Chapter 1 #2
“Absolutely. Our library is fantastic, and it holds a lot of community events,” Sherri enthused.
“People join clubs here for all sorts of interests, and sooner or later, those groups hold bake sales and fundraisers that end up being a lot of fun. Over the summer, we get concerts on the green. No one here has an excuse for being bored unless they want to be.”
Scott smiled at her enthusiasm, loving how proud she was of her hometown. “That sounds very nice.” He felt a stab of longing. He had lived in Albany since graduating from college, and while he had a tight circle of friends from gaming, he often wished for more.
Mostly, Scott hoped to find a partner, or as shifters often thought of it, a mate.
Shifters were few and far between in the city, or they were deep in hiding, difficult to meet.
He didn’t even care if he met another coyote.
That wasn’t a necessity. Finding someone easy to talk with, who made him laugh, and was good company mattered more.
It would be nice to meet our special someone, his coyote said.
“Once you get to know Fox Hollow, you might just decide to stay,” Sherri said, and Scott realized he had gone silent, lost in his thoughts. “You wouldn’t be the first.”
The bell over the door chimed, announcing a new customer. Scott looked up to see a handsome man stride in with a wide smile and mischief in his eyes.
“Hey there, Sherri. Did you save some coffee for me?” the man asked, clearly a regular. Sherri grinned in response.
“Of course I did, Justin. I know how much you need your caffeine fix.”
“The usual. Extra-large. I’ve got an appointment at one and need to be awake for it,” Justin replied.
Justin definitely caught Scott’s attention. He was probably an inch or two shorter, with blond hair and blue eyes, a combination that was a weakness for Scott. The puffy jacket couldn’t completely hide a trim build, with strong arms and a nice tush.
“Coming right up,” Sherri assured him.
While he waited, Justin glanced around the seating area, nodding to the regulars who waved and went back to their conversations. His gaze paused on Scott and seemed to take his measure from head to toe before returning his attention to Sherri and the brewing coffee.
Did he just check us out? his coyote asked. I wouldn’t mind. He’s pretty. Nothing says we can’t have a little fun even if we’re here for work.
Scott guessed the other man was around the same age and wondered what he did for a living to make Fox Hollow his home. The strong smell of coffee and distance kept him from picking up on the man’s scent.
Wilderness guide? Maybe something with one of the hotels, like a chef or a store owner. Some sort of internet business? As long as the Wi-Fi is good, a lot of people can work from anywhere, Scott mused.
That described his own situation, something for which Scott was eternally grateful. Freelance work suited him, since he had no difficulty coming up with ideas, pitching them to editors or producers, and delivering on time.
He was lucky that his expertise lay in topics that were still in demand, given how much the media markets had changed. Teaching online courses and serving as a consultant rounded out his work, a hodgepodge of related skills that provided him with a comfortable living.
At the counter, Justin paid for his coffee. “Gotta go get ready for my appointment.”
“Come back soon,” Sherri teased.
“You know I can’t stay away too long.” His flirty tone didn’t reach his eyes when he spoke to Sherri, but Scott didn’t miss a flash of interest in Justin’s gaze when it raked over him before quickly flicking away.
He really did check us out, Scott’s coyote preened. Don’t let him get away.
As soon as the thought crossed his mind, an internal warning flashed to his human side. Doomed to be nothing but a one-night stand. Not what I want now.
Looks good to me, his coyote said. Do I get a vote?
No, Scott countered.
A few years ago, Scott wouldn’t have questioned the attraction if the opportunity presented itself. But after several unsuccessful relationships and broken hearts, Scott promised himself he would wait for Mr. Right instead of Mr. Right Now.
Someone for the long haul, who isn’t going to be gone in a couple of weeks or months, he reminded himself.
Several of his friends had found their forever person.
He’d attended their weddings and been happy for their joy, even as he had felt adrift.
Scott knew that he could be intense when he got into researching a subject.
It went with being a Scorpio. He wanted to believe that someone out there would value the loyalty and protectiveness that also came with his zodiac sign.
The alarm on his phone reminded Scott to get ready for his tour. He finished his coffee and tossed the cup, then used the restroom before giving Sherri a jaunty salute and walking toward the beach.
A blue float plane with the name Donna Jean on the side sat beside the dock. Scott pulled up his ticket on his phone and headed toward the plane, hoping that the pilot was nearby.
“Hello? Anyone home?” Scott called out.
The cockpit door opened, and Justin got out. “Right here.” He stopped in his tracks as he and Scott made eye contact, and recognition dawned.
“You were in the coffee shop,” they both said in unison.
“Hi. I’m Scott Jefferson.” Scott managed to regain his wits and held out his hand to shake. Justin took it with a firm grip, and Scott could have sworn he felt an electric tingle at the touch. From the surprise in Justin’s face, he had felt it too.
“Justin Miller.” The other man sounded a bit off his game.
What the hell was that? It wasn’t static electricity. Is Justin a shifter? Could he be my mate?
Mate! Mate! He smells sooo good! Scott’s coyote shouted.
He had heard stories about shifters who recognized their fated mate from their first touch, feeling an immediate, undeniable connection. He had always thought those stories were a bunch of hooey, but now he wasn’t so sure. And his coyote was right, the man smelled incredible.
“This your plane?” Scott wanted to facepalm since the answer was obvious, given that the other man had climbed out of the cockpit.
“Sure is. My pride and joy, the Donna Jean,” Justin replied. “And you must be my one o’clock tour.”
“That’s me.” Scott tried to regain his equilibrium.
Real smooth, his coyote snickered.
“Welcome to Fox Hollow. You said you wanted a custom itinerary. I saw the list of places you emailed me. If you can tell me more about what you’re looking for, I can do a better job taking you where you need to go.
” Justin’s tone was all business, but Scott still felt subtly checked out and found that he didn’t mind at all.
“I’m working on articles about lost and forgotten ski resorts and amusement parks in the Adirondacks,” Scott replied. “I write for a wide variety of websites. Sounds boring, but it pays the rent. I wanted to see what was left of the sites for myself.”
“I can take you by those places,” Justin said. “And since I grew up here, I might be able to provide some context that you haven’t found from your other sources.”
“I’d appreciate that,” Scott replied. “There’s nothing like hearing from someone who really knows the area.” He paused for a minute, then decided to add his newest article idea.
“I’m also doing an article about that big mine north of here,” Scott told Justin. “The details haven’t all been finalized yet, but the mine was a pretty unique place in its time, and there are stories about ghosts, monsters, and the Mob.”
“The one in Plattsburgh that used to be the deepest mine in the world?” Justin asked and Scott nodded. “I heard it’s been bought, and it’s going to reopen.”
“Interesting.” Scott wondered if that would help or hurt his article.
“One thing, we won’t be able to hit all those locations in one session,” Justin told him. “We could set up another appointment to get what doesn’t fit today.”
Scott knew his list had been long even without the addition of the mine, and that the spots weren’t close to each other, so it didn’t surprise him that it would take several sessions.
And that means we get to spend more afternoons with him. We need to claim him, his coyote said, and Scott pictured him licking his lips.
Stop that! he reprimanded, although he felt the same way. Justin was definitely yummy. His coyote barked a laugh. He just wasn’t as convinced that Justin was his mate. He’d been burned too many times.
“That’s fine with me. I’m here for the week,” Scott said.
“Good. There’s a lot to see around Fox Hollow, and people who are in a hurry miss the best stuff.” Justin’s good humor was infectious, and so was his flirting. Scott wondered if the pilot turned his charm on everyone or if he had attracted the man’s attention.
No one-night stands. But I wouldn’t turn down dinner or drinks. Chalk it up to research. Not to mention Scott’s curiosity to see if another casual touch would yield a repeat of that mysterious zing. He didn’t want to get his hopes up, but he had to acknowledge it was unusual.
What would the odds be that I’d find my mate on a one-week assignment? he mused. Then again, people have met their partners in stranger circumstances. I’m grasping at straws. Must be getting desperate.
No. He’s our mate, his coyote supplied, as if the matter were already settled.
“Right this way.” Justin gave an exaggerated sweep of his arm, indicating the passenger door of the plane. “Climb in and get buckled up. I’ll run through the pre-flight checklist and be right with you.”
Scott fit his tall frame into the seat next to the pilot. He noticed that the Donna Jean could seat four to six people.
“Ever been in a seaplane before?” Justin settled into the pilot’s seat and gave Scott’s seatbelt a professional once-over to make sure he was properly harnessed.
“No, and I’m intrigued,” Scott replied. “Small planes, yes, but not one that can land and take off on water.”