Page 5 of First Chance

“Then why am I here?”

“Because of your father.”

“My father?”

“I owe him a debt from a long time ago. This might be my only chance to fulfill it.”

“So I can have the job?”

“There are rules.”

“Like?”

“You can only be on the property during set times. Only in the big house. You can’t wander around by yourself or go into the barns.Nosocializing with the workers. And, you always have to be within arm’s reach of your phone when you’re working. If you aren’t reachable, I’ll assume there is trouble.”

I’m analyzing each point as quickly as he’s speaking, but my brain is already telling me what it wants. “Okay, I’ll do it.”

He holds his hands up to stop me. “I’m not done. I can’t promise it will work out. I’m not making you sign a contract, but you need to understand that if the rules aren’t being followed or I feel like there is any risk to your safety, I’ll pull the plug and you’re out.”

“You act like I’ll be walking into war.”

“Someone wants to shut us down. Every other week, we’regetting threatening letters, fences damaged, or harassed in some way, and it’s escalating. I need to get cameras and security up and running across the entire property. It could cost half a million dollars that I don’t have, and I don’t know how to get it. The funding we get from the state covers basic needs for operation, and that’s it.”

He sits silently as I ponder that. I knew the position was for a part-time Assistant/PR, but I didn’t know why it was needed. It seems like Lochlan is in over his head.

“So, the sanctuary is dangerous?”

“Yes.”

“I’ll still do it.”

He clenches his hands together on the table as if he is disappointed with my answer. As if he was hoping he’d scare me away.

“Do you know who I am, Jo?”

It’s the first time he’s spoken my name since meeting me. “Yes, I know who you are.”

“About my past?”

I nod.

“And, you still want the job?” He asks the heavily loaded question and watches me closely for my answer.

“Yes.”

Chapter Three

Jo

It took me 24 years to get my first job, and now I feel like my real life is beginning.

This is exactly what I needed, a place isolated from my family where I can be myself. None of their judgment or critiques can follow me here, not behind these gates.

As soon as I step out of my car, Lochlan is waiting on his front porch. I tiptoe excitedly to the front steps, avoiding letting my heels sink into the dirt. His eyes travel the length of me from head to toe before taking a deep breath and shaking his head.

Okay… Maybe I’ll still face some critiques here, but I love wearing heels, and not even Lochlan Dane can stop me.

“This is where you can report every day, or every other day. I’ll only need you for about twenty hours a week. You can pick what works best for your schedule, but you have to tell me ahead of time and stick to it.” He holds the front door ajar with an outstretched arm, waiting for me to walk in before him.

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