Levi swiped at the moisture ring left behind on the table from his drink. “I can offer you more money per hour than anything you’d make around here. Unless you’re planning to work road construction.”
She stopped chewing.
There was that easy grin again. “Seriously, I have a childcare stipend. It’s a benefit from the state for accepting an emergency placement.”
“All right,” she said. “I’m intrigued.”
“You want numbers? Twenty-five bucks an hour.”
Whoa. She started coughing.
Levi’s brows scrunched together. “Are you okay?”
She nodded, then quickly grabbed her soda and took a long sip. The drink soothed the scratchy sensation in her throat while she mentally calculated the potential payout.
He waited until she’d pulled herself together. “Like I said, competitive wages.”
“It’s hard to say no to that kind of money.”
“Order 152!”
“Finally.” Levi slid from the booth. “Be right back.”
She ignored the curious glances aimed her way and focused on finishing her sandwich. They hadn’t talked about how many hours a week she’d need to babysit or where she and Wren would spend most of their time.
Levi returned with his food and sat down. “The parade float... I’m sorry to tell you there’s not a lot left in the budget for that. If you’re willing to help, I’ll take you by our warehouse and you can see what we did last year.”
“I haven’t come up with a design yet, but I’ll need to order basics—paint, papier-mâché and streamers. I can’t decorate your dad’s trailer and call it good.” She had to admit, she’d been tempted by his request since he made it and had even liked the idea of using her skills on a creative project that would showcase her abilities. It might help in her job hunt.
His expression brightened. “So that’s a yes?”
“I didn’t say yes. Yet. Just clarifying that I’m not capable of producing something from nothing.”
He pinned her with a long look. “That’s not true. I’ve seen your artwork. You’re very talented.”
“Thank you for making my point for me. Those projects all required art supplies and a substantial amount of time.”
“I understand. I’m just being honest. We decided to spend more on high-end inventory to appeal to the climbers headed for Denali and cut back on some of our marketing and promotional funds. The last couple of years have been tough here. Tourism declined, so now we’re more cautious than ever.”
“Looks like it’s going to be a great year so far. This town is hopping.”
“We’re hoping this trend continues, but it’s only the second week of June.” Levi dipped his french fry in ketchup and took a bite.
Now would be the ideal time to mention that her life had gone off the rails professionally in Colorado—not that she’d been convicted of any crimes or anything. And if she needed a background check, it would certainly be clear.
“I can see your mental wheels turning. I trust you, Savannah. I wouldn’t have asked you if I didn’t.”
“But you also said you were a desperate man.” She crumpled up her sandwich wrapper. “Which implies you’re running out of options. Since we’re being honest, I’m really not sure I’m ready to spend forty hours a week with a four-year-old.”
But the money he offered was good. Really good. And she did not want to work in a restaurant. No matter how many chicken sandwiches she’d get to eat for free, it wouldn’t be enough.
Levi finished chewing a bite of his cheeseburger. “I don’t expect you to spend forty hours a week babysitting. How about we do twenty with Wren, and then you can let me know when you’re available for the float?”
“I do need to let you know that I want to apply for the art teacher position since Mr. Golden retired.”
“Good for you,” Levi said. “You definitely should.”
“Do you know how long Wren is going to be with you?”
“I have no idea. It will be through the end of July, for sure. Because even if they locate her dad, it will be weeks until there’s a hearing and the judge allows him to have his parental rights restored. As far as I know, her mom’s in rehab for several more weeks. When she’s out, she’ll probably only get supervised visitation.”
Oh my. “Since you’re an emergency placement, won’t there be a more permanent one lined up?”
He shook his head. “There aren’t enough permanent foster care placements in the state. I’m her guardian for the foreseeable future. That’s guaranteed employment for you.”
She weighed the information. Not that she had anything else lined up. The only place that hadn’t called her back or given her a straight answer was the visitor’s center. Levi’s offer promised more money, and she’d probably have more fun babysitting Wren.
“Count me in for babysitting Wren and designing the float. But the reunion stuff... I don’t know, Levi. Are you sure?”
He stopped chewing. Irritation flashed in his eyes.
Oh, she hadn’t meant to offend him. “I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings. It’s very sweet of you to offer, and I don’t want to go by myself. I just want to make sure you’re sincere.”
“Absolutely.” He wiped his hand on his napkin and reached across the table. “Do we have a deal?”
She shook his hand, noting the pleasant sensation of his strong, calloused fingers in hers. Oh brother.
“Well, well, well. What do we have here?” Candace stopped beside their table, her knowing smile infuriatingly wide as her gaze landed on their hands still laced together. “It seems like there’s more than one Carter twin with fun news to share.”
