Page 68 of Broken Chains

“We noticed,” he assured me. “Now why’d you tell him to offer me the job?”

I grinned. “Simple. You’re already their leader. The guys we’re talking about already work for you. I told him if he was smart, he’d start with you and give you a leadership role. It’s his best chance to get the others to follow and get on board with this crazy plan. Plus, I’ve seen how much those guys respect you. You’re a good supervisor.”

Cruz was quiet for a moment, like he didn’t know what to say. “Thanks,” he finally settled on. There wasn’t any need to say anything more.

“I really hope everything works out.”

Peyton

Chapter 23

It took some convincing, but everyone finally left late last night. I had woken early and fixed Oliver and Brady breakfast, and lunch to take with them. Kenneth and Tim had already told me they would be working on the greenhouse in the backyard instead, as they wanted to be close by, just in case.

As I kissed Oliver and shooed him out of the house, assuring him Eve and I would be fine, Ruby pulled up with Opal.

“You hanging out all day?” he asked her as they passed each other.

“Damn right I am,” she said.

He grinned and thanked her. I could feel him relax a little and with one last wave, he got in the van and drove off.

“Hey, what are you doing here?” I asked, hugging my sister.

“Thought you and Evie could use some company today.”

I rolled my eyes. “We were inundated with company all weekend.”

She laughed. “I heard. Figured I’d wait ‘til the madness cleared. You okay?”

I nodded. “Yeah, it’s all going to be okay. Do you want some breakfast?”

“Pancakes?”

I laughed. “Sure, come on in. Eve’s in the playroom being content for the moment.” I showed her on the video monitor.

As I headed for the kitchen, Ruby took Opal to the playroom and left her in the playpen with Eve. By the time breakfast was ready, Clara, Lizzy, Shelby, and Lily pulled up. I was glad I’d thought to make plenty of extras.

I greeted each of them as they settled down around the dining room table to eat and chat. My eyes teared up at the sight. I wished Madelyn could be there too, but otherwise having all of my sisters together supporting me like this was emotionally overwhelming. I had felt so loved through this entire awful time.

After breakfast we moved to the playroom. There was a TV and plenty of couches in there to hang out.

Lily stared longingly at Opal and Eve sitting on the floor, seeming to talk to each other and occasionally fight over the same toy. I loved that Evie had a close-in-age cousin to grow up with.

“They’re so cute together,” Clara commented.

“They really are,” I admitted.

"I'm still hoping their cuteness rubs off on Thomas," Lily admitted.

"He's still being an ass about kids?" Lizzy asked.

Lily shrugged. "It's not that he doesn't want kids, just not right now."

"And you are ready?" Clara asked.

"Sooo ready! I can't wait to be a mom, and I hate seeing these two and Maddie and Kelsey's kids growing up so quickly." She looked at Clara and grinned. "When Thomas finally caves, you better be ready to roll with us and give my kid a cousin close in age, too."

Clara laughed. "Gage and I are still too busy in our life and traveling too much to even think of kids yet, but we'll see. You never know. You've still got Lizzy and Shelby, too," she pointed out.

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