Bad Situation (Wolf Investigations and Securities Inc. #6)

Prologue

They said goodbye to Reid and Olivia, wishing them nothing but the best. The problem was that now that they were gone, the responsibility dropped on their shoulders. Jenna wasn't sure that they could handle it, especially since they couldn't get along, not at all. It was Grant’s fault, of course, because he was so mean to her and sometimes for no reason at all. She thought he hated humans and probably didn't know she understood he was a wolf.

There was a lot that Grant didn’t know, and she wasn't going to share any of it with him. He'd be surprised to know she was a quarter wolf and witch. There was also a grandmother and a daughter that she supported. That was why there was never enough money. Her grandmother was a witch. She owned her house and had a store that helped support them, but it wasn't enough. Jenna was putting money in a savings account so that, eventually, she could get a house for herself and her daughter, but most of her money went to her grandma.

Grandma was a full blood witch that had fallen in love with a human male. Jenna's other grandma had been human and had met and fallen in love with a wolf. That's why Jenna was usually slightly stronger and faster than the average human. She'd cut back too much on her food, affecting her ability to do her job. Reid explained that she had to eat enough to keep up her strength. She'd done a better job as soon as she'd started being more careful about that. Grant had nothing to complain about, but that didn't stop him from continuing to complain and take potshots at her.

She could see that Grant would be a lousy partner, and it affected her feelings for him. How could she care about somebody with such a lousy personality? She would do what was needed to make extra money to go home and be with her daughter and grandmother, who both needed her. For an old girl, her grandmother was in good health, but she missed her. Spending all her time with the toddler couldn't be much fun.

“What are you thinking about?” Trixie asked.

“Just issues back home.”

“You never talk about your home life much. Was it that bad?”

“It was different, but now it's in the past," Jenna observed.

“And yet you still think about it.”

“Are you practicing being a psychologist?”

Trixie turned red. “No, I'm just trying to get to know you because I don't have any friends here.”

“I'm sorry, but can't we be friends without delving into the past? Not everyone likes to talk about their past.” Jenna admitted.

“I'm sorry. I was just trying to help. I thought if I knew the problem, I could put you in a better mood. Let me get my list, and I'll go out and help my partner load the truck.” Trixie was still working with Robert, and they made a pretty good team.

Jenna wasn't sure if she was trying to be friendly or nosy because she always asked too many questions. Olivia, the previous office manager, hadn't had that problem because she hadn't been very friendly. There was a look she had gotten on her face that had told you not to try to get close to her. If only Jenna could manage that look, it would be a big help. The new girl, Sharon, came in at the last minute. At least she didn't try to be friendly. She just grabbed her list and hurried back out.

The only problem was that she was barely on time, and sometimes she wasn't. Her partner, Tommy, wasn't very happy with her. Grant usually worked alone, but if Sharon didn't get any better, Grant would be working with her. If she didn't improve, she would be gone. Jenna thought at least she wasn't the one who would have to fire people because she really didn't like doing that. It was bad enough to select those Grant would have to work with and sometimes fire.

Reid and Olivia had been gone for two months, and Jenna missed them. It wasn't worth the extra money to be in charge here. People came and people went. Half the crew couldn't hold up their own. She thought things would be better by now, and maybe they would have been a little bit, but the pure blooders seemed to have moved half their people out here to give this office trouble. Tyne hadn't expected that to happen so soon. Had she known they would have to deal with that, she might have stayed in Wilde and not put up with people who had a hard time doing their job and Grant.

Jenna did well in the office and would have worked well in the field. The only problem she'd had was trying to save too much money on food. It made her weak and slow. Getting this promotion to office manager made up for any money she had lost by eating better meals. She also cooked at the office and sold food to those working in the field. Jenna was a good cook and had been taught to cook at a young age. Her mother and grandma had both been good cooks, too.

Her biggest problem was avoiding Grant, who didn't seem to be able to be nice no matter what happened. She didn't understand what was wrong with him, and if she could only stay away from him, everything would be fine. Jenna could stay away from him, but he couldn't seem to stay away from her. Grant would come into the office or the living area, and he'd act like he was going to talk to her, and then he would just say something mean. There was no reason for it, and she didn't understand it. Maybe she needed to find a boyfriend so he would leave her alone because no man would put up with the way he treated her.

If he wasn't so rude and hateful, Grant would be attractive, and his looks drew her in. Why did she always like the wrong man? There's no way to explain it, so she didn't even try. All she wanted to do was get through the six months she had committed to when she agreed to be the office manager and then return home. Things would work out better then, and she could see her daughter often. Her grandma was getting older and needed help with what she tried to do.