AllFreeNovel
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I loved growing up in the country. It was freeing. I have thousands of memories from those days, most of them with my brothers. They’re some of the best ones I have. It’s why I jumped at the chance to build my home on Huxley soil. I pictured my own kids growing up the way we had. Running through the fields, climbing trees, diving off cliffs, and fishing in the lakes.
For the longest time, the vision was skewed, obscure almost. Like an old memory. You know what happened, who was there, where you were, but the exact scene isn’t quite visible anymore. That’s what my future looked like to me. Now though, it’s changed. Lately, things have started to look and feel more exact, more real.
Instead of just a vague picture, I see it clearly.
Shiloh.
Thoughts of her have me pressing down on the gas, pushing my truck to its limits. She doesn’t come into work until 9:00 am, and I have a meeting on the job site for the Taylor project at 9:30. Doesn’t give me much time to see her, but at this point, I’m pretty sure even a passing glance would settle my nerves.
I don’t understand why I feel the way I do when it comes to Shiloh. I’ve never felt this way for a woman before and still, I hardly know her. It’s not for a lack of trying, but when I open my mouth to do just that nothing comes out. The words die a bitter, acidic death in my gut every damn time. She rattles me. Unsettles and unnerves me. I’m not sure if it’s her overwhelming beauty, her killer curves, her perfect smile, or maybe her voice, butshe wrecks me.
Maybe it’s just simplyher.
I blow through three stop signs, one stop light, and damn near take out the paperboy in my rush to get to the office before her. I somehow turn a thirty-minute drive into ten, but as I pull into what should be a very empty parking lot, I find I’m already too late.
Glancing at the clock, I see it’s just after 8:00 am, so technically I’m early, but for some reason, my girl’s already here.
My hackles rise, and a sense of panic fills me.
Why? No idea.
Doesn’t stop me from basically sprinting into the building in an effort to get to her.I just need to see her, make sure she’s okay, I tell myself pushing through the door that leads to the staff area. My heart thumps erratically in my chest, and my hand begins to tremble with the need to grab my gun. A gun I don’t have. Haven’t had it since I came home from the middle east. Still, I crave its reassuring feel.
Calm the fuck down, Logan. She probably just came into work early, and you’re going to give the woman a fucking heart attack. Again.
Breathing through my anxiety, I slow my rapid pace, shaking my hands out at my sides in an attempt to get a fucking grip as I move toward my office. Seconds later, I’m at the threshold, and my pounding heart ratchets up a notch, or ten. My stomach clenches painfully with anticipation. I slowly,calmly, push the door open, a rare smile spread across my face, but when I enter, I find it empty.
What the hell? Where is she?
My brows furrow in confusion as I spin on my heel, in search of Shiloh. I want to call out, demand that she shows herself, but again, I’m going for cool, calm, and collected. Normal, not obsessed, bordering on insane.
Come on, babydoll. Where are you?
I quickly check the other offices, bathrooms, and stock room, before making a beeline for the break room on the opposite side of the building. I’m just about to enter the dark room when an ominous, otherworldly growl meets my ears. Anger and anxiety swirl around deep in my gut, but I press forward, needing to protect my girl.
I take a step forward, and the growl deepens, sounding something akin to a demon. What the hell is going on? I slowly,ever so fucking slowly, slide my hand up the wall, blindly searching for the light switch. My muscles tense, completely prepared to fight off anyone or anything threatening Shiloh. Sweet, perfect, innocent Shiloh. I shake off the distracting thoughts and flick the light on.
I stop dead in my tracks as I take in the sight before me.
At first glance, I’m pretty positive it’s a bear.
A fucking massive, black bear, in my breakroom. A giant, demonic, growling, drooling beast on my couch, poised and ready to attack. I stop moving, stilling my body completely, and the beast relaxes, settling its head down on the pile of blankets beneath it.
I relax slightly when the beast does, which gives me a moment to really inspect the creature. As I look past the long fur, the black beady eyes, and the sharp teeth, clarity washes over me. It’s a dog. The biggest dog I’ve ever seen. Laying on—something. No, not something, someone.
Shiloh.
Outrage replaces anger, and genuine concern replaces anxiety, as I glance around the state of what used to be our break room. There are a few duffle bags, a stack of clothes, and a purse piled up on the long wooden table in the center of the room. On the floor, there’s a makeshift food and water station for the beast, a few pairs of Shiloh’s shoes, and a pile of what appears to be soaking wet clothes and towels.
My eyes move back to a curled-up, sleeping Shiloh, and every single thing I’d previously felt completely disappears. The only thing I feel when I look at her now is adoration. Adoration and protectiveness.
Why is she sleeping here? Why isn’t she at home? Did something happen? Did someone hurt her?
A steady stream of questions loops through my brain as I watch her sleep. The dog seems to have relaxed, but its eyes never leave me, tracking me even as I move into the room. I try to keep my movements slow, my posture unthreatening, like I’d approach someone with a weapon or a hostage. My years of training come back to me, and in an instant, I’m that soldier once again.
The hulking dog doesn’t move, or growl,thank God,as it continues to watch me. After what feels like forever, I reach the beast, opting to introduce myself to him before checking on Shiloh.
“It’s okay, Beastie,” I whisper, slowly moving my hand for it to inspect. “I’m just here to check on your mama.” The dog eyes me speculatively for a moment before sniffing and eventually licking my hand. I coo softly at the creature when it allows me to pet its head. Soon enough, I have it rolling onto its back, begging for more pets. “Ah, so you’re a she, huh? Well, girl, you did a good job protecting her, but I’ve got it from here.”
