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“Yes,Sir,”Kanerumbles respectfully.

“I know you’re an ex-con,”Cookietells him. “Iwon’t ask you what you went in for—that’s your business.Idon’t tolerate any shenanigans around here, though.”

“I understand.”Kanenods.

“I can’t pay more than minimum wage,”Cookiewarns. “Andit’ll have to be under the table.”

“Works for me.”Kanenods again.

“You’d be washing dishes and bussing tables mostly,”Cookiesays. “Doyou mind that kind of work?”

Kane shakes his head.

“I worked in the prison kitchen for a year and a half.Iknow my way around an industrial dishwasher andI’mnot too proud to buss tables.”

“What about a parole officer?”Cookieprobes. “Youhave to report to anyone?”

Kane shakes his head.

“No,Iwas released free and clear.Idid my time.NowI’mjust trying to turn my life around.”

“He helped me make the pies this morning,”Ichime in, smiling atCookie. “Wegot done so fastIhad time to make your favorite—honey buns.”

I slide one of the warm, gooey pastries onto a plate for him and present it with a smile.

Cookie gives me a stern look.

“You wouldn’t be trying to butter me up now, would you, girl?”

“Maybe.”Igive him my cutest grin. “Please,Cookie—Kane’sa good hard worker.I’llvouch for him.”

“I wouldn’t hire him otherwise,” he says.

He takes a bite of the honey bun and his eyes roll up for a second.Iknow that look—pure ecstasy.Ilove it when people get that look after taking a bite of my food—it never gets old.

“All right,”Cookiesays at last after swallowing and licking his fingers. “We’llgive it a one-week trial to start with.Youdo good, and we’ll keep it up.Areyou going to be coming in withSunnyevery morning?”

“Absolutely.”Kanenods.

“All right—I’llpay you a dollar extra an hour then,”Cookiesays, nodding. “I’mglad you’ll be with her—Idon’t like the idea of her being here alone in the mornings butI’mgetting too old to come in every morning myself.”

“You’re not too old—you’re ageless.”Idrop a kiss onCookie’scheek and he gets red and waves me off.

“Go on, now.Bettercheck those rolls in the oven—Ican smell them so they must be almost done.”

I skip off to the oven, my heart light as a feather.Mybig brother can stay!Hehas a job and a reason to stick around.Wecan really get to know each other now, not just by letters but in person!

You mean the way you got to know him this morning?Showinghim your breasts and hugging him while you were topless?whispers a guilty little voice in my head.

I push it to the side.Idon’t give a damn whatIhave to do to keepKanehere—Ijust know thatIhave my big brother back at last andI’mnotgoing to lose him.

13

CONNOR

Things are slow at first soIhave a minute to go to the men’s room and make a call.

“Where might you be,Sir?”Bransoninquires when he picks up. “Areyou on your way?ShouldIschedule a meeting of theBoard?”