The next morning I woke up and put on the heavy tan jacket with the federal ranger badge on the breast that Pete gave me the day before yesterday, I braided my long hair and pulled on a pair of hiking boots before going outside. Curious to see what else might be in the garage I walked into it. It was nearly empty save for random tools and such around, except in the corner of the garage sat an old motorcycle. I thought for a moment before walking up to it. The key for it was in the ignition, I had briefly rode a motorcycle earlier in my life and remembered how shifting it was similar to shifting a car.
I started it up and I roared to life, it was an old Harley that was a little too big for me to handle with comfort. I figured that I would ride it to the auto shop, that way I could just take my SUV to work from there. I ran back inside and grabbed a backpack with everything I needed for the day before getting back on the bike and taking off down the road. In Washington there were no laws about having to wear helmets while riding a motorcycle.
I pulled up to the shop and clumsily came to a stop and got off the bike. Jacob came walking out.
"What do we have here?" He asked chuckling.
"Another present from Carl," I said laughing, "A motorcycle way too big for me. How's my Woodie?" I asked
"As good as new! Carl apparently had bigger motor put into it, this baby can top speed at about 120." Jacob explained.
"Awesome!" I said, "How much do I owe you?" I asked going for my backpack to retrieve my wallet.
"Don't worry about it, we had the part just laying around, and it really didn't take that much time to fix." Jacob waved me off.
I looked at him disbelieving, "Are you serious?" I asked
"Completely, I had my top mechanic do it, and it took him no time." Jacob explained.
"Well can I at least give you this bike as thanks?" I offered
It was Jacob's turn to look at me with a disbelieving look, "This?"
"Yeah, is it not a good bike?" I asked
"No, it's a badass bike, but that's to much!"
I laughed, "This thing is way to big for me to handle, I love riding on the back of them, but driving them doesn't come naturally to me." I explained tossing him the keys, "Please I beg of you, take it off my hands, it would just continue to sit in the garage if I took it back home."
Jacob shook his head, but finally conceded saying, "I will give it to the guy that actually worked on your car. He loves old bikes, he'll be just as ecstatic as he was to work on this old thing." He said patting the hood of the Woodie.
"Well it's the least I can do for taking care of my car."
We parted ways when I figured I better leave before I became late to work, Jacob told me to say hello to Pete and I was on my way.
On my way to work I noticed on the passenger seat was a pile of fabric, grabbing it I realized it was a jacket, a large one at that. It must belong to the mechanic that Jacob said worked on my car. I mentally noted to stop by the shop sometime to return it.
Pete commented on how nice my Woodie was when I pulled up to the field office, and before I knew it we were on foot walking around in the woods, Pete pointing out important things here and there. He informed me that the biggest pest of all that we would come across would be teens partying in the woods and diving off the cliffs. He asked me if I had any combat training of any kind, I told him I took years of karate and kick boxing growing up, and that I had defended myself a couple times living on my own in San Francisco. Apparently a lot of people like to be doing things they aren't suppose to be doing in the cover of the forest.
The next two days were filled with orientation and getting to know my new surroundings. The coast was beautiful, and James Island sat in the near distance from First Beach.
Saturday came quickly, and I found myself grocery shopping in town. The sun was out today, I wore less layers today, only a long loose grey cardigan with a white loose blouse and light colored jeans with tears here and there, and black Birkenstock sandals. My fingers were adorned with numerous rings and a black leather bracelet was wrapped around my wrist, large circular sunglasses covered my green eyes from the bright sun.
I drove my SUV away from town and spontaneously decided to visit First Beach because it was such a nice day out. When I pulled into the small parking lot of the beach, there were no other cars. I got out and walked down the beach leisurely.
The sun was high in the sun, it was just after noon by now, as I looked out across the water, James Island was in the distance, no fog covered it from sight. Looking at the horizon I thought just about life and how well things have finally turned out for me. I was finally able to leave the nest, to leave home and be truly independent and my own person. For my whole life I strove to be where I was today. I smiled at the thought.
Suddenly noise came from the other end of the beach, toward the parking lot. It was laughter; I was no longer alone on the beach. I decided to start heading back when my name was called out.
"Charlotte!" My name was called again, I turned to look.
Seth was running towards me, with no shirt. I laughed as he stumbled over a dip in the sand.
"Charlotte!" He said now in front of me, "I knew you were here when I saw your car in the parking lot. What are you up to?" He asked walking with me toward the parking lot.
"Oh you know," I started, "Just pondering life." I said wistfully
He laughed, "Well don't ponder too hard, we wouldn't want that pretty head of yours to get any ideas of leaving. Come on, I want to introduce you to my friends, Jacob is here too!" He told me pulling my arm towards his group of friends.
"Aren't you cold?" I asked laughing
"I've got a higher body temp than the usual person." He explained rubbing the back of his head
I shook my head and followed him.
His group of friends consisted of eight or so boys and a couple of girls here and there.
"Charlotte!" Jacob greeted cheerfully coming up to Seth and I.
"Hey Jake" I replied
"How's your amazing car treating you?" He asked
"Amazing!" I exclaimed, "It runs like a charm! I can't thank you enough!" I responded
"Don't thank me," he said, "Thank Embry," he turned away and called for the man named Embry.
A tall man the same age as Jacob, and just as tall -around 6'4"- walked up to Jacob.
"What's up?" He asked, a deep voice coming from his mouth, making me shiver slightly.
"Are you cold?" Seth asked curiously tilting his head.
"No I'm fine" I responded quietly
"This is the owner of that Woodie," Jacob said motioning to me.
I looked up at the man named Embry, his eyes connecting with mine, and suddenly it was like the whole world disappeared other than him and I. I felt my cheeks heating up under the intense stare of his chocolate eyes, they were a warm brown that seemed to stare into my soul, and I felt myself melting.
There was a clearing of a throat nearby and I snapped out of my daze. Embarrassed I looked everywhere than at the man that seemed to have caught my undivided attention earlier.
"Embry," Jacob said smirking, "This is Charlotte, Charlotte this is Embry Call."
"Nice to meet you," His smooth voice said as he stuck his hand out for me to shake.
I smiled shyly, "Nice to meet you too," I shook his hand, sparks seemed to shoot up my arms, "Thanks for fixing my car." I continued.
"Thanks for the bike," He replied with a cute smile.
I realized that I was still holding his outstretched hand and quickly dropped it.
"So what are you up to today Charlotte?" Jacob asked chuckling at something secret
"Nothing much, just taking a walk before Seth ran into me." I explained, "And I told you to call me Charlie," I smiled stubbornly.
He smiled back, "I know an older guy, the chief of police in town, called Charlie, don't think you want to get mistaken for him."
I laughed, "You're right, I forget sometimes how Charlie is actually a guys name, Charlotte is just too girly for me I think."
"Charlotte is a beautiful name," Seth said disagreeing throwing his arm around my neck.
"Come and hang out for a bit, yeah?" Jacob asked
I thought about it for a minute, unsure, then looked at Embry for a split second, he was staring at me. Something in the look of his eyes told me to say, "Sure, why not". And Seth cheered and dragged me away from our small group toward the rest of his friends.
I was introduced to a number of people, there was a Sam, Paul, Jared, Quil, Emily, Brady, Collin, and the only non-native person was a girl named Renesmee, she looked to be about a little less than Seth's age. There were others too, but I couldn't remember their names. Some of the boys were playing a game of football, and I was standing a little awkwardly to the side. I was never good with social situations where I didn't really know anyone. My hair was blowing annoyingly in my face so I pulled it back into a messy bun. Suddenly a bottle of coke was put into my line of vision. I looked up to see Embry looking at me with an unreadable look on his face.
"Thanks," I said shyly taking the coke, our fingers made contact, making me shiver once again, the act reminded me, "Oh!" I looked up at him, "I have something of yours!" He looked at me questioningly, "It's in my car," I said starting toward the parking lot where my Woodie sat.
He quietly followed me. He didn't seem to be much of a talker. Getting to my car I opened the driver's door and had to climb into the cab to reach over to the passenger's side to retrieve his jacket.
"I found this in here when I picked up my car at the shop," I explained handing the jacket over to him, his hand covered mine as he went to take it from me, I shivered once more. He must of seen this, because instead of taking the jacket and keeping it, he opened it and draped it over my shoulders, I looked up at him suddenly.
"Thanks, but you seem to need it more than me right now." He smiled softly down at me.
I blushed and looked down at my feet, then gathered courage to look up at him with a smile, "Thanks" I said putting my arms through the sleeves. The jacket was big on me, but gave me warmth, it smelled like a man's jacket, like the forest and cologne. Together we walked back to the group in silence, I never knew how to talk to attractive guys, I was always the awkward girl struggling with the right words to say to them.
Getting back to the group Seth came up to me and chatted about random little things, making polite conversation. Then some of the girls came up to me and asked about my life back in California, and if it was true that it was always sunny and warm. I laughed at told them that it was usually, but that we did get some bad rain storms, but we were in a drought for the last couple of years, we definitely didn't get rain like they did here in Washington. I eventually warmed up to the girls, they were all kind and told me about the best places to shop in town and around Forks. The boy's game of football grew in number and now all of them seemed to be playing. They tackled each other and went long for the ball with amazing speed. I watched Embry unconsciously out of the corner of my eye as I continued to talk with the girls. He was faster than most of them, and the long sleeve thermal he wore showed off his muscle, giving suggestion to the strength he has. I made myself stop staring at him and focus on my ongoing conversation with Emily, Kim, and Renesmee.
The sun had almost fully set when I realized I should be heading home, I had to work tomorrow. I walked up to Seth and told him I had to get going, then up to Jacob who was standing by Embry.
"I've got to be heading home now Jacob, I have to be at the office early tomorrow." I explained to him.
"Well maybe we will see you sometime when you're on your patrol, we've been known to get stopped by Pete a number of times for cliff diving." Jacob laughed.
"Thanks not funny Jacob! You can get seriously hurt by jumping off those cliffs!" I warned
Jacob laughed at me and said, "We've been doing it for years now and no one had gotten hurt."
I thought for a minute before saying, "Do you know how many species of fish and sea life you..." I went on and on about the endangered species and whatnot that they could be interfering with.
Jacob laughed harder, and Embry looked amused, "You are definitely a ranger," he mused, "I can see why they hired you." he teased.
I scoffed and turned away, "See you around Jake," then looked back slightly toward Embry and said softly, "It was nice meeting you Embry." with a shy smile.
"You too," He said softly staring at me as I turned away and headed to my Woodie.
When I got home I realized that I was still wearing Embry's hoodie. I smiled at how sweet he was, and how few words he spoke. It also scared me how deeply the feelings I felt so quickly around him were. That night I slept in his hoodie and it was the deepest sleep I had gotten in a long time.
I have much more written! So review, favorite, follow and I will try to have the next chapter up tomorrow!