Beauty & The Bear

Pulling my clunking car into the driveway of my new home I put it into park and cut the engine. I close my eyes and let out a deep breath, leaning my head back in my seat. Looking up at the old beat up house that has most definitely seen better days and is in need of a lot of repairs, that was one of the main reasons I am able to afford it. Part of the lease agreement is that I am to fix the place up, I rent it for dirt cheap on the condition that I work on the home improvements. I didn’t really have a lot of options for accommodations, this place was tucked in the middle of nowhere on the outskirts of town and cheap. The house is the last on the street, which is nearly abandoned to begin with. A small studio workshop on the opposite side of town is perfect for my shop and I got a great discount on that too. I will go check it out tomorrow and start setting things up, hopefully have my soap and candle store open by early next month. For now I have to crash, the drive was long and it took a lot out of me. Jinxy meows from his cage on the passenger seat, I look over to him. “We are home now buddy. Let’s go check it out, shall we?” I open the driver's side door and peel myself from the car, making my way to the passenger side, checking my watch. My new landlord said he’d be here at seven thirty pm to meet me, it’s nearly time. I open the passenger door and pull out Jinxy’s cage and carry him to the front door of the apartment. He is curious, his big eyes looking around anxiously. I sit down and wait, there’s a wind in the night air and I shiver. Jinxy meows at me, he must be hungry, “Just wait a little bit longer Jinx… I’m sure he will be here soon” I lean my head against the pillar and close my eyes. I hear a truck engine roar and pull in behind my car, the engine cuts off and someone jumps out, slamming the door. I check my watch, it’s after eight now. I look over to Jinxy before standing up, holding my keys in between my fingers in defense, just in case. It’s dark out now, I can barely see who it is that is approaching as they jog up the driveway. “I am so sorry I’m late! Hayley, right?” A tall thin man approaches me, he’s balding and wearing a suit, the top three buttons undone. “Yeah, that’s me. You must be Mr. Parks?” I hold my hand out to shake his, he takes it firmly and gives it a few shakes before releasing it. “Nice to meet you officially, let’s get ya inside” He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a bunch of keys. Walking to the door he fiddles with them until he finds the right one, he opens the door and gestures for me to go in first. I pick up Jinxy and head in. He turns on the lights and hands me the keys, “Rents due the first of the month, as we discussed. Studio keys are here as well. You have my number if you need anything. I’ll uh leave you to it, good luck” “Thank you” I call after him as he turns on his heel and leaves me alone in my new home. I close the door and lean down and open Jinxy’s cage, he’s hesitant but after a moment he takes a step out and darts from his cage and starts to explore the room. I’m happy that the house is at least furnished and warm, there is a couch and chairs in the living room and upstairs in the bedroom there is supposed to be a bed, which I have yet to see. For now I am so tired I might just crash on the couch for the night, I don’t know if I can make it upstairs. Tomorrow is going to be a busy day, unpacking the car and getting things unpacked. I lay down on the couch and close my eyes, feeling exhausted. At some point I feel Jinxy curl up beside me. When I wake in the morning I have a painful kink in my neck, I decide I will not be sleeping on the couch anymore. I sit up and stretch, feeling my sore muscles move as I shift my arms over my head. Jinxy snuggles into my leg and purrs, I scratch him behind his ears and give him a little kiss on the top of his head. “I’ll be back soon” I get my printed map out of my purse and start my car following the directions, traveling slowly down the road until I find my destination. Even the shop looks worn out. I park out front and go to the front door, peering inside. I take the keys from my pocket and unlock the door, it creaks loudly as I open it, as if it has not been used in a long time. Flicking on the lights, I look around, it’s quite spacious for such a small shop. Wooden counters run along the entire side wall with a till in the middle. Wooden shelves frame the walls from floor to ceiling, which will be perfect for my needs. There are two small islands in the middle of the store as well, if I ever decide to do workshops in the future they will be ideal for that. I smile as I turn and make my way back to the car. I have more supplies for the shop than I do for the apartment so it makes more sense to unload here first. I’m unloading boxes, making a pile on the sidewalk when I hear someone approaching. I look over and see a mountain of a man standing a few feet away from my car. “Morning” He smiles at me, eyeing the boxes and then me. He’s got to be nearly six foot eight at least and over two hundred and eighty pounds. He has a trimmed beard and his chocolate brown hair is cut short on the sides but longer in the front, pushed back. His eyes look warm and inviting but there is also a danger hidden behind them, something telling me to stay away. “Morning” I say as I remove the last box and close the trunk “You must be my new neighbor, I’m Kaine. I own the Carpentry store next door” I wipe my hands on my jeans and extend a semi clean hand to him, “I’m Hayley, it’s nice to meet you Kaine” “You too, can I offer you a hand?” He gestures to the boxes “Oh umm.. You’re not too busy?” I glance at my watch checking the time, it’s not even nine thirty yet, but I don’t know his schedule. “Too busy to help a pretty lady such as yourself? Never” His smile grows bigger as he picks up three boxes at once like they weigh nothing and starts for the shop. “Alright then..” I pick up a box and trail after him. By the time we are done my back is aching, I place my hand on it and gently rub it. “Thanks for your help.. So is there a decent place to get some coffee around here?” I ask “Yeah absolutely, there’s a killer diner just down the road. Can I take you for breakfast Hayley?” I hesitate long enough that he throws his hands up in innocence, “As a welcome to our lovely town, nothing more scouts honor” He gives me that dashing smile once more. “Something tells me you were never a scout” I laugh under my breath He winks at me, “What do you say? I’ll be a perfect gentleman” “Alright.. But only because I need to know where to get the good coffee” I smile back “Alright, we can walk, it’s just down the road. Or we can take my truck if you would rather drive” He nods to a lifted Chevy parked in front of my car. “Walking is fine with me” We walk at a peaceful pace, he slows down to my speed as he is much taller than me, his legs are longer. “So what brings you to our little town?” He asks “Oh, you know, the price was right on the shop so I figured why not,” I say quickly. I knew people would ask me sooner or later why I’d picked this small town, so I’d already come up with my story. He simply nods, “What are you planning on selling?” “Soaps and candles, all handmade. Lotions too at some point, once I am more settled” “Sounds fancy” He opens the door to a small diner and allows me to enter first. The waitress looks up and smiles, “Morning Kaine, grab a seat I’ll be right over” Kaine gestures for me to pick a table, I choose a booth in the corner and sit myself against the wall, so I can see the room. Kaine sits down opposite me and hands me a menu. The waitress comes over to the table and brings over two coffee cups with a fresh pot, filling the mugs she asks for our orders. ‘You know my order already, Joy” Kaine winks at the elderly woman who smiles in response before turning to me, “What can I get you, doll?” “I’ll have a blueberry muffin and fruit salad please” I say Kaine looks at me funny, “I said I was taking you for breakfast and that's all you're having?” He chuckles “You can tell a lot about a diner by their pastries, if they have good muffins then I’m sure to be back” After breakfast I ask Kaine where the nearest Costco is, not realizing it would be three hours away, but what did I expect when I picked a town in the middle of nowhere. I see a convenient store and thank Kaine for breakfast and excuse myself, heading inside. I find disposable cell phones and buy a minutes card. It’s been so long since I’ve bought one of these I almost forgot how they work, it takes me almost half an hour to figure it out. I spend a few hours unpacking boxes, sorting through supplies and organizing before I call it a day. I lock up shop and start heading back to my car when Kaine comes out of his own shop, “All finished for the day?” “Yeah I’m wiped, all I want to do is have a hot bath and sleep for a week” I feel like all my muscles have turned to jelly at this point. He nods, giving me a once over. “Looks like you could use it” I give him a sharp look, is he insinuating that I look like I need a bath? I glance down at myself. “I just mean that you look tired is all” He laughs, “Have a good night Hayley”