Page 31 of Brandt's Rule

“Hey, do you think there could be bears in town?” Bailey asked.

“Bears?” Tempest asked.

“Yeah. I’d have sworn I saw one just on the other side of that fence while I was waiting for you, just for a split second, but surely it was just a really big dog.”

“I’m sure it was dog,” Tempest said, thinking of Brandt. Brandt had been on the other side of that fence the night before, and she knew without a doubt that he was a Bear shifter.

“Still, it was big. Just be aware in case it’s not friendly.”

“It’s probably grouchy and mean,” Tempest said, laughing.

“Why is that funny?”

“It just is. Have another onion ring,” Tempest said, still smiling.

~~~

Brandt sat on the folded down tailgate of his truck, sipping his coffee. He’d hit the coffee shop early, had even been the first customer inside when they finally opened their doors. Tempest wasn’t inside the shop, but he could feel her. He knew she was upstairs in that little apartment she’d claimed as her own. Smirking to himself at the day he had planned for her, he happily took his bag of donuts and flats of coffee and was already driving down the street before Tempest was even up and out of her bed.

His very presence was enough to alert Tempest’s consciousness, bringing her instantly awake. She knew from the dark sky outside her windows that it was still very early morning. She was not late, in fact, if she wanted to she could laze about for a while — she was awake a lot earlier than she’d planned. But no, not today. Today she planned to prove herself to the clan of shifters responsible for most of the new construction in town. The same clan that Maverik belonged to. The same clan that Brandt and all his staunch, moodiness belonged to.

Pushing her covers back and getting out of bed, she felt energized — and she hadn’t even had her shower yet. Today would be a challenge, and that was a good thing. She so loved challenges, almost as much as she loved people underestimating her. Today she got to overcome both.

~~~

Tempest turned off the highway onto the brand new paved road leading to the condominiums being built. She was almost forty-five minutes early, and hoped that would surprise those who wondered just how hard they’d have to push her today to make her give up. Didn’t matter, give up wasn’t a part of her vocabulary. Walk away was, when she figured out whatever she was attempting to achieve was little more than a lesson in futility, but quitting before a job was even done? Never.

Parking her bike, she balanced her helmet on the seat and turned just in time to see Brandt about ten feet away from her, turn his head quickly to look away before she could see him noticing her. Hiding her smirk she walked toward him and the rest of the males that hung around sipping coffee eating their breakfasts.

“Good morning,” Tempest said as she approached.

Brandt turned his head in her direction and watched her silently.

“Morning,” Remi said. “You’re early.”

“Couldn’t wait to get started,” Tempest said.

“We haven’t even really started yet. Getting some much needed caffeine before we get at it,” Barron said. “I’m Barron by the way. You’re Tempest right? Maverik’s friend.”

“That’s right. It’s good to meet you, Barron.”

“Same, same. So, what kind of experience do you have?” Barron asked.

“I can do just about whatever you need done. And if I don’t know how, just show me once and I’ve got it.”

“You always do men’s work?” Brandt asked condescendingly.

Tempest smiled coldly as she looked him in the eye. “Work is work. Whether it’s done by a male or a female doesn’t make much difference as long as it’s done well.”

“I don’t think I’d say that kind of thing out loud if Aunt Delilah is around,” Jobe said.

Barron snickered. “Get yourself a case of the chapped ass, literally. She can send a cold shiver up your back, or ass.”

Brandt watched each of his friends making nice with the new girl, and it kind of did chap his ass. Not the way Delilah would if he’d irritated her, but in the way that he needed her to leave. He needed to make things so uncomfortable for her that she didn’t want to stick around.

“Yeah, well, that’s why you don’t taunt the Dragon,” Brandt said.

“Dude,” Remi said, “you’re taunting one right now.”