Page 32 of Chasing the Sun

NINE

CALLUM

The smellof fried beignet dough filled the kitchen. I tapped the spider strainer against the deep pot to drain the last of the hot oil as I set aside the final batch of beignets. Quickly, I grabbed the sifter and gently tapped its side, dusting the tops with a healthy amount of powdered sugar.

Three glorious mounds of sugar-dusted beignets waited on the prep counter. They were the final element for today’s breakfast and best served fresh and hot.

I glanced through the kitchen window, across the lawn. The sun was just coming up, but Wes’s construction truck blocked any view of my neighbor. All I could see was the front porch and a few men patching up worn boards on the outside of her house.

Just as well, I supposed. It was probably better I couldn’t see what new havoc she was wrecking over there.

I shook my head.

“Hey, Dad.” Levi stepped into the kitchen, stealing a beignet and shoving the entire thing into his mouth.

“Careful that’s?—”

“Hah—hot!” Steam wafted around the pastrylike a dragon’s breath as he tried to chew around a mouthful of hot dough.

“Hot,” I finished. My eyes flicked to the clock, surprised that it was 7:26 and Levi was not only awake, but bright-eyed and dressed for the day. “What are you up to?”

He shrugged. “I’m going to work.”

I looked around, stunned. “Work?”

Levi’s face bloomed with a cheeky smile. “I got a job. Sick money too.”

Suspicious, my arms crossed. “A job? Doing what?”

He looked past me toward Star Harbor Farm and gestured with his chin. “Helping Ellie.”

I dropped the spatula onto the counter with an undignified clatter. I didn’t mention that Levi’sjobwas supposed to be helping around here. A job he consistently failed to do, I might have added. My molars ground together. “You’re helping at the farm? And she’s paying you?” My chin lifted. “How much?”

His eyes flicked around the kitchen, avoiding mine. “Well ... I don’t really know yet—but she promised it would be good!”

His sweet, naive little heart. I shook my head. “Son, you need to be careful. Not everyone has good intentions.”

Especially dream-stealing harlots with perfect asses and a sassy mouth. Not that I noticed. Not that I cared.

“Now if you need money, we can talk about paying you more for what you help with around here.” I pinned him with my best parental look. “But we also need to talk about you actuallydoingthe things I ask you to.”

I helplessly watched my son’s hope and excitement wither in front of me. Levi’s sweet eyes went hard, and I hated myself for being the cause of it.

Damn it.

I’d been trying to hold on to him, and all I’d managed to do was push him further away. Again.

“Fine,” he pouted. Levi went to turn around and stomp back to his room, where I was almost certain he’d hole up for the foreseeable future.

“Stop,” I said, and he slowly turned to look at me, a tiny flicker of hope sparking in his eyes. I pinched the bridge of my nose and exhaled. “Just ... be careful. Don’t let anyone take advantage of you.”

Levi brushed past me as he grabbed a baseball cap off the hook by the door. He hesitated, balling his fists inside his hoodie pockets as his eyebrows popped up. “You know, for someone who doesn’t like her, you sure do watch her a lot.”

My spine went stiff. “Watch it,” I warned, though my words lacked any real threat.

Levi was already out the door, his snort of amusement carried away with the morning breeze. “Later, Dad!”

And just like that, I lost him to the enemy.