Page 28 of Gator

“Whoa, whoa,” said Patrick. “We’re just worried about you. We’re not your bodyguards, Sadie. In case you forgot, we’re your brothers. Two-thirds of the Jordan triplets. We love you, and we just care.”

Sadie could feel all eyes on her. She wanted to scream and yell but knew that it would only make things worse. Grabbing her coat, she slipped her arms in and zipped it. Patrick and Christopher noticed the tears in her eyes, both men staring at one another, then down at Ham with a pleading expression.

“Sadie,” he said, clearing his throat, “if you don’t mind, I’ll hitch a ride. I need to speak to Ghost about something.”

“Sure,” she said, nodding.

Her brothers stood again, allowing her to pass by them. As she got in front of them, she kissed their cheeks, squeezing their arms. Ham waited at the bottom of the steps, opening the door for her, and then gave a nod to her brothers. When they were gone, the brothers looked as though they might cry.

“Any idea what’s going on with her?” asked Luke. “She’s been on fire since she got home.”

“No clue,” said Patrick. “It’s killing us both. I’m hoping Ham will figure something out while they’re at the mansion.” The others nodded, a feeling of dread consuming them.

“Okay, everyone, let’s all work together on this one. We need to find out why this person is sabotaging the elections and what Metzger and his friends have to do with it. Gator? Keep Dylan and Joey on-property.” Gator looked at his father and nodded.

“I’m doing my best.”

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Dylan always stayed a few minutes after she dropped Joey at the daycare just to watch him in the room with the other children. He seemed to enjoy the interactions and loved his tummy-time playing with the other babies.

In another room down the hall, Wyatt and Pierre had become inseparable, often crying at night if they couldn’t have dinner with their friend. Ashley believed it was because the boys recognized that, although different, they were similar as well. Both lost their parents. Both were adopted. Yet they could not have been more different.

She smiled, seeing Miller and Titus sitting in the hallway near the administrator’s office. They looked like freakish giants sitting in the small plastic chairs, their hands folded on top of their knees.

“Did you two get into some trouble? Do I need to call your wives?” she grinned.

“You know, if you weren’t so cute, I’d spank you,” grinned Titus. “No, we’ve been told that we’re hovering.”

“Hovering,” scoffed Miller. “We’re not hovering. We’re watching our grandson.”

“Aren’t you supposed to be on the other island?” smirked Dylan.

“Are you keeping tabs on me for my wife?” he frowned. Dylan laughed, shaking her head as Keith walked out.

“Look, I know you both want to be here for Pierre, but the best thing you can do is allow him to acclimate with the other children. He’s extremely smart.”

“We don’t want him to be afraid,” said Titus.

“He’s not afraid,”laughed Keith.“That boy isn’t afraid of anything, and he and Wyatt have formed an unbreakable bond. I think that’s pretty amazing, considering where they came from. Now, look. You can drop him off in the morning. You can pick him up in the evening. You can even have lunch with him on occasion. But he has to learn to be independent of his big, bad grandfathers.”

“Says the boy who wouldn’t walk to school without his father and uncles the first year,” said Titus. Keith sobered, looking at the two men.

“You’re right. I didn’t want to go anywhere without my protectors for the first year. But I was frightened. Terrified that someone would take me again and abuse me. Pierre isn’t frightened. He’s the happiest, healthiest boy I’ve ever seen coming from a place like Haiti.”

“I’m sorry, Keith. I didn’t mean that,” said Titus.

“Yes, you did,”he grinned.“And you were right. But our situations were different. Let the boys continue to grow their bond.”

The two older men stood, nodding at Keith as Dylan just watched, smiling. As they started to turn, he gripped their arms.

“Oh, by the way, he talks to the ghosts.” Keith practically ran into his office, and Miller and Titus took off after him.

“What do you mean?”

“Hey, wait a minute!”

She could only laugh, walking out of the school and back toward the cafeteria. She’d given directions on the menu for the day, but George and Mama Irene often called in to see what it was and make minor modifications. At first, she was hurt by their interference, then remembered that they had been running this for decades. It would be very hard to give up.

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