20. Chapter Fifteen

Chapter Fifteen

C annon sat on Jesse's back porch. One of the guys had rolled him out here. He had to admit he was feeling a little sorry for himself. The course was all set up behind Jesse's house for laser tag. When Flick had seen the present, he'd known all the guys and some of the women would want to participate too. He'd bought and paid for extra vests and guns to be overnighted before the holiday.

Jesse had bought enough vests for all the kids on the compound who were old enough and also bought one for Whiskey's son, Ezra, just in case they came to the celebration.

Now all his brothers and the kids were dividing up teams; Rascal and Locks were going to referee. And he was sitting on the sidelines, needing help to do almost everything.

Cannon smiled as Ellie walked up on the porch and dropped down into the chair beside him.

"How's it going?" Cannon asked.

"I think I envy you and Jesse having the baby from the first moment. At least when he or she is a jerk, you only have yourself to blame," Ellie muttered.

Cannon had heard a lot about Ellie's sons. Well, they were actually her nephews, but she considered them her sons. Cannon didn't have the whole story, but he knew the boys had only been in her life for the last few years. She'd been granted custody when her brother, who she was estranged from, went to prison. Cannon didn't know the boys well, but he'd heard a couple of the women discussing how often Ellie had to go up to the school for something going on. Considering the boys had only been in Bluff Creek a couple months before school let out, that was saying a lot.

"Things rough with the boys?"

"I had hoped getting them out of the city and away from their not-so-great friends would make a difference. I thought I'd have a break while they were at camp, but they decided to try to hot-wire one of the counselor's car and take it for a joy ride. I'm not sure how to get them to understand that there is a better life than what they learned from my loser brother," Ellie said, then sighed.

"Well, I'm the last person to give advice since I've never had kids that age. Have Regina, Baron, or Locks had any good suggestions?"

"Regina asked that they help her at the farm for the next two weeks. She wants to get to know them better before she gives me any advice. She also said she'd drop by the range and we could have coffee. I'm sure I'll need to share the whole sordid story of how they came to live with me. I want them to love and dream, but I just can't seem to get through to them."

Cannon watched the boys out on the teams with the other kids. He thought they were around twelve and fourteen, but he wasn't positive. The older one's voice had changed, but the younger one still had the squeaky kid voice. The oldest grabbed Grant's vest when he started to fall and helped him back on his feet.

"I wish I knew how to help, but you can always complain or vent to me. The plus is I can't run away."

Ellie chuckled. "Thanks, Cannon. I'm enjoying working at the range."

"You're doing me a favor. One, taking care of it when I'm laid up, and two, I don't have to interview now. Once I can do stuff, we can work out a schedule that works for both of us. I'd appreciate if, as you're working, you would keep a list of things you notice that would make us more efficient. Sitting here stuck in one place has made me realize that we've had one thing after another since I came to Bluff Creek. I'd always planned on streamlining the operations, but I really haven't taken the time."

War walked up with one of the guys who were checking out the MC. War smiled. Cannon immediately wondered what War wanted. He smiled now more that he was with Remi, but he also had the smile that said he was planning something.

"Hey Ellie, Cannon, have you both met Dex?"

Ellie nodded. Cannon had hung out in the clubhouse a couple times with him.

"Yep, good to see you," Cannon said.

"Mind if we join you guys for a second?" War asked.

Cannon motioned to the seats.

"Ellie and I have been covering the range, but when I was chatting with Dex, his background came up."

Cannon perked up. Was there someone else interested in helping at the range? Would he really not have to interview anyone?

"What's your background?"

"I'm retired Army. I'm pretty good with a gun and love working with them. I asked War if you needed help at the range. I didn't want to ask Ellie about a job until I knew if you needed someone."

War chuckled. "He's being modest. He's called Dex because he's equally accurate with either hand when shooting. If you and Ellie agreed, we could have him take a couple of the classes and some time overseeing. I think it would allow Ellie a little more freedom because she's been taking on the brunt of the work. I've worked a couple of times but not like Ellie."

Cannon glanced at Ellie for her approval, and she nodded, vigorously, and mouthed please .

He chuckled. "Well, it looks like you're hired. Ellie can work with you on what she needs. Once I'm able to be back around, we can all sit down and look at how best to cover the range. I appreciate everyone pitching in. I told Ellie, but I'll tell you too. If you see any way to streamline operations, make a list, and we'll go over it."

Ellie grinned. "Oh, you don't know what you're asking, but we will. Dex, I'll look forward to seeing you on Monday at the range. I see Regina waving me over to help, so I better go. Let me know if you need anything," Ellie said and walked away.

Did he need anything? Well, the range was now covered, but he needed to get a little semblance of control. Every single thing that had happened had been out of his control. From the time he'd graduated high school, he'd tried to craft a life where he was in control. He knew what he was doing and also what he was working toward. He kept his life neat and orderly. Only now, it wasn't either one, and he constantly had to roll with whatever anyone said.

He wasn't sure exactly how to process his emotions, so, for now, he'd leave them tucked away. He'd work on just getting through each day. War stood and patted Cannon's shoulder.

"Let us know if you need anything. Dex and I are up for the next round of laser tag. The winners of this round are going against our team."

A whistle blew, and Ezra, Phoebe, and Blake came running out of the tag area. Rascal and Baron high-fived them, congratulating them on their win along with the rest of their team. Cannon hid a smile at the show Roam, Whiskey, and Hennessy put on about being sad they lost. He couldn't wait to see what Dex and War did when they played.

Cannon may not have understood how a family worked when he came here, but he'd learned along the way the give and take of wanting what was best for everyone.

Jesse stood to the side as Rascal and Baron handed out ribbons. She'd ordered them at the same time as the vests. She'd had no idea, though, that the guys would be as excited as the kids.

Dex and War had played hard with the team, but once it was down to just them, Jesse had watched how they made sure the younger team could win without it looking like they'd thrown it.

Now that the competition was over and it was getting dark, some of the guys were working to set up the fireworks. Despite trying not to stare, her eyes kept being drawn to Cannon. Having him in the house was really good. She only wished they slept by each other, but she wasn't going to bring it up.

Sarah walked over and nudged her. "Doesn't one of the new guys look really familiar?"

Jesse turned to where Sarah was looking. They all looked like the guys she'd been introduced to. Roam had met them at a tattoo competition and invited them to check out the MC. All three of them had been helping out and seemed like nice men.

"Maybe they look like someone you know? I don't see it," Jesse said.

Beth walked up and joined them, along with Remi and Winnie.

"Whatcha watching?" Beth asked.

"Sarah thinks one of the new guys looks familiar."

"Which one?" Remi asked.

"Booker," Sarah said.

Jesse and her sisters stared over at where Booker, Dex, and Twist were helping set up the fireworks.

"Nope, doesn't look familiar to me, but he is nice to look at," Winnie said.

"Here, sis, let me wipe the drool off your face for you," Remi replied, trying to wipe Winnie's chin.

"Very funny."

"You know, I do feel like I've seen him somewhere. Now, it's going to bother me until I figure it out," Beth said.

Jesse giggled at their antics, though she had to admit that Booker was hot. Not as hot as Cannon but hot. Bear walked toward Winnie, carrying Joey but holding him at arm's length.

"Nu-uh, you keep that smelly diaper away from me. I told you not to give him the prunes. I said give him applesauce," Winnie backed away.

Bear turned toward Jesse. "Do you want a little practice?"

Jesse shook her head. "Nope, you're on your own."

Bear rolled his eyes and headed toward the back porch where most everyone had stashed their bags. Jesse wondered what type of relationship she and Cannon would have after Sparky was born. Would it be teasing like Bear and Winnie's? Roam and Sprite had combined their families and honestly, Jesse would never know the kids weren't all Roam and Sprite's from the very first. They acted like they'd been together for years.

"Hey, let's go get seats for the fireworks and I hid a tray of pumpkin bread for us to have," Sarah suggested. Jesse followed the group back toward the house, where everyone was setting up lawn chairs. She took a seat by Beth because the seats by Cannon had Clara and one of the new guys in them.

Her appointment was next week and Cannon was attending his. It was a long drive, but she was glad to be that much closer to Sparky joining them. If only she could have the happily ever after her sisters did.