Chapter 14
August
“A lright, I’m here,” Koru spreads his arms wide inside the cozy bakery. From the outside, it might seem as if he were opening his massive arms for a hug from Bjorn and me. But now knowing him...knowing them, I know that would be a lie. Ravena’s crow caws in a welcome. Bjorn rolls his eyes at the bird which makes me snort a little.
“Glad you could made it,” Bjorn says, sarcasm dripping off every word. I stomp on his foot under the table. He breathes out hard and turns to smile at me. It’s a mischievous smile, one that makes the butterflies that now live in my stomach swoop for joy.
Ravena brings Koru his coffee without it being ordered. I guess this is one of those small town life perks: everyone knows what you’re going to order.
“I haven’t seen you in a while, Koru. Welcome to the world outside the brewery!” Ravena’s eyes twinkle as she studies Koru’s face as he takes a sip. I’ve never met anyone so intent on making the perfect drink for every single patron.
“Thanks. This is good. What is it?”
“I’m so glad you like it! I picked it especially for you. Single-origin Kenyan coffee mixed with my proprietary blend of spices. Gives it a nice kick.” She winks at us all.
“Is mine the same?” Bjorn asks, holding out his cup as if Ravena is going to tell his fortune from his half-drunk milky coffee. His puppy dog eyes are adorable, like he can’t stand missing out on something his brother might get.
“Don’t be silly! You had my special hot cocoa, didn’t you?” She looks pointedly between us. We nod. “That was a once in a lifetime cup, if you know what I mean.” And with that, she skips off to help Betty, the librarian, with her order.
“Do you know what she means? Because I don’t” I whisper to Bjorn. He just shakes his head and takes another sip.
“I keep telling my brothers she’s kooky. But no one will listen to me.”
“It isn’t that no one will listen to you. It’s that we don’t care.” Koru take a slow, long sip of coffee, savoring it. You can almost see him dissecting the flavors in his head.
Bjorn reaches over and grasps my hand in his, holding it tightly. I will never get tired of seeing my hand in his, of feeling his skin against mine. It’s exhilarating and comforting at the same time.
“I figure, since August and I are together. And since I’m still trying to improve the town’s opinion of me, being seen out in public, especially with the two of you, would be beneficial to helping the town forget the things I used to do...” Bjorn’s voice trails off as his big brother scowls at him.
“I’m busy, Bjorn. I have to get ready for the Great Northern Beer Rack Competition. I can’t be babysitting you and public opinion. Besides, you have two other brothers. Why not one of them?”
“Urk hates to come to town. I still owe him a thank you for coming to help me out of jail. And Grev said he’d be seen with me when I ‘actually grow up,’ to quote him. So, I took that as a never.” He shrugs.
Koru thinks for a minute, staring into the distance of Ravena’s crystals and local geodes on a shelf, then looks at Bjorn, sighs, and shrugs in return. “Yeah, guess it’s just me then.”
At that, they both laugh. My heart clenches, wanting what they’ve got for me and May again. One day, I tell myself. Maybe, if I bring May here for a coffee, Ravena can work some magic spice woo-woo on her, too.
Walking home together, Wolf’s Ridge peaks out at us from behind the clouds. It’s a funny thing about fate, and dumb choices, and new leaves—they are nothing without the choices we make and the people we make them with.
“She’s looking at you,” Bjorn whispers. Looking around, I don’t see anybody.
“Who?”
“The mountain. She’s making sure you’re okay.” His tusked grin warms my heart.
“It’s just a mountain,” I say dismissively, even though his words make me think of my mom.
“Might be. But our world is connected. With each other and with us. I expect she’s happy you’re safe.” I’ll play along.
“And what do you think she thinks about you ?” He shifts and puts his arm around me, grunting a bit as he puts his face against my head and inhales deeply.
“I think she’s proud of me. For coming home. For rescuing you. And she’s happy we’re together. You know, growing up, I always thought the mountain was more of a malevolent being. Like the ocean. But since I’ve been home and work on the mountain, I have a new appreciation. Maybe my perception is based on how I feel about myself.” Looking up, I see his thinking face—a frown.
“Bjorn, I agree. I think the mountain is happy with us both. I know I’m happy you were my rescuer. And I’m happy to be here with you.”
“Oh, my little mountain goat. I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
His kiss is sweet. Hot. Hands roam to clutch my ass cheeks and press him into me, to feel how much he wants me. “Let’s go home. I’ve got a mountain for you to climb.”