Chapter 11
“Why is your friend so strange?” Fernando asked, laughing as he held up a picture on his phone. Pug sat on their couch with Beans in his arms, swaddled like a baby.
“I think he was born that way. I met his parents once. They are just like him.” Walker smiled, enjoying the summer breeze as they drove through rural Maine. The scenery was nice, the scents of pine and wildflowers pleasant. Best of all, he had Fernando at his side.
His omega was taking a break from singing along to his playlist of musical numbers to check his messages and let his brother know they were almost to Hobson Hills.
The town was situated between a state park and a few large lakes. Their population was below five thousand, but they had a decent stream of tourists in the summer. Walker had done his research. Why, he wasn’t sure, but the way Grammy and the others talked about the town had made him curious.
They drove past a few farms and plant nurseries before the houses grew steadily closer together.
Walker slowed and squinted at the town welcome sign. “Is that Bigfoot?”
The large wooden sign was simple and quaint, with the words “Welcome to Hobson Hills” painted in blue. Next to it, however, was a large, wooden statue of Bigfoot.
Fernando looked up and snorted. “Yeah. I forgot. Mateo said they were having a Bigfoot festival later this week. They must be advertising.”
Walker grinned. “That sounds fun.”
“They have a lot of festivals here.” Fernando smiled softly. “Small towns can be charming when they try. I miss that about my hometown.”
They drove slowly through Main Street. It was a Sunday, and a small market had been set up around the town square. Clearly, they were selling something good because the crowd looked rather happy.
“There’s Gabs and Eddie.” Fernando wiggled in his seat. “Let’s park and go say hello.”
“As you wish.” Walker found an empty spot along the sidewalk and pulled in.
“I’m glad I made you watch The Princess Bride. You’ve learned well.” Fernando leaned across the console and kissed his cheek.
“It was a good movie. Much better than Chicago.”
“Bite your tongue. No insulting my musicals.”
“I hadn’t realized you were a theater geek when we met.” Walker got out of the car. “I really think that’s something you should have told me up front.”
Fernando shrugged. “You didn’t tell me you liked Dungeons and Dragons until I was fully committed. No one is perfect.”
Walker laughed and pulled the omega into a side hug. “Where’s your sister at?”
“I saw her at that booth over there.”
Fernando led the way through the market, dodging families and pets. The place sold a wide range of items, from delicious-smelling food and homemade crafts to a variety of plants. Walker noted the booth with apple products and the other selling battered fish and chips.
Gabriela squealed when she saw them. The young woman was pretty and looked a bit like Fernando.
She was short with long black hair and a curvy figure, and dressed stylishly in a light blue skirt and a white lace sleeveless blouse.
The man next to her, Eddie, was her exact opposite - tall, skinny with lanky blond hair, and dressed in shorts and a t-shirt with Bigfoot and aliens on it.
They made an unlikely couple. Walker also now knew where Fernando got his laundry day shirt.
She flew into Fernando’s arms and hugged her brother tightly. “You’re already here! Oh, I’ve missed you.”
Eddie smiled wide and waved at Walker. “Hey, man. Nice to meet you in person. Can I hug you?”
Walker blinked, surprised at the request. “Umm, sure. I guess.”
Eddie hugged him close, long arms wrapping around him. Walker stood there, slightly confused and happy at the same time. Fernando was the only one who ever hugged him, and those hugs, while wonderful on their own, were not like this hug. This was warm and safe, comforting even.
Eddie released him a moment later and patted his shoulder. “It’s a good thing you got here early, buddy. We’re going hunting tonight.”
Walker shifted from foot to foot. “Yeah, Mateo invited me, but honestly, I don’t feel great about killing animals.”
“Oh, we aren’t killing anything. That’s no bueno.” Eddie shook his head. “We’re hunting a sasquatch. There’s been a lot of UFO activity in the area, and that means it’s likely they’re here to communicate with their cousins, the sasquatch.”
Walker blinked again, processing the man’s words. “Okay. We’re not hunting deer. We’re hunting Bigfoot.”
“Yeah, man. Great, isn’t it?”
Walker nodded slowly. “Cool, cool. Okay.”
Gabriela let Fernando go and turned to him with her arms open. Walker let her hug him, too, again getting that same warm burst of something. What the hell is happening?
“It’s so good to meet you in person, Walker.” She leaned back and looked up at him, smiling happily. “You are definitely Ferdie’s better half.”
Fernando glared at his sister and pried her out of Walker’s arms before taking her place and snuggling against him.
Walker smiled and hugged his omega.
“Fernando, is that you?” An older man asked at the booth with apple products. A short girl with black hair stood next to him, her smile showing off a small gap in her front teeth.
The older man saw Walker and grinned before coming out from behind the booth. “This must be Walker. I’m Gramps, son. You’re early.”
Walker flushed, excitement and nervousness causing him to practically vibrate in place. “Hi, sir. It’s nice to finally meet you.”
Gramps wrapped his arms around Walker and pulled him close. “Laurel is gonna kill me since I got to see you first. She’s real excited about you coming to town.”
Walker pressed his face against the man’s shoulder and let himself soak up the warmth. The man smelled of apples and cinnamon, and his arms were strong around Walker. Secure.
The girl from the booth wiggled between them and hugged Walker as well. “Hi, Walker. I’m Olive. My dad and I are the ones who sent you apple chips. I helped make them for you.”
Walker laughed, fighting back tears. He wasn’t sure why he wanted to cry, but he really liked all the hugs from this town. “I remember those chips. I split them with my friend Pug. We enjoyed them. Thank you so much for making them.”
She giggled. “His name is Pug? I like that.”
Walker met Fernando’s eyes a moment later, and they shared a soft smile.
“Are you hungry?” Gramps let him go, then tugged him to the booth. “Olive, can you get him some cider?”
“Yep.” The girl ran to the booth and grabbed a big glass with the orchard’s logo on it.
“I’ll go get you some fish and chips from the pub’s booth.” Gramps patted his shoulder, smiling at him again. “Have a seat with Olive, and I’ll be right back. Oh, and I see you, Ferdie boy. You’ll get food too.”
“And a hug?” Fernando asked, chuckling.
Gramps grinned, picked the smaller man up, and swung him around. “We missed you, boy. You and your sister need to visit more.” Gramps set Fernando down and hurried over to the pub’s booth.
Fernando watched Walker with a smug look. “Maybe I don’t mind sharing you with the Wilsons.”