Page 104 of Hero Mine

“And my tires weren’t junk either,” Bear added. “Those were waiting for recycling pickup.”

“I’m sorry,” Aaron said, meeting Bear’s gaze directly. “We got carried away. After we saw you guys demonstrate those obstacle course techniques at Linear Tactical last summer… It was just so cool. We wanted to do that.”

One of the other boys, a lanky teenager with freckles, nodded eagerly. “Aaron said you were in the Marines. That you did this kind of training.”

Bear felt something shift in his chest. These weren’t malicious thieves. They were kids looking for challenge, for purpose—for the kind of structure and discipline he’d found in the military.

“You’ve got skills,” Bear acknowledged, switching gears. “This is impressive engineering, even if the methods were questionable.”

Hope flickered across Aaron’s face. “Really?”

“Really,” Bear confirmed. “Though I’m pretty sure there are safety violations everywhere I look.”

The boys exchanged glances, a tentative relief spreading through them as they realized they might not be in serious trouble.

Bear crossed his arms, studying the makeshift course. “Here’s what’s going to happen. You’re going to return everything you took that can be returned. Today.”

“Yes, sir,” Aaron said immediately.

“And for the things that can’t be returned, you’ll work it off.”

“Work it off how?” Kyle asked, finally approaching the group.

“Honestly, I’m not sure.”

Joy stepped closer. “What if they volunteered at Linear Tactical?”

Bear nodded. “Could use some help with the summer youth programs. Setting up courses, equipment maintenance, maybe even helping instruct the younger kids.”

The transformation in the boys’ expressions was immediate—from dread to disbelief to cautious excitement.

“You’d let us do that?” Aaron asked. “Even after everything?”

“If you’re willing to earn back trust, yes.” Bear let his gaze move over each boy. “But there’s something else first.”

“What?” They looked wary again.

“This land. You need proper permission to use it. Safety protocols. Real supervision.”

“We can’t just tear it all down,” Kyle protested. “We spent months on this.”

“I’m not saying tear it down,” Bear clarified. “I’m saying do it right. Get approval from the town council. Draw up proper plans. Make it safe.”

“They’d never approve it,” Aaron said, defeat seeping into his voice.

“They might,” Joy countered, “if you had the backing of Linear Tactical. If you proposed it as a community project for all the teens in Oak Creek.”

The boys exchanged startled glances, clearly having never considered a legitimate approach.

“We could do that?” Jackson asked, eyes wide.

“With help,” Bear confirmed. “I might know a thing or two about designing obstacle courses.”

“And I might have connections at city hall,” Joy added with a wink. “My friend’s husband is the sheriff after all.”

Hope bloomed across the teenagers’ faces, transforming their expressions from guilt to possibility.

“What do you say?” Bear asked. “Ready to do this the right way?”

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