The next few days I was busy with work, patrolling the cliffs and forest trails every day, and keeping track of what species were around this time of year -mainly a couple different species of sea birds. I enjoyed my work more day by day and became very happy with the life that I had created for myself here.
I was in town, after work on a Thursday, it was the beginning of my weekend, sitting at a diner on the corner of Main street, enjoying a cheeseburger when the chief of police walked in. He took a look around and noticed me, with a raised eyebrow he walked over, "Mind if I joined you?" He asked.
"Not at all, sir" I replied politely
"Name's Charlie," He extended a hand over the table to me.
"My name is Charlotte" I said shaking his hand.
"The new ranger over at Needles Wildlife right?" He asked
"That's right"
"If you need any help at all just let me know, I know there just a few of you over there."
"Thank you sir, I know Pete would be glad to have extra help if we are ever in need of it."
I finished up with my meal and pulled out my money to pay, but Charlie stopped me, "It's on me today," he said, "You can get the next," He continued. I laughed and stood up, "Until next time, have a good night Chief," I told him, he replied, "You too Ranger."
On the way home driving my BMW, I noticed that the shifting was getting worse, the clutch was finally going out on me. Frustrated I mentally told myself that I would take it to Jake's shop sometime tomorrow.
Tomorrow came quickly, and I found myself driving to Jake's with my sketchy BMW, happy to finally be taking it in to get looked at.
I had just pulled up to the shop, and just stepped out of the car when Embry appeared out of the garage. He smiled at me and the butterflies started in my stomach, he must have seen me pull up.
"What's up?" he asked looking at me with kindness in his eyes, I felt myself melting once more.
"Couldn't keep away from me Charlotte?" I heard Seth calling from the office I laughed at him
"No you're just too cute, Seth, to stay away from" I teased
"I'm not cute! I'm more like sexy!" He retorted with a pout
I laughed, "Nope, more like a cute puppy!" I called back
Before he could say anymore Embry turned to him and asked, "Don't you have work to do?"
"Nope!" Seth replied childishly before retreating back into the office.
Embry shook his head and muttered, "I don't know why Jake hired him,"
I laughed and said, "He's adorable," Embry looked at me with another unreadable look, he did that a lot.
I cleared my throat and looked away awkwardly and said, "Anyways," I turned toward my car, "I think my clutch has finally gone out on me." I explained.
"Hmm...mind if we take if for a test drive?" Embry asked rubbing his chin in thought.
"Not at all," I said tossing him the keys.
I got in the passenger seat and watched him as he pushed the seat all the way back and even still looked too big for my car. I giggled a little and he looked at me questionably.
"You just look way too big to fit in here," I explained with another giggle, the look he gave me was filled with a tenderness that made me go silent and stare at him.
He looked away with a different kind of smile and started the car, "It's starts fine," he said putting it in reverse.
"Ahh I see what you mean, you can tell there's something wrong with the clutch when you back up," He muttered, trying to remember everything.
We drove down the road, him shifting obviously knowing what he was doing. We pulled back into the parking lot, and when we parked he looked over at me, "Well, you're clutch definitely needs replacing," he confirmed.
I laughed, "Just as I thought," I replied, "Can you-"
"I can fix it, no problem" he finished
"I take it you can fix anything," I joked
"Anything," he replied, "Anything at all, you just name it," he continued slightly more serious this time.
The space in my car seemed even smaller now. Then he opened the door and got out. I followed and saw as he reached up in the sky stretching.
"I don't need it fixed any time soon really, I only use it to go around town, my SUV is my primary car right now." I informed him going to stand at the trunk of the car.
"Ok," he said, "No one around here really seems to drive manuals anymore, so we don't have the part in stock, so I will have to order it and have it shipped in." He said
"No problem" I said looking around awkwardly, this guy was way too attractive for me to talk to normally. Then thinking all of the sudden, "Here!" I said getting his attention, I pulled a piece of paper I had randomly in my purse and a pen and wrote down my cell phone number. Handing it over to him I saw the surprise look on his face, "So you can call me when my car is done?" I offered
"R-right," He said clearing his throat and looking away.
"So uh, yeah" I looked back toward the road just remembering that I had once again forgotten to secure a ride back to my house, I guess that was the problem in not really knowing anyone around town.
"Do you need a ride back?" He asked.
I shamefully looked down at my face and muttered, "Yeah".
"No problem," He said simply, "Let me just grab my keys from inside."
I was about to protest, but he was already walking through the office door.
He came back out and motioned me towards a large truck, "Does everyone around he have a truck?" I wondered.
"Pretty much," He answered with a chuckle, apparently I had said that out loud, "Once the first bad storm comes around you'll see why. You can't get stranded in a big truck." He continued.
"Oh, that makes sense, I hope I never get stranded, I'm not use to that bad of storms."
"Don't worry" He said opening my door for me, "I'll come rescue you if you do." And closed the door, leaving me wide eyed and blushing. Did he really have to sweet all the time? I questioned to myself.
The drive was mostly quiet, rain had started to come down in buckets.
"Jeez, rain just comes down with no warning at all here." I commented looking out the window.
Embry chuckled from beside me, "Welcome to Washington" he said.
We passed the beginning of a trail that Pete had showed me the other day, and I couldn't help but stare at it as we passed. I had yet to go exploring on the trails, mainly because I didn't want to get lost and end up dying in the woods. Okay, maybe that was a little extreme, but it could happen.
Embry must have seen me because he said, "If you ever want to hiking, you can ask me and I can show you some of the best trails around here. Some of them too many people use so there aren't a lot of wildlife around them anymore, but the ones the guys and I use are still unknown to the people who live in town. I looked over at him, he was looking out at the road as he drove, his cheekbones were defined, and I found myself wanting to run my fingers down his jaw line. Snapping out of it, I said, "That'd be great".
After telling him what road to turn down, we arrived in front of my house in no time. It was the afternoon by now, and I got out of the truck and walked towards my door, Embry followed me. I stopped as I unlocked the door, and turned to look up at him. He in turn looked down at me, and for a moment we were quiet, just standing there and looking at nothing else but each other. Building up courage I asked, "A-are you hungry? I was going to make spaghetti." and I bit my lip and looked away as he processed what I asked.
I heard him sigh, then move a strand of hair, that blew in my face, behind my ear and say, "There would be nothing more I would love to do, but" I looked up at him, ready for the rejection, "I have to get back to the shop, we're swamped right now." He looked sincerely apologetic I couldn't help but instantly feel forgiving.
"O-oh, right, don't worry about it," I said fast, "Well, thanks for the ride home and for getting my car in," I rambled opening my door, "So um, yeah, see you around." I smiled tightly, I couldn't help but feel embarrassed honestly, and with one last, "Bye." I closed the door in his crestfallen face. I felt so stupid, he probably had a girlfriend back on the rez, or at least a whole bunch of gorgeous native girls lined up to go out with him, what girl wouldn't want to? He was kind, sweet, and considerate.
"Ugh," I said to myself on the other side of the door, "I'm so stupid" I chastised myself.
What I didn't know at the time, as I walked farther into the house, that Embry was still on the other side of the door, and was able to hear everything I said to myself with ease.
A couple of days I was lounging on the back patio enjoying the little bit of sunlight the day offered when Jake and a few others appeared on the drive by the patio. I jumped in surprise, falling off the bench swing, the book I held went flying, "What the hell," I muttered getting up from the ground and facing Jake, "Jake you can't just sneak up on me like that!" I exclaimed trying to calm my racing heart.
"Well I knocked on the front door but you didn't answer, so I figured you'd be back here." He laughed stepping onto the patio, I now noticed Seth, Quil, and Embry accompanied him, I seemed to naturally focus in on Embry, who was wearing a pair of cutoffs and a tight T-shirt, why did he always have to look so good? I quickly remembered the episode outside of my front door just days earlier and quickly looked away. I couldn't look at him without feeling so incredibly embarrassed.
I saw out of the corner of my eye, Embry picking up the book I had been reading. Shamefully I will admit that I was reading a romance novel about this strong warrior who was only romantic and sweet around the woman he loved. I panicked when I saw him look at the cover, then scanned the page that the book had landed open on, I watched as his eyebrow raise in curiosity and eyes widen at the context. "Crap", I thought to myself, it must be the part where the warrior takes his maiden to bed passionately, I hadn't gotten there yet. I bounded over to him and snatched the book out of his hands, hiding it inside my sweater under my arm. Something about the way he looked at me with those dark eyes had me shivering.
"What were you reading?" Seth asked curiously
"Nothing" My answer was echoed by Embry, I looked at him with red cheeks and that look was again on his face as he looked back at me.
I cleared my throat and quickly looked away from him, "So what are you guys doing here exactly?" I asked looking at Jake.
"Taking you hiking" He said making it sound like it was the most obvious answer in the world.
"Wh-" I started before he interrupted me again.
"Embry said you wanted to go hiking, and so here we are," He shrugged
"You know, usually one gives a girl a little heads up," I chided him crossing my arms.
"Well here is me giving you a heads up" He retorted
I shook my head in defeat, "All right, let me just go get ready." I headed toward the French doors that led inside. I turned to look at the group of boys, who still stood on the patio looking at me expectantly, "Well," I said, "Are you going to come in?" I questioned. They all bounded toward me, following me inside.
I looked around and told them, "Don't mind the mess, I'm still trying to get things organized, make yourselves at home." I told them before heading upstairs to my room.
I threw my hair up into a messy ponytail, put on a white racer back tank top and boot cut Levi's, and a deep pink flannel hoodie sweatshirt that buttoned up in the front. I put on my pair of hiking shoes and a baseball cap and I was ready to go in no time.
I bounded back downstairs with a backpack over my shoulder and announced I was good to go as I grabbed a water bottle from the fridge. They all seemed to stare at my backpack and me like I was crazy.
"Do you plan on going camping or something?" Jake asked me
"What?" I asked, "You have to be prepared, what if something happens or someone gets hurt?" They all continued to look at me like I was stupid, "I'm a forest ranger remember?" I reminded them, that seemed to satisfy them and they nodded in realization.
We went out front and there were two trucks sitting there, "You guys can't fit in just one car?" I asked laughing.
"Not in those trucks, there's not enough seats." Seth said
"We can take my car," I motioned over to the SUV that sat proudly in the drive, "It can fit all of us." They boys seemed excited at the thought of riding in the old car.
I climbed into the driver's seat, and Jake, Quil, and Seth squeezed into the backseat, Embry climbed into the passenger next to me much to my despair, I just seemed to always embarrass myself in front of him every time I saw him.
I followed the boy's directions, Jake complain how he should have driven so we could get there faster, I told him I didn't trust him with my baby, and he just pouted. We went off road along a barely noticeable trail just big enough for my large Woodie. We stopped in a small clearing where the boys said this would be where we would set out on foot.
Embry had grabbed my backpack and when I went to get it from him he looked unsure about giving it to me, "It's not heavy," I assured him, "I'm the one that wanted to bring it all anyways, I can handle it." I finished. He handed it over to me wary.
We headed out and I couldn't help but be amazed as I pointed out all the different types of species of birds that flew around in the forest. The different types of plants themselves amazed me to no end. Some of the guys grumbled about how I wanted to stop every other minute to inspect a plant or spot a bird. I started to feel bad and tried to keep my amazement quiet and keep up with them without stopping; it was hard. Embry fell into step beside me and said quietly, "Next time I will take you by myself and you can look at everything you want. They are just being jackasses." I looked at him shocked, he must have somehow sensed how I wanted to keep stopping, I looked down at my feet and smiled to myself at how sweet he was. Unfortunately by doing that I didn't watch where I was walking and tripped over a branch across the trail. I braced myself to hit the forest floor with my eyes closed shut and my hands outstretched when an arm wrapped around my waist and stopped my fall. I look behind me, now upright, and saw a worried looking Embry, "Are you alright?" he asked me. "Y-yeah" I stuttered looking at him, "Thanks" I breathed. He nodded and let me go.
We continued for another 45 minutes, and I began to feel the weight of my backpack. I shifted it up higher on my back, but it just fell back to where it was. I just took a deep breath and tried to keep up with the guys. My legs were getting very tired by now, and started to ache. Embry, who was just ahead of me turned to check on me like he did every so often, and must have noticed my struggle. Before I knew it the back pack was being lifted over my head and off my being. I looked up at Embry who put it on himself and opened my mouth to argue, but he stopped me, "It's fine" was all he said. With the extra weight off me I was able to keep up with the guys easier, and Embry looked like the wasn't even carrying a backpack on him, it was like it really weighed nothing.
We seemed to exit the forest and came to a stop on a secluded cliff, a nice breeze greeted us. I breathed in the salty air with a smile, it reminded me of the beaches back in California. I didn't see Embry staring at me with a small smile of his own.
"This is amazing," I said looking out over the water. You could see James Island in the distance to the right of us.
The boys started to sit on the ground before I stopped them and ran to Embry, telling him there was a large blanket in the backpack.
"Of course there is," He chuckled slightly taking off the pack.
I spread the blanket on the ground and the boys took out food they had store in some small packs they had with them. We settled on the ground, and fell into comfortable conversation about nothing in particular. Quil seemed to be like Embry a lot, both quiet and reserved, but he was nice and teased Seth like a big brother. After just one sandwich and a cookie I was full; my backpack laid beside me and I laid down resting my head on it, I easily fell into a light sleep. When I woke up I found myself by Embry on the blanket, he was looking out onto the water with a thoughtful look on his face, his eyebrows were scrunched and I felt my hand reach out on instinct to smooth them out, midway I realized what I was trying to do and dropped my hand back to my side, Embry looked down at me softly, "You're awake," he mused. I nodded and sat up, stretching my hands high in the air and arching my back as I yawned; I felt Embry's intense stare on me as I did so.
"Where are the guys?" I asked looking around
He pointed toward the tree line and said, "They wanted to see who could climb the highest in the shortest amount of time."
"You didn't want to?" I asked looking back at him.
He just shrugged, "I guess I'm just not in the mood right now" looking at me with a strange look.
The boys came back down from the trees and we started back a short time later. When we finally got back to the car I was way too tired to drive back. Walking up to Embry, I pressed my key's into the palm of his hand and murmured for him to drive, then climbed into the back seat to sit in between Seth and Quil, letting a happy Jake sit up front with more room. I laid my head on Seth's shoulder and wrapped my hands around his arm and unconsciously nuzzled my head into his shoulder with a yawn, I didn't register the growl that came from the front of the car as I did so.
I woke up when the car came to a stop. I looked out the window and saw my cabin, then I noticed Seth who was biting his knuckles, looking down I was still pressed to his side, my hands wrapped around his arm.
"Oh! I'm sorry Seth!" I apologized quickly.
"Don't worry about it," he said scrambling to get out of the car as fast as he could
I got out and tried to find my back pack, I found it with Embry, who didn't look at me as he handed it to me. Is he mad at me? I wondered.
I walked to my door, then felt around for my keys before I remembered I gave them to Embry. I turned to call to him, and stumbled right into the man himself.
"Sorry" I mumbled backing away
"Here" Embry said handing me the keys
"Thanks"
He was about to turn away before he stopped, he looked at me for a second then said, "You know Seth has a girlfriend, right?"
I looked at him confused, "Yeah, s-" then the thought occurred to me, "Oh, you mean in the car - you don't think he thinks I like him do you?" I rambled on
"You don't?" Embry asked confused
I stared at him for a second then laughed, "Of course not! I told you he look likes a cute little puppy just the other day, I don't like those types of guys, plus he could be my younger brother, no, no, no he's too cute." I kept rambling.
"Yeah I can tell that's not your type," Embry smirk a knowing look in his eyes, then I remembered the book he found earlier.
"I-, that-, ugh y-you didn't see that ok?" I begged of him.
He laughed, "It's fine," he said trying to reassure me, "I mean don't all girls read those kinds of books?"
I looked at him like he was stupid, "Yeah , old ladies, not twenty-two year olds. Most girls my age are out experiencing stuff like in those books." I rubbed the back of my neck awkwardly.
"You mean you've never had a boyfriend?" He looked dubious
I blushed and looked away, then shook my head no.
"How come?" He asked
"All the guys I went on dates only wanted one thing. And when I wouldn't give it to them they moved on to the next girl." I shrugged like it was no big deal, then looking at him I said, "You want to know a secret?" I asked
He looked very interested and I motioned him closer to me. He leaned down and I stood on my tippy-toes to whisper in his ear, "I have never even kissed a guy" then backed away quickly.
He looked even more shocked now, and shook his head disbelieving, "No one has ever kissed you before?" He asked
"Well a couple have tried, but I didn't let them," I shrugged before looking up at him seriously, "I guess I was always waiting for the right guy to come along, that wanted more than just sex." I told him bluntly, then shrugging I added, "I guess I should just stop waiting, hmm you know that guy that works down at the Outdoorsmen warehouse asked me out, maybe I should go back and tell him I've changed my mind." I joked.
Embry apparently didn't think I was joking because he grabbed my arms softly, but assertively and said, "No, do not do that! That guy is a total douchebag. And never, ever, settle for someone less than what you expect out of a guy. Understand me?" he asked seriously.
I just nodded with a soft smile.
Finally I turned and unlocked my front door. I was about to step inside when Embry stopped me. I looked back at him curiously.
He looked unsure of himself, then asked, "What are you doing tomorrow night?"
I told him, "I have to work the night patrol."
He looked put off but continued, "And the night after that?"
I thought about it, it was a Friday night, I shook my head, "Nothing" and looked at him expectantly.
Embry grinned, "I'll pick you up at 7pm then." And then turned away, not even giving me a chance to say no, but I called out to him, "Wait!" He turned around slowly, the look in his eye said he thought I was going to decline, but instead I said, "What should I wear?" A smile spread on his face and he said, "Whatever you feel like wearing, you always look beautiful." He turned around again and hopped into a truck with Jake. I couldn't stop the stupid grin that was on my face, he called me beautiful. I giggled and walked into my house, closing the door behind me.
Here is a longer one for you guys! I got another review so thanks for that! Not sure how I particularly feel about some scenes in this chapter, anyways let me know what you think!