Crossing the River Read online

  Crossing the River

  A Spirit Quest Story

  By BA Tortuga

  Crossing the River

  Copyright © 2015, BA Tortuga

  Edited by Michele Paulin and CJ Slate

  Cover Art by Kris Norris

  Published by Resplendence Publishing, LLC

  1093 A1A Beach Blvd, #146

  St. Augustine, FL 32080

  Electronic format ISBN: BLANK FOR JESS

  Warning: All rights reserved. The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.

  Electronic Release: March 2015

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and occurrences are a product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, places or occurrences, is purely coincidental.

  As always, to my wife.

  Chapter One

  Maicoh pulled into Glenwood Springs, Colorado at three p.m. on the busiest day in the world, apparently. The summer solstice was on him, and everyone and his neighbor was going to the hot springs pool.

  Thank the spirits, Mai was there to rent a cabin out in the woods and just rest for a bit, not socialize or swim.

  The best fucking part was that no one had seen a wolf in the Glenwood area since the fifties. Maybe before. There was a Wolf Creek and a lady accountant whose last name was Wolf, but that was it.

  Halle-fucking-lujah.

  If he never again saw another one of his kind, it would be too soon.

  He stomped into the real estate office, the warnings stating: No Parking; Valerie Trumble Real Estate Office Only Monday-Sunday; All Others Will Be Towed were completely cool with him because his happy ass was signing a three-month lease.

  “May I help you?” The little chick behind the counter wore a flowy, if way too short, dress and even longer, more flowy hair. She looked like a hippie pixie.

  “I have an appointment to sign a lease on a cabin.”

  “Oh, Mr. Eagleheart. Yes. Victoria is waiting for you. Please, come on back.”

  Bouncing. She was bouncing. Or maybe it was bobbing. Something. Hell, maybe she was dancing. That he understood.

  Mai bit back a grin, surprised when it felt as if his face didn’t stretch that way any longer.

  “Victoria, Mr. Eagleheart. Mr. Eagleheart, the best boss on earth.” The pronouncement was very serious.

  “Good to meet you.” This time he did smile, sticking out his hand.

  Victoria was older, creased around the eyes, and she exuded a warm, I-love-people vibe. She shook his hand firmly. “Good to meet you in person, Maicoh.” She even pronounced his name right.

  “Thank you, ma’am. It’s a great town you’ve got here.”

  “Isn’t it? It’s a wee bit magical, if you look beyond the summer tourists.”

  “I like the canyon a lot. The red stone is stunning.”

  “The river is running great, too, if that’s your thing.” She pulled out the paperwork. “It’s all been filled out as per the emails. I just need a signature.”

  He read over the lease, nodding. It was all the same as his emails, so he signed with a flourish, happy to be settling somewhere for a bit.

  “You’re all set up. The owner is willing to discuss a longer-term lease at the end of this one. Please just let me know.” Victoria offered him another grin. “Do you have any questions?”

  “Just one. This cabin is pretty, uh, isolated, right? I’m needing solitude.”

  “It is. You’ll see some river activity during the day, I’m sure, but they’ll move by quickly.” She seemed certain, so he handed back the lease.

  “Good deal. I’m not doing anything illegal, I promise.” He was just tired. So tired.

  “Of course not. Sometimes, a man needs his space. We have that here.”

  “Thanks.” He’d thought there was enough space for all of them down around Shiprock, but he’d been wrong. Really wrong.

  She handed him the keys, and that was that. He had a place of his own for a bit.

  He waved at her on the way out and headed back to his truck. Mai itched to get settled, but he had to grab provisions. Food, water, coffee.

  Mmm. Coffee.

  Mai decided to stop in for a latte. He loved milk and coffee together so much. It was an addiction, but it was the one he had, so he’d take it. There were a metric fuckton of coffee shops in town, but the one that caught his attention had a huge, carved wooden bear standing in front. Steeping Spirit.

  Rock on.

  He pulled in and parked then wandered into the shop. The smell of coffee and chai hit him, and he breathed deep.

  “Oh, I know that face. That’s an ‘I need coffee’ face.”

  Oh, lord, that woman was stacked to the ceiling. She wore a little tank top and shortie shorts, and she grinned at him as if he were a wolf’s supper.

  The place was adorable, as well—rustic and filled with good smells of pastry and cream and coffee. Every wall was lined with tables, and the center of the place held huge couches and low tables. There were mugs on tiny shelves all along the counter.

  “Are those for if I get a coffee for here?” He was curious more than anything, but one cup called to him. The curves of the sides and the odd, almost quirky twist of the handle fascinated him.

  “They are. Those don’t leave the shop. Most of them are handmade by a local artist.” She grinned wide. “What can I get you?”

  “I think a small latte.” He nodded to the leaf-green cup that really spoke to his gut. “Can I have the green one?”

  “Oh, honey, I’m sorry. That’s Ash’s cup. No one uses that one.”

  “Ash?” The name brought back a flood of memories from his younger, happier days. He saw a flash of the greenest eyes, a wild mass of hair and a pointed chin. Laughing, singing, dancing in the firelight, tail up and pale in the moon.

  She nodded. “He’s a local artist, guide, jack-of-all-trades. Great guy, but that’s his cup.”

  “Oh.” His nose quivered, searching for any hint of a familiar scent.

  “He made it, dug the clay and everything. He even signed the bottom.”

  Maicoh blinked. “I know it’s gonna sound weird, but can I see the bottom? I won’t touch it.”

  “Sure.” She shrugged and winked. “It’s not particularly fragile, honey.”

  “Thanks.” He took the cup from her and turned it over in his hands. His heart stopped for a moment at what he saw.

  The scribble was familiar as his own breath. The stylized wolf paw had been on every note Ash had ever written, from grade school to goodbye.

  Goodbye had been the hardest, no doubt about it. Fucking futile, too, since Mai had been driven out of the pack, too.

  “You okay, man? You’re white as a sheet.”

  “Yeah. I…yeah. Can I get that latte to go?” Mai handed back the cup, his whole body feeling numb.

  “Sure. Sure, no problem.” She made the drink, motions efficient and quick, her concern pouring off her in waves.

  Mai licked his lips, trying to right his world. “So, does Ash live around here?”

  “In a matter of speaking. Ash is a nomad. He lives wherever he can. Sometimes he’s on the river, in the park, on someone’s couch. He’s a free spirit.”

  A free spirit. Well, that was good, right? Ash had never played by the rules.

  Lord have mercy, he felt like… Well, he felt like screaming a bit, to be honest. He was supposed to be leaving everything behind. Instead, he was so close to Ash, his past coming back to haunt
him.

  “Thanks.” He handed over a ten. “Keep the change.”

  “For real? Thanks, honey. That’s dear.”

  “No problem.” Mai summoned a smile for her then turned on his heel and went back to his truck. Go to the cabin. Settle in. Don’t look for Ash.

  What were the fucking chances? Seriously. Why would Ash be here?

  He drove to the cabin, the river burbling and bubbling happily, and he found himself momentarily distracted by the beauty of the landscape. His hands itched to pull out his wood and stone to start working on his next project.

  He forced himself to unpack the few items from his truck first, to settle and spread himself and his scent about. It was important. The coffee helped, clearing his head some.

  If Ash was here, it didn’t matter. They’d gone their separate ways, years ago. Ash had been a coward, refusing to either submit or fight for position in the pack. Everyone knew that you had to have a position—you could either be the whipping boy or someone who wielded the whip. Ash, though, he simply chose to leave.

  You had to choose one.

  Mai looked down at his hands, which he’d clenched into fists, then he sighed. He’d fought. Clawed his way up the pack’s social structure.

  He’d lost his place anyway.

  It made no fucking sense. Nothing did these days. He’d be damned if he wasted more time than he already had, so he just pulled out knives and forks and plates, his few boxes not enough to fill half a corner of the cabin.

  Still, there was a bed, a clearing and the Colorado singing away alongside it. This was a good home.

  He got everything put away and the bed made. Then he pulled out his carving tools and a piece of twisted cedar. Time to work.

  This nonsense with Ash simply didn’t matter.

  Chapter Two

  Ash wandered into the Spirit around three, his stomach trying to eat its way out. “Angela! Angela, is Nathan here?”

  “Haven’t seen him since you decided to get stoned without me last weekend.”

  “Don’t pout, lady bear.” He went and touched cheeks with her. “Can I have a peanut butter sandwich with double peanut butter, please? I have money. Like dollars.”

  He’d taken a group on a guided hike and promised them some wild animal action. Angela’s brother, Nathan, the turd, hadn’t shown up, but Kell and Martin did. A marmot and a raven. The tips were not great, even if Kell was the biggest insane raven alive. Ash loved to listen to his hoarse song and hear the rawness of it.

  “Sure, honey. Oh, hey, speaking of dollars, someone really liked your cup yesterday.”

  “Yeah. Did you tell them I’d make them one?” He grabbed his cup, nose wrinkling. He knew that scent. Knew it so well he didn’t even have to think about it.

  Maicoh.

  The single thought sang inside him, ringing like a bell.

  Maicoh. Maicoh. Maicoh. Maicoh.

  “Oh.”

  Oh, that was totally unfair. Ash had left the pack. He’d been totally cool about walking away. Ash had worked hard not to miss Mai every day. Every day.

  “Did you tell him about me?”

  “I don’t think so, honey. What was I supposed to tell him? You’re a local and a loon.”

  He did a little dance for her, the motions automatic.

  His mind, though, was a million miles away. It was in the Four Corners. The pack had been growing too fast, spreading out, getting shot at by the Navajo farmers.

  The bachelor males had all fought for their spot, and he’d been at the bottom, him and Mai. Mai had fought his way up, scrapping for his place while protecting Ash. At least, Mai had until the Alpha had said it was time to make a choice.

  Pack or Ash. There was no way Ash could take Mai. Ash wasn’t a fighter.

  It sucked, but he had no interest in being the scapegoat.

  Hell, Ash hadn’t wanted to make Mai choose, so he’d left. He’d taken his clothes and a few pretty rocks Mai had polished for him. Oh, and his totem Mai had carved. He kept the rocks and totem close at all times.

  “Ash, did you want coffee, too?”

  “Huh? Yeah. Yeah, I do.” He needed to hide his backpack and head out for a nice long run by the river. Maybe find Nathan, have a snuggle and kill something.

  “Cool.” She took his mug and filled it. The scent almost made him cry. Mai had touched his cup.

  He took his sandwich and coffee over to the window and put his head down. The peanut butter smelled good, but his tummy was a little upset now.

  No fair.

  “Hey, buddy.” Angela came over and put her hands on his shoulders, the massage gentle, warm. “What’s wrong? Is he bad? I’ll ban him, right now.”

  “No! No, he’s a good guy. Solid as a rock. We were…well…a thing. I left.” That sounded normal, right?

  “Oh. Oh, ouch.” She hugged him tight, rocking him. Her strength didn’t surprise him, not anymore, and he leaned into it. “That’s always a tough surprise.”

  “Yeah. Yeah, exactly. He won’t stay long. He’s a pack guy. I’m the only other wolf here.” They weren’t as…bound, maybe, to all the rules and regulations of the rest of the world.

  “I know. Lions and marmots and bears, oh my.” She winked for him.

  “Turd.” God, he loved her dearly. Both she and Nathan were sibs of great joy. Such good bears, though she could be a little grumpy when it got cold.

  “I am. He never said anything, though.”

  “Good. He doesn’t want me. You know me. I’m not…” He was a drifter. Sometimes literally.

  “I adore you, honey,” Angela said, and the conviction in her voice made him feel better. “Now, eat up.”

  “Yeah. Peanut butter. Yay!”

  She gave him a kiss on the head. “Tell me if you want honey for it.”

  “Such a bear,” he teased.

  “I know you like the sweets, too, though.”

  “I like all the things.” He was easy as pie. Too bad, his pack hadn’t seen things that way, though really, he figured they’d thought he was ruining Mai, not the whole pack. Maybe, he had been. Mai probably had puppies. Maybe, he had a real pack of his own, was his own Alpha. Ash would have to leave, then. Where would he go?

  Moab? Taos? Maybe Durango or up toward the cattle land to the east…

  “Stop worrying. He’s one new wolf. Liam will run him out of town.”

  Oh, Liam was a grumpy-old-man kitty. “He totally will! Him and his hermit home. He’s not into close company.”

  Liam was a legend, a full-grown puma with wicked claws and a temper to match. He had the most fascinating tail Ash had ever seen. Ash was a little goofy for it. The need to nibble it was desperate.

  Not in a sexy way. More a meditative munchy.

  His sexy thing seemed to be all wrapped up in Mai. Which was, okay, a little bit of a pain in the ass. Nathan had offered to scratch his itches, but Ash’s heart wasn’t in it with Nate any more than Nate lusted after him. Somehow being nice and getting off just didn’t work together.

  Really, he spent his time goofing off, riding the river, soaking in the hippie pools, making art. He didn’t have time to worry.

  He snarfed down his sandwich, hungry again now. No sense letting memories color the now. He’d probably never run into Mai here. The river was special, magical. It would hold him.

  “Better?” Angela stopped by to take his plate.

  “Yeah. Yeah, totally. Thanks.” He grinned and finished his coffee.

  “No worries, honey. See you tomorrow night at Nate’s?”

  “Yeah. Yeah, I’ll be there.” Nate was cooking. Ash was totally there. He never missed out on Nathan’s trout night. There would be a nice grassy salad for Martin. Sometimes having apex predators and prey being friends was complicated, but it was what it was. Marmots were people too. Sort of.

  “Good deal, kiddo. He’s promising a huge carrot cake.”

  “Cream cheese frosting?” he a
sked hopefully. Nathan’s cream cheese frosting was something else, truly legendary.

  “You got it.” She winked then waved and went back to work.

  Maybe, he needed to head to the river, find a pool to soak in. Oh, that was a good idea. He took his cup to the counter and left Angela a tip since he could.

  “See you tomorrow!” He waved and headed to the river, stopping at one of the adventure places to snag a kayak. He’d paddle, then find a warm spot to soak his bones, a little feel of the mineral springs water for free.

  Then he’d change and find a spot to spend the night, grooming.

  He pushed into the river at a shallow, fighting the current when it tried to turn the boat. He headed away from town, singing to himself, the sun beating down on him. The water splash felt so good, cold and bracing. It chased everything else from his brain.

  Ash leaned back, taking on a few technical spots with a happy cry before finding a still pool. He slid into the bank and pushed the kayak out of the water before finding a little hippie hole, the water hot as anything and smelling faintly of sulfur.

  He settled in, letting his body melt.

  Mai.

  He wanted to believe that somehow Mai had searched him out, but he knew better. No, this was…well. Maybe it was the mating call, but he’d bet it was coincidence.

  Stupid fate.

  Stupid universe.

  He let his feet float up, toes bobbing. His muscles let go of their tension one by one, and Ash grunted, leaning his head back to stare at the sky. He’d just stay here. At least for a few hours. Then maybe he’d go see where Mai ended up.

  Maybe.

  Oh. He could send Martin. No one ever suspected a marmot.

  Chapter Three

  Maicoh started taking his coffee outside about the third day at the cabin. The first two days, he’d worked, creating a relief carving of a wolf asleep at the base of an ash tree.

  No one needed to tell him what that was all about.

  Still, the peaceful quiet of the canyon soothed him. The only sound was that of the river. And the birds. Oh, and the wildlife.