Chapter 1
Chapter One
PATRICK
THREE DAYS LATER
Today’s the day!
The sun is shining, I’ve got my apartment keys, all of my worldly possessions are strategically placed so I can maneuver said apartment and I was pulling up to my new workplace, hopefully my last one for the foreseeable future.
A mixed sense of excitement and disbelief fills my chest. I’m still having a hard time believing I got this job and I finally get to put down some roots. I look down at my arm after putting my car in park, eyes roaming over my tattoos that paint a picture of all the places I’ve been.
All around the world, all types of jobs but never anywhere for longer than a few months but a tattoo to remember each of them. Postage stamps with a picture to commiserate every stop. I’d gotten questions about the ink all the time and why I choose to track my travels in the way I do.
It’s easier to keep track of my own arm than a photo album or t-shirt collection that could get lost along the way. My parents hated tattoos and I think in my younger angst filled days, it was a form of rebellion against them, even though they were dead.
I can’t focus on that today, or anytime soon if I can help it, I need to put on my best face for introductions to my new bosses and workplace.
Pulling into a free space and stepping out of my car, I see a curvy blonde waving at me.
She stands in front of a Warren’s Farm and Apiary sign.
Her smile is so wide, I’m sure her cheeks have to be aching.
“Hi, Lola?” I offer my own wave as I make my way to her.
“Yes! Hello, it’s so nice to finally meet you!
” Lola swats my extended hand and pulls me into a hug.
“Oh, sorry! I’m a hugger. I’m so excited to meet you!
Come, come, let’s get introductions out of the way then I can show you to your temporary office.
” She releases me but grabs onto my arm, pulling me forward, making quick strides to what I was assuming the guest welcome center.
“I’ll introduce you to Mabel, the eldest, and have you fill out the basic new employee paperwork.
Then we can take you to the temp office and introduce you to Elle, the middle child, and your ‘roommate’ while we put the finishing touches on the tour center.
If you have any questions, feel free to interrupt me, I know I’m a chatterbug. ”
I worry she’s going to run out of air as she tells me more about the history of the farm but she stops talking as we make our way in the front door.
A brunette is crouching down towards the floor, rummaging through a wooden crate, what sounds like glass knocking against each other.
“Mabel, get off the floor and say hello to the newest member of the team.” Lola’s voice causes Mabel to jump slightly, knocking her knees against the wooden crate.
“Damnit LJ!” Mabel glares at Lola as she stands and I’m a little in shock before I remember that Mabel and Lola are sisters, not just employer and employee.
If I didn’t know, though, it would be hard to tell these two were related, they looked completely different outside of their smiles, a small dimple popping out of the left side of both of their cheeks.
“Hello, I’m Patrick, you can call me that or Rick, whatever’s clever.
” I stick my hand out but Mabel bats it away and engulfs me in a hug, just like her sister.
I keep my hands away from her body, a little shell shocked by the affection.
“We’re huggers, sorry about that! Let me get a look at you!
” Mabel takes a step back with a giant smile on her face.
She unabashedly looks me up and down, her hands wrapped around my biceps and I swear I feel her give them a quick squeeze.
“Oh my word, this is going to be a great few weeks!” Mabel releases me with a laugh. That earns a scowl from Lola and leaves me standing awkwardly, unsure of what is going on. I cough, “I’m hoping I’m around for more than a couple of weeks.”
“Oh, no! Of course, Rick, you’re going to be here for as long as we can keep you. Ignore Mabel, she’s the crazy sister.” Lola hip bumps her sister. Mabel, not one to back down, elbows Lola in retaliation “Sure, I’m the crazy one.”
“I’ve gotta admit, I’m a little confused but I couldn’t believe anyone who has a part in running this place is crazy.” When in doubt, compliment it out.
Being an only child, I had no way of knowing if this is how siblings acted or if I should be worried by the slight violence exhibited by my new employers.
I must not be hiding my confusion as well as I thought because both girls stop and smile widely at me.
“No need for confusion, Rick. You’re going to love it here.
Let’s get all these papers signed then I can take you to your temp office and I can introduce you to the middle sister and paperwork connoisseur.
” Lola leads me to a desk with a stack of papers I’m very familiar with, filling them out was basically second nature at this point.
After my parents died, I hopped around to anywhere that slightly peaked my interest and changed jobs like they were socks.
I’ve driven tour buses, been a bartender on a cruise ship, a canyoneer tour guide, a zip line instructor and more than I don’t even remember.
For a long time I couldn’t stand to be in the same place for too long.
Staying still brought up the chance of being held down but recently my opinions have changed and my wanderlust has quieted to a whisper.
About six months ago, the ache from losing my parents started to reappear and it felt like my body was rejecting the thought of learning new people, places, things and started to yearn to put down some roots.
It took awhile to find somewhere that I could see myself settling down, then I found the job opening for Warren Farms and Apiary.
I worried my scattered resume was going to be a detriment but it seemed that Lola was looking for my special brand of mess because after one phone interview, she offered me the job and helped me get set up with an apartment close by.
She had originally offered me a place in the bunkhouses that offered room and board to a lot of the Warren family employees but I declined.
I wanted to make my own space and worried the bunkhouse would be too similar to previous adventures where work and home were so intertwined, I couldn’t pull them apart if I tried.
Signing my last document, Lola takes them and places them neatly into a bright red folder with my name written clearly on the front. “Alright, with all that squared away, let me take you to your office. Mabel, would you like to join us?”
The smile that has been permanently affixed to Mabel’s face drops as she looks at her watch.
“Crap, I really want to but I need to head over to the orchard and see what our stock is looking like for the farmer’s market next week.
” Mabel looks genuinely upset to not be walking with me and Lola to my home base and my confusion returns.
Maybe they are just a really hands-on family? The hugs hinted at that, I guess.
Lola shrugs, walking me to the door, “Your loss….again.” we exit the building as a disgruntled sound follows us out. “It’s not too long of a walk but it is a little bit out of the way.” I just nod. “After you boss.”