Page 39 of Roses Are Dead
“Up until four weeks ago, I worked at a pharmaceutical testing lab in Harrisburg. I’d taken it as a temporary job while I’m down here helping a friend who’s sick.” But Carl ruined that. Luckily, I’d finalized my lease. Otherwise, I’d be in dire straits. “Right now, I’m looking for something comparable.” Or anything, really.
“I can ask Regina, she’s a nurse. Maybe she knows of an opening. What kind of work did you do at the lab?” Kate asked.
“Mostly sample testing and analysis. I have a degree in biochemistry.”
Zoe’s mouth dropped open. “Really? I want to go into Marine Biology, but I’m worried the transfers from Maine to here screwed up my STEM classes.”
Kate listened while her daughter and I discussed the course requirements and any college application insights I had for her. I found myself opening up about the college I went to and the options there.
A commotion from the front of the house had us all craning our heads as Bear came in. He carried several bags. He dropped them onto the kitchen island when he noticed our group in the backyard.
He didn’t look happy.
Of course, his size, piercings, beard, and tattoos probably had something to do with that. “What are all of you doing out there?” And he didn’t let us answer before asking Kate, “Where’s the speck?”
“Nathan went home.”
“Who said he could?”
“Wolf. The alarm is on.”
Bear glared at the fence, and the open gate. “And it didn’t go off?”
“I know the codes for the zones.” Kate tilted her head and shot Bear a look that clearly challenged, what are you going to do about it?
He took a deep breath. “I wasn’t here. You know there is supposed to always be someone here.”
“Roishin was here,” Zoe supplied.
He finally noticed me. His eyes fixed on my loose hair. It was almost dry and the oil I’d combed into it made it glisten in the sunlight. The brown turned slightly golden as it hung loose. His eyes trailed down to my bare legs and feet and the traces of mud and grass on them. “How long have you been outside?”
That was directed at me. “At least three hours.”
His jaw moved, causing his beard to lift. “Alone?” He gritted out.
“No, Zoe and Kate have been here keeping me company for at least an hour.”
His nostrils flared. He turned away from all three of us and took in a huge breath.
I braced for a bellow, or possibly even a blow. But he let out the air and slowly turned back to us. “Kate? Please?” There was a note of begging in his tone.
“Bear, I’m armed. Zoe is too.”
His eyes didn’t move from her. “That’s not good.”
“It’s okay. No one is actively trying to kill me anymore.”
He swallowed. Suspiciously, his eyes drifted to me and back to Kate. “It’s not safe.”
Of course it wasn’t. I’d forgotten about Carl. I picked up my jars and the ground mixture Zoe had worked on. “I agree. We should have been inside. You’re welcome to come over, after you lock up your house.”
“I’ll do that.” Bear strode through the open gate and made quick work of securing Kate’s house before herding us inside.
I pushed one of the bags aside so I had room for my things. “What is all of this stuff?” There were large bags, smaller bags, and some heavy boxes.
“I picked up a couple of things.” His face turned red. The lie was evident in the pile of purchases.
I peeked inside one of the large paper bags. “Sage?”
