by Amelia Jade
"Help yourself," he said, leaning up against the wall in the opening, wiping grease off his hands onto a rag.
Her heart fluttered at the way the muscles on his exposed forearms bunched and flexed as he did. If she was honest, it wasn't just her heart that reacted. Andy was a titan of drool-worthy proportions. She was guessing he was a grizzly-shifter, the largest species of bear shifter.
A core of rock-hard muscle was mounted on top of legs of steel. She was no faerie herself, for as a bear shifter she out-massed all but the largest women—and many men, but he dwarfed her in every aspect to the point that she had felt small next to him. That never happened to her. It was...refreshing.
"Are you sure? It's all so neat, I don't know if I would feel right," she said haltingly, still surprised at the sudden generosity that had overtaken Andy after talking to her for all of five minutes earlier. Here he was, opening up his shop and expensive equipment to her, a nobody he had just met.
"Of course!" he said with a wave, beckoning her up the ramp and inside.
The interior was even more impressive than it looked. Rack after rack of wrenches, sockets, pneumatic tools of which she only recognized a few and more were all laid out, organized by type and size, each holding rack neatly labeled to ensure things stayed where they should.
"Wow, this is impressive, Andy," she breathed slowly, taking it in. It was clean, brightly lit and conspicuously absent of clutter and dirt.
"Thank you," he said, pride tingeing his voice ever so slightly. "So, what does Anastasia need most right now?"
"Besides a complete overhaul, you mean?" she teased, finding herself enjoying the slightly embarrassed look that came over his face.
"Hey, look, I'm sorry about that," he said awkwardly, "I'm sure she means a lot to you."
"She does, but right now, I need to finish putting the engine back together," Robyn said, helping him out by changing the subject. "I'm going to need three of these wrenches; are you okay if I take all three at once, instead of coming back and forth?"
"Sure, just make sure you put them all back."
"Thank you, Andy," she said with full seriousness, grabbing the sizes she needed, gripping all three in one hand. "Now back off, there's a lady working on a car. Don't want you to get hurt," she grinned, turning and heading back outside.
"Just make sure you scream and call for the big, strong man to come save you if you need a nut loosened," he called after her.
"Oh, not to worry, I'm an expert at working with nuts," she shot back over her shoulder before blushing a fiery red as she realized what she had said.
Thankfully, Andy didn't have a retort ready for that, so she managed to escape the immediate vicinity, plunking the wrenches down before hopping up the ramp into her trailer to recover the box of loose parts she had to reassemble. It would go so much easier now with the right sized tools.
"So, how did you even discover this as a career?" Andy asked as she emerged into the overcast skies.
"Holy shit, Andy! Don’t do that!" she cried, the box of parts dropping to the ground as she grabbed both the frame of the trailer and her heart in surprise.
"Whoa, easy there," he said gently, holding up his hands before reaching down to grab the dropped box. "I didn’t mean to startle you, I'm sorry. Here," he said, handing the box back to her.
"You're stealthy for a giant," she remarked, moving over to the car, trying to change the topic.
"I actually stomped over here and even knocked one of the wrenches off by accident. I'm not sure how you call that stealthy," he said. "Perhaps you're just lost in your own little world over there."
If you only knew how true that was...
"I guess. But while you're here, start passing me parts. I need that small cover there first, then the bolts taped too it," she said, pointing to the parts as she grabbed the half-inch wrench that she knew was the right size without looking.
"So, how did a nice gal like you get involved with Charlie?" he asked, doing as she directed.
"I needed a change of circuits year before last. He runs his a little differently than most, so I decided to give it a try. Been here ever since." She told him about the different rounds and such that were part of Charlie's system.
"And Charlie himself?" Andy asked. She could tell he was trying to get at something, though she wasn't sure what.
"Charlie is a pompous jerk who loves to hear himself talk," she said honestly, shooting him a glance to see if that was what he had wanted to hear. It appeared to be, based on the satisfied look and slight-relaxing of posture.
"Didn't pick up on that part, myself," he said sarcastically, handing her the second bolt as she tightened the first down expertly. "I see you weren't kidding when you said you were good with your hands."
She blushed at the double-sided nature of his compliment, not feeling up to a reply at the moment. Inside of her, she was feeling different. Her bear was more active than normal, and it was clearly trying to tell her something. Just what exactly it was trying to say, she was unsure of, but it had all started when she walked up to Andy.
The two of them worked in silence, but for her directions of what she needed next. In under half an hour, she had reassembled the engine, hoping that it would fire up okay after the tweaking she had done the day before.
"Okay, turn the key," she said to Andy, who was reaching through the driver's window with one long arm.
He flicked his wrist, sending the keys forward, and the car started with a roar. When no smoke came pouring out of it, she slammed the hood closed and slapped her hands together, happy with the job well done.
"Thank you so much, I would have been at this for hours with the few tools I have trying to get it back together. You really didn't have to help, either, I know it took away from your own work. I feel really bad about that."
Andy just waved it off, trying to pretend like it didn't matter. Content to let him have his little manly victory at 'rescuing the damsel,' she decided not to say anything more.
"I'm going to let it run for another five minutes or so, and then I'll clean up and be out of your hair," she said reluctantly. It was peaceful here, and she did not want to leave.
"Nonsense," came the rumbled reply, his deep voice sending shivers down her spine as it washed over her.
"Pardon?" she squeaked out, not used to feeling so unsettled, but in a good way.
"It's past lunch time. You need to eat," he pronounced, leaving no room for argument.
"I have my own food, you already wasted a bunch of your time with me, you don't need to feed me now." Robyn was a grown woman, and even though Andy seemed set, she would speak up for herself, even when that meant arguing with a mountain of smooth, finely sculpted muscle and gorgeous good looks like Andy.
His brilliant blue eyes flashed at her response, turquoise thunderclouds forming within as he turned to face her. She didn't feel fear at his reaction, but a sense of impropriety washed over her, as if she had insulted him.
"I appreciate your desire not to infringe on my time and space, but I am well aware of what I am offering," he ground out, his voice deeper than before, if such a thing was possible. He ran a hand up through his hair, the finger-length strands of it falling messily back into place.
"Why are you doing this?" she asked, genuinely curious as to why he was being so nice to her.
"I'm not sure," he replied. "Come on, let's go." He turned and headed toward the house, not looking back to see if she was coming.
He's inviting me inside his den. What does it mean? Should I be feeling something right now?
All sorts of thoughts flitted through her head as she watched him stride toward the entrance. Generally, the den of another bear shifter was a private space, reserved only for close friends and mates. Robyn had never lived in a community of shifters before, but she knew that much through innate knowledge and a relationship she shared with her own bear. Her camper, mounted to the back of her truck, wasn't much, but it was her own lair, the private den for her th
oughts and peace. Nobody was allowed in it.
"Earth to Robyn," came the call, the shockwave from his voice seeming to rush over the land until it slapped her in the face. She started, then focused on Andy who was holding open the door, waiting for her. Grimacing at the awkwardness of the situation, she followed him over and into his den.
"Okay, okay. I give up," she said, taking in his house as she walked closer.
It was a single-story ranch house built from what appeared to be a dark brown timber. The driveway came up and split the workshop and the house before curving around behind the shop. The cobblestone path that led up to the house was well manicured and even.
She noted with approval the flower garden that ran along the front of the porch that stretched off to her left. It took up the entire side of the house. The right-hand side was a big bay window that faced west, which probably made for some spectacular sunsets, she thought, looking over her shoulder into the mountains that would frame the falling sun.
Just like the shop, she was impressed at the attention to detail that was given everywhere. Nothing screamed of wealth, and much of it looked like it had been refurbished from one piece or another, but it did tell her a lot about the owner. He was very proud of what he had built and put special care into its upkeep.
"Are you a water or wine kind of girl?" he asked as she took of her shoes.
"Right now, a cold glass of water would be phenomenal," she commented, admiring the beautiful furniture within his house as she craned her neck around to take it all in.
The layout was perfect. Off to her right through an open doorway was what appeared to be a library and sitting area, highlighted by the big bay window she had seen from outside. There was a leather recliner in the center of the room on top of a beautiful Persian-looking rug, though she was no expert on such matters.
There was medium-dark hardwood throughout the entire place, except for the kitchen, which is where Andy was now pouring glasses of water and opening a older but well-kept stainless steel fridge to begin preparing lunch. The tile in the kitchen was a reddish-orange clay color that melded beautifully with the cabinetry, which was a dark brown, almost black.
The kitchen was straight ahead and a little to the right, a big, open-spaced thing with a granite countertop island and stool seats in the middle. As she peaked into it from her spot at the front door, she could see another doorway and what appeared to be a formal dining room.
"Andy, your place is amazing, and I'm filthy. Do you have a washroom I could spruce up in for a moment?"
"Down the hall to your left there, second door on the right," he said, pointing her in the right direction. She waited for the comment about freshening up being overly ladylike for her, but it never came. Her bear was nervous, anxious even, inside of her, like a caged animal pacing back and forth. The walk down the hallway was fraught with tension, despite the fabulous landscape paintings that lined the walls that should have helped her relax.
Something was happening, but neither of them knew what. It was like they were living behind a glass wall that cut them off from their emotions that would let her know exactly what was going on.
You could always tear the wall down to find out.
Shut up! Now's not the time for that.
When is the time? You've been putting it off for how long now? Five years?
It'll be time when I say it's time!
She slammed the door closed in her mind, refusing to acknowledge her inner voice any longer. Some things she was just not ready to face, and this was one of them. It was too hard to acknowledge. Even now, with just the barest whisper of it echoing in her brain she felt tears threatening to spring to her eyes.
Blinking them back furiously, she finished washing herself up, letting the cool water remove the dirt from her skin and thoughts from her mind. When she was done, Robyn felt ready to tackle lunch with Andy. His skills in the kitchen were an unknown to her, and she had a feeling he was better suited to working with machines than a knife and fork.
"Wow," she said, coming into the kitchen and seeing what he had been up to in the short time she was gone.
There was a small platter of cheese, crackers, and various meats all piled up and ready for snacking, along with their waters, each glass filled with two cubes of ice as well. As she grabbed some pieces off the platter, she eyed what he was working on next.
"What's for lunch?" she asked as nonchalantly as possible, though her stomach was already growling at the prospect of some home-cooked food. Too many nights spent on the road at truck stops and fast-food restaurants had all but killed her appetite these days. She ate to keep her bear full, but it was rarely nutritious in quality.
"Well, I wasn't expecting to need much in the way of fancy food, but being that it's still early, I figured some omelet's would be in order," he said.
"Are you serious?" she exclaimed, staring at him.
"Yes? Why, is that not okay with you?"
"Oh my goodness Andy, that is more than okay. Omelet's are my favorite, and I love having breakfast food later in the day!"
Andy laughed, his posture instantly relaxing once she clarified the reason behind her outburst. "Is there anything you don't want on yours? I've got some peppers, onion, mushroom, cheese, and tomato."
"All of it, please. That sounds delicious. I don't know how to thank you," she told him. He tried to wave it off but she continued. "No, I'm serious. You went out of your way to help me today, without even knowing me. There must be something I can do."
"Robyn..." he said with a grimace, clearly not liking the attention to his actions. It just made him more endearing to her, unfortunately for him.
"I got it! How about I get you some free tickets to the show! First round is tomorrow, usually around two in the afternoon."
"Don't get me wrong, Robyn, that is very generous of you, and I would love to go see you." He flushed a little at his comment, trying to cover it up. "I mean, to see the competition. It's been a long time since I've been to a derby. But, I have work tomorrow. It's Friday, and I usually am out on the roads, responding to calls."
"Oh," she said, her excitement at the prospect of being able to see him again dulled by the reality of real-world life. It was stupid of her to think that everyone else could just do as they pleased on a Friday afternoon. Some people, she reminded herself, had real jobs, places that they had to be.
"Yeah, I'm sorry. It's just that work calls first," he said, serving up the omelet's onto separate plates and setting one down in front of her.
"Well, just in case they don't call, I'll still make arrangements to have tickets set aside for you. If you can make it, just go to the ticket booth and ask for Amy, and give her your name."
"Thank you. If I get the chance, I definitely will," he said, flashing her a brilliant smile.
They dug into the food with gusto, the silence in the room only broken by the soft clinking of cutlery on the plates. Robyn tried to force herself to eat slowly, but it had been so long since she had eaten this well that it was gone in moments, leaving her only the barest of remnants to indicate there had ever been an omelets.
"Would you like another?" he asked, eyeing her empty plate as he finished his last few bites.
A loud crack of thunder interrupted her response.
"Oh shit, I need to get the car back into the trailer before it starts to rain," she said, rising with dishes in hand. "Where should I put these?"
"Just leave them next to the sink, thanks." He rose as well, following her to the front door. "I'll give you a hand getting ole Staci back in her lair," he quipped with a smile.
"Thank you," she replied, pulling the door open.
The skies had gone dark, and rain was already beginning to fall from the sky. Only a few isolated drops fell at the moment, but she knew that it would be mere moments before the clouds unleashed a torrent of water. She had been on the road long enough to recognize the signs.
"Fuck," she swore under her breath as she lightly tapped the gas,
sending the car slowly up into the trailer. Throwing it in park and climbing out the window again, she ran back down the ramp, grabbing her end and helping close it up.
"Why the swearing?" Andy asked, looking at her quizzically.
"It's going to rain, and rain a lot. Means tomorrow is going to be muddy," she said by way of explanation.
"And?"
"And I hate competing in the mud. It means I have another factor to keep in mind, and Anastasia has a bit of a habit of wallowing in the mud and getting stuck."
"Ah, I understand," he said, taking a step closer to her, looming over her like the nearby mountains.
Then he hugged her. Startled, she didn't react for a moment, unsure of what to do. Close contact with others was not something she practiced a lot, so her return hug was delayed by several rather awkward moments.
Thankfully, he didn't hold it for long, backing away quickly, as if he had just realized what he had done.
"Uh, well, I should get going," she said lamely.
"Yeah. Good luck tomorrow, okay?"
"Thanks, Andy. I appreciate that," she said with a smile, backing toward her truck for a few more steps before turning and making her exit as fast as she dared, without running.
Questions swirled in her head, darting and diving through her brain as they fought for supremacy. There were so many of them, but after a short fight, one of them emerged the victor, persistent in its quest.
Will I ever see him again?
Chapter Three
Andy
"I think I want to see her again," he told the giant behind the bar.
"Really? That's fantastic Andy. When are you two getting together again?" Jet, the bartender, was one of Andy's good friends, and the owner of the best bar in town, the Quencher.
"Well, that's the thing," he said, embarrassed to continue.
"You didn't ask to see her again, did you?" Jet sighed, resting on his forearms as he leaned over the bar from the other side, until his head was close to Andy's.
"You're one of my best friends Andy, but you're a little dense sometimes. You need to go see her!"
