Sweet Mischief’s Rollercoaster Romance

Leo's work was humming along, everything ticking over as usual. Vincent-his old

boss-was getting out of prison next year, the company was still standing, and the

agreement Leo made with Lee all those years ago was still in force. With their

faithful old clients hanging around, Golden Top had already landed a few long-

term contracts.

Alyna finished her spreadsheets and went to find Leo. "We're still in the red," she

said, tapping the contracts. "These three jobs aren't enough to keep our R&D

afloat."

Chunky took one look at the numbers and gave up, passing the reports straight to

Leo.

Leo didn't need her to explain-he understood at a glance. He set the papers

down. "The first steps are always hard. Don't worry about it."

Meanwhile, Anya had defended her thesis and graduated without a hitch.

Lost about what to do next, she called her dad. "Come home, sweetheart," he

said, "work with me."

Anya immediately pictured herself being looked after every step of the way, just

drifting along with her dad running interference for her. She knew she'd never

actually learn anything that way.

Her aunt had been pushed by her mom to work hard, since she was meant to

over the company

had hopes for her too, but Anya knew he'd

she

So she stayed put.

days, she hung around Leo's place, not really sure what she was

was always home when Leo got back. Leo had

about what

meanwhile, was a regular passenger on Grandpa Elmer and

more open-air theater for them-now they

tents out

them get all the way out there with no ride? Simple:

Elmer drove.

had bought the grandparents a little runabout, perfect for seniors.

you wasted your

it.

Molly taught them to drive,

Grandma Aubree even squabbled

regular

the tent, Wayne climbed

arms,

home, didn't see his son, and called Molly. "Did you take Wayne to

office again?"

froze in the middle of her busy

both tried calling

the old

their phones over

performance-they were too busy

clapping along.

amazed: "Your kid's got

racket!"

anyone could sleep through that noise was beyond

down at her tiny