CHAPTER TEN
Jack
“Stop thinking about her, she’s not for you,” I growled as I paced across the floor of the cabin.
I’d felt her stare, her probing eyes on me. I couldn’t see much out there in the darkness but I saw the light in that window then I saw her. That pale blonde hair and pensive expression. Then she was gone.
Why couldn’t my brain, and body, be focusing on any other woman in Reverence? Why did it have to be this woman, the one woman I could never go there with. Not only because she wouldn’t let me but because I could never do that to Charlie or Sherry. I’d done enough.
But her sass, her strength and bravery were like sparks in my veins. I didn’t know why, maybe I just had a thing for sassy blondes who could verbally chew me up and spit me out. I’d be no good to her anyway. No experience, no game, no future, no money to take her any place nice.
“No money,” I muttered to myself. My words were loud in the rustic, empty cabin. There wasn’t much in here, just one bedroom, one bathroom, but it was enough. There was an actual bed, sure it needed some of the slats replacing so I could only sleep on one side but I was excited to fix it. There was a two-unit countertop with a hotplate so I could cook some incredibly basic food, which is just as well as my culinary skills haven’t exactly been put to the test over the last twelve years.
The living area was open with a red brick fireplace that looked too dusty to use but luckily, it was late spring. A raggedy but comfy-looking dark red couch sat in the center of the room, and lining the wall was a battered bookcase with a couple of classic novels in there. The electrics weren’t great so I’d resorted to using the candles dotted around the place which gave it a warm cozy glow.
There was a pile of tattered fabric in the corner which looked like it had some animal fur on it so I was kinda worried that a family of raccoons had made a bed here. I guess I’d find out soon. Charlie’s scent filled the room and it was like he was here with me which gave it a homey feeling.
It was enough.
It was perfect and knowing it was Charlie’s haven made it extra special to me.
But if I wanted to eat, clothe myself and grab some tools to do the maintenance the place needed and maybe try my hand at woodworking, I had to make some cash. The couple of hundred dollars I was given as I left prison wouldn’t last me long. I was happy to give Kat my time during the day for free. But my evenings and weekends could be used for other jobs. In the morning, I was going to head back into the town and scout out some of the restaurants and bars to see if they would take anyone on to bus tables or wash dishes.
I stopped pacing and headed to bed to get a good night’s sleep. I stripped my pants off and got under the blanket that smelled kinda musty but I wasn’t fussed at this point. I continued to ignore my dick that perked up anytime thoughts of Kat popped into my head.
A low rumbling woke me up in the night, followed by a soft whine. I panicked for a moment wondering if a bear or wolf had broken into the cabin. I quietly slipped out from the sheets, grabbed the candle I left on the side and lit it. I peeked into the living room but couldn’t see anything.
“You’re not used to sleeping on your own,” I muttered. Normally I would be surrounded by forty other men trying to sleep. I turned and went back into the bedroom but saw something move under the wooden bedframe. My heart was pounding, having no clue what to expect. I bent slowly and shone the candle underneath the frame and couldn’t believe what I saw.
“Well hello there buddy. I’m not gonna hurt ya,” I crooned. The dirty, matted ball of fluff had the decency to let out a gentle woof. The dog looked back at me with wide, uncertain eyes. I wiggled my fingers and it craned its neck, giving them a sniff before ducking back out of reach.
Maybe it belonged to one of the girls? But what would it be doing out here? The dog was dirty as hell and I didn’t think the girls would let him live like that. I’d have to ask Kat about it and damn if the thought of talking to her didn’t make my heart kick a little faster in my chest.
I tried to coax the dog out, but it wasn’t willing to come and I needed some sleep .
“Stay under there all you want, buddy, but I’m going to bed.”
I set the candle on the floor and got back under the covers before blowing it out. Sometime later in the night I woke up and felt something warm snuggled at my back. I didn’t move, didn’t speak, just chuckled to myself that the dog was cold enough to drop its aloof act.
In the morning, when I turned over there was nothing there but some light brown hairs dotted on the blanket. There was a chunk of wood at the bottom of the cabin door which had been hanging loose before I fixed it yesterday. Now it was loose again and I reckoned I knew how the mutt got in last night. The rags in the corner must have been its bed.
I left the cabin, breathing in that beautiful country air and letting the green grass and blue sky fill my view. Heading past the house, I couldn’t help but let my gaze stray to the porch to see if Kat was there. I ignored the disappointment that hit me when I saw the space was empty.
I strolled into town, whistling to myself, swinging by Dough Re Mi bakery for a bagel and some side-eye. It seemed like everyone in town knew who I was, but I didn’t recognize any of them. It was unnerving but I guess it was all part of the deal now.
After demolishing my bagel, I doubled back to ask if they needed any help, even a kitchen assistant, figuring I could do early morning baking before running back to the ranch. They practically laughed me out of the place.
I tried a few more local businesses before I stopped by the local mini mart to grab a few basics to keep me going. I walked past the pet food section and for some ridiculous reason bought a box of dog biscuits, just in case that mutt came back and was hungry.
I was threatened and forced out of the local Smokehouse bar and grill and even Tony’s Pizzeria refused to give me a job and Tony had given everyone in Reverence their first job. Seeing how little money I had left, I was beginning to feel desperate. So when I saw the sign for The Lonely Bison, I figured I had to at least give it a try then I could say I’d asked around everywhere. With a deep sigh, I pushed open the door.
The whiskey smell immediately hit me but it wasn’t unpleasant. An old jukebox was playing softly, a couple of guys were at the pool table and in the corner was a mechanical bull that some old man was currently riding.
“Can I help you, buddy?”
I turned towards the voice and saw a fairly young-looking guy with longish dark hair, dark eyes and stubble. He halted in the middle of stacking some bottles.
I cleared my throat, ready to get told to get the fuck out one last time. “That depends, are you needing some help here?”
He stopped stacking bottles and stared at me. “Help? From you?”
Even this guy knew who I was but he looked too young for me to know him. I shrugged, pretty done with all the shit I’d been getting today. Hell yeah I deserved it but goddammit, I was trying here.
“Yeah, your patrons don’t need to look at my face. Just stick me in the back washing dishes or something.”
The guy gave me a once over and sucked his teeth. “You’re pretty good-looking,” he stated.
I hadn’t had a compliment for over a decade, if ever, and I’m not gonna lie, it felt kinda nice. “Thanks, but I’m not looking to hook up.”
His mouth ticked up on one side. “It was an observation, not a come-on. ”
I didn’t really know what else to say. He hadn’t answered my question and I really didn’t want to repeat myself just for his shits and giggles.
“You can work behind the bar, the ladies’ll love you, and the controversy will increase my volume of customers,” he said, his low voice held a hint of resignation.
It took a moment for his words to sink in. “Wait, you’ll give me a job?”
He shrugged. “Why not? It’ll be interesting to see what happens. Just no drinking on the job.”
Since the accident, I vowed never to touch a drop of alcohol, which wasn’t a biggie when I was in prison but I wanted to keep it that way. I had zero interest in drinking ever again.
“Not an issue,” I replied.
The guy nodded. “Great, start Friday? Get here for seven.”
I was so astounded that I’d gotten a job that I think I just stared at him for a full minute.
“Do you want a picture?” he joked, a rusty laugh leaving him.
I blinked, clearing my vision. “Sorry no. I just, really didn’t expect you to say yes.”
He shrugged again, a lazy lift of his shoulders. “Eh, I’m being selfish, I think you’ll make me some money.”
“I’m not sure I will but I won’t push my luck. I really appreciate this, uh, what’s your name?”
“Max,” he said.
“Nice to meet you, Max. I’m Jack,” I held my hand out.
“Ya don’t say.” He shook my hand and he had such a mischievous smile that I decided so far, I liked Max.
I left the bar and walked back towards the ranch, feeling the crushing weight lifting from my chest. I had somewhere to stay. I had found a way to work off some of my guilt for the Cartwright family and now I had a job that would earn me a little money too.
Life was looking up.