Oh no. What had he said wrong?
“Savannah?” Wyatt appeared in the doorway, a plastic shopping bag in hand. “Are you ready?”
“Yep.” Her chair scraped the linoleum as she pushed it back toward the table. “Levi was just giving me a safe space to hang out and avoid Candace.”
Wait. Had he really aggravated her that much? How could she go before they’d finished their conversation? “Savannah, let’s touch base soon.”
“Unless I get a better offer, I’ll stop by tomorrow.” She offered a tight-lipped smile, then reached over and gave Wren’s shoulder a gentle pat. “See you later, sweet girl.”
“See you,” Wren said softly.
Savannah turned and followed her brother out into the store.
“Oh boy.” Levi dragged his hand over his face.
Wren eyed him. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.”
“Can she babysit me?”
“Maybe. How would you feel about that?”
“She’s nice and pretty.”
True. Not that her appearance had anything to do with her ability to babysit a precocious child. He needed someone kind and patient, though. Savannah had always shown both characteristics. To be honest, he couldn’t remember a time when he hadn’t thought Savannah was pretty, as well as kind, intelligent and incredibly creative. But he’d always suspected she’d had a thing for his twin brother, which was why he wasn’t the least bit surprised when she had called him Jasper. He couldn’t think about that now. Her interest in Jasper might’ve been a high school–crush thing, anyway.
Besides, he didn’t even know for sure if he was allowed to leave Wren with Savannah. “Come on, Wren. Let’s get going.” He helped Wren put everything in her backpack. If Savannah wouldn’t agree to design the parade float, he’d have to find someone else. Quickly. But he had to find someone trustworthy to stay with Wren too. Because he couldn’t keep juggling the demands of the store and a child who desperately craved stability and attention.
“Why is finding a summer job in this town so difficult?” Savannah groaned and covered her eyes with her forearm. She’d never had trouble when she was a teenager. After dinner, she’d called four local businesses to see if they were hiring, and they’d all said no. Every single one had told her to try Gunnar’s, though. Not what she wanted to hear. Been there. Done that. Still had the mortifying memories. She’d rather go completely broke than flip burgers or work the front counter at Opportunity’s popular fast food restaurant.
“Levi asked you to help with the float, didn’t he? Imagine spending time with such a great guy,” her sister Juliet responded from the top bunk above her. “It’s the perfect setup for a summer romance.”
“A summer romance with the wrong brother.” Regret twisted her stomach into a tighter knot. If that was possible. Worse, the alarm clock on the nightstand read 1:13 and she was exhausted. But sleep had eluded her. At least Juliet, who was home after completing her first year in college, had the energy to stay awake into the wee hours and pick Savannah’s conversation with Levi apart. She’d rushed out of the store like a coward. His request for help decorating a float for Opportunity’s annual parade wasn’t that unreasonable. It wouldn’t take much for her to come up with something clever. But she wasn’t being dramatic when she’d told him she needed a job. She couldn’t commit to a time-eating freebie until she knew what a paying position might require of her.
“I don’t understand how Levi is the wrong brother,” Juliet said. “Are you not interested because he has Wren?”
“No. I—” The hinges creaked as the bedroom door opened slowly. Savannah sat up in bed, tugging the down comforter around her body. Light from the hallway illuminated a familiar silhouette.
“Sorry if I woke you. It’s just me.” Their sister, Hayley, slipped inside.
“Where have you been?” Juliet scolded her. “It’s almost one thirty in the morning.”
Avoiding the question, Hayley spotted Savannah, then raced across the room. She squished onto the mattress with a barely muffled squeal. “You’re finally home. I can’t believe it.”
When Hayley flung her arms around Savannah’s neck and pulled her in for a hug, Savannah’s throat tightened with an unexpected wave of emotion. Oh, she’d missed their late-night chats in this cozy room.
Hayley pulled back. Her auburn hair was twisted into a bun and accessorized with a ballpoint pen. She wore a red T-shirt advertising the Sluice Box, denim cut-off shorts and tennis shoes.
Savannah cleared her throat. “It’s good to see you too.”
Juliet leaned over the side of her bunk, her strawberry blond hair tumbling over her bare shoulder. “I thought the Sluice Box closed at eleven. By the way, you smell like french fries.”
Savannah clicked on the bedside lamp. The blackout shades their parents had installed years ago made the room feel cave-like, keeping the perpetual daylight of the Alaskan summer from disrupting their sleep schedule. Not that it made a bit of difference tonight, since they were all wide-awake.
“I stayed late to close. A guide came in with a group of climbers, and they kept us busy. Tipped well, though.” Hayley unlaced her shoes and tossed them on the floor beside her bed across the room. “Anyway, we have a new manager, and his sister is in town. She’s a pastry chef in San Francisco and insisted on spoiling us with a flight of rich desserts.”
“Let’s talk about what really matters,” Juliet said, lying back down. “Did you see Max Butler?”
“He’s the guide leading the climb. Why?” Hayley pulled the pen from her bun, untwisted the elastic, then raked her fingers through her wavy hair.
“You know why,” Juliet said.
“But I don’t know why.” Savannah stacked her pillows against the wall and leaned against them, eager to catch up on Hayley’s love life. “What’s going on with Max Butler?”
“Nothing.” Hayley stood and crossed the room to her dresser. “Chef made the most amazing mini cheesecakes. Oreo cookie crust, chocolate chip cheesecake, caramel topping. I’m going to have to start working out if she sticks around and keeps baking.”
“Wow, sounds delicious,” Juliet said. “Did you bring us any?”
Hayley took out her pajamas, then nudged the drawer closed with her hip. “Sorry, there wasn’t any left.”
“You gave the leftovers to Max, didn’t you? A parting gift before his next big expedition?”
“What is up with you tonight?” Hayley shook her head. “I’ve told you a zillion times, Max and I are friends. He’s like a brother to me.”
“You’re a terrible liar, Hayley,” Juliet teased.
“Wow, I feel like I’m missing some key details,” Savannah said. “How long have you been seeing Max, Hayley?”
