Page 13 of Bear Creek Thanksgiving (Holiday Mates #3)
Dustin had slept like the dead but awakened with morning wood—dreams of chasing a naked Gruff through the orchard still fresh in his memory.
The interviews were scheduled for eleven and noon at the Red Barn, so the goal was to get the laundry and grocery shopping done by ten thirty.
It was tight, but doable if he hurried. After a quick shower and shave, Dustin gobbled down a toasted bagel slathered with nut butter and loaded the laundry into the back seat.
The Suds & Duds on Third Avenue was usually packed on weekends, but he’d arrived early enough to beat the crowd.
While the loads washed, he grabbed his tablet and started searching for more recipe ideas for the Barn.
While he had the fall and apple-themed goods covered, he needed to round out his everyday offerings—things regular customers could always find on their shelves, no matter what time of year.
Dustin saved potential ideas to a file folder marked BAKING , figuring he’d whittle it down later.
He also searched the websites of other orchards who had a similar setup to Shady Lane.
There, he found a treasure trove of ideas for baked goods, seasonal decorations, sales promotions, and gift shop products.
It was almost scary how similar they were, but he was determined to offer the public what they expected and what they couldn’t find elsewhere.
That jogged his memory about the Bear Brownies at Delicious —something else found only in Bear Creek.
More importantly, he knew Gruff loved them but rarely spent money on non-essentials.
He’d lived on an extremely tight budget for years, scraping by from season to season and working twelve hours a day for months at a time.
The poor man deserved a break, and Dustin intended to start spoiling him whenever possible.
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Meanwhile, in Wilkes-Barre
Gruff pulled into a parking space at the Discount Furniture Warehouse, hoping to find what he needed with one stop.
Inside, he spotted the bedroom sets and headed over to start looking.
Gruff was soon overwhelmed by the vast array of choices, styles, and prices until a smartly dressed woman approached with a name tag that said ‘ Helen .’
“Good morning, sir. May I help you find something?”
“Yes, please. I’m not too good at shopping, but I need furniture for a man’s bedroom. Something sturdy, but affordable.”
Helen gave him her best smile.
“Of course. Let me show you our clearance items first and see if anything is to your liking. We offer a one-year guarantee, and free delivery within a fifty-mile radius.”
The selection was limited, but Gruff found a matching queen sized bed, dresser, and nightstand which would look terrific in the bedroom Dustin preferred.
Though it embarrassed him, he lay down to test the mattress, and Helen assured him there were many other choices if this particular set wasn’t comfortable.
He thought it was just fine, especially for the price.
“I’ll take it, but I still need a rug, lamp, sheets, bedspread, pillows, and maybe a single chair. Can you help me with those, too?”
In what must have been the fastest sale of her career, Helen soon rang up the sizable purchase and called for help to load the bed and smaller items into the back of Gruff’s pickup.
He’d have taken everything if it had fit, but the bed was the most important.
Helen told him he wouldn’t have to wait long for the remainder of his purchases.
“We can have everything else delivered tomorrow by one o’clock, if that works for you. I only need a phone number and directions to your home, and then we’re all set.”
Gruff thanked the woman for her help, got everything tied down, and headed home—wallet empty but heart full.
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Dustin carried his finished laundry to the car and hurried to Wallen Market on Route 6 for groceries.
It was busier here but not like it would be later in the morning.
Following his list, he made it through the store in good time.
A glance at his watch revealed that he had about fifteen extra minutes, and he decided to stop and get some treats for Gruff.
While Delicious normally opened at nine o’clock, it looked deserted for some reason.
He got out and approached the main entrance, only to find the doors locked.
Crap! He’d forgotten the shop was closed on Sunday.
As he turned to leave, movement from inside caught his attention, and he spotted Aiden, sans apron, coming towards him.
He unlocked the door, gestured him inside, and quickly relocked it behind him.
“Dustin! What brings you here on a Sunday? I was just picking up some paperwork to do at home and saw you looking all bummed.”
“Hey, Aiden. It’s nothing that can’t wait. I wanted to do something nice for Gruff and get him some Bear Brownies. I’ll try again later in the week.”
Aiden shook his head.
“No need, my friend. I can get you fixed up and out the door in no time—but don’t tell anybody you were here! How many do you need?”
While Aiden boxed the shifter treats, Dustin told him about the upcoming interviews with Jillian and Asha, and that he and Gruff had talked about inviting him and Dash over sometime. Aiden gave him a knowing smile.
“So you and Gruff, huh? I’d always hoped he would find the right guy. I take it you haven’t officially mated then?”
Despite his blush, Dustin used the opportunity to ask for advice.
“No, but I think we’re heading that direction. It’s just… I have questions about how shifter mating works, and I don’t want to hurt him by doing something wrong. Do you know anyone who could explain it to me?”
Aiden handed him the heavy box.
“I sure do—me! If you and Gruff are free this evening, why don’t you come over around seven o’clock and we’ll have a chat. I had to ask for help, too, so I understand exactly what you need to know. Text me later and we’ll go from there.”
Aiden refused to take payment for the brownies, saying he’d put it on Dustin’s tab, and shooed him out the door with a wide grin.
Dustin had no time to ponder the interesting conversation and headed directly home.
Now he really must hurry if he was going to make it to the Barn on time, and he still needed to unload the car, put away groceries, and change his clothes.
Hopefully, he and Gruff could spend some time together later today, making all this running around worth it.
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Not long after, at the Red Barn
Dustin pulled into the parking lot with two minutes to spare and found that Jillian had already arrived. She was standing outside the big old barn talking to Gruff and interacting with Baxter. He grabbed his tablet and walked over to join them.
“Jillian? I’m Dustin Mowry. I see you’ve already met Gruff and Baxter.”
Jillian was on the tall side, with long blond hair and an easy smile.
“Yes, I have, and it’s nice to meet you, too. I was just telling Mr. Cunningham that the property looks better every time I drive out this way. The new barn is lovely, and I can’t wait to see inside!”
Dustin was glad to hear it. Gruff deserved credit for all of his hard work.
“If you’ll wait for me at the main door, I’ll be right over to give you a tour before we get started. I just need a quick word with Gruff.”
Jillian walked toward the double glass doors while Dustin tugged Gruff into the big barn and swept him into his arms. The growly shifter scented and licked his neck before they traded quick kisses.
“Missed you, Dusty. Jillian seems nice. If you need me, I might be at the house for a while.”
Dustin kissed him again and gestured toward his car.
“You were in my dreams last night and they were kind of naughty. Remind me to tell you later. Asha should be here around noon for her interview, and, uhhh...I left a surprise for you on the passenger seat. Gotta go!”
Dustin reached down to scratch Baxter’s ears before hoofing it toward the Red Barn.
Gruff and his bear were curious about what the surprise might be, and his nose revealed it to him before he reached the white sedan.
The growling started with the first whiff of what could only be one thing—confirmed when he opened the car door and saw the distinctive lime-green and brown box from Delicious .
Baxter followed his rumbly companion back to the house, chittering at him the entire way. He wouldn’t be getting any of this treat, no matter how much he complained.
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Wide-eyed with delight, Jillian struggled to take it all in.
The building itself was beautifully laid out, and she could picture the lower level filled with eager guests.
Dustin also showed her the second floor kitchen, party room, and storage area before returning to the gift shop.
At the counter, he pointed out the various tasks she would need to learn.
“As the front end supervisor, you’d be the go-to person if I’m not available.
Besides ringing up purchases, there’s the apple weigh station, drink machines, handing out customer samples, and of course, general customer service.
During the slow times, you may also help restock the gift shop and cover for breaks.
Eventually, you’ll help me check-in deliveries and train new employees.
I know all that sounds overwhelming, but it won’t take long to get the hang of things, and I’ll be right here to help you.
Why don’t we have a seat at one of the tables and talk for a bit? ”
Dustin went over his expectations, pay and benefit issues, dress code, and the kind of atmosphere he wanted to establish. In turn, Jillian asked some questions of her own, including what Dustin expected of her during the off-season.