Chapter 1:
I sat at my computer feverishly typing as the sound of rain drops tapped on the office window. I hated to say that the soggy, very mild summers here had grown on me, but I guess in some way they had.
I moved here 3 years ago to get away from a bad situation. Like a ghost in the night I packed whatever I could and just left. After a couple of days in the car I settled on this little town in the Olympic Peninsula of Washington. I found work in a rehabilitation and long term care facility soon after I settled in and started on the hall as a nurse's assitant. After a few short months I found myself in the Activities department; I loved it! I can honestly say I work with my best friends the closest of which started out as a mortal enemy, oddly enough. I ticked away as the door to the office opened and a brunette with long lush curls walked in. The door slammed shut just as I turned to look at her.
"This day has to end soon or I'm gonna throat punch someone." she growled as she slammed her clip board down.
"Afternoon activity didn't go too well?" I smiled as I turned back to the computer screen to put the finishing touches on my care plan.
"I swear, if I get smarted off too one more time by that bossy nurse I am going to go postal!" She vented as she unceremoniously plopped down in her chair and turned on her work light. I heard her stomache rumble from across the room.
"Listen, Deni, let me go and get this interview for Shelly. Then why don't we blow this popsicle stand and take lunch." My friend clapped excitedly and swivelled in her chair. I turned to grab all the nessicary paperwork and a pencil. All of the sudden Deni squealed,
"Why are you still in here?! Lets go! Move it, Buttercup," she cried, "We are gonna get Chinese, by the way you little, hoe. What do want? I'll go ahead and order it."
"The usual," I answered rolling my eyes. I grabbed my clip board and stood up from my office chair, " Oh! but with a little extra sauce on the side."
"Ok, got it, see you in a few minutes!" Deni said shooing me out the door. I laughed a bit and left the office. She was a mess but it was never a dull moment with her. I closed the door and walked a few feet down the hall. In the distance you could hear a call light going off and barrels rolling and clacking. In that moment I did not miss those crazy nights of endless mayhem. I stopped abruptly infront of a large wooden door and looked at the face page, William J. Black. Then I checked the name plate on the door. It was the right place alright. I cleared my thoat and knocked. I heard some commotion and a muffled 'come in'. I slowly opened the door and put on my best "work" smile.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Black! I am Grace Barnett from Activities." I chirped as I walked briskly to the bed and shook the hand he offered me.
"Call me Billy, Mr. Black was my father," he joked his lips pulled into nice white smile. I relaxed a bit knowing that this interview was going to be pleasant and easy.
"Whatever you want Billy." I replied turning to the others in the room. My anxiety ampt back up again, as I gazed at the. two large, handsome muscular men. Billy turned to the corner of the room and gestured to the Greek Gods infront of me.
"You hear that boys. She knows how to treat an old man," he half heartedly taunted. I couldn't believe at how big these "boys" were. I just stood there with that stupid grin on my face as they came toward me to introduce themselves.
"Grace, these are some of the boys from the Quiluette reservation," Billy stated as he motioned to the two Adonises in front of me. They looked so similar with the same hair cut and russett skin, stacked bodies However one was just shorter than the other which wasnt saying much because they both had to be over six foot tall. The one to the left smiled big and leaned forward,
"Hi, I'm Sam Uley." I took his extended hand and felt the heat radiating off of him. It didnt feel natural to me, it was like he was feverish. He quickly let go and Sam stood back up to his original height.
"Its nice to meet you, Sam." I politely chimed. He motioned to the guy beside him,
"This is Paul Lahote." Paul didnt extend his hand like the other two. I looked up at his scowling face and met his eyes. I felt heat rise up in my cheeks and a slow burn start in my stomach. His eyes were the most beautiful light brown color I had ever seen. I watched as his face changed his too. His thick black brows relaxed as we locked eyes. Paul looked at me with such intensity I thought I would burn alive. I could all most feel a pull. I needed to be near, Paul. It seemed like an eturnity before anyone said anything to us.
"Miss Grace,... Miss Grace." Billy called to me. I reluctantly pulled away from Paul's smoldering stare. Billy politely smiled as I stammered my apologies.
"Its alright," Sam joked, "we know we can be a bit distracting. We can go out if you need us too."
"No!" I almost shouted. They gave me a weird look, "I mean I dont want to run off any visitors. If its okay with Billy you can stay I promise I wont take long." I knew my face had to be the color of a tomato, but they all humored me. Billy agreed to let them stay and we spend the next 45 minutes talking and laughing. Paul had even piped up a few times making fun of Sam. I could feel his eyes on me the whole time as I wrote and prodded Billy for answers.
"Ok, Billy," I prompted, "last question. Is your goal to return home or become long term?"
Billy joking stratched his head,
"I guess I'll go home if these knuckle heads treat me right." I giggled and started to gather my things.
"It sounds like there are a lot of interesting things to do at the reservation," I commented as I stood up from the foot of Billy's bed, "I might have to visit sometime." I noticed by this time that Paul had took out his phone and was scrolling and typing.
"Well you should. In a few weeks we are going to have a cook out and bon fire," Billy said as he took a drink of water, "I am personally inviting you to come."
"Sure! Sounds great. I guess we can talk more about it when it gets closer." I answered excitedly. As I turned to head to the door I bumped into something solid. I knew there couldnt be a wall there so I looked up only to be met with a familiar black shirt.
"Oh, man, sorry. I was just going to open the door for you since I was right there." My heart pounded in my chest as the rumble of Paul's timbered voice rolled through me like a wave.
"Its okay," I choked out, "I should have been watching where I was going." I felt my body ache, wanting with everything in me to just reach out and bury my self in his torso. He smelled so good, sweet and earthy. What was wrong with me? I had never done this before, felt these strange feelings. I blushed a bit as I caught myself oogling him. I quickly said good bye and left. When I made it to the office I shut the door behind me and slid down to the floor. Deni, who was waiting with our purses, started to burrate me on taking so long but stopped half way through,
"Grace are you okay? You're all red," I drug myself up from the floor. "I just met the most beautiful man in my life and I acted like an idiot!" In the quiet pause there was a sudden knock at the door. I turned and opened it. Paul had a lopsided grin on his face holding out a piece of paper.
"You dropped this." he said in a husky voice that almost made me melt. I took the paper from his hand and stuffed it on my desk just right beside me.
"Thank you," I managed to squeak out. He looked me over like a predator looks at his prey. I knew He could see how flawed I was. Too short, too curvy, not at all the type of girl I pictured him with. His smile grew bigger almost like he could read my thoughts.
"Grace, I know we just met but, I was wondering if you wanted to get coffee sometime? Here is my number just text me your number and we can talk tonight if thats okay?"
My mouth was so dry, but I managed a "sure" and, what I hoped was, an appealing smile.
"I'll talk to you later gorgeous," he smirked as he shut the door. After a moment of silence all I heard was Deni,
"Hot damn, can I have one?"