Page 14 of Broken Chains

"Peyton's my new boss. She is so cool! When I found out where it was and that it was inside Collier Pack, I was terrified, but she was so calm. She just picked up the phone and called Thomas Collier herself. Then next thing I know, Luke Larken's on the phone, too. It was insane, but they both agreed I could be there. She made them approve all of us, even Brady and Evie, just in case you guys needed to come with me for any reason. She took care of everything. We have a six-week trial period. Please don't take this from me, Ollie. The job is perfect, and you'll love Peyton." He rolled his eyes at that comment. "She won’t let me work if I don't go to school and she promised to keep me employed until I've successfully graduated."

Tim's mouth hung open in shock. "I thought you were going to just test out with your GED this summer?"

"That was the plan, but, I dunno." Kenneth said with a shrug. "She tells me that I won't be able to really help support you guys if I don't get a good education. She really believes I can do it. I know I just met her, but I really don't want to let her down."

My heart soared at his admission. Whoever this woman was, I would owe her everything for doing this.

"I think that's great, Kenneth," I said.

"Really? You're not mad?"

"I'm not mad. I do want to meet this new boss of yours, especially if she's really okay with Evie tagging along and as long as you don't mind taking her. I don't ever want my daughter to be a burden on you guys."

"Ollie, you've done everything for us. You've given your entire life to us. The least we can do is help out with Eve," Tim said. "That's what family does."

Kenneth nodded. "Besides, it's like the easiest babysitting gig ever, because I get to do something cool while Peyton dotes over Evie. She loves babies."

I smiled. She sounded like a sweet grandmotherly type and not at all like the sexy goddess that had turned my life upside down in a matter of moments. If she had that much pull in the Collier Pack, then clearly she was somebody. That made me feel a little better about the situation, but it was prudent that I meet her to check things out for myself.

"I'm off this weekend. Are you working or do you think we could come by and meet this new boss of yours and check things out? It will really make me feel better."

"Yeah, sure. That would be great. Peyton said you're all welcome anytime.”

* * * * *

As my luck would have it, work picked up and life got busy fast. We all fell into a new routine. Two weeks past before I finally got a day off. I felt terrible that I hadn’t gotten out to Collier Pack to check things out and finally meet Peyton.

All I ever heard about at home was “Peyton did this,” or “Peyton did that.” It was all Kenneth ever talked about. Tim had gone out twice with him just from curiosity and hadn’t stopped talking about it either, or his plans to help implement hydroponics into the greenhouse.

I had never seen Kenneth so focused on anything. I prayed this situation worked out, but it was clearly the best thing that had ever happened to my brother.

The biggest shocker of all had come in an email the night before. One of Kenneth’s teachers had sent me a message. The second I saw it my stomach dropped. I had received dozens of them throughout the school year. They all came with some sense of doom.

Kenneth hasn’t been attending classes again.

Kenneth hasn’t turned in an assignment in three weeks.

Kenneth is failing (insert class name).

With great trepidation I opened this one and then sat back with tears in my eyes.

Mr. Smith, whatever you’re doing, keep it up. I’ve never seen Kenneth so focused. He hasn’t missed a class in two straight weeks. I’ve spoken to his other teachers and all his assignments have been turned in on time for every class. He got a ninety-six on today’s history test. I know it’s been a rough year, but whatever changes you’ve made or deal you managed, good job!

I knew that wasn’t me. That was her. Kenneth had confided the deal Peyton made with him after finding him working at Powell’s during schooltime. I couldn’t fathom what this lady saw in my brother when everyone else saw a no-good piece of trailer park trash with no future and wouldn’t give him the time of day, but I was grateful for it. I only hoped she was aware of the impact she had on my brother.

The added benefit that he was able to bring Evie along with him was huge. I knew I shouldn’t allow it, but things had been so tight that the few hours break in paying childcare had been heaven-sent.

I had been riding Kenneth’s motorcycle more than driving the minivan lately. I’d gotten it from the salvage yard and fixed it up for his sixteenth birthday. Much to my surprise, Kenneth didn’t mind driving the van at all.

My brothers had taken to Eve very quickly. They were angry with me for not having told them about her from the start, but that hadn’t stopped them from falling instantly in love with their little niece. Even Brady had a soft spot for Eve and had been pitching in to care for her whenever I needed him.

I still worried about Brady and the people he had chosen to hang out with, but he was taking a few classes at the local community college and holding down a full-time job. I had hope that he’d turn out okay in the end.

I pulled on my helmet and climbed onto Kenneth’s bike. I loved the feeling of a motorcycle roaring to life. I looked up at the clear blue sky. Not a cloud in sight. It was a beautiful day for a ride.

It was twenty minutes between my home and the address Kenneth had given me to the greenhouse. I pulled in and shut off the bike, looking around and checking out the area.

I could see the building about fifty yards behind Kate’s Diner. The place looked clean and classic from the outside and the parking lot was full, despite it being early still for the dinner crowd. There wasn’t a ton of light behind the diner, but even though Kenneth’s wolf hadn’t come in, I knew his night vision was still keener than a normal human’s, and the path was clearly marked.

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