The Last Shifter’s Baby

Chapter 2

Rebecca stood in front of the full-length mirror hanging off the door of her wardrobe, holding shirt after shirt against her chest before chucking them onto the bed. She finally settled on a lilac-colored tank top and a simple, white button up to go over the top. It’ll have to do, she thought, and undid the first three buttons, allowing the lace of the tank top to be visible. Her gaze trailed down to her mud splattered jeans and she sighed, yeah, it really wasn’t the brightest to wear my best pants on the job. She rustled through her dresser, finally pulling out a pair of black jeans, sliding them up her thighs. She studied her final look, shrugging her shoulders before deciding to tackle her hair. Pulling the long, dark locks from the hair tie, she visibly winced when the mane instantly began to curl and frizz. She quickly yanked it back into another tight ponytail, it’s just going to have to stay like this then.

She glanced at the time, her heart speeding up when she realized it was almost seven. It’s been so long since I’ve been out with a man. She took in a deep, calming breath. Why am I freaking out? It’s not even a date. It’s just – a dinner between colleagues – yes, just dinner. I can do that; I can do dinner. She smoothed nonexistent wrinkles out from her top, grabbing her purse before heading to the kitchen to wait for Luke. If she stood to the left of the sink, she could see the driveway. She wasn’t there long before she could see the flash of headlights as Luke’s truck made its way up her driveway. Before he could get out, she grabbed her keys and hurried out, locking the door behind her. She smiled as she pulled open the passenger side door and hopped inside. “Hi.”

Luke smiled easily at her. “Hi.” He said and backed out. Heavy silence filled the cab of the truck as Rebecca watched the dark shadows of trees flicker outside the window as they drove past.

“This is awkward, isn’t it?” she finally asked and felt her cheeks growing warm as Luke’s gruff, rumbling laugh filled the empty spaces in the cab.

“A little bit.” He answered. “But it doesn’t have to be. How long have you been working as a zoologist?”

She smiled, relaxed this time. “Four years, ever since I graduated from university.” She watched the strong outline of his profile as he listened to her answer.

“You went straight from school to work?” He asked.

Rebecca frowned, shifting in her seat. Oh here we go… If there was one thing that ruined a potential relationship, it was when guys found out about her work ethic. Well, she calls it her work ethic, her ex’s tended to label it her obsession. “I wanted to get started right away.” She said, her lips pressed into a thin, irritated line.

Luke glanced at her before turning his attention back to the road, the corner of his lips quirking up as he noticed her irritated posture. “Sure, that’s exactly what I did.”

She couldn’t help the way her eyes darted to him in surprise. “Really?”

“Yeah, I’ve worked with animals my whole life, I couldn’t wait to get paid to do it.” He said.

Rebecca blinked as the first light from the streetlamps assaulted her eyes, she hadn’t even realized they had reached town yet. Luke pulled his truck in front of a small diner, the flashing sign in the window proclaiming that they were open 24-hours. She looked over to see Luke smiling sheepishly. “I hope you don’t mind but they have the best burgers in town.”

Rebecca shook her head. “No, this is perfect.” Secretly she was relieved, she didn’t have the wardrobe to eat somewhere more formal and eating in pricier restaurants usually resulted in her spilling half the menu across her lap.

She smiled and let Luke help her down from the truck, trying to repress a shiver at the biting November cold. She cursed internally as she realized she forgot to bring a jacket. Luke looked down at her, his eyebrows furrowing in concern, but she smiled quickly and walked briskly toward the entrance. Luke’s long strides were quick to catch up to her and he reached out, holding the door open. Rebecca nearly groaned when the wave of heat that escaped the building washed over them, chasing away the chill. She let Luke take her arm, guiding her towards a booth by the window. He slid into the seat across from her when she sat down.

“You come here often then?” She asked after a pleasant faced waitress had poured glasses of water and handed them menus.

“Is it sad if I say yes?” He laughed. “I’m not much of a cook I have to confess, I eat out more than I know I should.”

“I’m actually the same way.” She confessed. “I’m not much good past boiling water.”

“Well, let’s hope we never have to host a dinner party together.”

That startled a giggle that she tried to smother into her palm, opening the menu to try and distract herself. She poured over the choices, debating whether or not she should try and impress by ordering a salad before immediately deciding against it and skimming the sandwich options. She was starving after her trek through the habitats.

She briefly noticed that Luke hadn’t touched his menu, arching an eyebrow she said, “Wow, you really do come here a lot, don’t you?”

Their waitress returned to the table, notepad in hand. “I’ll have the double deal, steak fries if you could.” Luke said and she snorted.

“I had that written down as soon as you opened the door. What about you, sweetheart?” She asked Rebecca.

“Oh, I’ll just have the same please.” she requested and looked back at Luke. “Don’t look at me like that, obviously you have the menu figured out.”

He tried to look put out but finally relented with a grin. “Alright, alright, when I say I eat out more than I should I mean I eat here most nights.”

She smiled around her water glass. “So how long have you been working at the sanctuary?”

“Six years this spring.”

“Wow,” she murmured, impressed. “You must have great relationships with the animals.”

Luke smiled, almost too quickly. “You could say that. So, what made you decide to come work out here?”

Rebecca focused on her water glass with renewed interest, trying not to think of Ryan. “I just needed a change of scenery – a break – from everything at home.”

“Any family?” He asked.

“Just my sister, Nancy, and her family. I have three little nieces.” Her heart hurt thinking of the three little blonds framed in pictures pinned all over her fridge. How long until I can have something like that? She thought.

Luke seemed to sense her sadness and thankfully changed the subject to pets. Her apartment didn’t allow any, but she learned that he had a border collie mix named Bear. By the time their food came, Luke had regaled her with tales of Bear’s mischief, and she forgot all about the longing for a child. Her eyes grew wide as their waitress set down two identical plates, heaped with food. Apparently, a double deal was a double cheeseburger with a mountain of fries. “I don’t think I can eat all this…”

“I can help you.” Luke mumbled through a bite of burger, and she laughed as she watched him twist a fry through a pile of ketchup, stuffing it in his already full mouth.

“I’m starting to see that.” She said, trying to smother another laugh.