probably related to the Sensational Sarah who was usually tending the counter, tittered, and eyed Brutus in that up and down manner married women were known for – the “I can look but not touch” approach.
“I’m needed out the back,” Brutus grumbled, coming into the shop proper and standing behind the counter. “Sarah is delivering the lunch menu for the bar and has taken Pierce with her. If you left now you might get down there before the stuff is all gone.”
“Are there bear claws in that order?” Kee added a smile for good measure. “You know if you didn’t want me to eat them, you wouldn’t have them coming out of the oven as I walked in.”
“There were none in the bar order.” Brutus sighed. “Give me five minutes,” he added before plastering on a smile for the ladies. “What can I get you today?”
Leaning against the wall, Kee watched and waited. He knew he’d still be early for his shift – Kee hated being late for anything. But taking the time to stand and watch the everyday life in Arrowtown go on around him was a luxury Kee wouldn’t take for granted. He could still remember the state he was in when he’d arrived in the small shifter town just two months before. Gods, I was in such a mess.
On that night, Kee’s car had limped into town at around ten p.m. The shops were closed, and he’d resigned himself to sleeping in the car until the gas station opened. But as he went past the local store that doubled as the post office a large older woman stood out on her steps, causing Kee to stop. Mrs. Hooper, although Kee didn’t know her name at the time, stared at him with eyes so knowing, Kee was sure she could see into his soul.
His engine coughed and spluttered in that moment, and Mrs. Hooper nodded as though agreeing to something he’d said. “You’ll do,” she said, handing him a key and a piece of paper with an address on it. “You need to go down to the bar and ask for Cam. Tell him Mrs. Hooper sent you, and then the key will work on the front door of the address I’ve given you. You can stay there as long as you need to.” And as Kee sat there, stunned by the key and address, she said, “Get on. Cam won’t be there all night. He has a young one to get home to.”
“Thank you. How did you…?” Kee remembered stuttering at the time, but Mrs. Hooper didn’t hang around to answer any more questions. She just pulled her dressing gown around her ample middle and went back into her store, leaving Kee to look down the road to the only bright lights on the street which turned out to be Cam’s Bar.
And baby, look at me now. Kee smiled at the ladies as they left the store and Brutus disappeared out the back. The key Mrs. Hooper had given him was to a beautifully tidy little apartment, perfect for Kee’s needs. Cam had proven to be a cautiously friendly sort who offered him a job on the spot. Within a week, Kee knew the names of many of the locals who ran businesses in town, the mayor, all the people who worked at the brand-new deputy’s offices, and many of the older locals who liked to spend their days in the bar. By the time he’d picked up his paycheck on the second week, he felt like he’d found his home. No one but him knew how important that was, or how precious.
And he’d made some good friends.
Brutus was back, a bag full of his fabulous bear claws hovering in front of Kee’s face. Reaching into his pocket, Kee found the note he’d put aside just for the bakery and swapped it for the bag. “You’re a treasure, my rugged friend, and don’t let anyone else tell you otherwise.” With a smile and a wink, Kee scooted out of the bakery, chuckling quietly at the red tinges that swamped the bear’s face. He really is a sweetheart. He’s going to make someone a lovely mate one day.
As he wandered down the street towards the bar that sat at the bottom of the main street, Kee managed to eat two of the bear claws Brutus had packaged up for him. Being very careful with the remaining pastries, he wrapped them in their bag, and put them inside his