Page 23 of Cannon
Chapter Fifteen
Cannon 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 onestill 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 mouthedplease.
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.