THREE

“Hi, Rachel, welcome. I’m Sandra, I’ll be showing you all the ropes and helping you through your traineeship.”

I nod nervously at the attractive, dark haired, middle aged woman. Sandra is the woman who will be leading me through my traineeship until I’m qualified to do it on my own. She seems lovely, and has been working alongside lawyers for a long time. I was told when I got the job, I’d be working with her.

“Lovely to meet you finally, Sandra,” I say, my throat tight.

“Don’t be nervous, you’ll do fine. That’s what I’m here for.”

I smile. “Am I that obvious?”

She laughs. “Yes, but I understand. I was nervous when I first started, too. But I promise it isn’t as scary as it looks.”

“Good to know.”

“I’ll show you your office space, which has been set up right next to mine so you’re able to ask questions whenever you need. I’ll be right here every step of the way. You’ll be going for training twice a week; we have our own facilities here, and a conference room, so you won’t be required to travel. Once you complete each certificate, you’ll be signed off and move onto the next one. How quickly you progress depends on how well you do. Some get through really quickly, others take a few years. Either way, you’ll be busy, I promise you that.”

“That’s perfect, I’m looking forward to it.”

She smiles as we walk down the halls. There are offices and people everywhere, phones ringing, voices filtering out through closed doors. It’s busy, that’s for sure. Exactly what I need and want.

“So, how are you enjoying Colorado Springs so far?” Sandra asks as we stop at a large office with glass windows and a wooden door.

“I’m really liking it. It’s absolutely beautiful and a great change from the city.”

“Absolutely,” she agrees. “This is my office.”

We step inside and the office is massive with a large window looking out over the town, a big pine desk, a sofa, and some book shelves. Off to the left is a partition, and behind it is a smaller desk, computer, and comfy chair. I’m guessing that’s where I’ll be sitting.

“I know it isn’t much for now,” Sandra says. “I got you the nicest things I could find and put this partition up for your privacy, I hope you don’t mind?”

“It’s great,” I say, nodding. “I’m thrilled. Thank you.”

“So, you have a brand new laptop that you can take home with you to study any time you need. You also have a phone, provided by the company. All your stationery and everything you need should be in here.”

I glance around the small, but well-thought-out, expensive space. It’s not much, but it’s mine. My space, something I haven’t had before. I’ll cherish it. Happiness bubbles in my chest, and I feel like finally, my life is going where I need it to go. I’m over the moon.

“It all looks wonderful, thank you.”

“So, today you’ll just be filling out a bunch of forms. I’ll give you all your training modules, you’ll meet all the lawyers and staff, and then tomorrow, we’ll get to work.”

“Sounds great.”

“Take a seat—” she waves to the chair “—and I’ll get everything you need.”

I take a seat, excitement bubbling in my chest, and I watch as Sandra leaves the office. I run my fingers over the laptop, over the phone, and all the new stationery sitting on the shiny, wooden desk and I give a happy little squeal of joy. Everything is coming together, and I’m so excited. Nothing could go wrong, not when I feel this good.

My day flies past so quickly that when it’s home time, it seems like I haven’t been here all that long. I pack up, say goodbye to everyone, and then head home. I arrive just as the sun is beginning to set. It was a long day. I’m glad for now I’m only doing three, maybe four, a week. I’d be exhausted otherwise, at least until I got used to it.

When I pull up at my cabin, I can see Steph standing on Slade’s porch. The two of them face to face, her arms are flying around everywhere. Oh, boy. That looks ... not good. I get out of the car, and her voice hits me right away, echoing across the open space. I suppose that’s the problem with being so close with no city noise around, everyone can hear everything.

“Fuck you, Slade. I’m not a damned sex toy. I’m not going to do this forever!”

“Never asked you to,” he growls.

“I’m a person! Do you hear me? A person!”

Oh, boy. Lovers tiff. I can’t say I blame her—she’s angry, frustrated, confused, and there he is, arms crossed, staring at her like she’s nothing more than a thorn in his side. I’d be frustrated, too. God, I’d want to kick him right in the ...

“They always have this argument.”

I spin around and see Ryder staring up at me, a big stick in his hand that by the looks of the trail behind him, he’s been dragging through the dirt. He’s grubby, but happy. Like kids should be. He’s obviously been out exploring. I’m not sure I’d let my child out there alone, but maybe they know the area well. I don’t. So, I guess I can’t judge.

“Hi, Ryder,” I say after a few minutes. “Where have you been?”

“Just beyond the trees. I made a little fort there with sticks and leaves. You should come and see it one time.”

I raise my brows, impressed. “That’s clever, I don’t think I could do that.”

He smiles up at me. “You’re really pretty. Prettier than Steph. You should talk to, ah, Slade.”

Interesting he calls his father Slade. Maybe the two aren’t close? Curiosity burns, but I don’t say anything. It’s not my business why the little boy doesn’t call him dad.

“No, thanks, honey. Slade is far too angry for me.”

Ryder pouts. “He’s not always like that. Steph is always yelling at him.”

I can see why.

I do not tell the little boy this.

“Well, I guess people fight when they’re, well ...”

Ryder giggles, and I glance down at him. “When they’re friends that sleep over, and she wants to be more than friends?”

I narrow my eyes and grin. “You’re too smart. You shouldn’t know these things.”

He shrugs. “I hear everything, it’s not hard around here.”

“Hmmm,” I murmur and look back to see Steph storming back to her cabin.

Well, that obviously didn’t end well.

Slade looks in this direction, and barks out, “Ryder.”

“I guess it’s time for me to go in. See my fort soon?”

I nod and smile at him again. “Of course, buddy.”

He disappears, and I hold the angry glare of Slade.

I raise my brows.

He doesn’t look away.

God. Could he get anymore intense?

~*~*~*~

“I thought you could use a listening ear,” I say, holding up a big container of freshly-baked muffins that I picked up on my way home from work. I was going to sit on the sofa and eat a few while watching my favorite television shows, but it looked like Steph could use someone to talk to – so I came over here instead.

Steph stares at them, then at me, and nods. “I really could. You heard that fight earlier, huh?”

“I think half of Colorado Springs heard it, so it’s safe to say that yes, I most certainly did.”

She laughs. “Thanks for coming over, really. I was going to make some hot chocolate and head your way soon, too.”

“Well, great minds think alike.”

I walk inside and set the muffins on the kitchen counter while she gets busy preparing hot chocolate.

“How was your first day at work?” she asks me.

“We’ll get to that soon,” I say, waving her off with a wiggle of my brows. “First ... Slade?”

She exhales, leaning her elbows against the kitchen counter and staring over at me. “He’s just so frustrating. He won’t even sleep with me at the moment. He says I’m too attached and I knew that wasn’t what he wanted. What the hell did he think was going to happen? Is he stupid? Are men stupid? They all know sleeping with one woman is going to eventually lead to an attachment of some sort, right?”

I nod. “I think sometimes they’re a little behind in the times. They seem to think we can stay detached, but honestly, there are very few that can.”

She puts her head in her hands. “I really like him. What am I supposed to do? I don’t want to just stop seeing him. I mean, we live next door. But, obviously, he’s making it clear it isn’t going to go anywhere. I’m just damaging myself hanging around.”

“Do you love him?” I ask.

She shakes her head. “Gosh, no, but I do like him and I wanted to get to know him. He’s given me nothing to love about him. If anything, I should hate the man.”

I ponder this. “So, maybe the best option is to pull away for a while? You never know, he might come running back?”

She shakes her head, meeting my eyes. “Trust me, Slade doesn’t chase anyone. He doesn’t have to. He used to have women over all the time. He’ll have me replaced within the week.”

Jerk.

“Then he isn’t worth your time,” I say, feeling frustrated for her. What a dick.

“No, he certainly isn’t, but I was enjoying it, you know? I was hoping ... I don’t know ... that he’d open up to me.”

Ah. She wanted to save him. To be the woman that changed it all. The problem with that is, it’s a big thing that’s been built up by movies and books, but it’s rarely ever real. The woman that comes along and changes a man, who makes him realize he can love and be kind. No. Men like Slade are set in their ways, and there isn’t much that’ll ever change that.

“I’m sorry,” I offer, because it’s all I can think of.

She shrugs. “Screw him. I’ll show him what he’s missing. He has to live next door to me for a while yet, after all.”

I laugh. “That’s the spirit, sister.”

“Do you ...” She looks away, then looks back at me. “Do you think I’m enough?”

My brows go up. “You can’t be serious? You’re gorgeous, Steph. And I don’t know you well, but you’re lovely and kind. Don’t let him being a jerk make you feel any less. Don’t take it. Don’t ever let another person dictate your worth.”

She smiles, but I know she’s doubting herself, she’s doubting if she’s enough. That’s what those kinds of situations do to a person, they make them wonder why they’re not good enough and that’s never OK. I make a mental note to have a word with Slade. He can’t spend the rest of his life leading women on. If he wants to sleep with them, fine, do it and do it once, then be done.

Don’t do it repeatedly.

Poor Steph.

I talk with her for another few hours and then wish her goodnight and leave. As I’m walking past Slade’s house, I see him on his front porch, talking on the phone. I hesitate, and then think screw it, and turn, walking toward his cabin. He sees me coming, ends his call, and watches as I stomp up his front steps, stopping right in front of him. I have to tip my head back to see him.

I raise a hand and poke my finger into his chest. I’ve never been shy about letting people know what I think of them. My dad used to say it was a problem, but it’s gotten me through life with a hell of a lot of respect because I don’t tend to keep any losers around, it’s a good way to weed them out and bring only good people into my world.

“Girls are not toys. They are people. They have feelings. You don’t pick them up, screw their brains out, and then keep doing it. They will get attached to you. Any male knows this, unless that male is completely stupid. Now, unless you’re stupid, then you know Steph liked you. You shouldn’t have kept calling her back. That makes you a jackass. A big, big, big jackass.”

He stares down at me, and then slowly raises a hand, curling it around my wrist and removing my finger from his chest. Then he murmurs, in a low, husky tone, “Are you finished?”

Actually, I’m not.

“No. You owe her an apology. She didn’t deserve to be treated like some sort of ... blow up doll.”

He snorts, and under the light on his porch, I see the muscle in his jaw jump. His brown eyes, which look black right now, focus on mine and he leans down a little closer.

“She came back. She chose to keep bringing her cute little ass over here. I told her from the second it started what it was, and I never, not for once single fuckin’ second gave her anymore hope. If she got attached—” he leans even closer until I can feel his warm breath against my mouth “—then that’s on her.”

Oh, boy.

Knees, stop wobbling. Calm yourselves.

“Well,” I say, my voice far too shaky and breathy, “the second you saw she wanted more, you should have sent her on her way.”

“I just fuckin’ did.”

“Oh, come on,” I say, finding my voice again and taking a little step back. “You can’t be that stupid.”

“Call me stupid again, see what happens to you,” he warns in a scratchy tone. “You haven’t even been here a week and you’re throwing your weight around. Be very careful, little girl.”

Oh no he didn’t. “I’m not afraid of you, just because you’re bigger than Hercules and have a really, really bad attitude.”

His brows go up. “That mouth is going to get you into a lot of trouble one day.”

I wave a hand. “I’m not here to discuss my mouth, I’m here to discuss my friend. Stop leading women on, it’s not classy.”

He stares at me.

I stare at him.

“That all?” he mutters.

“That will be all. Goodnight.”

I pivot and then hop down the stairs, feeling pretty darn good about myself.

Hopefully, the big asshole will take some of my advice.

At the very least, I got to poke him in the chest.

That made me feel better, for Steph’s sake.