Chapter 2
Soren
Sitting on my friend Beck's back deck, I sip a beer while watching throngs of children at his daughter's fifth birthday party swarm around the backyard.
The October air is chilly, but it's still a perfect autumn day, and the smell of barbecue makes my stomach growl.
I will never understand why Beck left the mountain to live down in Branwen Beach with his wife, Dulce, but he has definitely built himself a nice family life.
The sound of children's laughter echoes across the yard, and I can't help but smile watching Beck chase around a group of five-year-olds who shriek with delight.
He's completely in his element here, and I have to admit there's something appealing about this domestic bliss he's created.
Still, the thought of leaving my mountain sanctuary for beach town life makes my chest tighten with anxiety.
Our high school friend Tyson catches my attention, arriving with his wife, Clementine. They're a little late, but that makes sense since they came all the way from Corvid Valley. After saying hello to the host, Tyson notices me and walks up onto the deck with two beers.
"Thought you might be ready for a refill, mate," he says, sitting down next to me.
"Thanks, man. How have things been?"
"Great. Things have been going really well. Why are you hiding on the deck?" He teases me.
"I'm not hiding."
"No one else was up here with you," he says pointedly.
"Well, you know me. It's not like I'm the best at peopling."
Tyson chuckles, taking a long swig of his beer. "You know, Soren, you're going to have to come out of that mountain hermit shell of yours, eventually. Beck found his person. I found mine. Your time's coming."
I grunt in response, not really wanting to get into this conversation again. Tyson means well, but he doesn't understand that I'm perfectly content with my solitary life on the mountain. The peace, the quiet, the connection to nature. That's all I need.
After a lunch of burgers, hot dogs, corn on the cob, and potato salad, Georgia opens her pile of presents. When she finds a plush pink teddy bear in my gift bag, she runs to me, jumps into my arms and squeezes my neck with a hug.
"Thank you, Uncle Soren!" she squeals before running back to open another gift.
The warmth that spreads through my chest when she hugs me catches me off guard. Maybe there is something to be said for having someone who lights up when they see you. But then I shake off the thought. Kids are different.
Adults are complicated.
After Georgia is obviously hopped up on sugar, she begs her uncles, Carlow, Lachlan, and Murphy, to shift into their merman-forms.
"You can see that anytime with your dad," Lachlan says, giving her a tickle. "But did you know what Tyson over there can shift into?" He adds, pointing to my friend.
"A dragon!" Georgia shouts, her eyes widening as she claps.
"Seriously, in the backyard?" Tyson asks, looking around.
"Pretty please!" The birthday girl begs, and her little friends gather around with wide eyes, staring at the dragon shifter.
"Well, all right. But I'm not going to fly higher than your house. I don't need the cops called on your poor dad," he says, giving her a wink.
Tyson walks to the edge of the backyard where there's the most room and, before our eyes, shifts into a glistening dragon.
The children all shout with glee as he takes to the air, flapping his large, dark wings and flying two stories high.
He swoops around twice before landing and shifting back into his human-form. Everyone breaks out in applause.
As the party wraps up, Beck invites Tyson, Clem, and me to stay the night since we traveled a decent distance to attend the party. In the evening, we walk down to the beach to watch the sunset over the waves.
"It is gorgeous here," I admit, standing with Beck as the skies turn orange and pink. "But I still can't believe you left your mountain life."
"Oh, don't get me wrong, I still love staying up at my cabin on the mountain, but being with Dulce down here is worth it."
After a long beat, he adds, "Don't you ever feel lonely up there?"
Shrugging, I say, "I mean, yeah, but I love mountain life so much that it comes first. That's my priority. If someone is meant for me, then they'll be the same way, I guess. Who knows? Maybe there's a mountain woman up there just waiting for me to sweep her off her feet."
The drive up the mountain the next day is perfect with my truck's windows rolled down and the October mountain scents filling the cab.
I always get a sense of peace as soon as my wheels hit the mountain roads.
I meant every word I said to Beck last night.
I can't imagine not living up here. It is my own little slice of heaven.
Once home, I notice my work landline is blinking with a message.
Listening to the voicemail, I see that it was left by a Celia Weaver, who is looking for a handyman for several projects at her cabin on the mountain.
Jotting down her number, I call her back and set up an initial appointment for the following day.
My client's cabin is just under a half-hour drive from my home. When I step out of my truck, I see the cabin's front door open, and the sight of a curvy, blue-haired woman immediately takes my breath away.
Holy shit. Damn, she's a knockout.