Me, I'm Going Where the Fresh Air's Blowin'
(Scotty McCreery: Walk in the Country)
Cath always knew there were roaming fields of crops and animals that ran around freely. They would always drive through areas like that whenever they left Omaha. It never occurred to her that there were people that lived in these places. To Cath it was just No-Man's-Land, but to Levi it was neighbors and friends. Everything seemed so foreign, like it wasn't even the same planet, let alone the same state.
"Levi." Cath was watching his face as he drove.
"Yes, sweetheart?"
"Whenever you talk about your mom," - She was twiddling (she loved that word) her thumbs - " you always talk about how much she's going to keep an eye on us, and how she's such a stickler for rules."
"Okay?" He looked over at her with an eyebrow raised.
"Well, how did you get her to agree to have me over?"
"Oh, we had a heart-to-heart about how I'm 21 years old and can make my own fucking decisions about the room that I work to keep." He laughed, "But seriously though, she knows you're a respectful young woman. Nothing for her to worry about."
Cath pursed her lips, looking down at her restless hands. She could feel nerves bubble up in her stomach like tar; heavy and dark moving up to her throat.
"We're getting really close to my house! Maybe another ten minutes." Levi reached over for her hand, and she kissed his knuckles. He pulled the truck over and turned the music down, "Cather."
"What?"
"Look at me for a minute."
She laughed, "Why?"
"God, you are so beautiful," His face was entirely at ease, like he had just woken up from a really nice nap, "I think I must be the luckiest man in the world."
Cath blushed and turned away to look out the window, "Shut up."
"I'm being serious," He reached over and pulled her chin back to look at him, "If I could keep you out here with me all the time I would without a second thought."
"Levi..." She tried to interrupt.
"Cather, I honestly don't know how to explain it, you're jus-"
"Levi!" Cath snapped, "Stop."
He frowned, "What's wrong?"
"I just... Don't want to hear that right now." She was red from her chest to her face, "You're making me nervous."
"Look, sweetheart, I just want you to know that no matter what happens out here, I love you. I don't want you to change."
"What are you talking about?" Cath could feel her heart beating even quicker, "Levi, you're making me feel really anxious."
Levi fumbled, trying hard to get his words right, before releasing a heavy sigh, "I'm just trying to say that; if my mom, or sisters, or even my dad make you feel uncomfortable about yourself... Just... Don't..." He cleared his throat and ran a hand through his hair, "I just know how hard it is to meet someone's family. I remember when I met your dad, it was terrifying. I mean, I know how it is for you to meet new people in general, I mean, not that you give a bad impression I just, I just..."
They sat together, awkwardly, trying to compose themselves while Uncle Kracker's Follow Me came onto the radio. Cath didn't know what to make of that. (What Levi had said, not the song. The song made her want to kiss him until her mouth was sore.) She had already been nervous to stay with his family and now she was entirely reconsidering. Levi kept looking over like he was going to say something, but he never did. They sat there, not talking but still hand-in-hand, until the song ended. He groaned and buried his face in his hands.
Cath unbuckled her seatbelt and scooted next to him, "Thank you, really, for trying." He looked at her and smiled a little, "Levi, you're so good. I honestly couldn't imagine anyone being as good a person as you are."
Levi kissed the top of her head and pulled her under his arm, "I love you."
The ranch was on a huge property. There were 2 barns, a chicken coop and fields full of cows and a few horses. Levi had pointed out a wooded area when they first drove up, that was apparently an apple orchard that his childhood treehouse was hiding in. There was a huge yellow house, at least 3 stories high, in the middle of everything. Cath's heart skipped a beat when the truck stopped.
"You ready to do this?" Levi was smiling from ear to ear, still holding her under his arm.
"Ready as I'll ever be." She smiled back.
He stepped out of the car and scooped Cath into his arms, twirling around until he was on the verge of falling over. They leaned against the truck trying to straighten themselves out. Levi lifted her up onto the hood and pressed his lips to hers. Cath felt like putty in his hands, as he tangled his fingers in her hair. She moved her hands to his lower back and slid them down the back of his jeans. He took a step back, grinning wider than before.
"Sorry, Cath, can't get too excited. We're about to see my family," She pouted a little, and Levi leaned in to kiss her cheek, then whispered, "But I would love to finish this up in my room tonight."
He walked to the bed of the truck to get her things. Cath was biting her bottom lip.
"Promise?" She asked, not looking back at him.
"Definitely," Levi laughed, holding all of her things, "Now, quit sittin' pretty and give me a hand?"
Cath took her laptop case and followed the floppy-haired blonde through the front door. It was just as cute on the inside as on the outside. Wood floors, vintage furniture, quilted throws, pictures of their family, recent and old on every wall, there was even a big metal wood stove with a little kettle on top.
"That's just for looks, we never use that thing." He said, nodding towards the kettle and walking further into the house, "This whole room is pretty much just for when we have company, actually."
"Levi? Is that you, honey?" A voice called.
"Yes, Momma!" Levi yelled back, setting Cath's things beside a couch. He nodded for Cath to follow him into the family room.
This room was much more modern, with a TV, a DVD tower, a big, brown, suede couch and coffee table. There was a big fireplace at the far end with more pictures on it, but the walls had movie posters and shelves with board games. Another door was awkwardly placed in the corner.
Four women sat on the couch, playing Monopoly. They were all so blonde and looked so much alike. Levi did too, except he shared his father's hairline. His dad had thick, blonde hair, he just had a really intense widow's peak since he was Levi's age. There was Mary, the youngest, Abigail, she was about the same age as Cath, Shiloh, she was 23, and their mother, Marlisse, who was probably in her mid-fifties, but still absolutely beautiful. She had something about her that was stoic, maybe it was her sharp cheekbones or her judgemental looking blue eyes, but it threw Cath off every time. Marlisse looked fierce, like Hera or a lioness, until she smiled. When she smiled it was like her face transformed into the kind, happy woman you'd see on a commercial.
She smiled, "Hello, Cath! It's so good to see you again," Marlisse stood to greet them with a hug, "I'm sure you remember my other children."
"I do." Cath waved at them, shyly.
"So, how have you been?"
"Good, I've been doing a lot of reading," She bit her lip, "How have you been, Marlisse?"
"I'm doing really well. Levi hasn't stopped talking about you since the wedding, so I'm glad you're finally here." She laughed, "Maybe now we'll be able to change the subject!"
Levi blushed, "Thank you, Mother. Anyway, I'm going to take Cath up to my room-"
"Oooooh." His younger sisters teased. His mother raised an eyebrow.
"TO MY ROOM," He continued, scrunching up his nose in playful irritation, "to change and give her a tour of the ranch if you want to come with us, girls."
Levi had Cath on the bed before she had the chance to take in her surroundings. He tugged at her shirt, like he wanted permission before ripping it off. Cath, still in shock, lifted her arms above her head and parted her lips. Levi ignored her mouth and moved straight to her collarbone working his way to her breasts. He worked her bra off in a matter of seconds, admiring Cath's half-naked body for a moment before losing himself in her exposed skin again. His hands moved to her chest and she pulled his face to hers. They didn't stop until Levi started unbuttoning her jeans.
"What are you doing?" Cath was breathing hard and took one of his hands in hers.
His cheeks flushed as he tried to steady his breath, "I just got really excited all of a sudden."
"I can tell." She grinned, taking his knuckle between her teeth.
"I've been thinking about you a lot lately," Levi confessed, not making eye contact but he had a cheeky smile, "In my room. Now that you're really here all I want to do is keep you up here for myself."
"God," Cath laughed and sat up. Levi was still over her, "What were you going to do to me?" She asked half-flirting, half-serious.
He kissed her again, more gently than before, and looked into her eyes, "Anything you'd let me get away with."
It was then, feeling Levi through both of their jeans, that she realized that she hadn't ever actually seen him entirely naked. He always stripped her down and touched her before she even had the chance to do the same. Levi had seen her have an orgasm; Levi had given her an orgasm. He even had pictures of her only wearing her bra and panties on his phone. Cath hadn't even seen a penis in person. She was curious and he looked totally depraved.
"I'd let you get away with anything right now." Cath leaned in to kiss him.
Levi hummed, gratefully, leaning into it, but only for a second, "I can't. Not right now."
She scoffed, "Why not?"
"Because my family is downstairs waiting for us to make another appearance soon." He reached to the ground and handed her her bra.
"Okay." She frowned and fixed it back on.
Levi fidgeted a little, still hovering over her, still very riled up, "I swear, I'm not doing this to tease you. It kind of hurts just leaving him up like that."
"Him?" Cath giggled.
"Don't make fun of me, Cather." He leaned her against the headboard and pressed himself into her thigh, "One day I'm going to have you so hot you'll be begging for me to take you, and we just won't be interested."
"Jesus, Levi, when did you get so aggressive?"
He stood up abruptly and started adjusting himself, "When I realized it turns you on."
Cath went for her bags and pulled out a more weather appropriate outfit. As she slipped out of her pants, she noticed Levi was sitting on the bed again, watching with a big smile. He looked more like the Levi she was used to.
"Where is the restroom?"
"Sorry, do you want me to stop looking?"
"It's nothing you haven't seen before, it's just that…" She blushed and looked at the floor.
"You don't have to be embarrassed, sweetheart. I understand." He giggled, "It's the door directly across from this one."
"Thank you."
Cath got herself cleaned up and changed. She stopped in front of the mirror looking at her face, giving herself time for an inner monologue. I was about to have sex with Levi. Sort of. I mean, I would have done it. Jesus, where did normal Cath go? I never would have let Abel do that. Not that he was that spontaneous anyways… but I went along with it. I was disappointed even. How does that even happen? Maybe I'm ovulating… I have been pretty hyped up since he came over to get me. Even before then, because even the Simon fic we're working on has been more sexual than usual. Cath groaned.
"Sweetheart, are you alright?" Levi asked.
"I'm fine."
"Come out, I want to show you something."
When Cath opened the door, Levi was standing in front of her holding out a bouquet of fluff. He stepped in the bathroom and gave her one of the puffs. It was a baby rabbit, a little, reddish cotton ball no bigger than her hand. Levi was nuzzling all the others with his nose.
"Aren't they just the cutest?" He asked, putting all but the one Cath was holding into a little cardboard box, "My momma rabbit just had them about a month ago. This litter had 8 kittens, so I'm only keeping two."
"It's so small." She kissed it between its ears.
"Yeah, he's the runt of the litter, but he's got the prettiest coat I've ever seen," Levi brushed its fur gently back into place, "I wanted you to have him."
Her eyes shot up, "Really?"
"You don't have to take him home if you don't want to, he can stay with me," He was watching the rabbit breathing, "But I want him to be yours."
"This is the cutest gift anyone has ever given to me, I love him." She brought the puff to her face and kissed it, then reached up to kiss Levi's nose, "You're so sweet."
"What do you want to call him?"
"I think he looks like a Kanye Basilton Stewart," Cath paused, "But we can just call him 'Baz' for short."
"Do you really like him?"
"Duh."
Levi was beaming.
Cath was still holding Baz when they reached one of the buildings. Mary was walking next to her talking about the rabbit Levi had given her when she turned eight. Apparently it had been the biggest kit in the litter and it was a pretty deal to her. She still had it. Abigail was on the other side of her brother, peeking over to chime in about competitions they had entered every so often. Levi had his arm around Cath's waist with a really proud looking smile on his face.
"This is the stable; it's where the horses stay when they're not out getting exercise and other shenanigans." He announced as they walked through.
"I think Lady is in here." Abigail smiled, "She's due any day now."
"You have a pregnant horse, too?" Cath asked, holding Baz closer to her chest.
"Well, someone wanted to breed Lady with their sire for his daughter's birthday. My mom let me keep the money because Lady's my horse." She pulled out her phone to show Cath the picture of the stallion, "Pretty isn't he? I'm going to be sad to see the baby leave, it's going to be a beautiful, blonde foal."
"It'll fit right in with this family." Cath said, blushing behind Levi's arm.
The sisters looked at their brother and grinned, giving him the thumbs up.
"We love her." Mary patted his shoulder, "Seriously."
"I expect a marriage proposal before the end of your senior year, Levi Pickering." Abigail poked at his stomach.
"Oh, hush up," Levi ran a hand through his hair, "You can't try to pair me off with every person with two X chromosomes that comes onto the property."
"That was one other time, and you weren't even home for it." Mary argued, "Plus Cath is super hot and smarter than you. You'd be a dummy to let her walk away."
Cath did walk away, but only to look into a stall. She jumped back when a head popped out to greet her with a winnie.
"Oh!" Abigail walked over to the horse, "This is Lady, I think she wants to taste your rabbit."
Cath stared at the massive animal, "I don't think I've ever been this close to a full grown horse before."
"Don't worry, Lady is a sweetie pie," She scratched behind Lady's ear, "If you let her smell your hand, she'll let you pet her too."
She did. "Hello, beautiful."
"We can take you out riding sometime." Levi offered, walking away from his youngest sister, who tailed right behind him.
"I'd be too afraid to." Cath blushed.
"You could ride on Apple with me, I wouldn't let you fall," He pulled her against him so they were both facing Lady, "He's a really well mannered horse, he's really polite to women."
"Shut up?"
"Honestly! He loves my sisters so much, when they try to ride him he refuses to trot any faster than 10 miles per hour." Levi was speaking low in his chest voice. She could feel every word just as clearly as she could hear it.
"Apple likes me the best though." Mary laughed and sparked an argument between the siblings.
The group stood there and discussed the horses for a while, then moved from the stables to the rabbit hatch to put Baz away, to the barn for the cows. Levi had Cath try raw milk for the first time, explaining that it was safe because their cows were really healthy and free-range, not like the industrial cows' milk from the stores that needs to be pasteurized to keep people from getting salmonella. Mary pointed out that none of them had ever gotten sick from it before, so it couldn't be that bad. After the cows they moved on to see the chickens. That was Mary's specialty. She told Cath all about differentiating between fertilized egg and eggs good for eating, when to separate the rooster from the hens and why it's better to only have one rooster. The three of them all agreed that desserts with milk and eggs from the ranch were much better than any other kind of dessert. Levi made her promise that she would make him an omelette from the fresh eggs and he would make her a pie using local ingredients.
They went back inside the house around 6 just in time for dinner. Everyone was excited to have Cath sitting at the table for the first time, even Delilah and her husband came over for dinner. Levi held her hand whenever she got nervous, and talked her up the whole way through. By the end of the night Cath felt herself loosen up around them.
After everyone was in bed, Levi had himself curled around her and Cath felt like the next couple weeks were going to be smoother than she had hoped.
