“Just think about it.” Bishop left Kade to sit there and mull over the possibility that maybe he could own his own business. It would be nice. Kade wouldn’t have to worry about a boss or anyone he worked with looking down on him for his past.
He just didn’t know the first thing about running a business. Maybe he would look into the possibility. Until then he at least needed to find a few odd jobs to put some money in his pocket. It sucked being broke. Bishop had given him some cash to tide him over until he found work and Kade was trying his hardest to hold on to what he had and not spend it.
Deciding he would hit some of the businesses in town and see if they needed anything done, Kade went into the guest bedroom where he was currently sleeping and got dressed. If there were any fancy places in town, Kade would not be going there because he only owned jeans and T-shirts.
Kade caught Bishop before his brother left for work. “Can you drop me off in town?”
“Hop in,” Bishop said right before he yawned. “We have to make this quick. I’m already running behind.”
“You’re a high school shop teacher. I already know you don’t have a class until second period.” Kade hopped into the passenger side of his brother’s brand-new, shiny Dodge Charger. God, this was a sweet ride. Kade would love to own something like this. Hell, right now he’d be happy as hell just to be working.
“I’m leaving early, smarty-pants, because there’s a staff meeting this morning.” Bishop pulled from the drive and headed toward town. It had been years since Kade visited town. He had been locked up for fifteen years and wondered how much Brac Village had changed.
He prayed it still wasn’t the dirt-poor town he remembered. If it was, he had no hope of finding any work. But Bishop had said that the alpha had given out loans. It had to mean some new businesses were up and running.
When Bishop entered the town limits Kade was speechless. Brac Village had definitely changed. It didn’t even look like the place where Kade had grown up. He felt like a damn stranger as his eyes darted from one building to the next, taking in a floral shop, barbeque restaurant, bakery, and so many more businesses that his head was spinning.
The Café looked like it had been remodeled and he saw that the bookstore was still there. Maybe he would find some work after all.
Kade pulled in front of Santiago Cycles. “This is where I let you off. If you can’t find a way back to the house then call me and I’ll pick you up after work.”
“Thanks.” Kade got out and closed the door, watching as his brother pulled away. He wasn’t sure where to begin. Since he was in front of the motorcycle shop, Kade decided to start there.
Pulling open the glass door, Kade walked in, his eyes bouncing from the racks of leather clothes to the sweet-ass bike sitting in what looked like a showroom. The shop wasn’t really big, but hell if Kade wasn’t in heaven.
“Can I help you?”
Kade stuck his hand out. “Kade Marshall. Was wondering if you had any work you needed done.”
The man shook his hand as his eyes assessed Kade. “Law Santiago. Are you a mechanic?”
And here was where Kade’s lack of skills was going to shut any job proposal down. He didn’t know the first thing about motorcycles or anything mechanical. He had been hoping that the bike shop would need somebody to work the register, but it seemed they needed someone to fix bikes.
That was not a skill he possessed. “No, I’m not a mechanic. I just came in to see if you needed any odd jobs done around here.”
The man rubbed at his chin as he glanced around the shop and then looked back at Kade. “Marshall…you’re Bishop’s baby brother, aren’t you?”
“Yeah, I am.” Kade wasn’t sure how well Law knew Bishop. Did this guy know where Kade had just spent the last decade and a half? It was a funny thing that Kade couldn’t wait to get his freedom, but now that he was finally back home, he wasn’t sure freedom had been the best thing for him. His worst fear was not being able to make it on the outside.
If it hadn’t been for Bishop, Kade didn’t know where he would be right now.
“Welcome home,” Law said. “I honestly wish there was something around here I could give you to do. But I already hired an ornery coyote.”
“Thanks.” Kade took a step back, ready to get out of there. He really wished that Bishop hadn’t told anyone about Kade serving time. He didn’t know Law, but it seemed the guy was pretty good friends with Bishop.
“You’re welcome here anytime,” Law said as Kade walked out. Even though he had been turned down, Kade was not going to give up. He stood on the street, glancing around and wondering where he should go next.
He began to walk through Brac Village, cutting down a few streets and seeing just how much the town had grown. Kade stopped walking when he saw a place called Jammin’ Juice Hut. What an odd name.
Curious, Kade crossed the street. There was a neon sign in the window that read Organic Juice Bar. The sign advertised that they served shakes, smoothies, and coffee. Kade had never tried anything organic.
Just thinking the word organic and his leopard was turning up its nose. Kade ignored his cat and walked inside. His eyes zeroed in on the big display case that had trays of fresh fruit that was sliced up and sitting out for all to see. Above the counter was a menu, and Kade saw that they also served food. What in the hell was a bean sprout salad?
He started feeling out of depth. He had no clue what hummus
