Many buildings were started and they made their own furniture. Fire Station, veterinary clinic, stables. New ideas came in often to add to their personal space. As they got established they became Forest rangers, firefighters, search and rescue, law enforcement, paramedics, besides investing a lot of their time and money in the local community. They met monthly unless the need for another meeting was evident. It was just such a meeting they were gathered for now.
Chapter Four
“Okay”, Dean started, “everyone settle. We all have a beer and seem relaxed so lets get down to business. First, Zane and Clint have reported, we not only have a new colt, but also four puppies to add to our ranks.” Everyone laughed and gave a thumbs up to the animal crew. “Next, sorry Garret and Lucca, but your new cabin has been leased by a government agency that are relocating wolves to the area. Your cabin is closest to their target area and will be occupied by their employee that will study them and make sure they have everything they need to survive there. I’m sure that you will meet them and make them feel welcome to our mountain.”
Garret and Lucca looked at each other. “Guess we’ll be enjoying the hospitality of the lodge through the winter!” said Lucca. Everyone laughed and poked at the guys until it was time for the next report.
Sawyer stood to give his report. “All seems to be going well. The Wellness Center we built in town already has new members, not counting all of us, of course. Remember guys, it’s a great place to work out and stay in shape for the different jobs we have all taken on. Oh and we need more females. Been here several years now and only having ugly mugs to look at makes us all cranky.” Everyone was nodding and agreeing. Some new female flesh around here would be appreciated by all.
“Hey Dean, “Garret spoke up, “when can we expect this new government guy to show up?” Liking the idea even less now that it was sinking in. “Tomorrow or the next day, I’m guessing, be there smiling and friendly Garret. You too Lucca.”
After more reports on bad roads that need repairs and progress on construction, the guys were dismissed and dispersed. Some of the guys had their own places now, but the few that were still lodging, sat around having another beer and listening to county tunes on the radio.
Chapter Five
“Hey Garret.” Lucca called, “There’s a blue SUV on the road headed for the cabin. We better get over there and make “nice” like Dean wants. Whatever urged him to do this is beyond me, but he must have some hidden reason.” Garret caught up with Lucca coming out of the back door of the Lodge. “Yes, well it better be a damned good one to put us all on pins and needles for a year, tiptoeing around here. Don’t see how he thinks this is going to work.”
Lucca and Garret headed on over to the cabin they had built to welcome this scientist that was here to evaluate the wolf transfers. It’s a great program and they all hoped it worked out perfectly for the wolves. They had no problem being around or communicating with wild wolves. They all just wanted to live and peace. The guys had enough violence being in the Special Forces for eight years, they could handle about anything, but that didn’t mean they wanted to.
When they arrived at the cabin, they saw what they least expected to. A young gorgeous female with tight jeans and long dark curly hair. When she turned to look at them, they both gasped.
Mariah turned to Lucca and Garret when she heard them gasp. She put her right hand forward and said “Mariah Marten, I’m the scientist you were expecting. I need to look over the cabin real quickly to see if there is anything I need right away and then I’ll need my vehicle unloaded. The guy at the Lodge said he would send help. Are you it?
When her speech finally soaked it, they were both at a loss for words, but quickly snapped out of it. “I’m Lucca and this is Garret.” Stepping forward Lucca grabbed Mariah’s hand and shook it gently, not wanting to break her. “We’ll be glad to help you with anything you need. We prestocked the cabin, but if there is something else you need, we’ll be glad to see that you get it.” The three headed for the front door of the cabin.
Mariah stayed all business as she headed in and looked around. Nodding her head in some rooms and shaking it in others. “Is this the only door into the cabin?” Mariah asked. Reaching for it she realized it was a dutch door with the top and bottom opening separately if you so wanted. “I’ll need two more locks on this door, heavy, slide bolt. One installed near the top and one near the bottom. I’ll also need indoor steel shutters for each window, I’ll order those online and have them in a couple of days to be installed. I’ll be happy to pay you for your time and trouble, but it is rather remote out here.” Mariah continued to look around. “I need to feel safe here. I’m sure you understand. Especially at night.
“Now we can get the equipment unloaded from the car.” Mariah uttered as she led them back out of the cabin. “How’s the cell service out here, and the internet service?” Mariah asked as they unloaded the large vehicle.
Mariah grabbed two bags from the back seat as Garret came forward to answer her questions. “Well, We have our own cell tower and use government satellites for our internet and yes they know it.” Garret finished with a smile at Mariah.
Mariah headed back inside. Both guys reached into the back, stopped and looked at each other. “Lucca my friend, it’s her.” Garret smiled for the first time since finding out there was a scientist coming and would be living in their cabin. “I absolutely agree, I had trouble even breathing in the house. She’s not exactly warm and friendly, how are we going to get her to realize it. She belongs to us and we only have a year to convince her!” Lucca finished. “If it takes us an entire year, we don’t deserve her!” Let’s get this stuff in to her.
Chapter Six
“Oh my God, Oh my God, Oh my God.” Mariah cried to herself as she walked into the cabin with her first couple bags. “They are, wow, just wow,. Talk about tall, dark, and hamdsome. That doesn’t even touch it.” Mariah talked to herself a lot. It usually helped her work things out in her mind. But finishing high school and going to the university, she had never once encountered anyone that invoked this reaction, and there are two of them, “O. Oh no you’re not Mariah Marie, I need to talk to Maranda, I may be in trouble. You can handle this. You are a professional here. You are here for your descertation. You can do this. Just unload the car, get things put away and see if you can manage to get the computers up and running for your reports. Just do it!”
Right as Mariah headed back out the front door, both guys were coming in with armloads of tech equipment. “I can get this all set up for you, if you want. I was the tech guy for our camp”. “Camp?” Mariah inquired.
“We are with a small group of men up here that pooled our resources and invested it in the land here.” Garret replied. “Our land runs right along side the government land where they are planning on relocating your wolves. This is the closest housing they could get for you. Lucca added “we’ll be happy to help you in any way we can, and computers is what I am good at.”
“Wow, that explains a lot.” Mariah tried to mumble under her breath, not knowing they could hear every whisper she made. “You know, that would be great. I’m not all that good with computers and the company sent two for different reports, besides having my own.”
“No problem”,Garret chimed in. “You have a receiver on your roof here, and Dean Harper that has the Lodge, has a booster. Sometimes if the weather is really bad, the cell service can be a little sketchy, but it usually works most of the time.”
“Thanks for the info. I researched this area before I decided to take this job, but some information just isn’t available.” Mariah replied. Thinking to herself “Like do all the guys up here look like these two? How many more are there? Are any of them single? What the hell is the matter with me? I don’t even like men. They scare the hell out of me. I’m already loosing it and