In 1934, life in Brookburn, Indiana, is quiet, simple, and peaceful, but young dreamer Levi Beckerman yearns for more. When the carnival shows up for the Fourth of July, he’s entranced by its many temptations. None is more seductive than the charismatic barker, Sebastian Gustineau.<br><br>Seb’s been a part of the carnival for almost a decade. Once, it provided him the escape he needed from a life he thought he didn’t want, but now, he craves things it can never offer. Flitting from dusty town to dusty town, he loses himself in pretty dalliances. Levi seems like the perfect distraction, until a single conversation convinces him that preserving Levi’s innocence and way of life is more important than his momentary satisfaction.<br><br>However, his plan to discourage Levi goes horribly wrong. When Levi’s family is threatened, Levi fights to protect them, doing what he can to hide the secrets he’s sheltered his entire life. The only person he trusts is Seb. He just isn’t sure if the growing bond between them is enough to save them all.

A Simple Charm

“It was a pleasure seeing you again, sir,” Levi said.


“All mine,” Bertie replied with one of his patented, gotta-humor-the-customer smiles.


Seb kept his arm around Levi until the door shut behind them and Bertie’s growl overpowered Otto’s whiny complaints. Laughter tried bubbling up, but before he could let it loose, he grabbed Levi’s wrist and broke into a run, no direction in mind, just away, far, far, far enough to be free of potential capture.


Chapter 24