We climbed out and lay on a rock in the late afternoon sun for a bit before I shifted back and walked to the cabin, carrying my clothes. I could smell the alphas on them, and if I could, so would she.
Inside, I dressed in jeans and a T-shirt and put the food away at the back of the pantry. If I didn’t want her to smell that I’d been away, sharing it with her was out as well. When shedidn’t return by the time the sun set, I pulled the bag out again and prepared myself a light meal of bread and jam and cheese. I carried it out onto the porch to eat, wondering when Marie would return. In her work, it was never predictable, so after dinner, I went to bed, exhausted.
Anticipating I’d fall asleep immediately, I snuggled under my thin blanket and closed my eyes. But I didn’t fall asleep right away, and I woke up several times worried. Something was off, and I couldn’t pin down what it was. But it wouldn’t leave me in peace. It was definitely not my interaction with the three bears. I would have enjoyed mulling that over. No…something else. But what? If my wolf knew, she wasn’t talking. The sounds of the forest, that usually lulled me to sleep, were loud and discordant, the moonlight casting through the window above me too bright. Nothing was right. I’d slept in this cabin every night of my life that I could remember. So, why couldn’t I do it now?
When the sun replaced the moon over the forest, I gave up and rose, climbed on my bicycle right away and pedaled off. I didn’t know where I was going, but I couldn’t stay at the cabin. Instinct warned me to go. My wolf wasn’t giving any input this time. Maybe because I was doing what she would have advised anyway.
The early morning chill had given way to a pleasant warmth by the time I approached The Coop. Maybe because I had not been introduced to anyone else, it was the logical choice. Or the only one?
I found Dallas behind the counter arranging some breads and cookies for sale. “Bonnie. Come in and have some coffee. And a cookie? If you haven’t already had breakfast.” He winked. “Or even if you have.”
“No, I didn’t come to be a bother. I-I just wondered if you’d sold anything. Hoping I hadn’t stuck you with things that would take up space and not move.”
“Oh no, we’ve already sold some for sure. They are very collectible.”
“You think so?” I hadn’t ever had feedback except from the woman who I thought was my mother, and she was prejudiced. “I’m glad.”
“Yes, in fact, let me get you some money right now.”
“That’s not how the contract for the consignment read.” I wanted to be professional here. “I can wait. Don’t want to owe you.” I started for the door, but he stopped me in my tracks with his next words.
“How about a job?”
I turned around to face him, trying not to look too eager when I remembered something. “I don’t have any documents.” Which, I knew from my time online were required for any type of employment. As a newborn kidnapping victim, there would not have been any record of me.
He shrugged. “Are you good at homesteading stuff?”
Since that was all I’d done since I was born… “I can do some things.”
“Great. Maybe you could come to work for my sleuth. We’re looking for someone to help out on the lands, and the job comes with room and board as well as a generous salary. That is, if you don’t have a better offer.”
“When would you need me to start?” I wasn’t sure if I would take it, but that sounded like a logical question a prospective employee might ask.
“Today if you’re available.” He made some notes on a sheet of paper on his countertop. “I can take you there when I close the store.”
“I don’t have anything with me, and, to be honest, I don’t really feel like going home first. Not today at least.”
“That’s fine. I’m sure we have an extra toothbrush somewhere and probably something you can sleep in.”
“Can I do anything to help you until it’s time to go?”
“You sure can. I’ve been meaning to inventory all of the items in this part of the shop.” He led me over to a series of shelves covered with wood carvings. “I’ll get you a tablet, and you can get started.”
It helped calm my nerves to have something to do, and I followed Dallas’ instructions, photographing each carving and noting its price. It seemed they were thinking of selling more items online, and this would be for their website.
Made sense to me, and I also added a written description of each. I hoped it would help. As the day wound down, I began to get nervous again at the thought of meeting a whole sleuth of bears.
A lifetime of warnings against being around anyone, but especially alphas, must have stuck.
Chapter Ten
Archer
I took the chuck roast out and checked it for tenderness when my phone buzzed. Dallas and Justice had a specific notification tone, and they didn’t text unless they needed something. We saw each other all the time, so there was really no need.
On my way home. Bonnie is with me.
I almost dropped the pan. Instead, the corner of it swiped my wrist and burned me. I yelled out while my heart attempted to throw itself out of my chest.
