Page 3 of Taken Home By the Grizzly

“O…kay,” she says.

* * *

Twenty-four hours later,I’ve ascertained that there is categorically no work available in this town. Not a big surprise. I already knew there was a ton of unemployment here. And that ad I’ve favorited on my phone is burning a hole in my pocket.

I close my eyes. Try to conjure up positive thoughts. A warm, cozy home, full of fun and laughter. A couple of sweet-natured kids. A fire crackling in the hearth. Festive decorations still up.

I pick up my phone and tap out the number. Can’t hurt, right?

A woman answers, in a bored-sounding drawl. “Yeah, the job’s still available.”

“Great—”

“Can you start tomorrow?”

“T-tomorrow?” My head whirls. “Don’t you want to see my resumé first?”

“Yeah, I guess,” she says around a yawn.

“I’ll email it now.”

I wait on the line while she mutters her way through the eccentric list of jobs I’ve held down in my short life: dishwasher, dog shelter cleaner, bike courier, gift-shop assistant. “Yeah, sounds good,” she says after a few seconds.

Sounds good?How can that sound good? I don’t have an iota of relevant experience.

“How many children do you have?” I ask.

“Uh…” She pauses as if she’s not sure, herself. “Three.”

My stomach tightens. For someone who thinks one child will be a big responsibility, three is… is…inconceivable.

I swallow down a burst of panic. “Maybe we can video chat, so I can meet the little ones first?” I say in my brightest voice.

“Nah, won’t be necessary.”

“You want to think about it for a while?” I ask when she doesn’t say anything else.

“No, the job’s yours. Be here tomorrow at three p.m.”

I blink. “That’s kinda short notice. Can I start the day after?”

“No. You gotta be there then.”

“I need some time to figure out logistics—” I start to say, but she’s already ended the call.

Wow.I might not be the greatest nanny the world has ever known, but thank goodness I’m not a psychopath or an axe murderer. Maybe it’s a good thing they’re hiring me after all.

I cast around the tiny, one room studio that has been my home for the past year. That was hands down the weirdest job interview of my life, and I feel like I’m in way over my head. But what choice do I have?

I grab my keys and head out to the local bookshop, where I’m hoping they have a childcare section.

2

Lock

Five days ago, there was nothing here but peace, quiet and snow. Just me in my beary world. Holed up in my fortress. Hunting, sleeping, hating the world. Nothing new there. I like this time of year. I sleep a lot. Gives me a break from my fucked-up thoughts.

But something just dragged me out of my semi-hibernation:

---