Undercover Eagle

by Harmony Raines

  “I have some last-minute shopping to do tomorrow, and I promised Steph I’d look after the children,” she said. “Can’t you see in the dark? I don’t mind if we walk on the lower slopes.”

  “Of course. As a bear. Oh, that’s what you want to see?” he asked.

  “Don’t tell me you’re jealous I would rather stroke your bear fur?” she said.

  “No, not at all. He will look forward to it.” He looked up. “Here’s Dominic, I should get going. Want to come meet him?”

  “Sure. I can come meet my competition.” She opened the truck door and slid out. The morning sun was higher in the sky, but it didn’t take the chill out of the air, and in the distance she could see the clouds gathering. “Is it going to snow?”

  “I think it might,” Theo said. He lifted his head and sniffed it. “Definitely.”

  “A white Christmas,” she said.

  “It’s white here every Christmas if you are on the Bluff,” Theo said, putting his hand on the small of her back and leading her towards Dominic, who was putting a chain around his push bike and locking it. “Hi, Dominic, how you doing? I wanted to introduce you to Zara.”

  Dominic looked up suspiciously. “Who is she?”

  “She’s my mate,” Theo said, a low warning in his voice.

  “Oh, I thought maybe you’d reported me to the probation officer,” Dominic said.

  “Why would I?” Theo asked.

  “For eating your Chinese last night.” Dominic smiled. Which lifted his features and made him look very young and vulnerable.

  “Funny. The guy’s developed a sense of humor,” Theo said.

  “Must be from spending the evening with you, it brushed off,” Dominic said.

  “I can’t help it if I know how to make the ladies laugh,” Theo said.

  “Wow, so is this the real Theo?” Zara asked. “Get him together with another male and he has to strut like a peacock.”

  “I am not strutting,” Theo laughed. “Not much, anyway.”

  He put his arm around her, and kissed her cheek. “Here comes Dylan. Business before pleasure, so I’ll see you tonight.”

  “Tonight. Will you be showing me your bear?” she whispered in his ear as he pulled away.

  “I’ll show you anything you want,” he said, and she swore he blushed. Clearing his throat, he said, “Come on, Dominic, let’s not keep the boss waiting.”

  “Waiting any longer, you mean,” Dylan said. “You put Jed up to that, didn’t you?”

  “Why would I?” Theo asked innocently.

  “So, you can seduce your mate with coffee and pastries,” Dylan said, brushing crumbs off the front of Theo’s jacket. “Got you.” Dylan flipped his finger up and caught Theo under the chin when he looked down to see the crumbs.

  “Oh, funny. I’m so pleased you set a good example to the young people who work for you,” Theo said.

  “It’s called reprimanding my staff for time-wasting,” Dylan said. Heading to the office, he asked, “Are you going to come too, Zara?”

  “I don’t want to get in the way.” She still wasn’t sure what she was doing here. Dylan had hinted at wanting her advice, but she knew nothing about construction. Maybe he wanted to show off his construction empire, but that wasn’t his style, and she’d known how rich he was before he moved back to Bear Bluff a couple of years ago.

  “You won’t.”

  “At least I’ll be able to keep my eye on you if you join us,” Theo said, and then lowered his voice. “And believe me, I cannot keep my eyes off you.”

  “I hope you aren’t teaching Dominic to be this corny,” she replied, but his words warmed her inside. In a way hot coffee and pastries never would.

  “I wish. I struggle to get through to him,” Theo said, looking serious, as he watched Dominic enter the office behind Dylan. “He listens and learns what I tell him about roofing. But the rest of it…”

  “What?” she asked, her hand squeezing his. “You can talk to me, I won’t say anything to anyone else.”

  “Even Dylan?”

  “Even Dylan,” Zara promised.

  “I went to see him last night, Dominic. I was worried he might be about to skip town, which would violate his probation. Part of them coming to work here means they don’t leave town without permission.”

  “Does he have family elsewhere? It’s nearly Christmas, you can’t blame him for wanting to spend it with his family.”

  “That’s what I thought, but he had a photo of his mom and dad and younger brother, and when I asked if they were his family, he said they were. As in past tense.”

  “So they’re all dead? Poor kid,” Zara said. “It’s tough, at this time of year, I can tell you that from experience.”

  “What about your mom? I thought she was alone too, she didn’t go back to your step-dad?” he asked, appalled.

  “No. But she did find a new husband. The guy’s a sweetheart, but she gets nervous when I’m around him. As if she thinks I might do it again.”

  “Wow, that sucks. So you’ve struggled on your own, since you got out of juvie?”

  “I don’t know if I’d call it a struggle. I worked hard, and met people like Dylan who had been through the same thing. But every Christmas, I worked to take my mind off not being part of a family. I got invited to other people’s houses, but it never seemed right to intrude.”

  “But you came to stay with Dylan and his family?” Theo asked, frowning, and she knew he was trying to figure out if there had been an ulterior motive, if she did have a crush on his boss.

  “Yeah. I finished teacher training, and am looking for a job teaching. It’s easier to be flexible, so I left my job at the library and applied for every job I could, ready to move at a moment’s notice.” She held her hands out, palms up, and shrugged. “I couldn’t face sitting at home alone, and he was the first one to offer. So I said yes.”

  “Must be fate,” he said.

  “You know, I’m beginning to think you might be right.”

  Chapter Eight – Theo

  He didn’t want to let go of her hand, so they stood at the back of the office while Dylan went through their work plans. This was the last day before they broke for Christmas and rather than starting any new jobs, they were expected to finish off as many jobs as they could, and report back to the yard once they had completed each task.

  Dylan had prioritized the jobs, and everyone had a worksheet to complete.

  “I know it’s tough, but we can get this done. Most of you have already finished up your jobs, so I’m expecting you to help out those who have a lot of unfinished work. I know the snowstorm we had last week delayed some work, particularly your roof, Theo.”

  “We can get it done,” Theo said. “If we get moving soon.”

  Dylan smiled. “If you let go of your mate’s hand, I’m sure you’ll move along a lot quicker.”

  “I might, but I’m struggling to let go.” He grinned as some of the other people in the room turned and cheered him.

  “At last. Man, I never thought I’d see the day,” one man, big, broad, and dark haired, which seemed to be a characteristic amongst the men of Bear Bluff, or perhaps it was a bear thing, came over and congratulated them. “I’m Jed. Now I see why Theo wanted me to stall Dylan, you sly bear, you.” He slapped Theo hard, and Zara cringed when he offered her his hand and then pulled her into a bear hug.

  “Don’t worry, he won’t crush you,” Theo said. “But hands off, Jed, she’s mine.”

  “Someone’s going to have a good Christmas,” Jed said, and winked.

  The color rose in Zara’s cheeks. They truly were like one big family, something Zara was going to have to get used to. “Good to meet you, Jed,” Zara said. “I didn’t realize Dylan employed so many people.”

  “We expanded a few months ago, when Matt invested both his time and money into what Dylan is trying to achieve. There are other businesses with these young people working for them. It’s been a success.”

  Theo look
ed at Dominic, who was waiting by the door. It was time to make a move and get as much work done as they could. The earlier he finished, the sooner he could be out on the mountain with Zara. A shiver of excitement passed through him, and his bear growled, encouraging Theo to get out and get his work done.

  “You’re still here, Theo,” Dylan said, coming over. “I thought you’d be out there, getting that roof finished. I need it watertight by tonight.”

  “I’ll try to get out and help Theo and Dominic when I’ve finished,” Jed said. “My workload is clear. I just wanted to poke my head in and see Grace first. Her baby is due any day, and Matt isn’t back from his business trip until later tonight.”

  “Give her our love. And let her know if there’s anything she needs; we’re here for her.” Dylan turned to Zara. “Ready? I thought we’d start with a tour around here, then we can join Theo at lunchtime.”

  “So you can check on my progress?” Theo asked.

  “No, I thought you two might want to have lunch together. And I was going to give you a hand to finish if you are still behind. Of course, if you don’t need the extra help, let me know, I can go home and put my feet up in front of a nice warm fire, while you are freezing your bear hide off on the roof.”

  “Now we see how the great Dylan Taylor built his empire!” Jed exclaimed. “By making others work while he lazes in front of a fire. I’m going to phone that journalist who was digging around last year, what was her name…”

  “Tessa Conway. I’m sure she’ll flesh it out and make me look like a tyrant,” Dylan said.

  “Quite the colorful life you lead,” Zara said, “And there was me thinking you left the city for a quiet life in the country.”

  “Truth is, I enjoy being busy,” Dylan said. “Which is what you all should be, Theo.”

  “See you at lunch, Zara,” Theo said, kissing her cheek. He inhaled deeply and then pulled away. “If you don’t show up now you’ve tempted me, Dylan, I might just quit.”

  “We’ll be there,” Dylan said.

  Theo left the office, which had emptied of everyone else, besides Amanda, who was on the phone at her desk. He put his hand up, and she smiled and waved, then her glance swept over Dominic and her expression changed: it was a fleeting look of sadness. Of course, the chances were she knew the kid’s history, and knew what had happened to his family. The perks of being the person who sets up interviews with probation officers, yet she was also the most discreet person Theo knew.

  “Let’s get this roof finished, Dominic,” Theo said, suddenly eager to get on with the job. He would love to have it finished early, so Zara got to see the mountain in the light, and then they could watch the sun set together.

  “So she’s really your mate, then?” Dominic asked when they got into the truck.

  “She is. Zara came to visit Dylan, and it happened, just like that.” Theo took a sidelong look at Dominic. “It will happen to you one day.”

  “I’m not in any hurry for that to happen,” Dominic said.

  “Why? It would be good to have a family, wouldn’t it?”

  “I’m not into that kind of thing. Too much responsibility.”

  “You’ll change your mind when you’ve settled in Bear Bluff, it takes a while. When I moved here six months ago, I thought I’d feel like an outsider. My parents lived here when I was a kid, but that was long before I could remember. But everyone has been great.”

  “I’m not planning on staying,” Dominic said, then he quickly added. “I mean, once my probation is up.”

  “And where do you plan on going? I’m willing to teach you my trade, all I know, but it will take a couple of years for you to gain the experience you need. Stay here, please, Dominic.”

  “I can’t,” he said, and turned his back on Theo. “I don’t belong here.”

  “You will if you give it a chance.”

  “It’s not for me.”

  “Whatever is troubling you, I want you to know you can talk to me.”

  “Sure.” Dominic swiped his phone, chose a song, and put his ear buds in his ears, effectively ending the conversation.

  Theo sensed the sadness in Dominic and didn’t press him to take them out. They had time; Dominic’s probation lasted another five months. There was nothing Theo could do to stop him leaving afterwards, but he sure planned to use the time to persuade him to stay.

  Chapter Nine – Zara

  “Are you going to tell me what you are up to?” Zara asked Dylan as they left the yard.

  “What do you think I’m up to?” he asked.

  “I think you are dodging my question,” she said, settling back in the seat. His truck was warm, and the scenery was wonderful, in a cold and frosty morning kind of a way.

  “I want you to meet some of the young people I have working for me first.” He smiled sheepishly. “You worked your ass off to become a teacher.”

  “I know,” she said, studying him. “It was worth the long hours studying and working to pay my tuition fees. It means I only have half a mountain of debt.”

  “About that,” he said. “I’d like to take care of it.”

  “No… Dylan, whatever it is you have planned, you are not paying off my students loans.”

  “I’d like to. Even if you don’t take up my proposal…”

  “Which you have still to share.”

  “OK.” He pulled over and switched off the engine. “I showed you the yard, you met some of the kids I have working for me. There are also others in jobs around Bear Bluff and Bear Creek. Shifters who were in need of a fresh start.”

  “I think it’s amazing what you are doing here. I can see how Theo cares about Dominic.”

  “Yeah, it took a bit of persuading starting off, working with an inexperienced person. It slows them down at first, but soon they catch on and it’s great.” He ran his hand over his face.

  “Hey.” Zara patted him on the shoulder and then left her hand there. “Can I tell you how proud I am of that boy who left juvie with nothing but a dream?”

  He turned to her, his eyes misted up. “That’s what I want for these kids. And more. I want them to have choices. I want them to have an education.”

  She let her hand fall away from Dylan’s shoulder, shock registering on her face. “That’s your proposition? You want me to teach them?”

  “Yes. I want them to all be able to read and write, and to not feel that this is where their journey ends. I don’t want them discriminated against for having a bad start, for making mistakes.”

  “I can understand that. I truly can. But me?” She leaned on the door, looking out across the fields, the town of Bear Bluff. “I have no experience. I’m fresh out of teacher training. They won’t respect me.”

  “Are you scared?” Dylan asked.

  “Scared?” She turned back to him. “No. I’m not scared. At least, not in the way you think.”

  “Then what way?” he asked.

  “What if I let them down? They deserve the best.”

  “And you are the best,” Dylan said.

  “Flattery.”

  “You forget. I know you. I know why you became a teacher.” Dylan took a moment, searching for the right words. “And that’s why I want you in on this. That’s why I’ll clear your debts and give you what you need to help these people. Because I know you feel the same way as I do, because you’ve been where they are.”

  “I get it.” She did get it. She got what it was like to not finish your education. She got the stigma of having to go to college with just a GED to your name, because right at the time you were supposed to be studying, you were in court, and your mom was lying in a hospital bed. “It’s just not where I saw my life going.”

  Dylan laughed, a real belly laugh. “You came to Bear Bluff for Christmas, you met a man who said he’s your mate, and now I offer you a job. How could you see where this was going to end up when you accepted my invitation for Christmas? But it doesn’t mean it’s not right. In the same way you’ve accepted that Theo
is the man for you, you just need to take a leap of faith.”

  “And trust to fate,” she added.

  “And trust to fate.”

  “You’re a good salesman, Dylan. It doesn’t surprise me at all that you are where you are today. I have to say I admire you, and what you are trying to achieve.” She meant every word; he’d turned his life around, and made something wonderful here in Bear Bluff, something he was inviting her to be a part of.

  “I am achieving it, Zara. What started off as one man’s dream is becoming a vision everyone is sharing. I worked hard with Jordan to get the project off the ground, then I was blessed when Matt came to me with bigger ideas. Fate has touched me too.”

  She sighed, resting back in her seat, her fingers pressed to her lips as she fought to put what he was asking into some kind of order. Where did this fit into her life, where did Theo fit into her life? “If I’m honest, I’d always hoped to find a job in an inner city, you know, helping widen the aspirations of kids there.”

  “This isn’t the inner city, but the kids need their aspirations widened all the same. They’ve taken one step forward by committing to us for their probation periods, and when that’s done they have a choice, they either carry on their training or leave. I would like them to leave with at least some sort of education.”

  “It will take some figuring out.” She nodded. “Whether they get their GED, or if they just walk away literate, with no qualifications.”

  “I’ve talked with the local high school; they are willing to play a part in it.”

  “Wow, this is not just a dream.”

  “No. With or without you, I’m going to do this. But since I know and trust you, I want it to be you and me who put this together. Well, mainly you.”

  “It’s exciting! Something I would be proud to be a part of.”

  “So, that’s a yes?” he asked.

  “That’s a yes.” She nodded again and smiled, which became a grin. “If I hadn’t met Theo, would you have asked me?”

  “It was in my mind, but when you met Theo, it all came together and kind of consolidated. It’s what I’ve wanted, but I had to find someone suitable. It’s not just about being a teacher, it’s about understanding the other side of us.”