Bear Shifters: Hunt Collection #1 (13 page)

“It’s nothing like that Oscar.  I had enough money to pay for that trip.  It’s just that I need to raise more money for myself.  I thought long and hard about this, but I made a decision that is going to change my life forever.”

“And what would this decision be?  If you don’t mind telling me.”

After what happened with her parents the day she arrived back home, Oscar seemed to be more of a father to Abigail than her own father.  She knew she could tell him her plans and he wouldn’t see anything crazy with what she was thinking.

“Well I’ve been thinking, I really enjoyed my time with Mark in New York and I loved the city life.  It was something I never experienced before.  My parents on the other hand aren’t fond of him and don’t think I should see him again.  I think they’re wrong, but of course I’m not going to tell them that.  Last time I spoke my mind against what they wanted me to do, it was a full blown fight at my house.  Enough is enough and I’ve made my decision.  I need to move to New York.  That’s why I want more shifts here.  I have to make enough money to not only fly out there but to find myself a place to live.  I mean I’m sure Mark would have me live with him, but I don’t want to sound needy or pushy.”

A smile slowly appeared Oscar’s face and Abigail knew she did the right thing telling him her plans.  “Well as much as I would hate to lose you because you are the best waitress I ever had work for me, I would never stand in the way of true love.”

“You mean you think I should go through with my plan?  I have to say, this is a surprise because I know if I told my parents this, they’d probably board up my house so I wouldn’t be able to get out.”

“I definitely think you should save up your money and move to New York.  I never saw you as happy as you are now when you talk about Mark.  It’s obvious you two are meant to be together.  I even picked up a different tone in your voice the day he walked in here for the first time and you met.  That’s a bond you don’t find very often nowadays.  But of course I’ll schedule you more shifts if that is what you want.  But I also don’t you working yourself too hard.  If you want time off, tell me.”

“Oh I will Oscar.  Thank you so much.”  Abigail walked out of the office.  Oscar was going to help her get enough money to start her new life in New York.  She couldn’t wait for everything to fall in place.  She didn’t want to tell Mark her plan, afraid she may jinx herself and something would go wrong.  But at the moment, everything was going according to plan.  Sooner or later, she and Mark would be spending their lives together.

Chapter Six

Mark sat at his desk in his office.  His parents hadn’t let up on trying to convince him of dumping Abigail and he couldn’t take it anymore.  His mind wasn’t on his work anymore, even Jacob had noticed.  He was making a plan, one that would make him happy.

It had been a month since Abigail returned home and he missed her terribly each and every day.  This time he had kept his promise and they talked on the phone all the time.  He sensed in her voice she was unhappy and it broke his heart.  She didn’t sound like the carefree happy girl who he spent the weekend with.  He was determined to get back together with Abigail and have no one get in his way.

Quitting time came and Mark went to Jacob’s office.  “Did you get my message?”

Jacob got up from behind his desk and walked towards the door.  “I did.  And as sad as it was, I know this is what you need to do.  You’re my best friend, I’ve known you all my life and I have never seen you as happy before.  Abigail is the girl for you.”

Mark smiled, relieved that Jacob wasn’t going to try and change his mind.  “Thanks, I’m glad you understand why I’m doing this.  Now the hard part is telling my parents that I’m leaving New York.”

“I take it that they don’t like Abigail.  I mean you introduced me to her that weekend and I thought she was a lovely girl.”

“My parents are the only ones who don’t see her like that.  They think she’s using me for my money,” Mark rolled his eyes.  “I don’t want you to worry that I’m leaving you in a bind.  I’ll be here for the rest of the month before I leave.  It’s going to take time for me to get everything in order.”

“Mark, I don’t want you to worry about a thing.  Take whatever time off you need.  It’s been a pleasure working with you all these years.”  The two men said goodbye and Mark left to go home. 

Walking into his apartment, he sighed looking at how much work needed to be done.  He may as well start packing now so that he wouldn’t have much left when the time came for him to move.  Mark was putting in a pile his belongings that he absolutely had to take with him to the country when there was a knock on the door.

“Mom, what are you doing here?”  Mark opened the door.

“Can’t I come to visit my son?”  She looked around and saw boxes in the living room.  “Cleaning out your place?”

“I guess in a way you could say that,” Mark said going back to put his stuff in boxes. 

Martha eyes her son suspiciously.  “If I didn’t know any better, I would say that you’re moving.”

Mark turned to his mother, “It’s nothing set in stone yet.  Just an idea I’m toying around with.”  He wasn’t going to give away too much to his mother about his move to New York.  In fact, he wasn’t planning on telling his parents that news until he was in the airport getting ready to board his flight.  Plus, he still hadn’t finalized his plan to move yet.”

“Well Mark, this is kind of sudden.  I mean don’t you think you should’ve talked about this to your father and me?”

“Why should it matter to you two where I live?  Is it because of all the girls you’ve been setting me up with as date?  Because mom I told you after the last blind date, I don’t want you or dad to set me up with any more girls because I have a girlfriend.”

“You’re not going back to this again are you?  Abigail isn’t your girlfriend.  She was a little fling you had back when you were in her hometown and then when she came here.  It’s nothing serious.”

“Nothing serious?!  Mom, Abigail is the girl that I plan to marry.  When are you and dad going to get that through your heads?”

“How serious can the two of you be when you live miles apart?  And you want to marry her?  That’s going to be interesting since you’ve never proposed to her and will probably never see her again.”

“That’s what you think,” Mark said going back to his packing.  He wished his mother would get the hint and just leave.  If she stayed any longer, he didn’t think he’d be able to keep his secret any longer.  Maybe it would be better to tell his mother, take the yelling that would surely happen, and sneak off when he could before she could get his father to stop him from getting on the plane. 

Mark turned and saw his mother standing at the door.  No such luck.  “Mom, I’ll ask again why are you here?  Because I have a lot of work to do.”

“I did come to tell you I had another date for you set up.  But I guess from your reaction earlier, you don’t want to be a part of that.”

“That’s the first thing you’ve said today that is right.”  Mark groaned.  “Mom, please understand.  I want you and dad to stay out of my love life.  Once and for all please let me just live my life!”

“Mark we only have your best interest at heart.”

Mark shook his head in disbelief.  “No, you don’t.  Because if you did, you wouldn’t be interfering.”  He sighed.  “Mom, I’m moving to the country.”

Martha laughed.  This had to be some kind of joke.  Her son who was born and raised in the city was going to give it all up to live in a small town all because of a girl.  “I must say Mark, you really got me.  I understand this was your idea of a joke as a way to get even with your father and me.”

“It’s no joke Mother.  I am moving.  Why do you think I’m packing everything up?  I already talked everything over with Jacob.  I sold him my shares of the company and left everything to him.  I’ve made my decision and I’m done with the city life.  Once I had a taste of the country life, I realized I didn’t like the city anymore.  Mom, all I ask is for you to understand that this is what I want in my life.  You always said that you wanted me to be happy.”

“You're my son, of course I want you to be happy.  But…”

“Being with Abigail makes me happy Mother.  And this is a decision I have to make.”

Martha wanted nothing more than for Mark to be happy in his life.  And she wanted him to settle down.  Year after year she saw him dating numerous girls.  She had to admit, she was glad to see him wanting to spend his life with one girl, even if it was this particular girl.  “As long as you’re happy with your decision then I’m happy for you and I know your father will be too.”

Mark, finally relieved that his parents were going to tolerate his decision, said goodbye to his mother. 
Finally, my parents are going to let me live my own life. 
Martha promised she would talk to Mark’s father and that neither of them would stop him from leaving New York.  He looked around. 
Better get busy and pack the rest of my stuff.

He had lived in this apartment ever since he graduated college.  From the looks of his packed closets, it was easy to see that most of what he had, he didn’t need to take with him.  He went online and put up the items to sell.  With his name attached to the items, there was no doubt that his stuff would be sold in record time.

Mark was right.  Within two weeks, all the items he had up for sale on the internet were sold.  He arranged to meet the people so he wouldn’t have to mail the items.  That would cost too much money and while he made plenty, he knew it was time to start being frugal with it.  Now all that was left in his apartment were his packed boxes, ready for the moving truck.  He was lucky to have found a small house not far from Abigail’s cottage.  What surprised him the most was that the owner agreed over the phone to sell it to him, even without coming over to take a look.  Mark didn’t care what the house looked like or the condition it was in.  The only important fact was that he would be with Abigail.

The next day, Mark went by the office one last time.  The truck picked up his boxes and was on the way to his new house.  He couldn’t leave New York without saying goodbye to his best friend.

“I guess this is it,” Jacob said when Mark walked into the office.

“Over ten years of friendship and with being business partners, it’s hard to believe I’m leaving.”

“Mark this is the right thing for you to do.  I know it and you know it.  I don’t want you to second guess your decision.”

Mark laughed.  How could he go back on his decision to move after all the work he put into his plan.  “I better not be changing my mind.  I just put a down payment on a house over there.  Not to mention that my stuff is now on it’s way over to the house.”

Jacob hugged his best friend.  “I won’t keep you because I know you have a flight to catch. But it’s been great working with you and don’t worry, we’ll keep in touch.  Who knows I may come out to visit.”

Mark said goodbye and took one last look at the office building once he was outside.  It was time to start a new chapter in his life.  He was going from city big shot to a country nobody.  And that was something he wouldn’t change for the world.

Chapter Seven

Abigail took on many extra shifts during the month and was sad to see she wasn’t making nearly enough to make a move to New York.  Disappointed when she received her last check, she went back to carry on her day at work as if nothing happened.

Oscar felt bad that he couldn’t pay her more, but it was a slow time for the diner.  In the summer he could afford to give her a raise, he so wanted her to be with Mark, knowing they were meant for each other.  But not now.  He wasn’t bringing in as many customers as he did when it was tourist season.  He had to admit, it would be a great loss not only to his diner, but to the community as well, if she left.  Though, he would never hold her back from her dreams.  Not like her parents would if they found out she was planning on moving to New York.

He sighed as he went back to his office, wishing there was more he could do to help Abigail.  She was the daughter he never had and seeing her upset broke his heart each day.  If Abigail couldn’t get to Mark, he hoped there was some way that Mark could come to Abigail.

*****

Abigail finished her shift for the day, glad to finally be getting off her feet.  She sat at one of the empty booths, getting some rest before she drove home.

“Abigail, I didn’t know you were still here.  I thought you would’ve left by now,” Oscar said sitting across from her.

“I’m going home soon.  Just had to rest my feet for a little bit,” she gave a small smile. 

“Abigail, I know you’re upset that you’re not getting as much money as you’d hope for your move.”

“Oscar I don’t want you blaming yourself for that.  It’s not your fault.  I know you’re doing all that you can to help.  I guess it’s time for me to reflect on the fact that I’m always going to be stuck in this town and living under the rules of my parents.  No matter how unreasonable they can be.”

Oscar hated to see Abigail so upset.  “I know it may not feel like it now, but I have faith that things will work out.  You and Mark are meant to be together and I can see it happening.  It may be now or somewhere down the line, but it’ll happen.  Now why don’t you go home and get some rest.  You need sleep before tomorrow’s shift.”

Abigail said goodbye to Oscar and left to drive home.  He meant well, but Abigail had given up on any hope and faith that she was meant to be with Mark.  Even his phone calls had stopped again.  Abigail wasn’t mad or upset this time, not like before.  Mark couldn’t stand to be with a girl who was miles away and she didn’t blame him.  It wasn’t fair to him that she wanted him all to herself.  He deserved to be with a girl that was from the city.  A girl with money and could love him the way he should be loved.  Not from someone from a different world.  How could she compete with a beautiful city girl like the ones she saw when she was at Mark’s office?  Tears were in her eyes.  She didn’t want to give up on Mark, but it was a choice she had to make.  If he didn’t call her within the next few days, then she would have to be the bigger person and call things off.  It was the right thing to do.  “I’ll always love you Mark,” she whispered as she pulled into her driveway.  She hated to admit it, but her parents were right.  A country boy from town is the only guy she was going to end up with.

*****

The next day, Abigail arrived at work after a horrible night.  Thoughts of Mark filled her head and she dreamt of him all night.  No matter what, he was always going to be the love of her life.

“Morning Oscar,” she said grabbing her apron.

Oscar had a smiled on his face.  “I’m so glad you have the morning shift today.”

“Yes, you scheduled me for it remember?”  She looked at Oscar weirdly.  He was always in a good mood, but today seemed unusual.  “Oscar, are you alright?”

“Of course I am.  There’s a customer who’s asking for you.”

“There is?”  Abigail was used to the regular customers asking for so she didn’t understand why Oscar made it sound so important today.  What was out of the ordinary?  “Who is it?”

“Why don’t you go and see?”

Abigail didn’t understand why Oscar was being so secretive.  She slowly put her apron on and grabbed her order pad.  Walking out of the back room she couldn’t believe who she saw.  “It’s...it’s…”

“I know, I was surprised to see him too when he came in.  He asked if you were working and when I said you were on your way, he said he didn’t want any other waitress to take his order except you,” Oscar said from behind.

Abigail shook her head.  Leave it to Mark to surprise her the way she did at his job.  “Hey stranger, may I take your order?”

Mark turned around from his stool at the counter.  “I was beginning to wonder when you’d get here.”

“You traveled all the way here to take a chance if I’d be at work or not?” 

“No.  Abigail there’s so much more to it and I need to talk to you.”

Abigail shook her head.  “Not right now.  But what is your order so I can go put it in for you.”

“My usual, pancakes and coffee.  But…”

“Thank you, I’ll get that right in,” she said turning on her heel, before Mark could stop to talk to her some more.

Nothing made sense to Abigail.  Why was Mark here?  He had been ignoring her for the last couple of days, even when she called.  Now he shows up at her job.  Something wasn’t right.  Maybe he wants to dump me in person.

“Abigail, the food is ready,” Oscar said and Abigail gathered her thoughts.

“Sorry,” she said going to the kitchen counter and picking up the plate for Mark.  She almost tripped as she walked to Mark’s seat, something out of character for her.  She never messed up when delivering an order. 

“Here’s your order.  Is there anything else I can get you?”

“There sure is and I’m looking at her right now,” Mark smirked.

Abigail’s heart melted seeing the smile on Mark’s face.  Maybe this visit was bad news after all.  She saw in the corner of her eye customers getting mad that they had to wait for their orders.  Mark was making her lose her concentration.  “Mark, my job is not the place for us to be acting like this.”

“Acting like what?”

“You hitting on me while I have a job to do.  I have to concentrate and make sure everyone gets their orders and in time.  I don’t want them to be complaining to their manager that their orders have gotten cold because I didn’t get them quick enough.”

“But I really do need to talk to you,” Mark begged.

Abigail sighed as she heard people complaining that their food wasn’t delivered.  “Mark, not now.”  She rushed away to start serving the customers.  All the years she had been at the diner, not once had a customer ever complained about her.  Today, that was going to change.  She could see them going over to Oscar and complain that their waitress wasn’t doing her job and that worried her.  Maybe they would see she was thrown aloof by Mark and cut her some slack.

*****

Abigail went on her lunch break and couldn’t believe Mark was still sitting on the same stool since the morning.  “Oscar, you allowed him to stay here so long?”

“Who am I to stand in the way of true love.  All he kept saying was that he needed to talk to you so I told him he could stay until your break.”  Abigail sighed.  “What’s wrong?  I thought you would be happy to see him again.”

“It’s not that Oscar.  I’m more surprised than anything else.  It’s just that, last night I had finally made the decision to let him go because I didn’t think we’d ever see each other again.  And now here he is.”

“And you’re realizing your decision was the wrong one.  Well...go on and talk to him.  He’s waited this long for you.”

Oscar was right about that, Mark was persistent.  He hadn’t moved from his spot at the counter and Abigail was happy to see there was a free stool next to him.  “Mind if I join you?”

Mark turned around and hugged her.  “Finally on your break?”

“I am.  And I didn’t expect to see you still waiting for me.  Mark why are you here?  I mean you haven’t called the past few days, I figured something happened.”

“Something did happen.”  Mark saw worry overcome Abigail’s face.  “Nothing bad I promise.  But it all happened when you came to visit me.  A change in me took over my body and I couldn’t live without you anymore.  And my parents kept setting me up on blind dates no matter how many times I told them my heart only belong to you.”

“I knew it!  They never did like me.” That explained the constant stares she had from his parents.

“I’m sorry I even brought you over to meet my parents.  I should’ve known they would be against our relationship because it wasn’t a girl they chose for me.  Abigail, believe me nothing happened on those dates they set me up on because I always called them off as soon as I met the girls.  I didn’t want to betray your trust in me and I didn’t care what my parents thought.  But my mom sees now how much she and my father were hurting me and she accepts me wanting to be with you.”

“Mark, did you come all the way out here just to tell me that?  Because I think that was something you could’ve told me on the phone.”

“If that was all I had to say then I would agree.  But it’s not.  The reason why I hadn’t called you the past few days was because I was busy packing my things.  Abigail, I left New York City.”

“For how long?”  Abigail didn’t want to know the answer, afraid he was only going to be in town for a show amount of time.

“Indefinitely.  Abigail, I’m moving here!”

Abigail knocked over her glass of water and quickly grabbed a rag to wipe it.  She had to be dreaming.  There was no way that Mark just told her he was moving out of New York to live in this small town.  “Mark, just tell me the truth.  Don't joke and try to make me feel better that you’ll be leaving soon.”

“I’m not playing a joke on you.  I really moved here.  Got a house and everything.  I realized after you left that the city life wasn’t for me.  The country life is where I want to live and with you.”

“But this isn’t your life.  You lived in New York all your life and it’s all you know.”

“Exactly and I know it well enough to know that I don’t want to live there anymore.  My house isn’t too far from your little cottage.  I put a down payment on it before even taking a look at it.  That’s how much I wanted to be here with you.”

Abigail was touched.  Her other boyfriends never even wanted to pick her up from work and here was a man she knew for a short amount of time and he moved away from the life he had known to be with her.  “Mark, I’m so touched.  I don’t know what to say.”

“You don’t have to say anything.  Just as long as I know you’re happy that I am going to be living here.”

“Of course I’m happy.  But what about your job?  Are you going to open your business here?”

Mark shook his head, relieved that he made the right decision.  “I gave it all up.  Sold my share of the company to Jacob and used the money plus what I got for selling some of my stuff to get the house here.”

“You did what?  Mark, I don’t want you to give up everything you ever loved just for me.  Don’t give up your life because you think it’s what I want.  I want you to be happy and I’m afraid you’ll be miserable living here.”

“Abigail the only way my life would be miserable is if I had to live it without you.  This past month without you has been just that.  And I don’t want to go through it again.  I wouldn’t wish the pain of missing you on my enemy that’s how bad it was.”

“I understand, it hurt me too.  I was going to tell you we should go our separate ways because I felt useless as a girlfriend being over here, so far away from you.  But now you’re here and all I want is to be in your arms, forever.”

“Then that is how we will be.  Because Abigail, you are my life.  I don’t care where we live.  Here or someday back in the big city.  All I know is that as long as I have you in my arms, I am home.”