Chapter Three
With the weekend still ahead of her before she would be starting her new job, Rin was trying to figure out how best to occupy her time. Help with cleaning the rooms and restocking towels didn’t take much time, especially with no one but her staying here at the bed and breakfast right now. She could watch one of her favorite movies, but that would only burn up two hours. She’d never been much of a reader, usually if she did pick up a book, it was required reading for school or a tax manual. She did enjoy cooking, but the Tully’s used that kitchen for their business, and while she had helped Margaret in the kitchen recently, she didn’t feel right about going in there and making free with their equipment.
During her captivity, she had spent hours upon hours preparing for the hunt; honing her strength, building her endurance, and increasing her speed. Now that she was safe, she had no need to push herself as hard, but, as crazy as it seemed, she was missing the exercise. Sit-ups and push-ups in her room weren’t a problem, but she couldn’t exactly jog through the halls of the bed and breakfast. Unfortunately, the snow outside was prohibitive to any sort of steady pace, or jogging much at all for that matter.
When she had asked Margaret Tully if there was a gym in town, to Rin’s disappointment, the older woman had shaken her head. “My Connie does some Rumba, Zumba,” Margaret flicked her fingers in dismissal. “I don’t know what it’s called, a couple times a week I think, but that’s not here in town.”
Rin’s face must have shown her dismay, because Margaret volunteered, “If you can tolerate the smell of rubber, grease, and paint,” the older female wrinkled her nose in distaste, “then you should go see Mike over at the garage. He has a sort-of gym set up over there from what I hear.”
Excited at the prospect, Rin didn’t waste any time. Bundled up in her warm coat, hat, gloves, scarf, and boots, she trudged through the snow, crossed the main road, and down the street until she located the garage. Music boomed through the cavernous space so loudly that she could actually feel the drumbeat in her chest. Rin immediately covered her overly sensitive ears with her gloved hands.
Behind the counter, a car was up on a lift, the mechanic, dressed in dark blue coveralls was underneath, his arms raised as he worked and backside moving to the music. She was going to yell out to get his attention when the male suddenly started to – oh, my god! Was he twerking? Rin let out a bark of laughter and then tried to smother it. Probably not a good idea to offend the male when she had come here specifically to ask a favor. Unfortunately, that only made the noise come out her nose in a snort and started her choking.
The male must have sensed he was no longer alone, most probably he had caught her scent, and suddenly turned. Rin heard a clank of metal, a loud “Ow!” and then the volume on the music was lowered to a more tolerable level.
What a relief. Rin opened her jaw and then moved it from side to side. Were her ears plugged? They were definitely ringing.
“Hey, sorry about that.” The male offered with a sheepish grin as he came toward the counter wiping his greasy hands on a rag. “I wasn’t expecting anyone and I love that song.”
The first thing Rin noticed was that he was shorter than most all of the males she had met in town. Compared to Rin, who had been generous when she had listed her height on her ID at five feet even, every male in the pack had towered over her with their six feet plus. This male was probably only five feet nine, maybe ten, so she’d still have to look up, but not as far. His hair was dark, nearly black and combed back from his face. She couldn’t tell the color of his eyes in the dim light, but if she had to guess, she’d say light brown or hazel under dark, heavy brows, one of which was bisected by a healing cut. His nose was ever so slightly crooked, like it may have been broken once and reset. The lower half of his face was covered with dark stubble rather than the full beard most of the pack was sporting for winter, but his strong jaw and chin were apparent underneath.
“Did you need to make an appointment, Rin?” The male prompted with a friendly smile.
It shouldn’t surprise her that he would know who she was. From what she understood of small towns and packs, gossip travelled fast. Couple that with her being the only Asian in town – perhaps for miles around – yeah, no surprise that he knew exactly who she was. The question was, had she met him? There had been so many people gathered to welcome Constance Tully home, introducing themselves to Rin, offering support, it had been overwhelming. The whole day was pretty much a blur.
“Are you Mike?”
The male nodded with another smile displaying bright white teeth. “Mike Myers at your service.” That’s when the memory struck. They had been introduced the day she arrived, but his beard had been a thick dark bush on the lower half of his face and his hair a mop of shiny, dark curls. She had taken note of his height that day too, and that bright smile, not to mention that he was named after, or at least shared the same name as, a famous actor.
“I didn’t recognize you. Your beard was a lot fuller when we met, and your hair…” Rin let the statement trail off, afraid he might take offense at her not immediately remembering him.
Mike grimaced his hand coming up to rub the whiskers on his jaw. “Accident with a torch when I was under a vehicle. Some hot metal fell and next thing I know I’m smelling burnt hair and one side of my beard is smoldering.” He dropped his hand and lifted one broad shoulder in a shrug. “Had to shave to keep from being cockeyed.” With that bright smile of his returning, he brought the conversation back around. “So what can I do for you?”
“I was told you have a gym, sort of, and I was hoping I might be able to use it.” At his frown she rushed on hoping he wouldn’t turn her down flat. “Just until the snow’s gone and I can get back to running outside.”
Mike shook his head. “I don’t mind if you use it, I just don’t think you’ll want to once you get a look at the place. It’s not like one of those places with a lot of fancy equipment. Though I do have a treadmill if all you want to do is run.” Swinging a section of the counter up on its hinges so that Rin could come through, he gestured for her to follow. “Here, I’ll show you.”
Rin stayed close behind Mike as they traversed the large open space of the garage, careful to watch her step. She could definitely understand why Margaret Tully might find the place offensive. The mix of paint fumes, gasoline, rubber, and grease was pungent to say the least, especially to a sensitive shifter nose. But like all scents, prolonged exposure would decrease sensitivity. Besides, it would be worth it if Rin could get her daily endorphin rush in the gym.
And that gym was a sight to behold when Mike opened the door and ushered her inside. The floors were concrete though one section had one of those thick blue mats she always associated with gymnasts. A big punching bag was suspended from the ceiling and one of those smaller bags that Rin had only ever seen in movies, was attached to the wall. Weights of various sizes sat on a black rack while behind it pegs on the wall held a jump rope and two pairs of boxing gloves. Milk crates on the floor were flush against the wall and held assorted equipment Rin couldn’t see at the moment, while on the other side of the space, sat the treadmill Mike had mentioned as well as the biggest tire Rin had ever seen. But in the middle of all of this, was what appeared to be a full sized boxing ring.
“Do you box?” Considering what her eyes were showing her, the question was probably stupid, but it was out of her mouth before she could think better of it.
Mike gave a nod, “I enjoy going a few rounds now and again with some of the guys. Great way to relieve some stress.” He lifted his arms above his head to indicate the entirety of the space, and asked, “So, what do you think?”