Page 2 of Load Bearing
Alex certainly wasn’t smiling now. She looked offended, and Hunter wondered if she had some justification. He’d expected Orson to flunk his first test in the real world and take the business down with him. Perhaps he’d done this woman a disservice in assuming that she couldn’t keep his little brother in line.
Charm was not Hunter’s finest skill, but he had enough to draw on. “I assure you, I did not intend to questionyourcompetence,” he said blandly, not including Orson in his assessment. “But I have found that surprise is often a useful tool in investigation.”
“Are we under investigation?” Alex asked, sounding very neutral and not looking at all charmed.
“I’m merely here to do a business assessment,” Hunter said, just as flatly. “It won’t take much of your time.”
“Good,” Alex said. “This is a busy time of year and we’re…temporarily short-staffed.”
Hunter pounced. “I noticed some employmentirregularities,” he growled. Hiring felons was not something the business did on a company-wide basis.
Alex’s lip pulled up in a snarl. “I will vouch for any of the men and women who work for me,” she said fiercely. “We’re low on staff this week because it’shunting seasonand they're out in the field filling their families’ freezers for the winter.”
Orson looked between them uncomfortably. “Maybe I could give Hunter a quick tour?” he offered. “While you put together the paperwork?”
Hunter ignored him. “I’m going to be here for a few weeks. You can put me to work wherever you have a staff shortage. I’m fully qualified for any positions in the office or in the field.” He spared a glance at Orson. “Though I feel my skills may be wasted answering phones.”
“I’m already doing that anyway,” Orson said with a hopeful grin. “Hunter is really good at surveillance electronics,” he added to Alex. “Way better than me.”
If Hunter had not been watching her closely, he might not have noticed the twitch of amusement at Alex’s mouth. “Don’t undersell yourself, Orson,” she told him. “Have Mr. Davison look over the specs for the Crutchfield camera quote and show him the surveillance room. Tom can give him an orientation. It wouldn’t hurt to have another opinion on their offer.”
“Yes, Ms. Hotpants, ma’am!” Orson said jovially as he sprang up from his seat and saluted. “I’ll show you, Hunter.”
“You call your boss Ms. Hotpants?” Hunter asked, when they were alone.
“She’s not just my boss,” Orson said cheerfully. “She’s my mate.”
Hunter came to a surprised stop. “Your…what?”
“Like Theo! As soon as I saw her, my bear knew she was the one and only.”
Mate,his own bear agreed.
That iron-faced harpy?Hunter asked in surprise.
Notourmate, his bear assured him.Hismate.Hunter was understandably relieved. He had no desire to find a mate and wasn’t sure he believed in fate anyway. Instinct was one thing. Inescapable shackles of destiny was quite another.
Hunter caught up with Orson in a few determined strides. “Why didn’t you tell one of us?” he demanded. “Part of the reason I was sent here is because you’ve gone basically radio silent, and that’s never a good thing.”
“I’ve been busy,” Orson said with a sly sideways smile. “We’re buying a house.”
Hunter nearly careened into the wall as they turned a corner. His baby brother, buying a house? With amate?
They had just come to a door marked with several warnings about radiation. There was a red ON AIR lantern above it that was lit. “Should I be concerned?” he asked, gesturing.
“Nah,” Orson said. “It’s just for jokes. It’sfunhere. You should take notes. You could learn a lot.”
Hunter only scowled. He didn’t like surprises.
2
TRIXIE
“Grizzly Protection Services!”
Trixie looked down at her business card to double-check the number she had just called. “Sorry, I was looking for Snafu River Security…?”
The man who had answered the phone gave a chuckle. “Yeah, we’re getting a lot of that. New ownership. Don’t worry, Alex Vex is still in charge and living large.”
