Love at First Mate - Badlands Territory

It’s Robert. He says he’s there at the shop so come on inside when I get there, he’ll be in the back.

My stomach flips. The idea of starting my own business has me excited about my future, but nervous I’ll fall flat on my face.

I want to honor my mother and the legacy she provided for me. She worked hard raising me, working as a legal secretary but we weren’t rich by any standards. She and my father were high-school sweethearts, that’s until she got pregnant, then, he changed his mind.

We lived with her parents for a few years after I was born but they both passed away before I turned three and my father, he paid a pittance of child support for a few years before evaporating. Word was he moved to Thailand, but I don’t remember him and any more child support was never forthcoming.

Despite the less than ideal circumstances, my mom was always on top of things throughout our life. And even in her death, she did what she could to set me up for success.

“Hey…” I say, getting off my chair and gathering my jacket and purse. “You know anyone that could do some work at my house? I’ve got a few fix-its and fix-ups I’d like to do…”

“Sure. Ragnar is a local guy and he keeps the price right for folks around here. He does great work, all sorts of stuff. I don’t have his number handy, but he usually comes by once or twice a week. Give me your number and I’ll pass it on.”

“Okay.” I smile and nod, feeling a friendly bond growing between us.

She pushes a napkin and pen my way and I scribble down my cell.

“When he calls, don’t be put off. He comes off as a bit of a grumpy asshole, but he’s a good guy. Takes care of his grandma like she’s the queen, so…that says a lot, right?”

I nod, heading toward the door when she adds, “He’s also six foot six and drives the world’s biggest red pickup.”

I freeze in my tracks and ask, “Does his pickup happen to have a Leave Me Alone bumper sticker?”

“Yeah. You’ve seen it…? It’s hard to miss.”

I wave goodbye without another word and head out the door to meet Robert, my mouth turning dry as I look toward the mountains. I don’t know if the people that live here ever get over the fresh air and the view of the snow-capped peaks, but I don’t think I ever will. I feel at home here, like a calling, and even though I’m pretty much alone in the world right now, I don’t feel lonely.

But, I do feel horny. And all the horns on my horny are named Ragnar.Chapter 3RagnarEverything is irritating the fuck out of me.

I want to kill everyone.

“Stop, okay?” I grunt to myself. Talking to yourself is always a little weird but it’s how it is with shifters. “You and I are supposed to be working together, so fuck off and let it go, okay?”

My bear grunts and throws his head around like a toddler having a tantrum.

“Thanks, boss.” One of the crew working with English holds up a Pepsi bottle.

I want to go over and snap his neck, but he’s done nothing to deserve my wrath. The other guys on the job site are giving me curious looks, but I retreat.

I want to kill them all, even though there’s no reason for it. My bear is screaming at me and I’m losing control.

Fucking hell, this is exactly what I can’t have. What I can’t do…

This out of control rage is why I never wanted this. It ruined my childhood. Stole my family…

Just then, my phone rings and I’m fucking thankful for the interruption. My obsessive thoughts about her, as well as the dark mourning of things that can never be forgotten, is getting out of control.

I recognize the number, it’s this local realtor that hires me for odd jobs on his listings now and then.

“Hello?” I answer trying to keep the surliness out of my voice.

“Hey. It’s Robert. Listen, are you busy?”

“What’s up?” I rub my forehead, spreading my fingers wide to squeeze my temples.

“I need you. It’s urgent…”

He explains what’s going on and I tell him I’ll be on my way.

“Oh, one thing…” He adds before hanging up. “Come in the back door. I don’t want my client to know what’s going on. Hurry up, though, okay? She’s on her way.”

I tell him I’m charging him an emergency fee because I have to leave another job to take care of his problems, then I wrap up some things with the guys and head into town.

I may not be overly greedy, but I like my coin. My bank accounts already have enough zeros to keep me and Gran living well, but it never hurts to add a few more.