The Mercenary Read online

“I thought I would make a start on the couch,” she said, humming something vaguely resembling country music.

  Jodie looked at Laura who shrugged, and since she had no reason to refuse the request, she went to get the sewing box.

  Ainsley smiled and thanked her before heading for the couch.

  “She’s humming.” Jodie hissed at Laura.

  “Trust me – it’s better than the alternative.”

  “That isn’t the least bit reassuring.”

  “I want to go outside and play,” announced Grace.

  “Not at the moment.” Jodie responded, still distracted. She peered out the kitchen window trying to see into the garage, and wondered where Zach had gone.

  “Coloring is boring,” Grace said folding both arms across her chest.

  “Coloring is boring. I wanna go outside too,” echoed Rose.

  Jodie sighed. “How would you girls like to watch a movie in Aunty Jodie’s room?

  With two unmistakable squeals of delight, the girls bounced over to her door in seconds. A suitable DVD was located and moments later, all went quiet. Jodie made her way back to the kitchen, head still spinning.

  In the next ten minutes, Jodie fielded four phone calls, one of which was her boss wanting to know why she hadn’t turned up for work. With all the chaos, she had forgotten that she scheduled a meeting for that morning for a big advertising deal. The clients were not going to be pleased. Great, just what I need, something else to stress over.

  Ainsley’s efforts with the couch produced a flawless result. So perfect in fact, that Jodie decided not to move it after all. Nobody would ever tell there had been a gaping hole mere hours before.

  The glass man came and fixed the window, installing thicker glass to make it safer. None of the women thought it would make any difference if they had a repeat of the previous night. However, they all smiled a lot and ‘oohed and ahhed’ at the magnificence of the new window. It gave the guy an ego boost and after Laura told him how disaster had been narrowly avoided with two small children in the house, the guy gave Jodie a sizable discount.

  Zach disappeared and didn’t return for most of the day. When he did resurface, long after Ains and Laura had gone, he had Luke with him. Zach’s eyes sought Jodie’s as he helped his best friend up the porch steps and into the house. A chill came over her as the ‘what if’s’ began to weasel their way into her mind.

  Pushing the destructive thoughts aside, Jodie managed to smuggle Luke into the bathroom. When he emerged clean shaven and wearing fresh clothes, two eager little girls awaited him. Luke’s gentle tone calmed them right away and Jodie smiled, leaving them to spend some time together.

  Chapter 3

  Monday morning turned out to be almost as challenging as the weekend. Not looking forward to facing her boss, Jodie tried to fool herself into thinking that it wouldn’t be that bad.

  Who did she think she was kidding? She didn’t even make it past the front desk before he called her into his office. Taking a deep breath and mentally priding herself on having already had coffee before arriving at work, Jodie dumped her satchel beside the desk and took a few deep breaths. Keeping as composed as possible, she walked into the office and closed the door.

  Jodie had known Matt Ormsby a long time. They had attended the same high school though he was in Luke’s year, not Jodie’s. He’d been writing for the Redcliffe Times since his second year in high school. While he’d planned to go to University, the Times had offered him an internship instead. Matt had continued to work for the paper and gained his degree part time in the evenings. After five years he became assistant editor and then a year after that, he’d made editor. He had worked damned hard to climb the career ladder and Jodie applauded him for it.

  Meanwhile Jodie had attained four different jobs before applying for one within his firm. Matt told her straight away that he didn’t think her cut out for it. She didn’t have a University degree and she’d never written for any type of publication. Jodie’s grades in high school hadn’t been amazing, but she had received a certificate of honor for creative writing.

  Adamant that she could do it, Jodie begged him for a chance and he took pity on her. She’d done everything possible to prove herself worthy. She had taken every night-class that would help her job performance and worked whatever hours necessary to get the desired results. Matt told her that her work showed real talent.

  Jodie had been working for the Times for a year, long enough that her dedication and work ethic had impressed Matt. Not long enough however, that she could afford to screw up. She waited for the lecture, shifting uncomfortably in the hard chrome and teak chair. With trembling hands, she fingered her long braid, and brushed non-existent lint from her aubergine-colored suit.

  Matt looked at her for a long time, before lowering his gaze to the paperwork on his desk. Jodie didn’t know what to say or how to feel. How bad is this? He sighed, his pale features drawn into a serious expression. Running a hand through his short blonde hair, their gazes met a second time.

  “I’m so sorry Matt,” she stammered.

  “It’s unacceptable Jodie, not to mention unprofessional.”

  Jodie nodded and looked down. “I know.”

  “What’s going on with you? You used to be one of my best, but in the last three weeks it’s like you’ve become a totally different person.”

  “I’m sorry.” The weak response did nothing to strengthen her case and Jodie couldn’t look at him, concentrating on her hands clasped in her lap.

  “Come on, you owe me more of an explanation than that! We lost a big client over the weekend.” The disappointment in Matt’s gaze slathered on another layer of guilt.

  “We lost the Glam Interiors contract?” Jodie’s face fell.

  “Their first advertisement got misprinted and then you didn’t even show up to their second liaison.” “Oh no,” she moaned.

  Being the biggest furniture and decorating store for miles in any direction, as well as one of the largest local businesses, the Times needed their contract. Jodie felt terrible but she didn’t know what else to say.

  “I could be one-hundred-percent professional about this and go by the book.” Matt said.

  Jodie’s eyes widened. She swallowed a couple of times and tried to imagine finding another job. How will I tell my parents? How am I going to support Luke and the girls until they get back?

  “Or,” he continued. “You could let me in on whatever is going on. Maybe I might be able to help. Do you have financial problems, relationship problems? Are you sick?”

  “It’s not about me.” Jodie mumbled. “Luke is back in town. His wife has left him and he’s a real mess. This weekend he got drunk and ran off. It took most of the weekend to find him. I would have called you but I really did forget all about the Sunday meeting.” She looked down again, twisting a ring around her finger. Her hands had never seemed so small. “I’m also looking after his kids.”

  “Oh Jodie,” Matt sighed and leaned back in his chair, massaging his temple. “I’m sorry to hear that. Luke is a great guy.”

  “Yeah and now he’s emotional and an alcoholic and I’m afraid to leave him alone. Zach has been helping me, but it’s hard. I couldn’t leave him up the coast all by himself when he’s like this. I had to bring him home. I had to take care of him.” Her tone grew defensive as she tried to justify her behavior not only to Matt, but also to herself.

  “When do your parents get back?”

  “In just under three months. I haven’t told them what’s been going on. It will ruin their holiday and they’ll come home early,” Jodie admitted. “They’ve spent a lot of money on this trip.”

  “Is there anything I can do?” He asked, his clear blue eyes filled with compassion.

  She shook her head. They talked a while longer before Matt sent Jodie home, telling her not to come back for a week. Jodie tried to seem grateful, but she couldn’t help wondering if a week would be long enough to accomplish anything. She began to wonder if th
ings would ever resemble normal again.

  The next couple of days passed without incident. Either Zach or Jodie stayed with Luke at all times. Even having the girls around didn’t help with the depression and despondent moods, as though he had given up.

  Desperate to focus on something that wasn’t somehow tied to alcoholism or turning furry, Jodie knew she had to get out of the house. If she had to spend another long day cooped up with those two and the kids, she was in danger of losing it.

  While Zach played snakes and ladders with the girls, Jodie took the opportunity to go for a walk. Climbing over the back fence she escaped into the woods, immersing herself in the patchwork of Rimu, Matai, and Totara trees, and the ferns that skirted their vast trunks. The aromas of the forest comforted Jodie and before she knew it, she’d left the house and yard far behind.

  THE MAN RAN THROUGH the trees, vaulting over fallen logs, dodging rocks and low hanging supple-jack. He knew that he’d arrived late, and his anger threatened to boil over with each passing step. Crossing the walking trails twice, he chose not follow them, instead taking the most direct route possible.

  His keen senses alerted him to the bear’s presence but it didn’t bother him. Stopping beside an old stump, the man began to undress and hid his clothes beneath a large fern. He ran towards the bear, no longer human by the time he had reached it.

  The bear growled at the newly shifted leopard, and the leopard hissed in response. They regarded each other from a distance before the bear lumbered off. The leopard sat back on its haunches and yawned before sning the air. His thick tail swished from side to side as a familiar scent came to him along the breeze. First one ear turned back, then the other. He sniffed again. She’s coming!

  If the leopard could have sighed, he would have done just that. What is she doing in the woods, is she crazy? He dropped low to the ground and crawled closer on furred elbows. Standing just inside the tree line, she teetered on hesitant feet, looking around.

  Her long black hair hung loose, reaching halfway down her back. Straight and glossy, it moved like liquid satin every time her head turned. Her red stretchy top and dark blue jeans gave the illusion of casual, clinging to her beautiful curves in just the right places. She’s stunning and doesn’t even realize it. Struggling not to make his presence known to her, he continued to inch forward in a bid to gain a better view.

  Without warning, she marched off in the opposite direction. The leopard followed downwind, never letting her out of his sight. When it became apparent that she didn’t intend to change course, the leopard allowed himself to get ahead of her. He scented the trees and ferns, scouting the area for danger. After she’d been walking for ten minutes or so, the leopard smelled pigs. The stench had lingered there a while and had to be a couple of days old. Nevertheless didn’t want to take any chances. If the pigs had been there before, they would return.

  The leopard raced up the valley, hoping to head her off. Hearing him crash through the undergrowth, she halted at once. Her mossy green eyes became wide with fear as she searched for the cause of the sounds. She spun around, eyes darting this way and that. The rise and fall of her breathing as panic stirred drew attention to the taut fabric across her chest. It distracted him and knew he couldn’t afford that kind of luxury.

  With a soft growl, the leopard circled her. Not a malicious sound, one only to identify himself. Her rosebud lips parted a little as she looked right at the spot where he hid. Though she didn’t seem able to see him, she’d picked up on his presence. Judging by the look on her face, her fear hadn’t left.

  The leopard emerged from his hiding place and lay down on the forest floor, leaving several yards between them. Her eyes never left him as she tiptoed backward. Not that he blamed her of course; he knew he must seem frightening.

  “I’m afraid,” she called on a shaky breath.

  She trembled, raising a shaky hand to tuck her hair behind an ear. He felt awful for being the cause of it. Looking again at her sneakers, now firmly planted in the dirt, he realized that she had stopped moving. Though scared, she stood her ground. Does that mean she wants reassurance or to be left alone?

  The pigs posed real danger. The leopard didn’t want her scent to be anywhere near where they had been so he couldn’t risk her going any further in this direction, so he approached her. What was the worst that could happen? She’ll just run back home.

  “Pirrrt?” Similar to the noise a domestic house cat made when being playful, the deeper tone of the leopard issued a challenge. Trying to gauge her expression, he couldn’t decide if he had been interpreted correctly. Ever curious, and still unmoving, she studied him.

  With careful controlled movements, the leopard crept forward and lay at her feet. Yawning, he rolled onto his side, head resting on wide furred paws. Looking up to make sure that she still faced his direction, he shut his eyes and feigned sleep.

  After a brief pause he stole another look. From the gentle inclinations of her bowed head, he knew she counted to ten under each breath. When she raised her face again the leopard remained in the exact same spot, his gaze filled with intrigue. Upon realizing he’d been caught staring, he dropped his head to his paws and closed his eyes once more. The woman threw her head back and laughed.

  Curiosity got the better of him as he watched her drop to all fours and crawl closer. She reached out a hesitant hand and stroked him. Beginning at the top of his head, she ran her fingers down the back of his neck. Once she got halfway down his back, she started again at the top. It shouldn’t have felt so wonderful and it was unlike him to allow himself to get so distracted. He began to purr.

  Inching closer, she wrapped her arms around his neck. She’s so warm and gentle, and so beautiful. He almost forgot his purpose and inwardly scolded himself for indulging in such a frivolous moment.

  Sitting up and tucking her hair behind an ear, she looked at him. “I know you can understand me,” she said, almost hesitant. “So I’m going to talk and I hope that you will listen.

  The leopard rolled onto his stomach so that he could make eye contact. “Pirrrt?” He said.

  “I am so grateful that you helped me that night. I don’t know what I’d have done otherwise. I don’t know how you knew I needed help, or why you would want to, but thank you.”

  He responded by nudging her with his head, purring again as fur met skin. She wrapped her arms around his neck and rested her cheek against his shoulder. The leopard had never met a woman in his animal form before. He’d revealed himself as a shifter, but only after knowing the woman for some time. This woman had never even seen him in human form and had accepted his true nature regardless.

  “I’m aware that you are not just a leopard,” she said. “I know that when you aren’t hanging around here, you’re probably a regular guy with a regular life. I feel a little bit weird about that, but that’s not your fault.”

  He crawled closer and placed his enormous head in her lap. Stroking his pale spotted fur, she shared the anxieties the situation with her brother Luke had stirred. She explained how he might have infected his friend Zach, and concern that she might not be able to protect the girls. She also spoke of how she worried about whatever trouble might have followed Luke to Redcliffe, to her house. The boar that had attacked left her feeling scared, and she feared its motives.

  Conscience unburdened, she began to talk about herself. It seemed to make her uncomfortable talking about such personal information, so he wondered why she did so. It seemed as though she let a jumble of thoughts explode forth of their own accord.

  He discovered that she had grown up in Redcliffe and hadn’t lived anywhere else, never recognizing her dreams of international travel. She had some kind of irrational fear of becoming stranded somewhere and not being able to make it back home. Listening with interest, he let her say it all, right down to her likes, dislikes and interests.

  The leopard had never learned so much about a person in a single sitting. Usually he thought the kinds of women who never sto
pped talking were annoying, but when this woman talked, he couldn’t seem to get enough. Even the sound of her voice alone intoxicated him.

  “I wish you could have talked back,” she murmured into his fur. “I’m so curious about you, but I understand.” Lifting his head off her lap, she stood and brushed off her pants. “I’d better go back; otherwise the guys will wonder where I am. I’ve enjoyed talking to you, though. Thank you again.”

  Now sitting up, the leopard cocked his head to one side. He watched her walk away, following a short distance behind, needing to make certain she got home safely.

  WHEN JODIE GOT HOME, Luke had disappeared, leaving Zach on the verge of exploding. He’d been helping the girls with something when he realized Luke intended to take off and couldn’t do anything about it.

  If Jodie had been there, it would have ended differently. She could have stayed with the girls while Zach went after him. They both knew it but neither addressed the issue. Luke had gone, end of story. He’d be at a bar somewhere and one of them would have to go and find him. When Jodie volunteered, Zach thought that Luke might be a bit much for her to handle if he refused to come back. Jodie shuddered as she envisaged herself trying to restrain a man who stood an entire foot taller than she did, but she insisted on going anyway. She didn’t want Zach to have all the tough jobs; Luke was her brother after all.

  She found him at a bar watching horseracing. Her heart ached as she looked at him hunched over his mug of beer, alone and forlorn. Drunk but not incapacitated, which Jodie felt thankful for. Sliding onto a stool beside him, she toyed with her hair and stole a look at him. Jodie could have sworn that he knew she stood there but he said nothing.

  “Hi.” She said when it became clear he didn’t plan to acknowledge her.

  “Hi,” Luke said gruffly. “I decided to catch a few races.”

  “Right,” Jodie responded, fighting to keep her voice pleasant. “I came to take you home.”