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

The weight holding him shifted, but Otto’s bony fingers dug in, painful against his collarbone. Levi took a wild swing, but his balance was still off, spots dancing in front of his eyes. All he accomplished was getting jerked upright again.


“Looks to me I found a trespasser.”


Though Otto’s tone was casual, his stance was not. Every inch of his whipcord body was pulled tight, ready to snap at the slightest provocation. Unwilling to draw even more attention than they already were, Levi deliberately relaxed, assuming the role of the idiot that he needed in case they drew an audience.


Pearl glared up at them. “He was just making a delivery.”


“And I’d almost believe that if Seb wasn’t about to go to lunch.” He gave Levi a hard shake. “Dummy or not, Bertie won’t be happy this is what he’s planning on eating.”


Levi flushed at the dig, but Pearl was unfazed by the blunt language. “Seb doesn’t even know he’s here.”


Chapter 40