2. Thoren
CHAPTER TWO
thoren
T he incessant jingling of the back door bells drags me from my dreams. Peeling my tired eyes open, I mutter, “I’m coming.” I slide my feet over the edge of the bed and trudge downstairs in my boxers, silently cursing myself for teaching Shadow to paw at the bells when she has to potty. Read the puppy training books, they said. It will be worth it, they said. Worth it, my ass, when it means that bells are my wake up call most mornings. I unlock the door, giving her a head scratch on her way out, then head to the coffeemaker to start a pot.
I haven’t been sleeping great since I took over the Search and Rescue team while they look for a new department head. The number of calls they get this time of year to ‘check on hikers’ is insane. It all falls on me now if one of those hikers is actually lost and can’t be accounted for. To add to that headache, it’s my day to work at our office in town. I normally love what I do, but sitting in that office just hoping someone calls or walks in for eight hours slowly kills my soul. It’s not our big office that we share with the Search and Rescue and Wildfire teams, but a small storefront in town to make us available to locals and tourists alike. The only bright side is that Shadow gets to come in with me.
After a quick shower, a travel mug of coffee, and a breakfast burrito to go, I load Shadow into my truck and head to the office. For one day every other week, one of the park rangers has to hang out here to be available to the public for information on the local wildlife, hiking, camping, laws, and any general questions they may have. Since we took over the small space two years ago, I have had maybe twenty people come in on my time, hence the soul-sucking boredom.
Shadow and I are having a tug-of-war battle on the floor around noon when the front door swings open. Shadow bounds out around the desk before I can stand up and get a warning out to the patron. I hear her squeal of delight before I catch a glimpse of the woman in front of me. Long dark brown hair falls around her face as she plops right to her knees, giving Shadow love. When she finally notices me standing here, her eyes travel up my body until brilliant blue eyes land on mine. Her naturally tanned skin and brown hair so dark it almost looks black is at a complete contrast to the stark eyes that have rendered me speechless. Shadow nudges her hand, which has now stalled with the pets as we take each other in. My brain and mouth connect before hers do as I stammer out, “Hi, can I help you?”
The woman before me stands so I can fully take her in, my mouth drying at the sight. She’s short and petite in a pretty dress paired with ankle boots and a jean jacket. Her smile is bright, her cheeks flushing.
She giggles as Shadow weaves around her legs, trying to get more pets and attention from her. “Hey, I’m new to the area and was hoping to get some info on the hiking around here. My realtor mentioned you might have a list of supplies that would be good to have any time I venture into the woods. Also, if this is your dog, can I take her home with me?”
“Shadow, sit.” She does immediately, but right at the woman’s feet. “While she seems to be happy with that idea, I could never part with my traitorous best friend. But I can absolutely help you with all things outdoors in the area. Do you have any experience hiking or are you looking for safe, easier hikes? Do you know much about the local area and what to expect in the way of wildlife and plants to avoid?”
Her hands trail through Shadow’s short fur on her head as she talks. “Think of me as a complete novice in it all. I’m from Phoenix, and while there are hiking spots around there, they are nothing like this. I was raised a city girl, and I rarely did anything outside of work.”
Just what we need around here, another transplant that will last less than a year when they experience the rough winter and move right back out. The last type of woman I need to be checking out, but I can’t help myself. She radiates pure kindness.
“I will take any and all advice you have for me. I’m Lily, by the way, it’s nice to meet you.” Her small hand reaches out, and I take it in my own, giving it an easy shake. Her fingers feel delicate, soft, and so warm. My rough, calloused hand dwarfs hers, but I don’t want to let go.
“Nice to meet you, Lily. I’m Thoren and you’ve obviously met my sidekick, Shadow,” I say, letting her hand drop slowly. “What made you decide to move here?”
Her sapphire eyes shutter as her gaze darts away, and she fidgets with her hair. “I’ve always dreamed of getting out of the city. I hit a point in my career where I could do it, so I did.” Her voice is quieter, more reserved, and I hate that I made her shut down. I want to know the real reason, not the clear lie she just told me, but that would be an overstep, so I change the subject instead.
“Let’s get you set up with everything you need to make the most of your time here.” I walk behind the desk, grabbing one of the ‘Bigfoot Vacations Here’ totes we sell. “I’m going to fill you up,” I mumble out as my cheeks immediately heat, registering what I just said. “Umm, not like that.. Sorry… I meant this bag.. I’m sorry.” Running my hand down my face, I take a deep breath, trying not to die of embarrassment.
Her awkward giggle is cute as she talks to my dog, “Is your daddy stumbling over his words? Yes, he is. It’s okay though, we’re all human.” She snorts, then immediately covers her mouth with her hands. “Sorry. That was embarrassing. It’s just, she’s obviously not human.” She points down at Shadow, her cheeks flushing again.
Apparently, I’m not the only one affected and fumbling with my words. “I’m putting a few pamphlets in here. They’ll have pictures and descriptions of the local wildlife and plants. There’s two maps I’m adding as well,” I say as I continue filling up the tote. “A pocket guidebook, a compass, and I’ll even throw in the holy grail.”
I head back to my desk, grabbing my carefully curated list. “It’s my personal list of everything I carry in my backpack when I go hiking. On the bottom is a list of the apps I have on my phone, and emergency numbers to know. Be careful because you won’t always have service. It’s better to be safe than sorry, and this list has been finely tuned over the years,” I can’t help but brag. I love my job and I love spending time in the woods even more.
Lily’s fingers graze over mine as she takes the list from me, and I swear I feel a jolt of electricity run through my body. “Wow, this is extensive. I guess I have some more shopping to do.” She grabs the bag I have outstretched, “Thank you, Thoren.”
“You’re welcome, Lily. If you ever need anything else, feel free to come back,” I try to prolong the inevitable.
She leans down again, giving Shadow a kiss and some chin scratches. “See you two around.”
With that, she’s out the door and I feel the loss of her immediately. I should have asked for her number, or at least invited her to the group hikes I lead monthly. I shoot off a text to Jake, partly to brag and partly to get advice.
Thoren :
You missed out today, a beautiful new girl came in and spent half an hour with me.
I may have been the awkward lanky kid in school, but I have filled out since then. Unfortunately, I am still awkward in person until I get to know someone. Something about Lily has me intrigued, even though I know spending time with her would be a huge mistake.
Jake :
Did you have to tie her up to make her stay? That’s usually more of my thing…
Thoren :
I hate you. She said she just moved here - city girl type. The most mesmerizing blue eyes with dark brown hair. Total killer.
Jake :
Not all city girls are the same dude. How hot are we talking? Like enough for me to stalk around town looking for her?
Thoren :
I said beautiful, not hot. Short, petite, olive skin. Rendered me speechless.
Jake :
Damn I swear I better get a knockout when I’m stuck there tomorrow or I’m quitting.
Thoren :
Sure thing buddy, beers this weekend?
Jake :
If you come out with me, you bet.
I’m not one to judge, but Jake has a reputation for getting around. Aside from college, I have never been a ‘bar on the weekend’ kind of guy, so he knows that’s likely a no from me. We have been best friends since we were kids, but we are total opposites. I’ve always wanted stable relationships and a family, while he has enjoyed the playboy life. I’m a little more rugged around the edges, while Jake is the quintessential bad boy. Somehow, our friendship just works. We are both park rangers, however, he is only part-time until he can make his furniture business a full-time gig. He is a true woodworking master and makes stunning handcrafted items.
No surprise, not a single other person came into the town shop today. I close up at four and head to our large office. I have a meeting with the search and rescue (SAR) team and our volunteers, so I’m bringing Shadow to help calm my nerves. It’s my first meeting being in charge, and we need to plan out training scenarios, schedule who will be available for the next eight weeks, as well as discuss my expectations for the group until a new department head is found. While I have been a volunteer member since I turned sixteen, and am familiar with these woods and zones, this is still not my specialty.
At five, I glance around our conference room, sizing up the numbers we have. Four full-time employees, five volunteer firefighters, and twelve citizen volunteers. Not terrible numbers, and within that group, we have two nurses. For the next hour, we run through schedules, plan out future dates for three training exercises, and discuss how we can work best as a team through this transition period. Around an hour later, we all start packing up and heading out, Shadow posted by the door demanding her goodbye pets from everyone.
Sherry lingers in the room, taking her time packing up her purse which, for some reason, is now half spilled across the conference table. As the last person walks out with a pat on my shoulder, she finally makes her way over to me.
“Hey Thoren, I am so glad I can finally be a volunteer. How fun that we get to do this together,” she purrs, standing too close for comfort. We went to high school together, but she wanted nothing to do with me then. The awkward, skinny kid wasn’t her type. No, she went after the Jakes, the ones on the football and baseball teams. And my brother, she definitely went after my brother, surely seeing a track to money and fame. Now that I have a good career, and I’ve filled out from my lanky form, I seem to have caught her eye. I have run into her in town quite a few times since then and she’s shown interest, even when I was with Jen. She’s not my type, especially since it’s clear her affection is based on physical and monetary aspects only.
“So glad you can be a part of the team, Sherry. It’s nice to see more of the community involved,” I say, taking a step back to grab my backpack from by the door and clip Shadow’s leash back on. The hint goes over her head as she follows me closely, keeping the space between us at a minimum.
“I heard you were put in charge, and I just felt the time was right.” Her voice grates my nerves as she lets her fingers trail down my arm. “I heard Jen left town. It really is a shame. She should have seen how good she had it.”
That’s my cue. “Yep, well, everything happens for a reason. I need to head home. I’ll see you at the next training exercise.”
I bound away from her and into my truck as fast as I can. Avoiding conversations about Jen has become like a sport, and she left eight months ago. I wish people would drop it already. Putting my truck in drive, I give my best girl a scratch under her chin and head home.
After dinner, I grab Shadow’s running leash and set out to do a couple of miles. My two-car garage is half home gym, half actual parking for my truck. It’s great for lifting and running in the winter, but there is nothing like a quiet run in the evening air the rest of the year. On our way out, I notice lights through the trees at Gary’s old cabin. The rumors were that it finally sold, and it looks like the new owner has moved in. I was enjoying being alone on this street most of the time, what with the Campbells hardly here. I hope they don’t mind Shadow running through the woods when she finds something to chase. None of our cabins have fences, so Shadow roams free frequently, but she knows to not venture too far and always comes back.
We completed a nice six-mile run, the lights still shining from the cabin on our way back. I debate stopping for introductions, but talk myself out of it. It’s dark out and I don’t want to freak out my new neighbor, plus I’m a sweaty mess. I make a mental note to try to catch them later in the week. It’s pretty secluded up where we live, so I should probably know my neighbors for safety, at least.
I trudge back into the house and head straight upstairs to the bathroom, turning on the shower. While the water heats, I stretch out my muscles, trying to release the tension of the day. The meeting went better than expected, and I seem to have a solid team that knows I’m wet behind the ears in this leadership role, yet is supportive anyway. If only Sherry could have kept her mouth shut. It’s been at least a month since Jen’s name has popped up unbidden and I thought a new leaf was being turned.
It’s not that I’m still hung up on her; more so, I’m tired of everyone else being hung up on her leaving me. I went through the anger and depression–even got the t-shirt. The bitterness is what is left haunting me. Bitter that I wasn’t enough to make her want to stay in this small town. Bitter that while I was busy planning for a future with a nice home, a marriage, and babies, she was busy planning for ‘something more’.
I take a quick shower, then head downstairs to let Shadow out one more time. While she does her business, I lean against my kitchen island, taking in all the work I have done to my cabin. It was run down and in need of serious TLC when I bought it, but I have turned it into my dream home. I stripped this place down to the studs, replaced all the old pipes, and crafted everything for what I thought would be a perfect family home. It’s still my dream home. That dream just looks a little different now. A little lonelier.
Shadow and I trek back upstairs where she beats me into bed, claiming the center like the hog that she is. I give her some good night belly rubs before rolling over and attempting to sleep. My mind drifts to Lily, the gorgeous woman from this morning with sapphire eyes. I haven’t been struck speechless in a long time, but she took my breath away and wiped my brain clean. My cock stirs at the thought of her, but I scold it, willing it to stand down. I roll over again, letting myself drift to sleep where those blue eyes meet me again.