Chapter Seven
Josie
The situation in which I’d landed was incredibly fortunate. When I ran away from the pack, I never imagined I would end up with a job, a place to live, and plenty to eat—along with my independence. Which was why I was going to have to brush aside the attraction I felt for the three males.
Well, one reason. To start with, they were out of my class. Not that I thought I was ugly or anything, but each of these males was H.O.T. and likely to have every female in that club falling over herself to get their attention.
I lay on my bed, trying to take a nap before going in for my shift, but my mind wouldn’t let me rest. The three of them were always in my thoughts.
And maybe that was natural, since they had been so kind to me from the moment I met them.
Along with their good looks and charm. Giving up on sleep, I rolled to my feet and padded across the room to the shower.
For an old motel turned into a sort-of shelter, the water pressure was really good.
Much better than at home where calling it a heavy drip was being generous.
And it was stocked with shampoo and conditioner and bath gel and lotion.
Thea told me that having these basic niceties helped their residents recover their self-esteem.
Everything that woman did was done with such careful thought.
She knew the story of everyone who lived under her roof, even if they had been reticent about sharing details, and her actions had their best interests in mind.
As she’d explained to me the other night, each female who came was an individual with potential, and her job was to make it possible for them to access that potential.
Each one who moved from the motel on to live independently and thrive was the source of great joy for her.
With some time left before I had to go to work, I dressed in jeans and a T-shirt and sneakers, the formal wear from the laundromat, and made my way to the kitchen to have a bite to eat and see if I could help with the dinner service.
All the females helped as best they could, but many of them were still so deep in their pain, so shrouded by trauma, that their best help involved self-care.
“Oh, good, Josie, I was hoping you’d come in. I made a special dinner tonight, and if you could cut the lasagna into squares and get it on plates, that would be a big help. Unless you’re in a rush?”
“Not at all.” Donning oven mitts, I pulled out the big pans and set them on the counter. “It smells so good. Is this homemade?”
“Of course.” Thea retrieved a big salad bowl and a bottle of Italian dressing from the refrigerator. She poured a few good glugs over the greens and chopped vegetables and tossed it. “I think that’s good.”
“I’ve never had homemade lasagna before. My aunt was not a very fancy cook.” I cut the pasta as instructed and set the dishes one by one on the long table. “I’ve only eaten frozen.”
“Oh, this is not fancy.” She carried the salad bowl over and returned for a basket of sliced bread. “It’s just layering.”
“Maybe one day you can show me how to make it?” I placed silverware beside the plates and went to get glasses out of a cabinet. “Should I fill the pitcher with water?”
“Yes, please, dear. You’re such a good helper. And I’d love to teach you to make anything in my repertoire. Did you do much cooking before?”
“No. It wasn’t my job. I did a lot in the garden, hauled animal feed, whatever I was told.”
“Well, then, it’s time. I’m surprised that they didn’t want you to have that skill. Usually those hidebound packs try to keep their females in the kitchen and want them to learn everything they consider to be ‘feminine.’”
“Most were, but I was generally in trouble, so most of my jobs were punishments.”
“Well hurry and sit down so you can get some food in you before you have to leave.”
The others were filing in and taking their places as well, so I slipped into a seat, heaped some salad next to my lasagna, and ate quickly. My glamorous job awaited.
It was nice working so close by. I was still a little nervous being on the street in case someone saw me who might recognize me.
It wasn’t as if the laundromat offered much protection, but who would think to look for me there?
I felt safer inside with the comforting scents of detergent and fabric softener, the customers folding their towels and gossiping, and the three alphas popping in often to make sure everything was all right.
As I left the motel and started for work, I did wonder if they weren’t checking in a little often.
Could they possibly be interested in me?
If so, I’d need to let them know that I was not at all ready for a relationship.
I didn’t trust males—although I might not need to say that in so many words.
A fine repayment for their kindness it would be to say that.
And I’d have to consider leaving as soon as I could. Getting farther away from both the ghosts of my past and the males who I was far too attracted to for my own peace of mind.