Page 30 of Chasing the Sun

I smiled at my little sister. “I think I might. Once we’re up and running, I just have to get tourists to step out of downtown and come see us.”

Helen’s deep-brown eyes flickered with mischief. “You could always talk to Callum.”

Of all the names in existence, she justhadto say his.

“Oh, perfect,” I grumbled under my breath for only Kit to hear. “Let me just skip over there and ask my least-favorite person in town to help me.”

Kit snickered into her hand, leaning in. “Maybe if you flirt a little, he’ll cut you some slack.”

I gave her a look. “I’d rather eat glass.”

“Well . . .” Kit grinned. “That would be on brand for you since you are a farmer now, after all.”

I playfully stuck my tongue out at my little sister as Helen continued: “Cal has managed to make the Drifted Spirit one of the most popular destinations despite it not being right in town.” Her cheery words grated across my skin.

A disgusted scoff was out before I could stop it. “He’s the worst,” I grumbled, using my abandoned needlepoint to distract me. I didn’t know what his problem was, but the man seemeddeterminedto treat me like the villain.

Kit made an obnoxious snort under her breath. I kickedher under the table as a sea of surprised eyes washed over me. I sat straighter in an attempt to cover my unintentional slip of the tongue.

Apparently I was the only one who could see Callum Blackwood’s horns.

Helen’s smile was unreadable. “I think I speak for all of us when I say, the Keepers are happy to help however we can.”

Murmurs of agreement filled the room as warmth and determination seeped into my soul.

There was no way I was going to fail.

After another hourof unsuccessful needlepoint practice, my fingertips had taken enough abuse, and Kit drove me home. The inn was quietly bustling as she rolled to a stop in front of my crumbling cottage before saying goodbye and disappearing down the road.

I looked up at my temporary home. Wes would soon be getting to work, patching up and replacing the rotting porch boards. At least I wouldn’t have to worry about falling through it and showing my whole ass to Cal ... again. It would be nice when Wes and his crew made their way inside to spruce up the damp, dingy cottage.

I breathed in the night air and exhaled in a deep sigh.Home sweet home.

Or, at least, home for now. I was trying to stay optimistic about that part.

The farmland stretched out before me, silent and waiting. A hundred little decisions loomed in my mind, stacking like bricks. There was no turning back now—not unless Iwanted to tuck my tail between my legs and admit I’d bitten off more than I could chew.

I straightened my spine.Not happening.

Darkness blanketed the farm, and even when I squinted, I could barely make out where the farm ended and the dunes began. Closing my eyes, I let the soft sound of rolling waves lull me.

A twig snapped to my left and my eyes flew open.

Was it the Lady? A murderer? Raccoons? Whatever it was, it was about to get a very aggressive lesson in personal space.

Instead of discovering yet another critter scurrying across the porch, a lanky shadow skulked behind my cottage.

“Hey!” I shouted into the darkness, masking my surprise with irritation. “Who’s there? You come out right now!”

My feet were swift as I stomped around the cottage. I grabbed a fallen branch as a weapon and held it like a baseball bat. After I hurried around the back, my feet stopped short.

A teenage kid had his hands stuffed into his pockets and was trying to get away. Not a ghost. Not a threat. Just a kid with the kind of posture that screamed,I don’t want to get caught, but I also don’t want to run because that would look suspicious.

“Stop!” I could hear a light scoff as he kept walking away from me. “I saidstop!”

The figure stilled, slowly turning around as I yelled.

My fear instantly dissolved when I recognized his stern, mildly annoyed look. I tried to make out his features in the low lighting. “Hey ... are you Cal’s kid?”