10 Ch 10 On My Own (1/2)

The wind whipped at me as I indulged myself for a few miles. I had taken my helmet off and allowed myself to be as much wolf as I could while controlling the motorcycle. This is the sort of brainless thing dad would chew me out over, and something I'd always dreamt about doing. Right now I couldn't resist. I had a clear, empty stretch of back road with no parent in sight.

I couldn't wait to start my first day of work. I was looking forward to putting my schooling to good use. My new job suited me. There was a large range of chores that the job involved and I'd enjoyed doing most of them at one time or another around the reservation.

Dealing with the public is something that was also part of the job description. I had worked at the old lava tubes back home and had often done tours there; that's probably one of the things that helped me get this job. Being a Forest Ranger wasn't the highest paying or most glamorous job in the world, but it was hard to be a wolf and not appreciate the beauty around us. Making sure it stayed that way was just a natural inclination.

I pulled over to put the helmet back on when I passed a sign for the upcoming state route, checking again to make sure my stuff was tied down. I planned on camping until I got my first paycheck, saving up my money. I could camp anywhere, and always hunt if I needed to.

I got to the main ranger station just after lunch, fifteen minutes early. I made sure to park my bike up by the front to discourage people from fingering my stuff. The outer, public area was actually a little busy. There were two men and an older woman behind the counter. The one guy was older, with salt-pepper hair, a thick build, and in a uniform. The other guy was about my age, with short, sandy-blonde hair, a slender build, and in street clothes.

I walked up to the woman, giving her my best charming, yet polite, smile. I knew it was the older man I needed to talk to, but I wanted to make a good impression with someone I had a feeling was going to be bossing me around whether it was her place to or not.

”Hi, Rick Wolcott here to see John Slater.”

It was going to take some effort to respond to the name I chose to go by here. My Native American name meant little or youngest wolf and that is what I was called at home. I felt it would be awkward if these people called me Little Wolf. They weren't family and didn't know me. My birth certificate read Ulric Wolcott. The name Ulric meant ”power of the wolf”  in German, while Wolcott meant ”wolf's cottage.” Considering dad's heritage, both my first and last names made sense. The easiest and most acceptable Americanization of my name was Rick.

The lady looked up at me, took in my friendly smile, found herself smiling in response before motioning to the swinging door at the side of the counter. A good start in my book.

The older man motioned me over. The other guy and I followed him to a back storage room where he pulled out uniforms for us. The next few hours were filled with paperwork and orientation. After that, it was a tour of the grounds in a jeep. The other new hire and I didn't have much of a chance to talk besides short introductions. John kept up a steady monologue about our duties, how we would alternate tasks depending on the season, and the long term schedule of overseeing the park.

By the time he was done, so was the day. We had lockers, a small variety of tools to go with our uniforms, and a packet of paperwork. John was keeping Derrick, the other new hire, and I on the same schedule as his own at first, so he could supervise and evaluate our performance. He warned us that after a few weeks we might have different hours, depending on when and where we were needed.

Derrick stopped and gave an admiring whistle when he saw me stop at my bike. My first thought was that I hoped it was the bike he was whistling at and not me. He came over and thankfully it was the bike he was eyeing in appreciation. I grinned up at him.

”You like?”

”It's downright sick.”

His eyes raked over my bike while he circled it. The way he was entranced and staring at it in awe had me laughing.

”You wanna ask it out?”

His head jerked up, startled. He looked embarrassed. Taking in my grin, he grinned back. ”Think it would say yes?”

I laughed out loud. I'd liked the vibes and the few comments he'd made throughout the day. I had a feeling he was going to be fun working with.

”Pity you don't need a lift.”

His eyes got sly. ”Well if you want to drop me off at my car...”

Derrick left it hanging, looking hopeful. He had been heading to one of the few cars left in the back of the parking lot.

Regretfully I shook my head.

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”If you want a twosome with my bike, you gotta use protection,” I said innocently, trying not to grin at my innuendo.

His eyes got wide and he started to choke with laughter.

I punched his arm lightly. ”Dude, get your mind out of the gutter, I meant a helmet. I only have one. Now I'm gonna have to wash the bike or it's going to feel dirty riding it.” I pouted dramatically before suddenly grinning again.

He laughed. It felt good to start the job with someone it seemed I could be friends with. Of course, I never did have problems making friends. The wolf wanting what it wants? The companionship of the pack? Who knew.

”If you're not doing anything tonight, come by my place for a beer. I'll help you clean it up.”

”You're just looking for any excuse to put your hands all over...”