I really needed a quieter life, which is why I moved fifteen miles outside the city. I found a small neighborhood, if you could call it that, with about half a dozen homes on a country road. The house was small (2 beds 2 baths) but was plenty for me and the dog. The yard was large and took a full day to mow but, even so, it was better than living in my last place. My car was broken in to twice and my apartment once (thus the reason for a dog -- early warning system and all that). Out here, at the new house, the worst I expected was the rummaging of some raccoons.
As summer wore on, there was a lot more work to do around the house than I anticipated. In addition to the mowing, I had a garden to tend, landscaping to start and then finish, shed to erect, driveway to clear for paving...the list was almost endless. The best part of all this was it allowed me to get in better shape and get some color to my otherwise pasty skin. Being part Scottish, I have relatively fair skin and dark red hair. But the French part of me allowed me to keep from burning as much as a typical ginger.
Another good aspect of country living are the country boys. Their farmer's tan, baseball caps, dirty jeans, bodies built from honest work, big trucks and, many times, scruffy faces. They were everywhere in the summer. I'd see them driving down the road in their trucks, working in the fields and the local retail shops.
One particular day, I drove the standard ten minute drive to the local hardware store for some supplied. This is where I ran in to Bob. I know I know, 'Bob' is very non-descriptive but that's his name. Robert technically, but he went by Bob, according to the name tag on his smock. He was a bit shorter than me, probably right over six feet tall, blonde and blue eyed, nice arms with just the right amount of blonde hair and thick, dark blonde beard. Bob approached me initially, probably because I looked lost in the aisle I was in. He pointed out where I needed to go and even, ironically, the right size of screw I needed. Beyond that, he lingered more than I thought normal, making small talk and even ignoring other customers. I paid for my items and left wondering to myself about what the hell was going on with Bob at the store.
The next week, I needed a new saw blade so I headed back to the store, but I didn't see Bob. Disappointed, I bought what I needed and headed home. Maybe it was his off day? Maybe he quit? Got fired? I had no idea, I just knew I was somewhat disappointed. Pulling out of the parking lot, I heard a ding and noticed my low fuel light was on. Fortunately, I drove past a Shell station on the way home. So I pulled in behind a black Jeep Wrangler.
Getting out, I noticed, through the back of the Jeep, that it was occupied. As I pumped the gas in to my tank, I made note to keep an eye on the Jeep's driver. Out of the corner of my eye I saw the door open and out stepped a shirtless Bob! He was wearing running shoes, gym shorts and a ball-cap. While he didn't have the typical gym-rat eight pack, he did have a smooth makings of a four pack and a wildly hairy chest. I watched him until he looked directly at me. There was a pause before he reacted.
"Mr. Campos!" he said with a wide smile.
"How's it going?" he asked as he ran his credit card through the machine, grabbing the pump handle. I tried to act surprised.
"Hey...Bob is it? What's goin' on?" was my best response.
"I'm surprised you recognized me" I admitted.
"Ah man, you know how it is. Just enjoying my off day" he stated.
"Plus" he continued pointing to my car "not many Audi's around this area"
"Oh yeah? I just came from your work" I said.
"Oh. Sorry I wasn't there to help you" he said as he reached up to the top of his Jeep with his left hand and braced himself while he leaned filling his tank. I secretly wondered which I'd prefer: him fill my tank or me fill his.
"What did you need this time?" he inquired.
" A blade for my table saw. I broke the other one. It was old I guess" I said as I pulled out my gas nozzle and placed it back on to the pump.
"Cool. Whatcha' cuttin' with it?" he asked, still leaning. I looked over and noticed how well built he was. Muscle under a thin layer of insulation. No starving farm boy here, but no glutton either. Just how I like them.
"Fence repair. At least I'm trying fence repair" I offered with a laugh.
"My pops and I did that on our farm all the time" he said standing up straight and crossing his arms over his dark blonde furry chest.
"If you need any help, I'd be happy to help out!"
In my mind, the stereotypical porn music started and I outwardly smiled as I momentarily envisioned his sweaty body having his way with me. I caught myself when I noticed his odd expression on his face.
"Oh yeah. Well. That would be great, sure. When are you free?" I asked.
"I'm free tonight" he said pulling his nozzle from the Jeep.
"On a Friday night? The girlfriend okay with that?" I asked provokingly.
"No girlfriend" he said pulling off his receipt from the pump.
"Say....eight o'clock?" he offered.
I looked at my phone, it was 2pm.
"Okay sure. Might be a tad late but it will still be light out and by then, I might only need a hand with a few things" I said teasingly.
"Works for me. What's your address?" he asked. I forwarded him my contact info from my phone to his.
"See you in a few" I said as I opened my door. He approached me. I watched his body saunter over to me. I wasn't sure what was happening. He stuck out his hand. "Bob. Bob Saunders" he said.
I reached out and grabbed his hand and shook it.
"Bryan Campos" I said as he smiled.
"Nice to meet you, Mr. Bryan Campos" he said.
"I thought it best to know your first name if I'll be working on ya" he said with a smirk.
'On' me and not 'with' me I wondered? Maybe it was a simple mistake. I jumped in my car, turned it on, flipped on the AC and watched his Jeep bounce away out of the parking lot. What just happened?
I got home and finished my chores, including cutting the fence pieces for repair. I laid them on the ground where they needed to be and checked my phone It was a bit after seven so I went in to shower. I didn't think this would be a date situation, but I wanted to be at least presentable. I put on my best 'work clothes' and a spritz of cologne and waited.
A bit after eight I heard a knock at the door. I opened it to be greeted by a buffed and quaffed Bob. His hair was cut styled, his clothes clean and pressed and luckily, he was unshaven. Perfect.
"Bob Saunders! Come on in" I said as he stepped over through the doorway. Daisy came bounding around the corner at full speed. I totally forgot to mention her. She seemed in slow motion and before I could stop her, she jumped up on Bob.
"Daisy down!" I commanded to no avail. Bob had her head in his hands and she was loving it. I stood there and watched them interact.
"I'm sorry Bob. I forgot to tell you about her. She's a big baby" I said.
"It's no problem. We've had dogs for years. I'm used to them! Who'd a good puppy?" he said as she relished the attention.
"I guess we should head to the fence" I said motioning towards the back door. Daisy returned to her cage as we headed out the back.
"You're dressed pretty nice to work on a fence" I casually mentioned.
"Momma told me to never show up looking like a bum" he said with a smile.
