Chapter 12 #2
Becca gave them both an assessing look. “You both have good vibes today. I’m glad. You deserve some downtime.”
“Have you been busy?” Scott asked.
“Definitely,” Becca said. “Fox Hollow folks have always been open to the supernatural, so they don’t get weirded out by a little woo-woo. This is the first chance we’ve had time to breathe all morning.”
“Then we won’t get in your way,” Justin said. “We just wanted to stop by to say ‘Hi.’”
“Come by anytime,” Becca said. “You don’t have to wait until the world is ending to have a reading done!”
Scott and Justin wandered the park, stopping to browse at the tables with crafts and food of all kinds, lingering when the band played a favorite song.
It seemed like everyone they knew in town was either meandering through the festival or working one of the booths, although Scott suspected that quite a few were manning the shops and restaurants in town.
His coyote side spoke up with snarky comments, providing an amusing narrative in Scott’s mind.
Justin’s phone beeped, and he sighed. “That means I’ve got to go to work. What are you going to do until I’m done?”
“Liam has special presentations all day at the library,” Scott replied. “I thought I’d meander over there. Come meet me when you’re finished.”
Justin gave him a peck on the cheek. “Will do. Stay out of trouble, and I’ll see you in a couple of hours.”
Scott managed not to ask Justin to walk him over to the library. He knew his boyfriend would willingly accompany him, but Scott’s dented pride refused to be quite so needy.
It’s Fox Hollow. Just a couple of blocks and the sidewalks are packed. No one is going to kidnap me or shoot me, not in front of that many witnesses. The bad guys are in jail. It’s over. Now, I need to get on with my life.
And we are badass, his coyote confirmed.
Mustering his resolve, Scott left the park and walked a couple of blocks over to the library. To his surprise, there was a line to enter. While the library was popular and always busy, he had never seen people waiting to be admitted.
“Excuse me,” Scott said to the person at the back of the line. “What’s going on?”
“Oh, this is for the presentation on shifter romance books,” the woman said. “If you just want to go inside, it’s okay to go around us.”
Scott thanked her and took her suggestion. He had read several shifter romances, and while he had enjoyed the books, he preferred the real thing.
Inside, the library was busier than usual. Several local authors had signings or meet-and-greets. A sign directed visitors toward the rear, where Fox Hollow-area artists had their work on display. The children’s area had plenty of kids busily coloring or gathered around a storyteller.
“Scott. How can I help you?” Liam had come up beside him without Scott noticing, and he tried not to jump.
“Sorry, didn’t mean to startle you,” Liam said. If there was anyone aside from Justin who understood Scott’s ordeal and the aftermath, it was Liam.
“Wow, this is fabulous,” Scott said, ignoring the flinch. “I think everyone who isn’t out there is in here.”
Liam chuckled. “Having just been out there for a bit, I agree, it certainly seems like it. Where’s Justin?”
“Flying,” Scott replied. “He’ll catch up with me for dinner. I thought I’d hang out here until then, if you don’t mind.”
“You are very welcome to anything that strikes your fancy,” Liam said. “By the way, I’ve heard terrific feedback on your presentations from this morning.” He dropped his voice to sound conspiratorial. “You know that dooms you to being asked back next year.”
Scott smiled, pleased at the praise. “I’m so glad. I was hoping I could hold it together and do a good job, considering everything.”
Liam gave him a compassionate look. “I don’t think anyone who wasn’t part of the situation had an inkling that anything was wrong. Thank you for going through with the sessions, no one would have faulted you for backing out.”
“I didn’t want to disappoint anyone, or let you down,” Scott admitted. “Justin and my counselor said it would help to go on like normal as much as I could, and they were right.”
I guess I looked like I had my shit together, even if it didn’t feel like it. That’s another win.
“How’s the new job going?” Liam asked.
“Jobs, plural,” Scott replied. “Busy, but good. I’m still doing freelance articles, but now I’ve got a standing assignment from the town of Fox Hollow to write articles on environmentally conscious economic growth.
I’m also working part-time for The Lone Coyote and signed up to teach some online classes. Lots of irons in the fire.”
Which cuts into our forest time, his coyote complained. Scott ignored him.
“Glad to hear it,” Liam said. “You’re a great addition to Fox Hollow.”
Scott managed a tired smile. “With all the crazy stuff going on, I had to postpone driving down to Albany to get the rest of my stuff. But once I get that done, I’ll be official, and I’m looking forward to it.”
“I’m sure Justin is too.” Liam winked. Someone called for him, and he sighed. “I need to go deal with that. Make yourself comfortable wherever. You know your way around by now.”
Scott thanked him, appreciating that Liam conveyed concern without hovering.
He found a comfortable chair in a quiet corner and settled in with his phone, reading through funny social media posts and finally choosing an ebook that he had already started. The familiar smell of books and the quiet hum of muted conversation felt safe and reassuring.
Before he knew it, his phone vibrated with a text from Justin.
Justin: Finished with appointments. Need to do my shutdown routine, and I’ll come pick you up for dinner. See you soon. Love you.
Scott smiled and felt a surprising surge of pride that he had made it through the last several hours on his own. My counselor said to count the wins, even the little ones. That’s the longest I’ve been alone since things happened.
Normally, I wouldn’t have thought twice about it. Now, it’s a milestone. I’m proud of myself, even if it might seem silly to someone else.
Scott gathered his jacket and headed for the library entrance. Despite having spent a pleasant couple of hours in the safety of the library, Scott felt a wave of relief when Justin walked into the lobby.
“Miss me?” Justin gave Scott a quick kiss.
“I managed to survive,” Scott quipped, and they both ignored that his reply was only partly teasing.
“Good. I hope you’re hungry, because I’m starving.” Justin checked his watch. “Let’s go.”
“Everything’s likely to be busy, thanks to the festival,” Scott warned.
“Good thing I got a reservation,” Justin replied.
They hadn’t eaten out since the threat against Scott’s life, making dinner another first, like going to the festival. Scott realized how much he had stopped doing to stay safe, and felt his resolve strengthen to take back the things he enjoyed.
“How did your flights go?” he asked as they walked, trying to turn off his intrusive thoughts.
“They went well,” Justin said. “I took the people where they wanted to go and pointed out some extras they didn’t know about. Of course, I always get the stories about what made them sign up for the flights. That’s what makes it interesting.”
“And?” Scott prompted.
“My first person hadn’t been back here since he was a kid, camping with his family,” Justin replied.
“He wasn’t expecting the landscape to have changed, but he wanted to get an adult perspective of where the key places were.
He talked about catching his first fish and learning to go canoeing and how his cousin scared the bejesus out of him with stories about a zombie bear who ate children. ”
Scott laughed. “Everyone has that cousin, I swear! How about the other customer?”
“Husband and wife visiting for the first time from Burlington,” Justin told him.
“They knew the Adirondacks were big, but not how big. We couldn’t see everything, of course, but even in an hour, they got a pretty good overview.
They’re staying in a hotel this time but are planning to come back and find a lodge or a cabin for a more authentic experience. ”
“Good for them! I’m all for modern amenities, but to each his own,” Scott said.
Justin led them to Riker’s Steak House, their special-occasion place, since it was pricier than some of their other favorites but didn’t have a dress code.
“Going all out?” Scott joked.
Justin’s smile slipped. “Gotta celebrate the wins. You’re safe and alive and with me. We’re together. That’s the most important thing in the world.”
The manager knew Justin, and she took them to a table in a quiet alcove. “Take your time. You have the table for as long as you want. Enjoy.”
Justin held Scott’s chair and then sat across from him. “You know the menu, so get whatever you’re in the mood for.”
They both ordered steaks with salads, baked potatoes, and house-baked rolls, along with a bottle of red wine.
When the server had taken their order and collected the menus, leaving them alone, Justin slid off his chair to one knee.
He reached into his pocket, withdrew a small box, and revealed a pair of gold rings etched with runes.
“Scott Jefferson, will you be my forever mate?”
Scott gasped and felt tears start. “Oh, my God! Yes! Absolutely. Yes.”
Yes, yes, yes! his coyote echoed.
Justin grinned and slid one of the rings on Scott’s right hand, putting the other on his own.
“We’ll switch hands when we get married.” Justin kissed Scott as he rose from his knees. “The engraving is a protection and blessing that Amy wrote for us.”
Scott held his hand out, fingers splayed, staring at the ring. “It’s beautiful. And you’re amazing.”
“I just know a good thing when I see it.” Justin took his seat once more.
The manager returned with a bottle of champagne. “First bottle is on the house. Congratulations.” She popped the cork and poured glasses for both men. “Best wishes and all that jazz.”
They thanked her and lifted their glasses in a toast.