Twenty-nine
Levi had never spent much time around kids. In the last five years of his career, as he busted his ass to climb the ladder, he hadn’t spent much time around anyone who wasn’t in his kitchen. Spending time with Ollie and the other kids was eye-opening. What really impressed him was the parents, the teacher, and Jilly, and how they just seemed to know when to shift activities, how to redirect a kid who looked like they might pitch a full-blown fit, and how they resolved petty conflicts as if what the kids were arguing over made any sense at all.
By the time his dad and Lainey showed up to the island with Beckett, Levi was exhausted. Jilly walked beside him, like not sleeping all night and wrangling dozens of people were no big deal.
He covered a yawn and Jilly laughed. “I’d like to believe I’m the reason you’re that tired, but I think it’s because of the kids.”
Said kids were running toward the water, where the other adults were helping unload the boat.
Levi looked down at her, touching his hand to the small of her back. “They never get tired.”
Jilly leaned her head toward him. “It does seem unfair that they get the lion’s share of energy, doesn’t it?”
Beckett put a hand out to help Levi’s dad onto the dock. Levi’s jaw clenched. Even if he were standing right beside him, he didn’t know if his dad would accept his help.
“You okay?” Jilly stopped, put a hand on his arm.
“I don’t know how to fix anything.”
Her gaze shone with empathy. He liked that she didn’t offer platitudes. Instead, she reached up, kissed his cheek, and nudged him forward.
Lainey was an immediate hit, with both arms bedazzled in gorgeous bracelets. He should talk to her about buying one for Jilly.
Everyone said their hellos, the other parents joined, and introductions were made. They had about an hour and a half left before lunch, then they’d head back to Smile. Levi didn’t know if ninety minutes could make a difference, especially since he needed to duck out in about forty-five to get lunch ready, but he was willing to try.
“Dad,” Levi said. “How are you feeling?”
Conversations and laughter crisscrossed over as everyone wandered back to the lodge, including Levi and his dad.
“Doing pretty good, I think.” His dad’s gait beside him was back to normal, no more shuffling or wincing, so that was good news. “I’ve been following doctor’s orders. Easier than listening to your mother worry.”
Levi laughed, because he wasn’t wrong.
“It’s nice that you came over to do this today,” Levi said. He ran a hand through his hair, staring straight ahead, focusing on Jillian’s back to center himself. To remind himself that he could do this.
“Your mother said you need some furniture,” his dad said.
Levi glanced over. “Not a lot. I don’t think I’ll stay at Pete’s long.” Before his dad could add a snide remark, he continued. “I was thinking of renting an apartment. I got a loan. I’m going to pay for the food truck and I briefly wondered if I should put a down payment on a small house instead, but I can’t pay for it without the job.” He hadn’t meant to share all of that, but his father had a successful business and honestly, Levi could use some guidance.
His dad gave a gruff half-laugh. Or it might have been a heavy exhale. But it wasn’t dismissal, so Levi was cautiously optimistic.
“If you got a loan, you obviously have your paperwork in order. Do what you intended. The rest will come in time. Doesn’t have to all happen now.”
As they approached the long folding tables the adults had set up for stations, Levi wondered if his dad was talking about Levi’s future or their relationship.
“I’ll help you get set up and started, but then I need to get lunch ready,” Levi said, stopping before they reached the group.
His dad stopped as well, looked at him. “What does a fancy chef like you make a bunch of little kids?”
Levi laughed and chose to push away the voice on his shoulder saying his dad was judging him. “Actually, I’m fancying up good old-fashioned hot dogs.”
His dad’s scowl said it all. “Nothing like a perfectly roasted hot dog. You shouldn’t mess with some things.”
Maybe not, but being with the kids for three meals was giving him an opportunity to try out some new items to see how they went over with this age group.
“Don’t worry. There’ll be old-fashioned dogs with nothing but mustard and ketchup,” Levi said.
In front of them, Jilly and the parents were splitting the kids into groups.
“With caramelized onions,” his dad said, a shadow of a smile on his face.
A memory of them having that for lunch during camping trips when Levi was young hit him hard.
“I’ll have them. Just for you.” Because he couldn’t stop thinking about it when his brain actually found a moment of quiet, Levi said what was on his mind. “Went to Bros’ Pub. Pretty sad to see the way Liam and Leo have split the place in half.”
His dad’s chest lifted with his deep inhale. “It’s not right for those two to keep that feud up. No one knows what it’s about but I’d bet they’ve probably forgotten, too.”
Whether or not his dad realized why the situation was bugging Levi, he didn’t know. But he hoped the message came through.
“I agree. Seems like family ought to find a way past the trouble spots.”
His dad’s lips flatlined and his gaze drifted past Levi’s head like the answer was somewhere behind him. When he looked at him again, he nodded. “You got enough time to help me get some of these kids started?”
Levi’s heart clenched. “I do.”
For the next thirty minutes, everything was a blur of activity. Lainey, Jilly, Zane, and one of the moms got their group settled around some tables with little plates of beads. Levi overheard Lainey tell them about her shop, how she made some of the beads, and how to make each bracelet special and unique. He glanced at Jillian and saw her listening intently. Definitely needed to ask Lainey about creating something specifically for Jillian.
All of the other adults, including Levi, helped the other half of the kids create simple but sturdy birdhouses that could be painted at a later date. When it was time to switch groups, so everyone went home with one of each thing, Levi started for the lodge.
As he walked away from the table, his dad called out, “Don’t forget my onions.”
Levi was smiling when he entered the kitchen. The lodge was beautiful and the kitchen was no different. High ceilings, lots of windows letting in light, a little nook off the back that led to a decent-sized laundry and storage area. It could use a bit of updating but the appliances were in good shape and the overall layout was efficient. Levi appreciated efficiency.
Working to prepare a variety of toppings for hot dogs, he started getting everything ready. Beckett and Grayson walked in about ten minutes after he’d started.
Beckett popped a pepper in his mouth.
“Food Safe, dude. Don’t touch,” Levi said.
“Ha. I’m not an inspector so it’s fine,” Beckett said.
“Thought you were making hot dogs,” Grayson asked, looking at the myriad of toppings on the countertop.
Levi paused in his slicing. “I am. But they’ll have some choices. Nacho dogs with homemade corn chips, salsa, peppers, and green onions; veggie dogs, which are an assortment of fresh veggies on a bun with homemade ranch dip; classic with caramelized onions and whatever condiments they want; or the bacon cheese dog.”
Beckett grabbed another slice of pepper. “Okay, now I’m really hungry.”
Gray gave his brother a playful shove in the shoulder. “Wait for lunch like the kids.”
Laughing, Levi pulled the bowl of peppers out of Beck’s reach. “Everything going okay out there?”
“I have to hand it to Jilly,” Grayson said. “Everything has been smooth sailing. There are some ways to make things cheaper, quicker, and easier, but overall, it’s a great plan, filling in the off days with letting other people use the space.”
Pride suffused his chest. “Your sister always was smarter than either of you.”
Both of them laughed, but he didn’t miss the look they exchanged, and his muscles tensed.
Before he could spiral into wondering what the hell was up, Gray spoke.
“You haven’t bought a food truck yet,” he said.
Levi set the knife down. Everything was just about ready. He picked up his cloth, wiped his fingers. “Haven’t had much time. It’s my hope for next week. One sold but there’s still two solid choices.”
Grayson nodded.
Beckett tapped his fingers on the counter, almost like he was nervous. “What if you didn’t buy a truck?”
Unsure where this was going, Levi grinned. “There’s no McDonald’s or other fast food in Smile, so I guess I’d beg Pete for a job?”
Grayson straightened his shoulders. “What Beck means is, what if you could cook whatever you wanted, within a preset budget, and could basically run your own kitchen in a way that wouldn’t mean a huge start-up cost and risk?”
Levi’s jaw dropped. He stood there, staring at two men he’d known most of his life, and had no idea what to say.
Grayson took that as an opportunity to fill his silence. “We want you to cook for the lodge. You’ll have carte blanche to do what you want, but need to keep in mind that we’re a fishing lodge so it needs to suit the vibe.”
“But you have a chef,” Levi said as his brain ran in different directions.
Beckett nodded. “Shane is ready to retire. He had an accident last summer, cut himself pretty bad. He’s got almost full mobility in his hand back but he’s definitely slowing down. He’d been talking about stopping even before that, though, because his husband retired.”
Looking around the kitchen, Levi tried to imagine it. He liked it here. He sure as hell liked the employers, and one specific employee. His gaze found Gray’s.
“What about Jillian?”
“What about her?” Beckett asked.
“Is she okay with this?”
Gray shrugged. “I’m pretty positive she will be. Shane was always going to leave. He planned to stick around this summer for us but now he can kind of phase out, which I think he’ll love. Having you here is a hell of a lot better than having to find someone and bring them in. I tried to talk to her about it this morning but there wasn’t time.”
The idea was quickly turning into something he wanted. Badly.
Grayson nodded, shoving his hands in the pockets of his jeans. “We haven’t worked everything out. We’d need to all sit down, but the rest of us have to do that anyway. There’s only a week until we open for the season.”
“What would it look like?” Levi asked.
“The lodge will be open from June to November this year. Next year, we’ll start earlier, probably beginning of May. You’d be able to keep catering—Beckett said you’re doing some of that—plus cooking for the groups that Jilly brings in to use the space.”
He started to pace. He needed to get the grill going for the dogs. With a hand on the back of his neck, he did his thinking out loud. “Zane asked if I’d put together a meal for him and his wife for their tenth anniversary. I said yes, but if I did that on the side as well, sort of like a personal chef here and there, it could all gel together into enough.” Right? Would it be enough? Would Jilly want to work with him every day? God, it’d be amazing to see her all the time. They’d still have enough space not to drive each other crazy, but at this moment, he didn’t think any amount of time with her would equal enough.
Beckett leaned against the counter, crossed his arms over his chest, his flannel shirt seeming a little snug for the width of his shoulders. “I should get you to make Presley and me a meal. Maybe a picnic.”
Gray huffed out a breath that turned into a laugh. “Focus, Beckett. Levi, we have money to pay you a competitive wage. We’re in a good place right now, and having a great menu will go a long way toward building the lodge’s reputation.”
Levi stopped pacing and looked at his two friends. Food truck, lodge, fancy-ass restaurant? He just wanted to cook, develop food that made people smile and connect and want to linger or go back for more. He could do that here. He could fully immerse himself not only in the community but with the people he loved. It was a kind of security that he hadn’t realized would be appealing. He’d be part of something.
“You know what? I’m in. If you guys are sure and we can get it all down on paper so I can really see what I’m working with, I’m in. I’d love to be part of what you’re building here.” He held back from saying he’d eventually like to be part of their family indefinitely. Because, one step at a time. Or at least, one step after making a huge leap.