A New Beginning. Joycee Clark
I use it for a lot of things, but mostly in the toilet to keep sediment from building up, on the faucets for the same reason, I use it for laundry, why are asking Lucca?”
“Why am I smelling it in the house when it hasn’t even used yet?” That’s when Garret walked back in the front door, turning to lock it. “Nothing to report. a few big footprints, and a strange odor I can’t place.”
Lucca and Mariah looked at each other and both said, “That’s it, he’s is washing his clothes in vinegar so we can’t detect his smell” “I thing you are absolutely right, the smell is a lot stronger in here. You know what that means, he has found a way in.” Garret grabbed Mariah for a big hug and said. “Thank God you went with me Mariah.” the hugging and closeness appealed to Mariah. Big, strong, good looking, thoughtful men. She was only learning to trust Garret and Lucca, she was enjoying their time together, and always looked forward to seeing them. I special commerodary was taking hold, and she liked it.
Maranda will never believe this!
Chapter Nineteen
They all sat down with warm drinks. Mariah with hot chocolate and Coffee for both men. “Okay, so we know this guy washes his clothes in vinegar to stay undetected. I think it would be safe to say he knows about shifters. He has big feet and must know Mariah from somewhere and is trying to scare her to death. Mariah jumped in, “No one knows me that has big feet, I’m thinking dipshit, asshole, pervert number four. He’s found out I’m up here and being separated from my sisters and friends, I’m open game for him.”
Lucca looked softly at Mariah with concern. “Mariah, I have a confession to make.” Mariah’s eyes opened wide and looked at Lucca. We looked into your history. One had an older brother that didn’t get caught. He may resent you for sending little brother to prison. I know he can compromise computers, all of your computers have been hacked. I changed some of your protection codes, because we noticed someone was watching you with your own camera. Remember, I put tape over all your online cameras. He can’t do that now, so he’s escalating. We will get him Mariah, I promise.”
“Garret and I refuse to have you live your life with that kind of fear and uncertainty going on. We will catch this guy.” Lucca promised. Mariah listened to the confession and their thoughts on the subject.
Mariah started, “Will you guys do me a big favor when you catch him? Bring him here, I have questions. Then I would really like to cut his balls off.” Mariah looked at Garret then at Lucca. They looked back and they laughed. “You got it Sweetheart,” Garret said first, “We’ll tie him nice and tight in a chair and you do whatever you feel you need to do, and then Lucca and I will even clean up the mess. We’ll let the guys around the mountain know to be aware of the vinegar scent. Do you remember anything about him? Height, weight, color of hair?”
Mariah looked at Garret with a blank expression and finally said,” I was a little busy trying to pretend nothing was happening, mentally calling out to my sister and trying to pretend to be dead so they would stop the assault. I think the frantic breathing gave me away though. My brain tried really hard to shut down, so no, I don’t think so, hey wait a minute two of them had red hair but only one redhead went to prison, the is the first time I thought of that. No one else has had the balls to ask me that.” They added red hair to the list.
Mariah apologized to the guys for her foul language, but both realized she had been carrying this trauma for years, it wasn’t like it was a habit. She only talked this way when they were discussing the trauma event. She was so excited about her wolf assignment and again he was messing with her life. They both thought when they got this behind them, they could find all kinds of ways to make her smile again. They both loved it when Mariah was smiling or laughing, she always seemed to glow when her guard was down. Mariah’s birthday was coming up pretty quick. It was past time to catch this guy and put him prison with the others, if he lived that long. They wouldn’t be kind to such a person, he didn’t deserve to breathe the same air as their Mariah. They would set up a few traps for him, as long as he showed up again, they would have him.
For the first time, Mariah didn’t feel she was going it alone up here in her mountains. She was fast learning that she could trust and depend on Garret and Lucca. Mariah had told Maranda about her life here, and confessed her comfort around them, her life was making a huge turn around, and Maranda was happy for her, but certainly concerned about her stalker. Mariah’s entire family changed after the attack. It left the four sisters with a big distrust of men. All their lives had changed, but they only wanted the best and total happiness for their youngest sister. If Mariah could find it, maybe they all could.
Maranda was planning a surprise visit to Mariah for their birthday, she just couldn’t imagine spending that special day any other way. They had always been together.
After repairing the steel shutters and windows, gathering enough wood for the night, they blew out the candles and prepared for the long night. Mariah was so glad they were both staying. One would stay awake to guard the place and the other to trade off in a few hours, ahhhh extra warmth and security for the night. She knew with Garret and Lucca both with her that she would be safe and not panic at every noise in the cabin. Tomorrow would be a new day. They had arranged for one of their buddies to come repair the solar panels and wiring. One would go get more firewood and set up traps for her stalker. Mariah was certainly hoping the weather cooperated so she could make it to her wolf pack and make sure they made it through the storms okay. The guys had gone and caught fresh meat for them and when Lucca came to drop it just outside the caves, the Alpha came out of the caves and stared at him for a few minutes, Lucca stared back and tried to mentally talk to him. The Alpha didn’t respond and with Lucca twice his size, he waited for Lucca to back up before picking up the meat and taking it in to his pack. Good Alpha.
Chapter Twenty
The next morning while Garret and Lucca gathered wood and set traps, Mariah showered and called Maranda. They talked basics, then discussed her stalker. She told her about helping in town during the accidents to help with feeding and bringing comfort to those that needed it. Then she brought up Lucca and Garret. Mariah had mentioned them before, but this time she indicated to her sister that she was interested in them. “They are so gentle with me and will protect regardless of the cost to them. They see that I have everything I need, and when either goes to kiss me, they gently cup the back of my head so it doesn’t hurt my neck because they are so much taller then me. They always pause to see if I’m okay with it, they look into my eyes, and I just melt. They haven’t pushed me to take it further, just holding hands or putting their arms around me. I have gotten anywhere near this close since the attack, but they make it so easy and that is partly why I came here. To put my past to rest and start over. New job, new surroundings, new friends and it’s working.
“Mariah,” Maranda stopped her speech. “Have you told them about the attack? You have two men vying for your attention, how are you going to pick one over the other? Have you thought about that, or is there something you’re not telling me?” “Maranda stop, yes of course I have thought about all these things, and yes I told them about the attack, they are very understanding and promised to go slow or at my pace. They don’t rush me. They have also let me know that they aren’t going anywhere, they will wait to move on to the next step. I don’t have to choose, they grew up together and have always shared everything. They are even war buddies, they were soldiers together. Just trust me on this Maranda.”
“Maranda, my you and the others could come for Christmas, then maybe you’ll understand after you meet them. Just remember they are mine and you’ll have to find your own. There are plenty of men up here looking, eh, for women. And sop pulling out the negative, this has been a very positive move for me, don’t try to take that away from me. I love you beyond words but I needed this to finish healing, and I want you, and Skeeter, and Sparky to be happy for me.” Mariah then told Maranda she had to go and they signed off with love and hugs.
Mariah was happy and looked forward to each new day for the first time. She was done being scared of everyone and everything. Hiding during holidays and avoiding people was over,