“No shoes, no service.” Brecken pointed to the small sign on the bakery’s door. “Plus, walking home barefoot might have hurt.”
Garrett glanced at Brecken’s feet. Canvas sneakers had replaced the expensive pair he wore earlier. “Why did you sell your things?”
“I didn’t want them. Not knowing why Mr. Baxter gave them to me.” Brecken shuddered before pulling money from his pocket and handing it to Taryn. “This is from the pawnshop. I want Lawson’s to have it.”
She stared at the bills. “I don’t understand.”
He rubbed his hands on his white pants. “It’s not nearly as much as the bakery has lost because of what I gave Nick, but it’s all I have.”
Taryn’s eyes gleamed. “Thank you, but you need a cell phone and real shoes.”
Brecken’s grin brightened his face. “Keaton and Flynn took care of that. They each bought me shoes. Oh, and Flynn got me a phone.”
Keaton’s cheeks reddened. “It was the least we could do. A guy needs more than one pair of shoes, especially if he’s starting college in the fall.”
Flynn’s chest puffed. “And a cell phone.”
“I told them I didn’t need them.” Brecken shrugged. “But they insisted.”
“Of course, they did.” Pride over his brothers’ actions flowed through Garrett. He also saw what Taryn had meant about Brecken being a sweet kid. “As they should have.”
“Thank you.” She hugged Flynn and then Keaton. “For finding Brecken, buying him those things, and driving him to Silver Falls.”
A part of the story was missing. Garrett looked at Keaton. “How did you know where to find him?”
“I teach kids his age,” Keaton said in a matter-of-fact tone. “So we asked teenagers in town, and one mentioned seeing his video from the Summit Ridge Bakery.”
Brecken grinned. “It went viral.”
Flynn laughed. “I have a feeling that other bakery will spend all their profits on a PR person to put out the fires Brecken set on every social media platform.”
Brecken stood taller. “Told you I’d fix it.”
“You did. And I appreciate it.” Taryn smiled softly. “But you scared many people who care about you when you took off. Try to remember to tell someone where you’re going the next time, okay?”
He nodded. “My mom and dad were so happy when I called I don’t think I’ll be in that much trouble.”
Garrett forced himself to laugh. “That’s good, but just because you get away with something once doesn’t mean you do it again.”
“That’s right,” Keaton agreed. “Otherwise, you’ll end up needing to hire an overpriced attorney like my brother.”
Everyone laughed.
“We’ll take Brecken home and explain things to his parents,” Keaton said.
“You’ve both had a long day.” Flynn gave Taryn a once-over that made Garrett scoot closer to her. “Get food and then rest. Doctor’s orders.”
Keaton groaned. “There he goes with the doctor title again.”
“Come on, little brother.” Flynn opened the door, and the familiar ding sounded. “Let’s take Brecken home so these two can go back to what they were doing when we arrived.”
It was Taryn’s turn to blush.
Brecken snickered.
Keaton grinned. “Carry on, friends.”
Seriously? Garrett shook his head.
