Chapter Six

Zhang

I got all the work done in plenty of time to hit the stores and buy my weekend wardrobe. I knew it was silly, but it felt like having new things mattered. It wasn't as if I purchased a tuxedo or even a suit, but after looking online at the area where the inn was located, I had some ideas of what I wanted to have. Nice casual items, primarily. And new shoes. As I was packing, I noticed just how worn my running shoes were and made one more run out to replace them.

Train travel was something I'd loved as a cub when we went to visit my grandmother. She lived far from airports, but somehow there was still a train station in her small town. Running up and down the aisles, getting snacks from the dining car, and talking to the conductor or other train crew when things were not busy. I even found time to watch the scenery from time to time. And the seats were so big and comfortable, I didn't even mind that we didn't get a roomette and had to sleep in the main car.

That was changing today. The weekend was free, but my transportation was up to me, and I decided to spend a little on something fun for once. Besides the new outfits, that was. As a single omega, I always felt a little bit nervous about spending, being careful and only buying what I absolutely needed. I went online and arranged sleeping car accommodations. And not a roomette. A full bedroom that had a vanity and sink. Since the train was leaving at sunset, I would be able to fully enjoy my room and the dining car as well as the observation level.

It was going to be so much fun. And I wasn't nervous at all about the possibility of meeting my fated mate or possibly being the only Bearclaw failure to date.

Total lie. I was very nervous. But in that good way where the possibility of something wonderful happening colored that anxiety. And when I boarded the train and the conductor escorted me to my bedroom and introduced me to the room attendant, it was impossible not to tap into that excitement of my cub self on the way to Grandma's.

"The room is still set up for daytime, but I'll be by later to convert it for sleeping. If you need anything else, I'll be available." He showed me the features of the room and left me to myself. After exploring everything, which really only took a couple of minutes, I set out to have a drink and dinner, feeling like I had landed in the lap of luxury. Even my upgraded room wasn't huge, but it was so incredibly cool.

I'd remembered train passengers being friendly, and tonight was no different. I sat in the bar and had a whiskey, chatting up a couple of older female raccoons traveling to a flower show, and they insisted on accompanying me to the dining car because I was "just delightful." And I didn't mind at all. Their chatty presence kept me laughing the entire time and, after we shared a huge chunk of death by chocolate cake with an extra scoop of vanilla bean ice cream, I left them finishing their fourth and fifth cups of coffee, respectively, and headed up to the observation car to sit and watch the starry skies over the open country. Finally, I found my way back to my room again where the room attendant had converted the seating into sleeping space and even left a candy on my pillow. Somehow that blew me away. As if I'd always known there were awesome secrets in these rooms, and they had opened themselves up to me as the first part of this really special trip.

The room attendant even brought me a fresh-baked cookie and cocoa before I went to sleep. Yes, it was everything I'd dreamed of.

But soon, it was time to get up and get ready to disembark. I took a shower. On. A. Train. And had coffee and juice and a sweet roll waiting for me when I returned to my room. I'd been so into this part of the adventure, I'd almost forgotten the purpose of the trip. Or at least about being nervous. A little of that came back as I deboarded and took my seat in my Uber on the way to the inn.

"We have to pick up one more passenger," the driver informed me. "At the airport."

"Really?" When I booked a rideshare, I had no idea I would be actually sharing a ride. "Why is that?"

"You're going to the same place, so why not right?" He stowed my bag. "Saves you money, too."

Why not indeed. And who would be going to the same place…except someone who would be getting matched by Franklin.

But was it my match? I had no idea how many people might or might not be there every weekend. I settled back to see what might happen. In any case, it would be nice to have company because it was a fair ride from the station to the inn.

We waited outside the airport until his other passenger's plane landed and then drove up to the terminal. I was looking at the weather on my phone when the door clicked open on the other side. The man who started to enter would put the gym rats I ogled to shame. He was bigger and badder and overall hotter. I could barely breathe.

"Oh, I'm sorry. Did I get the wrong car?" He lifted his phone and tapped the screen.

"No. This is a shared ride. My name is Zhang." Wow. My panda was on full alert and interested.

"Shane. Nice to meet you."