Page 43 of Chasing the Sun

I stepped onto the property like I wasn’t questioning every decision that had led me to this moment. Ellie was in the middle of marking something on a list when she noticed me. Her sunglasses slipped down her nose as she turned her head.

And then she smiled.

Not one of her cocky, taunting smirks. Not one of those smug little grins that made me want to kiss the challenge right off her lips.

No, this was different.

Soft. Open. Warm.

It knocked the damn air out of me.

She adjusted her sunglasses and turned fully toward me. “Well, well, well. If it isn’t my favorite grump.”

I scowled and gestured toward my son, who was walking toward the barn. “What the hell is he doing?”

Ellie’s gaze flicked toward Levi as she smiled. “Learning. Growing. Thriving.” She crossed her arms. “So, naturally, you hate it.”

“I don’t hate it,” I bit out.

“Are you sure?” She tilted her head, full of mock sympathy as she pointed toward my face. “Because that vein in your forehead is saying otherwise.”

I clenched my jaw and willed my body to not react to her.

It didn’t work.

Ellie turned toward Levi, who was hauling something across the field. “He’s a hard worker. And he actually listens when I tell him to do something.”

I huffed. “Yeah, well, maybe if I paid him a stupid amount of money like you are?—”

“I haven’t even paid him yet,” she cut in with a laugh.

I frowned. “What?”

Ellie grinned, infuriatingly smug. “He hasn’t even asked. I think he just likes it here. But don’t worry, I’ve got an envelope full of cash ready and waiting for him.”

I hated how much that got under my skin. I hated how easily she was pulling him into her world.

How she was pulling me in too.

Ellie lifted an eyebrow. “Would you like to pitch in, or are you just here to pout at me until you stomp away?”

“I am not pouting.” I huffed, but fixed my face.

She clicked her tongue, stepping closer, her voice dropping just enough to send something sharp and hot through my chest. “You sure about that? Now, beat it. It’s hard enough without having you lurking around, all broody and hot and miserable.”

My pulse hammered in my ears.

I did not like the way she said that.

I also didn’t like the fact that my gaze dropped to her mouth against my will.

Her smug smile grew.

Fuck.

She was taunting me.

A sharp whistle cut through the air. Levi waved wildly from across the field, jogging over.