Levi raked his hand through his hair. “Oh my. I think we need to ask Miss Morgan to help us with our not-so-secret project.”
Wren squealed and jumped up and down. “I lub a project.”
He couldn’t help but chuckle at her enthusiasm. “Good. Because this is a big one. While I give her the details, I want you to throw that plate away and put the caps back on the markers.”
Wren heaved a sigh. Her slender shoulders slumped. “Oh-kaayyy.”
Savannah stood in the doorway of the break room, taking it all in. “I’m so embarrassed that I thought you were Jasper.”
“No worries. Happens all the time.” Levi pulled out a metal chair. “Have a seat. You should stay here for a few minutes until Candace leaves, anyway.”
“Thank you for helping me escape.” Savannah sat down and rested her purse on her lap. She wore black leggings, leopard-print sneakers and a graphic T-shirt featuring a popular band. He had a half dozen questions he wanted to ask about her life in Colorado, but that would have to wait.
“What’s an ‘escape’?” Wren dropped the plate into the trash can.
Of course she’d picked up on that. He’d have to redirect and change the subject. “Wren, put the caps back on these markers, please.” Levi gestured toward the markers strewn across the table. “We need to pack up.”
“Why? Where are we going?” She climbed up onto the chair beside Savannah, took the purple marker and started scribbling again.
Levi stifled another sigh. He’d been doing that a lot lately. “It’s not time to color.”
“But I want to finish coloring my picture.”
“Fine. You may color while I talk to Miss Morgan, but then we need to go. My mom has dinner waiting for us.”
“Can I get macaroni and cheese again, please?”
The girl could live on boxed macaroni and cheese. Would he ever convince her to try another option? “We’ll see.”
He linked his arms across his chest, leaned against the counter beside the sink and met Savannah’s uncertain gaze. “I’d heard you were moving back.”
Her mouth sank into a sad smile. “News has a way of traveling fast around here.”
He hesitated. Was she not happy about being home?
Savannah abruptly changed the subject before he could ask. “So, what’s the project?”
He drew a breath and summoned his courage. “We’re supposed to design a float for the parade. The Riverside Festival is next month, and I don’t have any ideas. My sister used to handle this, but she moved away, so we’re up the creek without a paddle.”
Dude, that was a lot. Settle. Down.
“Yeah, Wyatt mentioned that your sister had moved.” Empathy filled Savannah’s eyes. “That’s a tough loss for your family.”
“It is, but she didn’t want to be here, so we’re hoping she’ll be happier in Anchorage. Are you interested in designing and decorating the float? I mean, I know you haven’t been here long...”
She stifled a yawn. “We just drove in from Anchorage.”
Argh. Lousy timing on his part. “So will you think about it?”
“I—I don’t know. That’s quite the task.” Savannah shifted in her chair. “In case you missed Candace’s spoiler, I need a job. Something temporary until I can find another teaching position.”
Oh. She meant here. At the store. “I can double-check with my dad and Jasper, but I’m pretty sure we’ve hired all the help we need for the summer.”
Frowning, she opened and closed the clasp on her purse. “I wish I could work on your float, but I don’t think I’d be able to devote the time to it right now.”
“I understand.”
Her gaze slid to Wren. “Seems like you’ve got a lot going on right now.”
He palmed the back of his neck. “You’re not wrong.”
“Maybe we could work something out.”
“Are you offering to babysit?”
“No, I’m offering to cover your shifts here while you take care of...other commitments.”
“How can I convince you to change your mind?” Because spending hours trying to come up with an interesting idea for the parade float while keeping Wren occupied seemed futile.
“About the float?” Amusement flashed across her features. “You can’t.”
Bummer. Did she think he wanted her to handle the float all on her own? He shook his head in disbelief, though his mouth twitched with a smile. “You are tough to negotiate with.”
“Yeah, well, my bank account balance doesn’t allow for negotiating.”
“How about waiting tables at Gunnar’s? I’ve heard they’re still hiring.”
Her expression tightened, and she pushed to her feet. “Thanks for the tip.”
