The sign above the twenty-four hour open restaurant read 'Sunshine Hill's Restaurant'. The outside of the building was a bit worn down, that's the usual in these old towns of Maine; they don't receive a lot of love and are left to the care of everyone in said town. 'Sunshine Hill's Restaurant' is, in my opinion, an amazing place for pancakes.
Shelly, one of the waitresses, greeted me and my co-worker, Zeke, before calling out to Zane, the owner of the place and cook, to place 'The Wardens Usual'; we come here often. We sit down on the bar stools near the door, you never know when a call will come up and we need to leave quickly, and both give our smile and nod of appreciation to Shelly.
Zeke Decker AKA Warden Decker swivels in his spot with his right arm resting on the counter and his body facing me. "So, have you heard about the new base being built in my section? They even told me they have a "new warden" to watch over that area and no longer need me there to patrol the area," Zeke strikes up a conversation.
"Yeah," I answered and nodded my head to help with my answer. "Have they told you who the new warden is?" He opens his mouth to answer but I knew what he was going to say before he even said it. "And before you go 'do you agree with them?'; to answer that stupid question, remember not an idiot here, no."
"I was not going to ask that question," he blurted quickly with his arms crossed over his chest. I rolled my eyes in retaliation and he swats me with the back of his hand. "Shut it. Anyway, no they didn't tell me who the warden is; just telling me, with a threat, not to ever go in that area again. Tipps can be mean sometimes," he mumbled the last part.
A barked laugh escaped my lips and I covered my mouth with my hands in embarrassment of catching everyone's attention in the place. Zeke snickered silently at my expression but stopped when his eyes saw the sight of our food. My mouth was watering at the sight of the food steaming with heat.
The ginger waitress brings out of the usual for us: me with three fluffy pancakes, two over-easy eggs, and a glass of orange juice. While Decker has hash browns, three over medium eggs, and a glass milk. My stomach growled not-so-silently at the sight of the food and a blush of embarrassment grew on my cheeks.
My partner in crime gave me a small glare, knowing the reason of me being hungry before turning his gaze to the steaming hot pile of food in front of him. I turned my gaze to Shelly, mouthing 'thank you', then eyeing the food in front of me. I dug in and groaned at how amazing the pancakes tasted on my taste buds.
We ate our food quickly so we can carry on with our conversation about the secret base being built. "Okay, that was delicious like always; the Tri-Cities never had great food like this. Anyway, Tipps can be but maybe she is trying to protect you from whatever the military is building there. It might be for snoopy adults, putting their noses where they don't belong," I teased the dirty blonde walking with me back to my Ford truck.
He rolled his eyes like it was the stupidest comment he ever heard as we went to our respected sides of the truck. I open the driver side door, hop in the tall truck, and sat my butt down on the leather, semi warm seats. Zeke joins me inside of the truck and puts on his seat belt (safety first), I quickly follow him after.
My hand touches the keys in my front pant pocket, sticking the truck key into the ignition, and start the powerful sounding truck. It rumbles quietly to life and the A/C blows in both of our faces, cooling us down from the heat of spring. Maine does have its cold winters and warm summers; hopefully this spring will bring a bunch of rain this year.
"Anywhere else you need to be princess?" I teased my great friend while giving him a poke in the arm and backing out carefully of the parking lot. They don't make them big enough for trucks like mine to have an easier chance to pull in and out of. We were swiftly on the road, heading in the direction of the stores, I do need some supplies.
"If I'm the princess, you're the prince to save me from the evil dragon and no thank you," Zeke threw back and poked me multiple times in the arm. This is why we are friends; since I moved here when I turned eighteen, he has been there for every step of the way, helping me become the Game Warden I am today.
Shaking my head with a smile on my face from his comment and silently giving him the bird, I focused on the road so we don't crash. This stretch of road is dangerous for deer to randomly appear out of nowhere, making my job a bit harder and sadder for the death of humans and animals.
It wasn't a long drive until we made it to the nearby supermarket and left the parked truck. I pressed the lock button (can never be too safe with towns like these, I should know, I patrol them) and my Ford powerstroke F-350, nicknamed Powerstroke, beeped to let me know he is locked.
My eyes saw the sight of Zeke's gun in its holster on the left side of his waistband. This made me subconsciously placing my hand on mine attached to the right side of my belt. As officers of the law with permits to carry a concealed weapon, we are allowed to carry our guns with us to protect the public and ourselves when we are off duty.
You might think carrying a gun will make things worse in a satiation but it had saved my life more than once. It was like any normal day, hanging with one of my friends, Zeke, at Sunshine Hill's when a man came in with his gun raised and a mask over his head. The sun was setting at the time, telling people night is about to fall and smart people going home. Both me and Zeke pull out of our weapons and talk the guy down from the robbing the place or shooting anyone inside.
Robert Dalal was later convicted of attempted robbery as that was the only charge Zeke and I choose to give him. He admitted to the problems of his past catching up to him, forcing his hand to steal money for his daughter's wedding (sadly he wasn't able to make it but truth be told, it was his fault) and apologizing profusely to the both of us. We both felt bad for the man yet he did what he did and needed to do time for it.
The small parking lot of the supermarket was one-third full, giving us the privilege not having to walk as far if it was during the weekend; this place is packed like sardines on Saturday and Sunday. We entered the older building and were greeted by the lovely smell of the bakery. Note to self: make sure to get some donuts.
Warden Decker followed me around like a lost puppy. With a basket in hand, full of the needed supplies from the store, I lead my friend to the front of the store and purchased what was in the basket. Before we left, I made sure to get some donuts for the both of us.
After the swift stop at the store for what was needed, we headed home after a relaxing day off from work. Being a game warden where there are barely any of us and we are spread out thinner then paper is hard for anyone, including the veteran who served four years in the army. Dominick Steele is another game warden and a great friend of mine. I also knew him from when I started as a game warden.
Gladly the ride home wasn't long from our position, only being a thirty minute drive; living out in the country does has its perks while at the same time has its downfalls. Jay, Maine is pretty small compared to some of the surrounding towns with there being around four-thousand and five-hundred people.
Driving down the road that connects mine and the Lennox's houses to the main road wasn't the greatest. It has potholes, huge potholes might I add, with goat heads (pokey's) covering the most of road. This gave my dogs a wonderful time picking out the pokey's from their paws; it's not fun.
My eyes glance over to the Lennox's house near mine; our houses aren't super close like any rural areas, we are about a football field away from each other. A depressing sigh left my mouth at what I didn't see; my friend, considered brother (I have known him since moving here when I turned eighteen), William Lennox, Wild Bill, has yet to be heard from these past months. It has been especially hard for his wife, Sarah, and his seven year old daughter, Annabelle.
Zeke shoves me to gain my attention; it sure worked as he almost caused me to crash into the pasture fences surrounding the only two houses for a couple of miles. "Hey, he's going to come home, don't you worry," Zeke assured while gripping my shoulder tightly and shaking it slightly.
Rolling my eyes and swatting him with the back of my hand, I park my white Ford truck between my patrol vehicle and Zeke's patrol vehicle (he drove here this morning so we could drive together to Sunshine Hill's). A white and red sign read 'Ford Parking Only: violators vehicles will be graffiti and later blown up'.
"You wouldn't turn my wife's truck into a children's coloring book because it's a Ram, right?" Zeke questions with nervousness in his voice. His wife's old truck was a Chevy and finally gave up so Talia, the wife, bought a Ram truck a few days ago.
A playful smirk graces my lips and I shrugged my shoulders. "I don't know, Rams are my second favorite with Fords, of course, being number one. Your wife is cutie, I'll have to think about it," I leisurely threw out there while pulling out my house key and walking up to the front door of my house. My partner in crime gasped and gave chase after me.
Instead of being able to get in my house quickly and getting caught by Zeke, I make a mad dash for the back of the house. I turn my head to look behind me and at him barely catching up to me. But he still was able to gain centimeters at each step closer to me. "Catch me if you can!"
He chases me around the house a couple time, and mind you this place isn't that small, until us both got tired and slowed down to a stop. We faced each other with our hands on our knees, breathing hard from running as much as we did. Both of us are fit as our jobs are demanding to stay fit so we can run after the bad guys, fetch injured hikers, and doing search and rescue missions.
"Ha! You're too slow to catch this," I joked and pointed to my body still catching my breath. He flips me the bird, he got it in return, and we made our way towards the front door. On the way there, he decided to push me lightly which I returned the favor and it turned into a full blown pushing war. Well, until he pushed me into the beam holding the overhang of the porch and I faked being seriously hurt. All that it gave me was a small headache.
Holding my head in my hands and making a somewhat realistic crying sound, I force tears to fall down my face and look up to Zeke. "Fuck! Aubrey! Are you okay? I'm so so so so so sorry!" he cried and kneeled down next to me. Right as he was about to touch me, I cracked up and couldn't keep in my laughter any longer.
Zeke's face morphed from worry and concern for myself to anger and disbelief; he immediately stood up, glaring down at me with a frown, crossed his arms over his chest, and turned away from me. "That wasn't nice Brey. I thought I actually hurt you badly, you're lucky I love you like a sister or I would leave your ass laying right there."
Standing up while giggling not-so-silently to myself and gripping on the wooden beam next to me, I shake my head with a playful smirk thrown his way. My hand scopes the key chain that fell on the ground and stepped in front of the door. I unlock the door to my humble abode and we enter my house.
"Like usual, make yourself at home and blah blah," I muttered and quickly entered the living room. Both of my dogs jump excitedly in their kennels (they are not to be trusted without adult supervision. Many items have been lost to their jaws) and I release them one at a time.
Kodiak, my Husky/Lab/Rottweiler/Mastiff mix one and half year old, jumped around like the puppy he is but from his training, knew not to jump on me (he weighs about one-hundred and fifty pounds already). Vivian, my Bulldog/Pitbull/Boxer mix one year old, bounced around and jumped on Kodiak for the fun. They wear each other out most of the time and do very well in their kennel when I am gone for being less than two years old.
"You already released the hounds? What have you done!?" Zeke gasped in fake shock and horror as he takes off running to the kitchen. He's not at all allergic to the dogs but loves to overreact with the littlest things; he knows to act mature when the time calls for it. The dogs heard the running of his footsteps and gave chase, almost tripping each other in the process.
"You just fucked yourself," I called out then head back out to the truck to grab the bags of food and came back inside. I set them down on the counter closest to the living room and watched the whole ordeal unfold.
Multitasking with watching Zeke run around the lower story of the house and putting the ingredients of some low supplies, I laugh as he slips and fall on his ass in kitchen to the left of me. "Told you so." He gives me the bird in retaliation and hurriedly stood of the ground as the dogs come barreling through from the living room.
"Why don't you call them-ack!" he attempted to finish his sentence yet he was interrupted by Vivian licking his face and sticking her tongue in his mouth. It didn't help with Kodi standing on his thighs and pushing against Zeke's chest, Kodi has a weird fascination with standing on thighs.
"Kodiak, Vivian, off," I commanded with my voice firm, no room for arguing and they listen. They leave Zeke alone, he gets off the floor and dusts himself off (my floors are a bit dirty). The dogs goes to the door and waited to be let out. They usual do this when they need to go to the bathroom or they sniff around mostly in a large circle. "Could you let them out please?"
Zeke gladly listens not before mumbling underneath his breath something on the lines of me being bossy. I don't pay him any attention and head up the stairs right by the front door. After getting up the flight of stairs and turning left down the hallway, I head to the second door on the left. It faces out to the trees and landscape surrounding the house, giving me a pretty view of the landscape.
All that was needed was my five blankets for snuggling with myself while watching either a movie or T.V show. Whatever is on the T.V that will hold my attention until night time will suffice. I grab my Seahawks, three wolf's, and a wool blanket, drag them down the stairs with me, and hop on the large couch in the living room.
It takes a few minutes to comfortably settle with all five blankets surrounding me. By that time, Zeke lets the dogs back in and joins me on the couch. The T.V is switched on, playing the show 'Lucifer'; Tom Ellis knows how to play his part as the handsome devil and has an amazing voice, just like Tom Hiddleston. Both are hotter than hell and can have me kneeling in front of them with one word.
We watched the show for awhile until the quaking of a duck caught my attention. Groaning from being annoyed of having to get up from my comfortable spot, I untangle my body from the blankets and head into the kitchen where my phone lays. The reason my ring tone is a duck is it sounds weird and catches my attention much easier than a normal ringing sound.
The ID reads 'Talia Decker', I immediately slid the accept button on the screen and hold the phone up to my ear. "Hey Talia, what do I owe the pleasure of having you call me?" I greeted while walking into the living room and facing the husband.
"My lovely husband isn't answering his phone, I'm sorry to disturb you in the first place, and I wanted to ask you if he is still with you. He didn't follow through with feeding the cats before he left the house, it was one simple chore but you know men, dead brain dodos," she responded.
"Don't I know it. Yes he is here; I guess I'll have to send him on his way. And don't worry about bothering me, if you ever, ever need my help at anytime, wherever I am, call me and I will be there as soon as possible," I offered and glaring down at the man sitting on the couch a few feet away from me. She said her thanks before hanging up on the phone.
"Zeke, get your ass up and out the door. You need to listen to your woman or you're going to get the boot," I hissed with my voice firm, just like when I do it to the dogs, no room for argument and he listens. He gets off the couch and leaves the house after saying his farewells, leaving me to my lonely four bedroom home. The dogs are here and do love to snuggle.
Sitting back down on the couch and calling both dogs to me with a shout of their name and a 'come here', they come to my call. The large black mix named Kodiak for his size snuggled against my right side while Vivi laid right on top of my lap, attempting to get a couple licks of love in (mind you, she isn't a small dog being around fifty pound and nearly impossible to move when she doesn't want to move).
Time passed quickly without me knowing until finishing the rest of the season brought me out my watching inventively mode. Pushing Vivi off of my lap (having a lot of trouble) and untangling myself from the blankets, I go around the house, locking all the doors so the intruders have a harder time getting inside the house.
After dealing with securing the house, I pick up all five of the blankets and carry them up stairs with the dogs following close behind. I plug in my phone (always need to keep it charged or there will be problems in the morning) to have it charge during the night and slip underneath the covers of my queen bed.
Kodiak lays on my legs while Vivian lays with her head next to mine, already passed out from a 'hard' days of work (note the sarcasm). This is how I usual sleep with the both of them; they only give me an inch of my queen bed to move around. Moving them in the first place is impossible, the problems of having big dogs, they will not move if forced.
Sleep came slowly like usual, insomnia is a serve thing for me and sleeping is a rare beauty for me. Most of the time, I say to myself 'sleep is for the weak' and call it good. This left me to stare at the popcorn ceiling of the house and over think what my mind pulls up inside of it. The insomnia gladly didn't last as long as could have been and I finally feel asleep.
A rumble of an engine and crunching of tires on rocks woke me up from my sleep. My first thought was to grab my gun, which I did, from inside the drawer next to me and head outside to see the intruder is, which was also done. With Will gone and Sarah staying home (she still receives pay checks from Will to pay for the house) to take care of Annabelle, no one should be heading towards their house at this time of night.
Mind you, our houses are about a football field away from each other and the road that connects us has sharp rocks and goat heads covering three-fourths of it. Before exiting my house, I used my brain to remind myself to slip on a pair of tennis shoes so the goat heads wouldn't bother me.
My eyes carefully watched the headlights and taillights of the maybe black GMC truck pull up onto the concrete slab and next to Sarah's silver Chevy Tahoe. With my 9mm in hand, I got ready to shot the intruder with it pointing down to the ground. I not very sneakily sneaking up to be about twenty feet away from the truck and watched as the door opens and out steps a man. It was too dark to tell who it is yet I still kept my gun pointing down and eyes trained on the man.
"State your name and purpose of being here!" I ordered and saw the man jump in surprise. He spins around to face me and gets ready to hit me with his fists, he must of thought I was closer and decided to bring fists to a gun fight.
"Aubrey, it's me, Will," my supposedly missing friend spoke up in a whisper for some reason. My mouth dropped down in shock, I immediately ran up to him (gun still in hand), and wrapped my arms around my friend. After a couple of seconds of a reunion, I pushed him back slapped him hard across the face and set a glare at him. It didn't matter though, he wouldn't be able to see it in the first place.
"You motherfucking horse dick, I should kick your ass to Jupiter and back for worrying us, specially your fucking wife and kid. Oh, I'm fucking pissed off at you and I would shot you into a pile of flesh and bullets if I didn't love you as brother as much as I did," I grounded out while pushing my pointer finger against his chest during my speech. But standing here next to the truck gave me a weird feeling in my stomach as if I was being watched from someone other than Will.
He moved away from me, most likely worried about me fulfilling my thoughts, and ran into a problem; the truck he arrived in stopped him from going anywhere. "O-okay Brey, I'm sorry for worrying you but could you let me go. I wanted it to be a surprise for Sarah and Annabelle," Will apologized and sounding like he was sorry.
Standing back to allow him to have his own personal bubble again, I put the safety on my gun back on and shooed him towards his house. "'Kay, don't give Sarah a heart attack please," I paused for a moment, "Just know, I'm glad you're back, safe." With that, I made my way back to my house while having my stomach twist and turn from the weird feeling around the damn truck. Damn, should have asked him about it. Where did he get it in the first place?
Welcome to a new story! Hope you enjoyed the first chapter. First things first, this story is a bit different from others you have read. I slightly based the main character off of me, not entirely though. Next, the story is mostly staying on Aubrey, and is somewhat of a slow burn romance. It's just how her personality is.