Page 27 of First Chance
“You don’t see it, do you?”
“What?”
“He’s not mad.” Right at that moment we both hear the muffled, but loud, “FUCK!” roared just outside the barn walls. “Okay, maybe he’s pissed about losing the bet, but that’s because he’s hidden out behind these gates for so long. Going around people who might know who he is, or worse, insist he’s someone he’s not, is his nightmare.”
“Oh.” Lochlan walks back through the back door of the bunkhouse and locks onto target immediately. “No, I think he is mad atme, Hayes.”
“That man doesn’t have the ability to be mad at you.” I snap my neck to look at him because clearly, he is not referring to the same person that I am. “He was in prison surrounded by men for ten years, and then 8 more here. He doesn’t know how to talk to you,” he finishes in a whisper as Lochlan approaches us.
“Let’s go, I’ll walk you to the guesthouse.” He grabs the still-full can of beer out of my hand, and his eyebrows scrunch briefly in confusion before setting it down on the nearest table.
“Good game, Loch,” Hayes smirks.
“Fuck you, Jensen.” Lochlan starts walking and I take the queue to follow him.
He doesn’t know how to talk to you.I don’t believe Hayes, but the best way to prove the theory is to test it. “I’m sorry for beating you in front of the guys,” I say from behind him, and he skids to a stop.
“No, you’re not.”
“Okay, you’re right. I’m glad I won, not because I wanted to beat you, but because I think I can really help make a difference here if you let me.”
He starts walking again, slowing his paceso I can keep up. “I’m still not sure it’s a good idea,” he mutters.
“I’ll be with you every step of the way. I won’t let you down, I promise.” We’re stopped in between our respective houses, lit only by a floodlight across the lot.
“Fine,” he agrees, and I squeal in delight, grinning like a kid while he stares at me unmoving.
“Thank you, Lochlan.” I clap my hands together gently, and he looks more uncomfortable with my obvious excitement. “And, thank you for letting me hang out with you guys.”
He opens and shuts his mouth, but nothing comes out.
“That’s when you say, you’re welcome, Jo.”
“You’re welcome,” he mumbles, making me grin harder.
Maybe Hayes is right, I’m a foreign object to Lochlan, and he doesn’t know how to deal with me.
I bounce a few steps away towards my door and spin in a circle because I’m in such a good mood.
“Goodnight, Lochlan.” I smile at him, and this time he’s paralyzed, staring at me silently until I step inside and shut my door.
I slump against the cool surface and sigh. I did it. I’m going to help him get the money he needs for the security system, we’re going to keep the bears safe, and I’m doing a damn good job at my first job ever.
This is the best day of my life!
* * *
The calendar slides an inch down the front of the refrigerator before I right it and add another magnet. It’s filled withimportant dates and reminders for Lochlan about the business, and I added all the events I’d like to attend over the summer.
“What the hell are these?” Lochlan asks as he comes through the back door, noticing the hot pink sticky notes I replaced the boring yellow ones with.
“If you insist on communicating by ancient means, then I need to add a little excitement to it.” I straighten my calendar again, and it draws his attention to the floral pattern I’ve picked. He grumbles and drops down into the kitchen chair to take his boots off.
“There’s a Memorial Day Charity Banquet that I want to be our first event. It’s honoring veterans and service members.”
“I’m not a veteran.”
“It’s for everyone to attend, fundraise, and donate. Plus, your grandfather was a veteran.”
