Chapter 12 Shepard
Shepard
I’m just fixing a leaky pipe in the restaurant kitchen when I feel a soft nudge at my ankle. When I get out from under the sink, a wide smile spreads across my face.
“Snowball!”
Thank God! The cat has been missing since the storm. I spent the whole night in the woods searching for him.
Now, I yank the cat up from the ground, lifting him into the air. I’m so happy to see him.
“You’re alive! I thought we lost you, little guy.”
The cat slants his eyes, purring away in my hands as I continue to spin us around. I only stop when I start to get dizzy.
We got Snowball from the local shelter just a few years ago to fix a mouse problem we were having, and he has become our lodge mascot ever since.
The children adore him, even though he’s super serious and nonchalant, and he is popular on our social media pages.
Everyone just loves his solemn expression.
Last year, we dressed him up as Santa, and the Bengal did not look amused in the slightest. But it got thousands of likes. It even went viral.
Even now, as I pepper kisses on his cute face, he yowls, reaching his paw up to hook his dew claw into my beard.
That’s his way of telling me that he’s had enough of my affection. He’s one intelligent cat, after all.
Our on-site cook steps into the kitchen next, chastising me the moment she sees me hugging the cat.
“Put that poor thing down before you squash him!”
Finally, I drop the cat, wiping his white fur off my jeans as I toss the middle-aged woman a sheepish look. “Sorry, Mrs. Partridge.”
She’s just getting her staff ready. Preparations for the Christmas Market are underway, and the first meeting this year will be taking place at our lodge’s very own restaurant.
A chuckle escapes me next as I wipe more of Snowball’s fur off my clothes. “Don’t worry. It’s all good. Snowball and I are tight.”
She raises her brow. “Oh, really? Then explain these.” She points at the scratches on my hands.
I shrug. “Just a show of his unconditional love.”
Now I turn the tap for Mrs. Partridge as she sighs in relief. “Thank goodness! I have a party of ten to prepare for after all. Endless tea and coffee runs.”
A tight smile comes over my face. I don’t envy the woman and her staff at all.
“Well, you take it easy now, okay?” I say as I squeeze her shoulder, letting her get her affairs in order.
“You too,” she replies. “And good luck with the guest!”
I roll my eyes as I head out of the kitchen. A guest has complained about a faulty fire alarm, so I need to get to their room ASAP.
That’s when I stop in my tracks. Noelle has just entered through the double doors of the restaurant, gazing around at the green and red garlands hanging from the windows, uncertainly.
Fuck. Robin told me that he invited her, but I never thought she would take him up on his offer.
Still, I recall our last conversation, and the embarrassing breakfast that I had at her Nana’s house. I start backing toward the kitchen.
Unfortunately, her eyes wander, and then they widen when they land on me. “Shepard.”
There’s no backing away now. In the end, I give up the charade and come closer.
A smile takes over my face. “Hey, Noelle. When Robin told me that he invited you to the meeting, I didn’t think you would actually show.
But I’m so glad you’re here. You always loved preparing the school festival back in the day. ”
The Omega hugs her arms, and I just want to drag her close and wrap my own arms around her.
She can’t be cold. I just fixed the thermostat in here. If anything, she should be hot in that coat and all that wool.
“Well, you can thank my mom. She made me come in the end.”
I bet she did. She’s a stubborn one, that Rebecca Hale.
“Here, let me take your coat.” I offer my hand to her.
The Omega looks at it tentatively for a moment. She concedes next, offering me her coat, hat, and scarf. I even hang them up for her.
Now she wears nothing but a holiday sweater and skirt, and my heart thumps when I spy the wintry scene on the wool.
It’s a snowman.
“Nice sweater.”
“Thanks,” she mutters, staring at her feet.
I have no idea what to say. I hate that things are this way between us. Now I offer her a seat at one of the tables. “Do you want tea or coffee?”
“Coffee will do, thank you,” she replies, never taking her eyes off the table.
I nod and rush to the buffet table that Mrs. Partridge has just laid out. There’s a carafe with ceramic mugs. I pour her coffee, even offering her a cookie from one of the red Santa plates.
Now I wait with her before the others arrive. I have no idea what to say as she sips the coffee slowly.
“So,” I start. “Some weather we’re having, right?”
The Omega glances at me, finally. She’s not impressed by my small talk; I was never much of a conversationalist.
“Well… I'd best get going. A guest has complained about a chirping fire alarm.”
That at least earns me a look of respect. “That’s right… You’re the on-site handyman. Robin told me.”
“Yep!” I posture, puffing out my chest like an overgrown pigeon. “I’m the one everyone calls when there’s a problem.”
Noelle nods. “Yeah, I remember how you liked to fix the lightbulbs back at school. You almost put the janitor out of his job. You even fixed my locker when it jammed.”
I chuckle. “I remember, too!”
Another bout of silence, but it’s not as tense as the first.
My hands slip into my jeans’ pockets. “Well, it was good to see you again, Noelle. And again… I’m sorry about dropping by unannounced the other day.”
Noelle smiles. “Don’t worry. You made my Nana’s year.”
I blink. I’m not so sure how to respond to that. The old Omega did seem rather pleased with my bicep.
What can I say? I work out.
Finally, I make for the exit. Good timing, too: Robin has just arrived with the rest of the committee.
It’s time I left the Christmas festivities to the professionals. I have an irate guest to see to.
And a chirping fire alarm, too.