Small Moments: A Malsum Pass Novel

by Kimberly Forrest

  “I didn’t recognize you. Your beard was a lot fuller when we met, and your hair…” Rin let the statement trail off, afraid he might take offense at her not immediately remembering him.

  Mike grimaced his hand coming up to rub the whiskers on his jaw. “Accident with a torch when I was under a vehicle. Some hot metal fell and next thing I know I’m smelling burnt hair and one side of my beard is smoldering.” He dropped his hand and lifted one broad shoulder in a shrug. “Had to shave to keep from being cockeyed.” With that bright smile of his returning, he brought the conversation back around. “So what can I do for you?”

  “I was told you have a gym, sort of, and I was hoping I might be able to use it.” At his frown she rushed on hoping he wouldn’t turn her down flat. “Just until the snow’s gone and I can get back to running outside.”

  Mike shook his head. “I don’t mind if you use it, I just don’t think you’ll want to once you get a look at the place. It’s not like one of those places with a lot of fancy equipment. Though I do have a treadmill if all you want to do is run.” Swinging a section of the counter up on its hinges so that Rin could come through, he gestured for her to follow. “Here, I’ll show you.”

  Rin stayed close behind Mike as they traversed the large open space of the garage, careful to watch her step. She could definitely understand why Margaret Tully might find the place offensive. The mix of paint fumes, gasoline, rubber, and grease was pungent to say the least, especially to a sensitive shifter nose. But like all scents, prolonged exposure would decrease sensitivity. Besides, it would be worth it if Rin could get her daily endorphin rush in the gym.

  And that gym was a sight to behold when Mike opened the door and ushered her inside. The floors were concrete though one section had one of those thick blue mats she always associated with gymnasts. A big punching bag was suspended from the ceiling and one of those smaller bags that Rin had only ever seen in movies, was attached to the wall. Weights of various sizes sat on a black rack while behind it pegs on the wall held a jump rope and two pairs of boxing gloves. Milk crates on the floor were flush against the wall and held assorted equipment Rin couldn’t see at the moment, while on the other side of the space, sat the treadmill Mike had mentioned as well as the biggest tire Rin had ever seen. But in the middle of all of this, was what appeared to be a full sized boxing ring.

  “Do you box?” Considering what her eyes were showing her, the question was probably stupid, but it was out of her mouth before she could think better of it.

  Mike gave a nod, “I enjoy going a few rounds now and again with some of the guys. Great way to relieve some stress.” He lifted his arms above his head to indicate the entirety of the space, and asked, “So, what do you think?”

  Chapter Four

  Mike had been attracted to Rin Hayashi from the moment he first laid eyes on her, and then disgusted with himself for thinking that way. There she had been, a mere handful of hours after being rescued, probably scared, most likely traumatized from her captivity, and mentally if not physically scarred from what she had endured. Christ, she hadn’t even been wearing shoes on her feet, just a dirty pair of socks, and he’d been thinking of pick-up lines, and the best way to approach her. How twisted was that?

  When word had spread that she planned to stick around Malsum Pass instead of returning to New York, his heart had kicked into double-time. His first thought: he could ask her out now. It had taken a hard hand on the reins to pull that thought back. The last thing she needed was someone like him panting after her and following her around like a pup. She needed time to heal, not hear grand confessions of undying adoration coupled with no small amount of begging.

  Now here she was, wanting to use his space to exercise. Hell, if she only knew. She could ask him to turn his garage into a tutu factory and he’d happily oblige. He’d even model the product while clucking like a chicken if she said the word. That’s how powerful his attraction to this female was.

  “I’ve never boxed before.” Rin said approaching the ring and touching the bottom rope. “But I took Karate when I was little.” Then she laughed and Mike swore he fell in love at the sound. “Well, young – I should say young since I’ve always been little.”

  Did he have stars in his eyes? Probably. Man, she was so perfect. Little, yes, but beautiful and sweet and smart and… He had to mentally check himself before he started proposing on the spot. Clearing his throat, he stuffed his hands in the pockets of his coveralls and tried to act casual. “Why’d you stop?”

  Rin scowled and it was the most adorable thing he’d ever seen. “I broke my arm and my mom went ballistic.” She rolled her eyes. “I tried a stunt that I was told not to do. I was a huge Jackie Chan fan – still am, but I actually wanted to be him when I grew up.” She shrugged and let out a little self-deprecating laugh. “I had just watched the movie The Tuxedo and wanted to try a jump kick I’d seen.” Another laugh and she shook her head. “Dad told me not to be rough housing in the living room, but I did it anyway. Broke the coffee table and my arm. Mom said no more Jackie Chan movies and no more Karate since they were obviously putting dangerous ideas in my head.”

  Mike imagined a little pint sized Rin, stubborn and determined to be just like her idol. He sighed and then shook himself. He needed to get this infatuation under control before he made a fool of himself.

  “Can you teach me how to box?”

  The request was so startling that Mike thought he would choke on his own tongue. Images of having Rin in front of him, his hands on her body as he showed her the proper stances, adjusted her form. Watching her body move through the paces in the ring. Holy hell, instant erection.

  Rin had picked up on his hesitation but she obviously had no idea of the cause. Her look was crestfallen as she said, “I’m sorry, I know you’re busy. I didn’t mean to put you on the spot like that.”

  Mike never wanted to see that look again, he would deal with the discomfort if it meant seeing Rin Hayashi happy. “I’d be happy to.” And didn’t that just prove that his best friend, Tim, had always been right about him. Mike was obviously a masochist.

  “This weekend?” She asked, her beautiful brown eyes lit with excitement.

  God, his poor heart. He really didn’t know if it could take all of this jumping, stuttering, and double-time. “I, ah, I have an appointment in the morning tomorrow. After lunch?”

  Rin nodded her head enthusiastically with a bright smile. “It’s a date.”

  Mike’s heart gave another lurch. Man, did those words sound perfect.

  Rin’s emotions were in a jumble as she walked back to the bed and breakfast. On one hand, she was excited. As Mike had said, the space wasn’t full of fancy equipment, but it would definitely suit her needs while the snow was still heavy on the ground. On the other hand, she’d made a commitment to learn a sport she had never had any real interest in, and the reason behind the admittedly spur of the moment idea, bothered her.

  When she had taken Karate, her father had enrolled her because she was constantly trying to emulate Jackie Chan. He thought it was the best way for her to express herself in a safe environment while learning the proper form and usage of the art. This desire to learn how to box was not that. This was about fear.

  The day of her interview, the day she had been abducted, was mostly fuzzy due to the drug she had been injected with, but one thing she did remember – the thing that haunted her – was that despite her gifts as a Kitsune, she hadn’t sensed the predator in her midst, hadn’t fought back. She had been too surprised by the attack, too shocked, to do more than let out a little squeak that was quickly muffled by a hard hand over her mouth. She never wanted to be caught out like that again. She had spent her captivity training to run, but now that she was free, she would spend her time training to fight. She would never be an easy target again.

  Shoulders set with determination, Rin climbed the stairs to her room at The Cedars. She needed to educate herself about her new past tim
e, maybe even watch the movie Rocky for inspiration. She had a date with a boxing ring to prepare for.

  Chapter Five

  The next morning, Rin breezed through the chores she did around the bed and breakfast to help out, eagerly watching the clock. She was psyched, prepped and ready thanks to YouTube and Sylvester Stallone. She may have even tried to emulate some of the fast jabs while running in place. Luckily, no one had been around to see that, since she almost tipped over and had to catch herself. Regardless of that lapse in grace, she couldn’t wait to get in that ring.

  Unfortunately, Mike had other plans. As it turned out, he had no intention of throwing her in the ring with a “Let’s see what you got” attitude. Nope. Mike Myers was too thorough for that. First was stretching, then some jump rope which she hadn’t done in years, then finally on to lesson one: Wrapping her hands. He wrapped her hands for her then undid all of the work he had done with a “Now you try.” Luckily that was relatively easy. Next, he gave her a pair of boxing gloves. “This pair should be light enough for you.” He said as he pushed them onto her hands and expertly laced them up. “Technically, these are meant for an older child since they’re only about eight ounces, but I don’t think you want to try anything heavier right yet.” Rin nearly snorted, not at all surprised that she would need gloves meant for a kid. Most of the time she still had to shop in the girl’s department to find clothes that fit.

  With hands wrapped, gloves on and laced, Mike turned her to the big punching bag he called a heavy bag. He gave her a little nudge and nodded with his head when she just stared at him. “Go ahead and hit it.”

  Mike didn’t say anything, but Rin knew her first punch was pathetic. She’d never thrown a punch in her life, and watching other people in movies didn’t actually translate into knowledge of the mechanics behind a proper punch. That’s when Mike stepped in to show her how it was done.

  Rin had stripped off her sweatshirt after the rope jumping exercise had gotten her heart rate up, and the tank top she now wore provided zero barrier when his hand landed on her shoulder to correct her form. The feel of his calloused palm on her skin sent a zing of awareness rocketing down her spine and her breathing went erratic. He was saying something, trying to teach her as she’d requested, but she didn’t hear a word of it.

  “Rin? Do you need a break?”

  Rin shook off the haze of desire that had suddenly overtaken her and forced herself to focus. “Sorry, sorry,” she said with a shake of her head and what was probably an overly bright smile. Thank God he hadn’t been able to sense what she had been feeling or she would be mortified right now. Trying to act casual, she knocked her gloved hands together and gave a quick jog in place while swinging her head side to side. “I’m good. You were saying?”

  Rin forced herself to focus as Mike demonstrated a few punches and explained things like wrist position and follow through. Unfortunately she kept getting so distracted watching him move that she really wasn’t retaining the information. Mike Myers was a beautiful male. True, she had thought he was handsome yesterday, but watching him move was a delight to her senses – graceful, powerful, and fierce.

  When he finished, she was turned toward the bag and told to give it another try. Rin felt her cheeks heat with a blush. Once again, she’d barely paid attention and was going to be found out. So needless to say, she was quite surprised when Mike said “Better,” and encouraged her to continue.

  What seemed like an eternity later, Rin’s arms felt like they were going to fall right out of their sockets. She’d learned how to jab, right cross, left cross, uppercut, and hook. Had gone through different combinations of each until she could barely lift those light weight kid’s gloves.

  “Good job today.” Mike said as he ushered her out of the gym. “Tomorrow we’ll step it up a notch since you’ve got the basics down.”

  Rin let out a groan and Mike chuckled.

  “Admit it. You’re a sadist.” Rin grumbled.

  Mike barked out a loud laugh. “Tell that to my friend, Tim.”

  Rin was about to ask if she had met this Tim person when she caught sight of a bamboo green car that was obviously a classic. She let out a little ooh of wonder and walked over to get a better look. “I love this color. What kind of car is this?”

  Mike visibly puffed up with pride. “You like her? She’s my baby. A 1968 Dodge Charger. She was in rough shape when I bought her. But now look at her. Purrs like a kitten and runs like a champ.”

  Rin ran her fingers lightly over the glossy paint. “She’s beautiful.”

  Mike pulled out a set of keys and gave them a jingle. “Want to start her up? Feel the power?”

  Rin balked at the idea. Pulling her hand away from the car as if she’d been burned she took a step back. “Oh, no, definitely not.” She said, shaking her head vigorously. “I couldn’t possibly.”

  Mike looked confused at her over exaggerated response and Rin blushed as she admitted. “I don’t know how to drive. I’ve never driven anything but a bicycle in my life.”

  Mike pushed the keys back into his pocket and smiled reassuringly. “You should learn. Especially if you’re going to be staying in this area. I’d be happy to teach you.”

  Rin thought about it for all of two seconds. It would mean spending even more time with Mike and she rather liked that idea. “I think I’ll take you up on that.”

  Chapter Six

  Rin could barely move when she woke the next morning. With a grunt of pain, she rolled onto her back and blew out a heavy breath. Had she really volunteered for this torture? She had expected some pain, true, but her arms and shoulders were screaming. A hot bath probably would have taken care of most of her aches, she had even planned to take one, but first she had collapsed on her bed just intending to shut her eyes for a moment – and that was all she wrote. Now here it was the next day, the sun was just starting to light the sky outside her window, and by the roar of her belly, she had missed dinner.

  Pushing herself up with a wince, Rin made her way to the bathroom. Maybe she should call Mike and cancel. She couldn’t imagine putting those gloves back on, and… hadn’t Mike said he planned to step things up today? Oh, hell no. He’d be scraping her up off the floor. Even something as simple as raising her arms to wash her hair was pure torment.

  She didn’t know how long she just stood under the water praying that the heat would loosen her aching muscles, but the smell of bacon drifting up from the kitchen set her stomach clenching in hunger. Drying off as quickly as she was able, she dressed in another set of comfortable workout clothes, and made her way downstairs.

  Mike was there waiting for her with a big grin on his face. “Morning, Champ! How are you feeling?”

  Rin scowled. “Sadist” she mumbled under her breath, heading for the breakfast spread set out in the dining room.

  “What was that? I didn’t quite catch it.” Mike cheerfully proclaimed as he fell in step behind her.

  Just picking up a plate had Rin’s muscles quivering and she nearly whimpered before Mike took the plate from her shaking hands. “Just tell me what you want and I’ll set you up. Sit.”

  Pride be damned, Rin sat and let Mike wait on her. She was too hungry and in too much pain to make a fuss. The plate he set before her, however, had her eyes rounding and saw to the return of her good humor. A veritable mountain of eggs, bacon, and sausage had been heaped on the plate, rounded off with English muffins slathered with butter and scoops of strawberry jam. A plate filled to satisfy a male sized appetite.

  She let out a chuckle. “Do you actually think I can eat all this?”

  Mike plopped down into one of the empty chairs. The look of confusion on his face as he stared at her plate sent more mirth bubbling to the surface. “That’s barely a snack.” He said with a snort. “Eat. Then I have a present for you.”

  Mike made small talk while Rin dug into the food before her with gusto. She was hungry yes, but now she was also curious. A present? Finish
ing more food then she thought she would have been able to, in what was probably record time, she pushed the plate away and wiped her mouth with a napkin. “Present?”

  Mike let out a chuckle and then grinned as he dug a jar out of the front pocket of his sweatshirt and set in on the table. “Figured you’d appreciate this if you’re as sore as I was after my first day.” Another chuckle, “You’ll stink to high heaven and Mrs. Tully will probably shoo you out of here because of it, but you’ll be feeling better within minutes.”

  Curious, Rin unscrewed the cap and immediately recoiled from the smell, her nose wrinkling with distaste as she quickly replaced the cap. “What is that? It smells bad enough to cause a mass evacuation of the entire town.”

  Mike laughed. “It’s my own special creation. Annnnnd, possibly why I’m still single.”

  He nudged her foot under the table. “Go ahead and go put some on your shoulders. I guarantee you’ll be feeling better in no time. And you’ll get used to the smell.” He added when she frowned down at the jar she still held in her hand.

  Rin stood, still skeptical, but willing to try anything if it would give her some relief. Even if it meant smelling like – well, whatever that smell was. She had definitely caught a whiff of camphor, but there were other eye watering things in there as well. “It’s not going to burn my skin off, is it?” She asked hesitantly, turning back to eye Mike before she mounted the stairs.

  “It’ll feel pretty warm,” he replied thoughtfully, “but you’ll appreciate it, trust me.”