The Alpha's Diversion

Jo

Cat.

The bell on the door interrupted her thoughts as Jo came in. In many ways, Jo was similar to her literary namesake from Little Women. She was independent, strong-willed, quick to laugh, and fiercely loyal to those she loved. Like her dad, she loved the written word. While Bobby had been a publicist, Jo was a writer. She had been working on her first novel for over a year, and it was slow going. Perhaps because she also loved men- a glaring deviation from the character her parents admired enough to name their daughter after. Despite the limitations of a small town, Jo had a revolving door of boyfriends, and nagged Cat incessantly on getting back into the dating game.

Jo whistled as she looked at the finished product of the last few months’ work.

“It really looks great, Cat! Congratulations!” Jo exclaimed as she plopped down on the couch with Cat, their arms brushing against the others’ comfortably. “How are you feeling about tonight?”

“I feel ready. A little nervous. It’s been a few years since I tended bar, so I’m hoping it all comes back to me. Like riding a bike, right?”

“Absolutely,” Jo said as she nudged Cat’s shoulder with a grin. “It’s gonna go great. Plus, you know people around here aren’t going to order fancy drinks. There’s going to be a lot of beer and whisky neat’s,” Jo chuckled. She paused, eyeing Cat with a mischievous glint in her eyes. “Besides being fun, I bet you’ll meet a lot of cute guys too!”

Cat groaned as she reclined on the couch, letting her head fall back against the cushions. “Of course, you would say that Jo. Is your mind ever not in the gutter?”

Jo laughed but didn’t answer the question. They both knew the answer. “Oh, before I forget. Mom said she finished the sculpture and will bring it by Wednesday. And Dad wanted me to tell you the Racer’s ready.”

Cat loved Jo’s parents. They’d been married 30 years and were still in love. Seeing them together was the only time Cat would admit romance’s appeal. Jo’s mom, Margo, was an artist, working mostly with mixed media and sculpture. She had sold in larger galleries, mostly in Denver, but had been loyal to The Village Vault since its opening.

Bobby was just as supportive of Cat, but in different ways. When she’d mentioned that she wanted to learn how to ride a motorcycle, he’d found a 1980 Honda CB Cafe Racer that needed some work. She bought it and they worked on it together on the weekends. Margo and Jo didn’t like the idea of Cat riding a motorcycle, and her dad wasn’t crazy about it either. Only Bobby and Wren were supportive- which was humorous because it was probably one of the few things that Bobby and Wren agreed on.

“Is Cory still going to teach you how to ride?” Jo asked, her voice lowering to reflect her disapproval- not just of the motorcycle, but also the man.

“Yes, Jo. He and your dad are the only ones I know who can ride. And it’s been years since your dad had one. I don’t think Margo would appreciate him getting back on one for me…I don’t know why you dislike Cory anyway. He’s been nothing but nice.”

Cory was an electrician Cat had met when he asked to sell his bands’ Vinyl’s at her store. She had readily agreed, even though she didn't think the music was spectacular. Music was art, and she didn’t want to close any doors for local artists. He hung around the Vault a little more than Cat would have liked. She’d been clear she wasn’t interested in a relationship, and he’d assured her that he just wanted to be friends.

Jo had rolled her eyes dramatically when Cat recounted the story to her. Cat needed a little more than Jo’s gut to dismiss someone, but it did make her more leery. Still, she couldn’t see any harm in taking motorcycle lessons from him.

“Hey, I better get going or Bill’s going to yell at me again.”

Jo worked at Ted’s Books, and often stopped by on her way there or back home. Ted, the original owner, and father of Bill, occasionally stopped by the bookstore to make sure Bill wasn’t “running the place into the ground.” Ted, full of lively energy and excitement about life, was loved and revered by the entire town.

Bill was, well, none of those things. He was respected, but no one would have pegged him for Ted’s son. A man of few words, dry humor, and a small circle of friends; he preferred solitude. But the two men shared a love of books and Moontrot, and it was evident that they were loyal to each other even though most of their conversations would indicate the opposite.

Cat laughed at Jo’s threat of Bill yelling at her. She had worked for Bill for years. First during high school, and then again after college graduation. Bill loved her like a daughter, in his own gruff way. And Cat had never heard him yell. Ever. He didn’t have to. His looks were deadly enough.

“You’re coming tonight, right? Are you bringing Matt?” Cat asked as Jo gathered her things.

Jo shot her a look. “It’s Mason, Cat. Matt and I broke up last month. Keep up. And yes, of course we’re coming! I work until closing and then I’m going to freshen up before Mason picks me up, so it’ll probably be around eight.”

“Sounds good. Have a good day at work. Give Bill a hug for me.”

“Ha. Ha. You trying to get me killed?” Jo called out as she left.

Cat chuckled as she got up to lock the door behind Jo. She took one more look around before heading upstairs to her apartment.