by Kinney Scott
“This town could be used as a film set. Half the buildings are empty. What’s going on in the booming town of Ashwood?”
“I met your sister, Linnea. Seems she was invited along on a girl’s night out with Nate, Kels and Amanda. She seems great.”
“Yeah, she is fantastic. I should have begged her to come help with Mosquito sooner. She knows my weaknesses, and takes care of things I dread doing, all without making me feel like a fool.”
“You’re lucky. Family can either help in the best way possible, or know exactly which buttons to push to really piss you off.” Iris’ laugh sprang in his ear - he could tell she had some of each in her experience.
Wade had to laugh with her, “Yes, pissing each other off. That sums up my relationship with dad - We are so much alike, it irritates the hell out of both of us.”
“I get that, my brother and I never have connected. Mom feels like she failed us somehow, but it’s too difficult to patch up, now that we’re so far apart.” Iris shared, feeling safe enough with Wade to reveal a bit more about her life.
“When did you all leave Kansas?” he asked, hoping she would reveal more of her past.
“Mom moved to Texas in 2007, after Dad died. My brother and I moved away around the same time. The farm was always his dream, after he was gone…” Her unspoken pain trailed off to silence.
“I’m sorry you lost your Dad. I can understand not wanting to stay on the farm when it isn’t in your blood.” He waited, as her quiet lengthened.
She pushed the conversation back to a safe topic. “Where do you plan to stop next?”
Well, I feel like I’m ready to push home. It should take me about twelve hours. Iris, would you mind if I came directly to your place? It might be late.”
“Sure, you know where to find me. If I am still closing up, come over to the bar.”
“I will hunt you down.” She could hear the shift in his tone from caring to predatory, and looked forward to the moment when he prowled back into her life.
***
Ravenna tried to call Wade, attempted to email Wade, and sending a text got the same result. Nothing. Each call to Mosquito was answered by the same woman. Linnea. This voice was new to her, but for a new hire she seemed surprisingly seasoned. The stalling tactics were growing tiresome. Ravenna had a plan to bring this ploy to a decisive halt.
After scanning Ashwood on the internet, Ravenna came up with an idea. She sent a quick email to Whitewater Homes. An efficient reply came from a woman named Natalie Journey. She assured her they would be happy to arrange temporary accommodations in the area. Natalie gave her a choice of location for the tiny home she planned to rent for a few months. Considering her options, either on Lake Osprey about thirty miles outside of town, or near Whitewater Homes, she chose the spot in Ashwood.
Ravenna responded the same day. Natalie, thank you for your help in arranging accommodations for my stay in Ashwood. I would prefer the in town location, and will be arriving in a week. Later this morning I will call to give you my information and a deposit. Again, I appreciate your help, and look forward to meeting you in person.
She smiled to herself, Wade might be big and powerful, but she was small and mighty.
**
Before dawn, Wade climbed back in his new truck. The road was just as lonely as the previous day. Signs warned of limited services the next forty-five miles. He gassed up at a small truck stop, grabbed an extra bottled water, and drove north through a flat barren valley flanked by low mountains. As the sun rose, the stark red and gold landscape appeared scorched by new morning light.
Crossing into Oregon felt like home. By Burns, the roads began to look familiar. He sent Iris and Linn a text with his location, but didn’t tell his sister he planned to push home this evening. Pines dotted the barren sagebrush as he climbed in elevation toward John Day. With each passing mile, his mind slowly worked through options, recalling all he had endured to get Mosquito Creek going. Battling his father, buying his home, perfecting his craft, each obstacle prepared him for the conflict ahead, and he began to steel his resolve.
Making great time, he didn’t want to arrive in Ashwood until Iris finished with the dinner crowd. Wade chose a slightly longer route through the Blue Mountains, toward Pendleton following the Columbia River. These familiar roads were dotted with locations where his beer had a faithful following.
Stopping by to visit an owner of a popular pub, Wade looked forward to catching up with Dave. Over the years, a friendship had grown from their initial professional connection. Wade caught Dave’s attention as he first sat down, and ordered a beer to pass the time until his friend had a moment.
Dave spun a chair around and relaxed for a moment, his arms draped over the wood-railed back. “Wade, mind if I join you? Looks like you’re alone on the road again.”
“I’d be thankful to have your company. I took the long way home from Las Vegas and thought I’d stop in.”
“Vegas? Did you win or lose.”
He shrugged, “Broke even I guess, didn’t gamble much. I was attending a brewing conference. Not a bad time, but I look forward to getting home.”
“Well I’m glad you stopped in. I heard Mosquito was tangled up with some of the big beer distributors. You had me worried. I thought you sold out.”
Wade winced. The news that traveled had not taken a favorable spin. “I didn’t sell out. Mosquito has only outgrown our current brewery, and needs to expand. We’re still located in the same small town, and have a taproom scheduled to open this June. Can I send you an invite to the grand opening party?”
“Sure, I may not make it opening day. Next time my wife plans to visit Portland, we will stop in and take a look at the new operation, if you can give a friend a tour.”
“I’d love to Dave. Just send a text when some dates line up and I will make sure I’m available. How are your kids?” Dinner arrived, Dave spent a good while talking about baseball, dance classes, and his summer plans for a vacation to a colossal water park.
Wade tried to listen - all while tallying through customers that needed a visit for damage control. Back on the road, driving quieted his mind. The inky dark, the sound of the seams in the pavement, and the engine’s low growl grounded his steady calm.
**
Linnea finally shut down the computer at nine that evening. Her half-finished sandwich from the Stop and Shop lay dry and unappetizing on a paper plate near her elbow. She tossed it in the trash and tidied her desk. Satisfied, she hoped clearing the tasks from her long to do list would free her brother from distractions when he arrived tomorrow.
All week Seth, Rick, and Kent had labored tirelessly to complete the office for Mosquito ahead of schedule. Tomorrow Carlos would begin the finish work. She had selected furniture, but wanted Wade to have the final word.
A sharp knock at the office door sent Linnea leaping from her chair with a yelp. Rick slowly eased the door open with an apologetic grin, looking potent in the blue and khaki uniform of the local volunteer fire department. “Sorry, Linn. I didn’t mean to scare you. I spotted the light on after an aid call, and wondered if we forgot to shut things down.”
“That’s okay, Rick. I guess I should call it a night. An aid call, is everything all right?”
“Yes, a little old lady. She’s actually one of our regulars. Between the fire department and the sheriff, she finds a way to have a visit a couple times a month. We know it isn’t anything serious, but I guess someday it could be. We rush over there just the same. Half the time she apologizes, and offers everyone a cup of coffee.”
“Oh, that’s terrible! She needs a hobby.”
“You’d think so, but honestly I think she likes having men around.” He laughed.
“Well, that is creative.” She laughed and looked slightly alarmed. Blurting out, “Are there women out there who make up an emergency just to meet a hot guy in uniform?”
Rick turned a little red, and burst out laughing. “Not all women are so easily deceived by
a uniform. These clothes can’t mask a fat guy with plumbers crack.” Then she realized what she had said, and laughed along with him. Rick didn’t need the help of his uniform to get a second look.
“Why don’t I help you lock up, Linn? Unless you have more work to finish. I can always stick around and catch up on a project. I don’t like you here alone.”
“Actually, I was about to call it a night. Thanks.”
Even after their long chat at The Northside followed by the steamy kiss that invaded her dreams, he had kept a respectful distance. At work, he was usually quiet. Away from Whitewater, Rick spent much of his time-off with Kent. She worried Rick may not ever ask her out, but hoped to keep him as a friend.
Watching Linnea tidy up the office, he couldn’t resist a glance at her soft lush curves as she bent to stash her laptop in the cabinet. She moved with efficient precision and was quickly ready for Rick to lock up. He walked her across the lot to her car. For a moment, he attempted to shake off that familiar awkward hesitation, and find a way to taste those sweet lips that had been giggling with him a few moments ago.
Before he could plan his next move, she reached for her door, opened the car, and leaned against the frame - the metal and glass forming a wall between them. With one elbow leaning on the top of the door, she smiled. “Thanks for checking on me Rick. Next time I work late, maybe I can buy you a sandwich and entice you to join me?” Her eyes warmed with desire.
“You know, Linn, I’d like to take you up on that.” He said sincerely, hoping she would. Feeling the heat increase between them, he wondered if she had just asked him out.
Watching her car pull away, he climbed into his truck. Something about her was different. She didn’t mess around with tiresome mind-games, like so many women he knew. Linnea was honest and approachable. When she talked about staying late, he knew she actually meant to work. Linnea doesn’t have any idea how beautiful and sexy she is, someone needs to show her. - Rick decided to take that challenge.
**
Nobody would recognize his new truck, but Wade parked toward the back of the Northside lot anyway, and texted Iris. She replied she was finishing payroll. Entering through the side entrance, where he often brought in kegs, he turned right, toward her office.
As Wade walked in, Iris glanced up from her computer, gazing through glasses he had never seen before. Her a sexy librarian look sent heat south. With her hair clipped up in wavy disarray, he licked his lips tempted by the bare sway of her neck. Her white blouse dipped a little too low, giving Wade a peek at the edge of her lace-trimmed bra. Wade shut the door behind him.
Iris locked eyes with this mouthwatering man. His body occupied all the space in front of the door with a formidable presence. Her body warmed under his gaze as he glanced down at the gap in her blouse. The cool breeze of the air conditioner tickled lightly across her now sensitive skin. Maybe the air had pebbled her nipples against her silky bra, or perhaps it was his molten gaze. Wade licked his lips. She could almost feel that tongue flicking across her tightening pink peaks.
“Don’t move.” He commanded when she began to swivel her chair to stand. She froze in place as he walked toward her. Kneeling on the floor between her knees, he parted her thighs. The movement pushed her skirt a few inches up her soft warm flesh. Slowly he slid each button apart and pushed the blouse half way down her back, trapping her elbows in the soft material. Iris felt exposed, ensnared, and aroused.
Wade pulled the chair to him to lick the swell of each breast. “Did you wear this for me? This skirt, this sexy bra?”
Iris nodded, and whispered, “Yes.”
As he pinched her hardened nipples through the lace, rolling the pearls between his finger and thumb, a gasp slipped from her soft lips. Exactly the sound he longed to hear.
“Slide forward.” Came his instruction, and she moved immediately.
Her knees spread wide around his torso. Wade slid his hands up the inside of her smooth thighs, and growled as his fingers teased her wet heat over the edges of her matching thong.
“You have a thing for sexy lingerie?” he whispered.
“Yes.”
“Under these conservative clothes you wear to work.”
“Always.”
Stroking the edges of the lace and decadent silk, he smiled. “Imagining this will kill me.” He slid his hands below the flimsy fabric to tease her slick heat. Iris closed her eyes, absorbing the pleasure.
“Eyes open, Iris, I need to see you come.” Her eyes locked with his as Wade slid two fingers past her swollen wet flesh. His hand tangled with the silky fabric of her thong. Sliding forward, her hips moved to the edge of the chair, seeking more. His thumb pressed against her clit as he eased in deeper, and studied her response.
A sharp intake of air trapped in her throat until he began moving his hand. His fingers slid deep into her slick entrance. When her body tightened around his fingers, he swirled his thumb, and reached up again to tease the peak of her breast. Her back arched, sleek and feline, she looked so beautiful, responding to him.
Wade was hard as steel, but pushed back his own insistent need. Her hips pulsed slightly, seeking more of his unrelenting touch. Iris began to cry out. He could feel the leading edge of her orgasm crest, as she came apart at his command. Pulsing his thumb on her clit, he slightly tightened his grasp on her peaked breast to enhance her release.
Her eyes widened never moving from his as her sensitive flesh responded to Wade’s perfectly timed attention. “God, Iris so beautiful.” He whispered placing soft kisses along the rise of her breasts, still pushed forward trapped in her white blouse.
Once she had recovered, she realized that other than loosening her blouse, not one stitch of her clothing had been removed. She felt both vulnerable and freed by giving him complete control of her pleasure.
Wade stood, pulling her sinuous body against his. He took his time kissing her thoroughly before arranging her clothes back into place. It took a moment for Iris to put her mind back in order.
Wanting to help her finish her day, he asked, “What have you got left to do here? Is there any way I can help?”
Glancing around, she smiled to herself as she realized, yes, she was in fact, still in her office. “I’m not closing this evening. I can be out of here in about twenty minutes.”
“Can I sneak over to your place? I’ve been on the road all day, and wouldn’t mind a shower.” Then added with a heated smile, “On second thought, if you want I can wait for you to join me.”
“Please, go make yourself at home. I won’t be too long. And yeah, let’s take that shower together.” She said with a smile as she stole one more kiss. Flushed and satisfied, she appeared even sexier when she put those glasses back in place, and sat down again at the computer.
“I better leave now.” Before I take you on your desk. She looked up feeling his gaze and he instructed, “Iris…when you come home, wear the glasses.”
“Yes, Wade.” She smiled, and peeked over the rims. Her teeth bit her lower lip playfully, locking eyes with his predatory gaze.
EIGHT
Natalie decided to move her tiny house without Seth’s help. Work on the Mosquito Brewing project brought him home late and exhausted each evening. Instead, she asked Kelsey to accompany her and guide her through the tricky section near the lake.
“I’ve gone through the checklist, Kels the house is ready to move.” Natalie said as she climbed into the cab of her diesel pick-up. She felt confident after the long hours Seth and Kent spent teaching her to pull the heavy precarious structure.
“Do you ever miss living at the beach?” Kelsey asked as she hopped into the passenger seat. She settled in comfortably, after navigating her friend through the tight spots along the long gravel drive.
“I miss Faye, and I wouldn’t trade the experience…it focused my love for Seth.” Natalie thought back to last fall, as she pulled onto the main road. “Leaving Ashwood was difficult, but I needed to know I could make it on my own.”
Natalie laughed aloud, “You mean the surfer!”
“You saw him. He was hot! Every few months our paths cross, but with my new obligations at work, I don’t know how I’ll find time for Mark, especially during summer.”
“I’m surprised. Mark seemed to move in response to the best surf.”
“Yes, fortunately that brings him back to the northwest fairly often.” Kelsey turned her head to look out the window, avoiding Natalie’s scrutiny.
With her head still turned she asked, “Nate, why are we moving your home into town?”
“I got an email, from someone needing to rent a temporary place to stay. She’s working in Ashwood for a few months.”
“What about Ben, I know he likes to escape Portland when he can. Will he be around anytime soon?” Kelsey hadn’t talked to Ben since the engagement party and was almost beginning to miss him.
Natalie stole a glance at Kelsey, hoping to find a glimmer of interest. At one time her friend had feelings for Ben. “He’s traveling back and forth between the coasts right now. His company asked him to oversee a project that involves departments on both coasts. He was perfect for the temporary assignment, because he knows the staff in both locations. I don’t expect him to visit much until this project wraps up.”
“Makes sense, and if he has time to stop in?”
“He can stay with Seth and me. I love it when he does. Ben and I always stay up late talking - trying to catch up for the time we missed.” Nate smiled, feeling thankful for the good things that emerged after the pain of losing her grandfather.
“Where are we taking this beast of a house?” Kelsey asked as Natalie cranked the wheel navigating the main highway into town.
“The only place equipped to handle it. Whitewater. I plan to park it near Wade’s home. I’m sure Wade won’t mind having a neighbor.”
