Silverbacks and Second Chances

by Raines, Harmony

  “No, nothing like that. I’m busy, that’s all.” Lauren walked over to him and leaned against the back of a sofa. “Thanks for looking out for me.”

  “We’ve known each other a while now. You know you can trust me. If there is a problem with a boy. Or at home.” Hank smiled wryly. “I’m not making wild assumptions, but as someone who’s had to cover things up, sweep them under the rug...” He made a sweeping motion. “I just want you to know I’m here for you. Even if it’s to give you moral support. You don’t have to tell me details.”

  “There is nothing wrong at home. Honestly, my parents are the best. So supportive.” Her voice caught in her throat, and she closed the space between them and buried her face in his shirt. Hank held her while she sobbed, knowing the minutes were ticking away and he would be late getting back after his break.

  “Are you sure you don’t want to tell me what’s going on?” Hank asked, rubbing her back. “Is this about Thor?”

  She jerked backward. “Why would you ask that? Did he say something about me?”

  “No.” Hank shook his head. “But he has a similar expression on his face as you. And his mood wasn’t good yesterday.”

  “This has nothing to do with him.” Lauren wiped her eyes. “I should get back to work.”

  “Lauren.” She switched on the vacuum cleaner and stuck her earbuds in her ears to drown him out. Taking the hint, he raced back downstairs, arriving at the kitchen with seconds to spare.

  Washing his hands, he got back to work, counting down the minutes until he would see Elise again. Maybe she would have a better idea of what was going on.

  Hank had lived among a lot of different people, from many cultures. Yet women seemed to be a mystery to him. Just as they always had been.

  Chapter Nine – Elise

  “This all looks great, Thor.” Elise ran her hand over the new computer monitor. “Have you been working with computers for long?”

  “I grew up with them. My stepdad owns the tech store in Bear Bluff.” He fitted a box into the last desk and ran the cables to the monitor. “We bonded over Ethernet cables and routers.”

  “Are you…” Elise didn’t finish her question. What if Thor had no idea what she was talking about?

  “A shifter?” Thor stood up, his hands on his hips. “I don’t get my muscly physique from my bear shifter genes.”

  “Sorry.” She made an apologetic face.

  “It’s okay. My mom met my dad when she was at a low point in her life. He picked her up and dusted her off, and took us in. He’s a good man.” Thor sighed. “She’s his mate.”

  “And is this what you’ve always wanted to do?” Elise asked, searching for a way to broach the subject of Lauren. Was she a shifter? If Thor wasn’t, then their moping around could simply be a genuine boyfriend-girlfriend break-up.

  “Computers?” Thor went back to work. “There’s plenty of work and the money is good. What’s not to like?”

  “That isn’t what I asked.” Elise opened her briefcase and took out her notes. Thor had already set up a computer and scanner for her to use.

  “I have dreams, but life with my mom taught me that reality is where we live.” He plugged in the monitor and switched it on.

  “So, if you could choose what you wanted to be…” Elise placed her first piece of paper under the scanner and pressed scan.

  “At school, I liked music. I always had a guitar in my hand. But then I realized my mom needed financial help so I quit music and concentrated on what would earn me money.” He tapped at the keyboard.

  “Have you ever thought about getting back into it again? I hear Lauren, who works at the hotel, performs at bars and things.”

  Smooth, her bear complimented her.

  “Does she?” Thor asked evasively, focusing on the lines of code on the screen.

  “Yes. Have you heard her play?” Elise probed.

  “Yeah, a couple of times. It’s where we met.” He pressed his lips together as if he’d said too much.

  “I asked her to take part in the Midsummer Music Festival in aid of the department. It’s a pity she said no.” Elise watched Thor as the scanner buzzed away doing its job.

  “I’m surprised.” He frowned at the screen.

  “She said she was busy. Does she have a boyfriend?” Elise watched Thor’s fingers curl into fists.

  “Not that I know of.” He tapped the keys harder than needed. “But we’re not close.” He hit the enter key.

  Elise didn’t push for any more information, instead, she changed tack. “What about you? Would you sing at the festival? We’d like it to be a celebration of the local people.”

  “Knock, knock.” Hank stood in the doorway. “I thought you’d know I was here.”

  She smothered her surprise. “I must have been too busy. I was asking Thor about the festival. He plays the guitar.” She arched her eyebrows at Hank, hoping he would pick up her cue and speak to Thor.

  “You do, Thor? I had no idea. Do you sing, too?” Hank kissed Elise’s cheek, his hands warm on her arms.

  “Not as well as I’d like. It’s a hobby really.” He tapped the keyboard a few more times and then used the mouse to log off. “There. That’s the last one. I’ll come by tomorrow and set up the network.”

  Thor collected his tools and shoved them into a hard carrying case.

  “See you tomorrow,” Elise said as he left the room as fast as possible.

  “What did I miss?” Hank asked quietly.

  “You’re right, there is something going on between Thor and Lauren. But I have no idea what. All I know is he’s not a shifter.”

  “Lauren is,” Hank told her. “If they are mates, she’s hiding it well.”

  Elise checked that the document had scanned. “It all works.” She stretched her back. “I think I’ll call it a day, too. I’ll come in early tomorrow and start properly.”

  Hank glanced up at the clock. “You already must be on overtime.”

  “No such thing in this job.” Elise gathered up her things. “Did you get a chance to speak to Lauren again?”

  Hank frowned. “I did, but I’m not sure I am any wiser. In fact, the conversation highlighted a flaw in my make-up.”

  “Which is?” Elise asked as she switched everything off and then locked the office door securely.

  “That I do not understand women.” He took her hand and they walked to the elevator together.

  “I don’t believe that.” She pressed the button, and then took hold of his other hand. “You couldn’t have written those songs without understanding a woman’s heart.”

  “And that is why I haven’t written a song for all these years. I lost my mind.” He crossed his eyes and leaned forward. Elise giggled and kissed his lips as the elevator opened.

  “Don’t you miss it? It’s such a talent.”

  “I lost my muse, or whatever you want to call it.” They stood side by side as the elevator descended to the ground floor.

  “Perhaps you’ll get it back.” It was a crime to think Hank had lost the ability to write songs that touched people deeply.

  “Maybe I already have.” He kept his eyes focused on the numbers flashing up above the door.

  “You have?” Elise blushed. “Since you met me?”

  “Are you having a fangirl moment?” he asked lightly.

  “I might be.” She fanned herself with her hand.

  “I have a few tunes floating around in my head. A few stray lines of lyrics. I might sit down sometime and see if I can put them together in a coherent fashion.”

  The elevator doors opened, and they got out, walking toward the exit. “I might have to chain you to your guitar until you write a song for me.”

  “I’d rather you chained me to the bed,” he whispered in her ear.

  Elise nudged him. “Are you flirting with me?”

  “I am.” The doors slid closed behind them. “But what I’d really like to do with you…”

  “Oh, goodness, is this fit to be h
eard in public?” she asked, looking around to check that no one could hear. As the newest member of the hospital staff, she didn’t need a reputation.

  “Is run over the mountain with you.” He looked out enigmatically at the mountain. “Let’s eat and then go and watch the sunset from one of the peaks.”

  “That would be amazing. I’ve only ever explored the lower slopes. Some things are more fun when there are two.” She ignored his smirk. “Hank Rivera, you have a dirty mind.”

  “And dirty blue jeans.” He tapped his foot as he hummed a tune.

  “You might have lost your gift.” She kissed his cheek. “Okay, we’re in separate cars, what’s the plan?”

  “Why don’t you go home and change and meet me at my place? I’ll rustle us up a couple of nice juicy steaks, and then we can go for a run.” He stretched his arms above his head. “I need fresh air and a nice mountain breeze on my face.”

  Elise walked toward her car. “It is warm. The hospital is so cool, I didn’t realize how hot it was.” Beneath her feet, the asphalt held the heat of the sun. The breeze coming off the mountains was the only thing making the evening bearable. Hot and sultry, sleeping tonight might be less than pleasant.

  “My bear knows all the best mountain streams.” He waved as he got in his truck and started the engine. She followed him out of the parking lot and along the first stretch of road toward Bear Creek. Then they went their separate ways.

  As she drove, Elise turned the air conditioning up and hummed along to the radio, making mental notes of what tasks she needed to complete to stay on schedule. She’d promised Ben the department would be up and running by the end of the week. Monday, all her files were being delivered so she could add them to the new system. Elise was very thorough, always keeping a digital record and a hard copy. She also had some new files to process.

  She added that to the jobs for tomorrow. If she entered the new files into the system, she could give it a proper test run. It would be great to get a match on a patient early on to give the department a boost. A departmental success might even increase the funds raised at the music festival.

  Elise reached her house and got out her car, walking to the front door. She couldn’t wait to get her shoes off. A nice soak in a cool mountain pool was just what she needed. As she opened the door and stepped inside, even the mountain of unpacked boxes couldn’t dampen her mood.

  In fact, as she looked at them again, after a quick shower and a change of clothes, she was even thinking of not unpacking them. Hank was right, why put off the inevitable? They should find a place they both liked and live together.

  “In perfect happi-ness, a sublime state of bl-iss,” she sang loudly as she drove to her mate’s house, a sense of excitement filling her.

  Chapter Ten – Hank

  “Someone looks happy.” Hank turned the steaks over; the aroma made his mouth water. “These are done. There are salad and potatoes. And a cool bottle of wine I picked up on the way home.”

  “Wine, are you a convert?” Elise asked as she crossed his front yard. She kissed his cheek, and he inhaled the scent of his mate, fresh from the shower.

  “No, I have a beer.” He indicated the bottle next to the grill.

  “What can I do?” Elise asked. She looked good enough to eat herself, in a simple dress decorated with pink flowers. He should probably know what they were, but flowers were not his thing.

  “Sit down and let me look at you. I still have to pinch myself to make sure this is real.” He took the steaks off the grill and placed them on a plate, which he set on the table. “I’ll just grab everything else.”

  Elise leaned forward and inhaled. “My bear thanks you.”

  “I don’t eat red meat too often, but I thought we might need the energy. For later.” He reappeared carrying a bowl of crisp salad and baked potatoes wrapped in foil. “I’ll just get the wine. Dig in.”

  Elise helped herself to salad and by the time he returned, with an uncorked bottle of white wine, she was cutting into her steak. “I’m starving.”

  “How did work go today?” he asked, pouring the wine and then retrieving his bottle of beer.

  “Good. Really good. The department should be set up in the next week or two. I have two assistants starting next week.” Elise tasted the wine. “Perfectly chilled. Assistants. Yes, our job is to expand the database of donors. We have an advertising budget, and I hope the funds raised by the festival can really help make the department all I dreamed it could be.” Elise pointed at her plate. “This is delicious, by the way.”

  “Thanks. Throwing meat on the grill is my specialty.” He winked at her and she grinned back at him.

  “You undersell yourself, Hank.” She cocked her head to one side. “And no, that is not my way of saying you could do better than being a server at a restaurant. It’s obvious you enjoy it.”

  “I like meeting people, always have.” He gulped down his beer.

  “Do you have any plans to travel again?”

  “I did. But not now.” He placed his hand over hers. “I meant what I said, I want us to be together, to live together, and I’m guessing you won’t want to leave Bear Creek for a prolonged period. At least not until you’ve set up the transplant department.”

  Elise sighed. “I’ve been tied to my job for so long. When I agreed to come here, it was because I could spend time with the babies. I never expected this.”

  “That didn’t answer my question.” Hank searched her face. “Are you saying you would like to travel the world with me?”

  “One day. Once the department is up and running. In a year or two, perhaps. I’d like you to take me to some of your favorite places. I want to make new memories, good memories. I shut myself away, penned myself in. I tried to keep myself safe. But all I’ve done is miss out on life.” She picked up her wine glass. “I’m no spring chick-en.”

  He burst out laughing. “I never wrote that line.”

  “Which brings us back to you. Do you think you’ll write again?” She struck a pose. “I’ll be your muse.”

  “I might. Like I said, I have some tunes in my head. If I can piece them together into some kind of order, I’ll write a song about you.” Hank speared a piece of tomato. “Now, let’s get eating, we have a mountain to climb.”

  Half an hour later, with full stomachs and the dishes all washed and put away, Hank and Elise set off hand in hand across the lower slope to join the mountain trail Elise had journeyed down only yesterday.

  “This is the spot.” Elise planted two feet firmly on the ground, hip-width apart. “This is the very spot where I heard your guitar. I have walked this way a dozen times before. And there you were, a stone’s throw away.”

  “If I hadn’t picked up my guitar and played that song, we might have never met.” He wrapped his arms around her. “Want to know something weird?”

  “Go on.” Elise rested her chin on his chest.

  “That was the first time I played that song since I quit.”

  Elise lifted her head and looked him in the eyes. “Really?”

  “Absolutely. Every time I heard it on the radio, or it got stuck in my head, it brought back all the bad stuff. I haven’t spoken to my father since I left. I don’t know if he’s living or dead.”

  “What about your mom?” Elise asked.

  “She passed when I was younger. I got my shifter genes from her. In some ways that’s a good thing, it meant my dad didn’t miss her as badly. But it meant he saw himself as a free man, free to take advantage of whatever came his way. Including me.” Hank breathed in the warm mountain air. “Come on, my bear is bursting to get out.”

  He let go of her hand and turned toward the trail, shifting into his bear mid-air to land on his four paws. The air shimmered and crackled with electricity as Elise did the same. Side by side, they followed the trail, not hurrying, it was too hot for that. At least until they reached the thick forest where the overhead canopy kept the air below cooler.

  Here, they picked up
their pace, loping along as the sun began its late descent behind the mountains. Slowly, the warmth left the air, and the mountain breeze ruffled their fur as it cooled the air. Hank led them on, climbing higher, taking paths and trails that were barely used and overgrown with brambles that tugged at their thick bear fur.

  This was an adventure. Tame compared to some of those Hank had experienced, but since it was their first together, it would always remain in his memory. They climbed higher, walking along trails that crossed cliff edges, before dropping into deep valleys, where the hot summer sun hadn’t penetrated the shadow.

  Upward they climbed until they reached the summit of Cloud Peak. It was one of the lower peaks, but still gave them a sense of achievement. Hank’s bear flopped down in the dirt and rolled, and Elise did the same, rubbing her back on the ground, a bear-like smile on her face.

  Then he turned onto his belly and lay still, his head resting on his paws. Elise lay down beside him, resting against him. Together they watched the last rays of light leach from the sky, and the stars came out one by one. To the west, the moon rose, skimming the horizon before climbing into the sky. It was a small crescent, a thumbnail in the inky blue sky.

  The two bears lay together, motionless as darkness covered the mountain. There were no words needed, two bears, one bond, the connection between them unbreakable. Their pasts were behind them, their futures before them. All they had to do was grab hold and not let go. If they could find the courage, they could have it all.

  His bear grinned. Are you writing a song?

  I might be. As the human side of Hank wrestled with lyrics, his bear got up and shook himself off. Time to go back home.

  They walked slowly, meandering along gravel trails and splashing through mountain streams that were no more than a trickle of pure, clear water. They stopped to drink, savoring the refreshing taste. The crescent moon was high in the sky by the time they reached his cabin. With the darkness covering them, they stayed in their bear forms right up to his front door.

  “That was incredible,” Elise told him when she shifted back to her human form.