

 "Then it's good I came here," Nanette remarked, laughing. "Don't worry, Andi. I brought some chicken sandwiches, just in case." She put an arm around her friend and gave her a gentle squeeze. "I sometimes forget meals too, and I'm not even married." She headed for the door. "I'll go get them. Can I have some help carrying the baskets? I have two, as one is holding the baby clothes I'm going to give you, Andi."

 Before Levi could say a word, Andi piped up, "Why don't you go help her, Levi?" She looked directly at him and tilted her head toward Nanette. 

 Levi opened his mouth, shut it, and glanced at Nanette. Her mouth twitched. She probably can tell that Andi's trying to get us hitched . . Levi thought with dismay. But he trotted over to her anyway. "Sure!" To his complete surprise, he thought he saw her blush. But when he glanced at her again, she gave no sign of being awkward. Maybe it was just my imagination.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

 Over the next two months, Levi saw Nanette quite often. And every time he did, his heart skipped. He often ended up sitting on the same row as her at church. And he ran into her in at least once a week when he went to Fresno.

 One day, as he was in the mercantile buying some groceries for his grandmother, Mr. Goodwin mentioned, "Did you know that there was to be a barn dance tomorrow at Lorraine's?"

 Levi looked up in surprise, wondering why the shopkeeper brought it up. "No. Why?"

 "Well, are you going to bring someone?" Mr. Goodwin pressed. He held the boy's astonished gaze and waited patiently for an answer.

 "Well, uh, what makes you think that there's someone I'd ask?" Levi responded, avoiding making contact with the man's eyes. 

 "You're a nice-looking young man, and besides, I've seen a young woman looking at you before," Mr. Goodwin answered promptly. 

 Levi's head snapped up and he held Mr. Goodwin's gaze for a whole minute before asking, "Who is she? What's she look like?" He held his breath, and a picture of Nanette came to mind.

 "I don't know her first name, but she looks about seventeen or eighteen, has brown hair, hazel eyes, and wore a green dress last time she was in here. I think her last name is . . . Woods?" He shook his head. "No, that's not it. Trees? Um . . ."

 "Forest? " Levi suggested, eyes wide and suddenly hopeful. The girl certainly sounded like Nan. Uh, Nanette. He mentally corrected himself.

 "Yep, that's it. Miss Forest." Mr. Goodwin leaned across the counter and grinned at Levi's dumbfounded expression. "You do like her, then." He winked. 

 Levi's mouth fell open. How could I have been so ignorant? I couldn't even recognize that I like her! Silent and thoughtful, the youth paid for the merchandise, mumbled "thank you", and ambled out the door. Pondering what his next action should be, he strode along, thinking of Nan.

 "Oof!" Levi grunted in surprise as he collided with a man coming out of Lee's Sweets Shoppe. Stumbling backwards, he looked up to see who he'd smacked into. His breath came out in a whoosh when he recognized the person. "Oh, I'm sorry, Mr. Forest. I guess I wasn't paying much attention."

 Mr. Forest chuckled. "Apparently not. How are you doing, Levi?"

 Levi answered respectfully, "I'm doin' pretty good." Then he lapsed into silence once more. Should I take this opportunity to ask permission to court Nan?

 "Alright. You have a good rest o' your day," The man replied, touching the brim of his short black hat. Without another word, he turned on his heel and strode away from Levi into the dusty street.

 C'mon, Levi Swanson. Go ask. Levi urged himself. Then, head up high, he called out, "Hey, Mr. Forest!" 

 Nan's father turned back around. "Yes, Levi?" He walked up to the boy and looked Levi in the eye.

 "Mr. Forest," Levi said slowly. Then he began again, firmly, "Sir, I would like your permission to court your daughter, Nanette." 

 Surprise flitted across the man's face before he said carefully, "Oh. How well do you know my daughter, exactly?" He smiled, revealing teeth that almost looked too white to be real. "You've had your eye on her for a while now, haven't you?"

 Levi faltered for a second under the seemingly suspicious inquiries. Then he straightened up and answered boldly, "I have, sir." He exhaled slowly. "For two months, actually."

 Mr. Forest stared at Levi hard, as if studying his face to see if he was indeed speaking the truth. Then he laughed, startling Levi. "You look extremely sober, son," he remarked. Then he, too, became solemn. "Why don't you come to my house, and we can talk about it."

Levi nodded seriously. "Yes, sir." So he followed whom he hoped-in the future- to call his father-in-law down the street toward the Forests' humble home to talk things over with him.

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

 Next day, Levi stopped at Goodwin's Mercantile to buy a gift for Nan. As he watched his selected necklace being wrapped in brown paper, he thought of how he'd ask Nan for permission to come calling.

 So whenever I see her next, Levi mused, absentmindedly shoving the crinkly package into his saddlebag as he remained submerged in his rushing torrent of plans, I will go up to her and say, "Nan, I want you to know that I really care for you. So, the question I would like to ask you is-"

  He was yanked back to the present when he heard someone enter the store and Mr. Goodwin say politely, "Oh, hello, Miss Forest. Mrs. King; Mrs. Jolson." Levi whirled around, and before he realized what he was doing, blurted the rest of his thought aloud. "May I court you?!"

 Nanette's jaw dropped, and she gaped at Levi as if he were a ghost. For a full minute, no one spoke. The only sounds that could be heard were the noises of the rattling of wagons, occasional shouting, and horses snorting outside that drifted in through the slightly ajar door . . . until Nanette's fingers let go of it and it closed with a thud.

 Levi swallowed with difficulty, and he felt heat creeping into his cheeks.He hadn't meant to ask her permission quite so publicly. But, he reasoned, everybody else would find out soon enough, anyway. So he sucked in a breath and haltingly, "I . . . I wasn't, uh . . ." He gathered up his courage and walked quietly up to the dumbfounded young woman. "Nan, I spoke to your father today, and he gave his consent to my proposition. So now . . . I should like to know if you would allow me to court you," he confessed. He just stood there, watching her reaction and anxiously awaiting her response.

 Her cheeks flushed a brilliant red, and then, eyes shining, she said, "Yes, I accept your proposition, Levi Swanson." 

 Levi said nothing; he merely reached out and took her slim but strong hand in his own.

 "Yes," Nanette repeated, squeezing his hand. "To tell you the truth, Levi, I've liked you since we first met at Andi's house. I've been hoping that you like me in return." She grinned. "And it seems you do." 

 They both laughed, and even Mr. Goodwin and the two astonished and delighted spectators, not knowing what else to do, joined in.

 * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

 Two months later, on December 18th, Levi stumped up the front porch of the Forests' house, shivering. He knocked loudly on the door and waited. 

 Mrs. Forest opened the door and smiled at him. "Oh, hello, Levi! Come in, come in." She swung the door open a little wider and waited for him to pass through. She detected his nervousness and seemed to guess the purpose for the visit. "I'll go fetch my husband," she said, leading him to the parlor. "Do make yourself comfortable." Then she left to perform her errand.

 Levi chewed anxiously on his lip as he yanked his gloves off his hands. Now came the slightly nerve-wracking part of his relationship with Nan. Oh, sure, he'd already talked to Mr. Forest about Nan, for it was from him that he'd gotten permission to court her. But to tell the man that he wanted to ask his daughter for her hand in marriage . . . well, Levi was ready; he knew that for certain. 

 "I hear you've come to see me, boy," Friendly Mr. Forest said cheerfully, striding into the parlor and sitting down on the settee across from Levi. "Let's get straight to the point. You would like my official permission to ask Nan to marry you, correct?"

  "Yes, sir," Levi responded steadily, "I would." 

 "Well, son, we've gone over all of it already, when you came to ask to court her. And I know you have a job at the Circle C, so you have enough money to provide. There's only two questions of mine that remain."

 "What are they?"

 "One: when is the wedding, and two: do you have a place ready, or at least in mind?" 

 Levi thought carefully, then replied, "Those are two things I would have to discuss with Nan. I do have my eye on a place just outside o' Fresno. But I should like to ask her if she was wanting to stay in Fresno, or outside of it, or even somewhere else."

 Mr. Forest nodded, apparently satisfied. "Wanting what's best for the wife, huh? Well, I can say this for you, Levi: you've got a good head on your shoulders, and I'd be proud to be your father-in-law."

 Levi said, "Then I have your permission?"

 "You have our hearty permission!" Kindly Mrs. Forest announced, walking over to him and placing a hand on his shoulder. She smiled proudly. "Now go 'long with you and ask your girl to marry you."

 Levi vigorously shook Mr. Forest's hand. Then he turned to Mrs. Forest and nodded respectfully. "Yes, ma'am." He hurriedly got up and went to the staircase to go to Nan's room. "Thanks, Mr. and Mrs. Forest!" He said over his shoulder. Then he left, leaving his future wife's parents shaking their heads and smiling.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

 Levi stopped at the top of the steps in front of Nan's bedroom door. He took a moment to compose himself and then knocked calmly on the door. 

 The wooden door swung open, and Nan stepped out of her room. "Oh! Levi," she greeted him, delighted. "What are you doing up here?"

 I came here to tell you I love you and want you to become my wife. "Where are you going to live when you move out?" Levi asked abruptly. He hadn't planned to say that, but it slipped out anyway.

 "Oh! Um, I would imagine I would live near Fresno." She answered, though clearly surprised. "Why? Are my parents wanting me to leave?"

 "No. I want you to leave," Levi replied seriously. But then he realized how that sounded. What am I saying?

"What?" Nan exclaimed, her expression of delight turning to one of bewilderment and concern. "Levi, are you alright? Whatever is the matter? Why do you want me to leave?"

 "I want you to leave . . . because I want you to . . . move in with me." She gasped, horrified, but he wasn't finished. "After you become my wife?" He inwardly winced. Ooooh. Your proposal just sounded absolutely atrocious.

 Nan's face cleared as she began to grasp what he was really meaning to say, and she started to laugh. She threw her arms around his neck. "Oh, yes!" She exclaimed, still laughing. "And by the way, that proposal was terrible, but I still love you. Yes, I'll marry you."

 "Sorry about how that sounded." He murmured, grimacing.

  "Have you told your family yet?"

 "I've told some of them of my intentions." Then he dismissed the subject and hugged her. "You know what?" 

 "Hmm?"

 "I used to hate stuff like this . . . love and marriage and all that 'mushy stuff'," Levi told her, holding her out at arm's length. "But I guess God changed me for the better."

 "Well, I am very glad He did." Nan smiled up at him. Then she looked aghast, while still smiling.

 "What is it, Nan?" Levi asked his fiancée, alarmed.

 "Levi," Nan said solemnly, "I am leaving it up to you to tell Andi that her scheme worked and we're getting 'hitched', even if she was just kidding."

 Levi groaned. I think I can guess exactly what her response will be.