Crossing the River Page 5

  Mai sighed, holding Ash close, kissing the long length of neck over and over.

  “You’re okay, Maicoh?”

  “I am so much more than okay.” He petted and held on and savored the closeness. “I just have to remember how it feels to be good more often than not.”

  He wasn’t one to wallow in anger or self-pity. He really wasn’t.

  “Were they mean to you?”

  “Not really.” Just… disappointed. The weight of it had dragged on him. “The stares and glares” he’d called it when he’d step out among the pack. “They wanted me to try harder.”

  Ash nodded. “I get that.”

  Yes, he imagined so. Hadn’t that been exactly what he’d accused Ash of?

  “So, yeah. I’m still sore, you know? It’s like poking a bad tooth with your tongue.”

  “Yeah. They were your family.” When Mai began to protest, Ashkii shook his head. “Don’t, Mai. They were never my family. Never.”

  Mai kissed Ash’s nose. “I know. I’m sorry. I like the family you have here.”

  “I do, too. This is a good place for castoffs.”

  Was that what he was? What they were? Mai chuckled. Maybe so, but he could live with that. “It’s a good place, Ashkii. Full stop.”

  Ash smiled for him, head bobbing. “Yes. I’m going to make you a cup.”

  A smile blossomed on Mai’s face. “Yes? One of my own?”

  “With your name on it.” Ash stroked his chest, making patterns. “It can stay up at the coffee shop.”

  “Oh.” That meant Ash really expected him to stay.

  “Oh? Oh, did I…I overstepped? I’m sorry. You can keep it with you.”

  “No, baby. That makes me incredibly happy.”

  Ash offered him a tentative grin, a nuzzle. “Yeah?”

  “Yes. I like it here, and I love you.”

  “Love.”

  A banging came on his front door. “Ash! Ash, you there! You promised to work the river today!”

  Mai bolted upright, a growl springing to his lips.

  “Nathan. Damn it.” Ash looked totally freaked. “I… Did you bring my bag?”

  “Yeah. Yeah, come on. You have to. Tips. Yay!”

  “I need my clothes,” Ash whispered. “They’re in my bag. He’s seen me naked so don’t freak out.”

  “He’s seen me naked, too, Ash.”

  “What? Oh, you did the hippy pool? Daring!”

  Mai chuckled and smacked Ash’s ass. “I’m not a prude. Go on, go work.”

  “Yep.” Ash kissed him then ran to the door. Nathan filled the doorway. “Thanks. Hand me my shorts.”

  “Here, man.” Nathan waved past Ash. “Hey, Mai!”

  Ash threw on the shorts, the raggedy things tissue-paper thin. Then he tossed on a wife beater. “Hold my things?”

  “Sure, baby. You can leave anything here you want.” Mai smiled fondly. His vagabond.

  “Thank you. You can leave it on the porch if you need to.”

  “Why?” he asked, but Ash was gone, leaving his bag right there on the porch. Weird.

  Nathan grinned at him. “I brought your clothes, too. Did you feed him, by any chance?”

  Had he? “I think we ate. We were busy. Thanks for washing my stuff.”

  “Sure. I’ll call the guys at the tour and tell them to give him a granola bar.”

  “Thanks.” Something niggled at him, something odd, but Mai felt too good to worry.

  “Any time. I’m heading to get coffee and sandwiches at the shop. Wanna come?”

  “Sure.” He could wash up real quick. “Ash is making me a cup.”

  “Oh, great! How cool. Ash makes the best pottery.”

  “He does. Did I hear right? Your sister runs the coffee shop?”

  Nathan gave him a goofy, easy grin. “She does. She’s a hoot. Well, she’s a bear, but she makes me laugh.”

  God, he could tell why Ashkii and Nathan were friends. Mai got a washcloth and scrubbed up superfast. “She seems neat.”

  “She’s fabulous, and she makes turkey and Swiss on rye.”

  “Muffins?” He hoped there were muffins.

  “Muffins. Quiche. Brownies. Cookies. All the things.”

  “Yum. I love all the things.” He drew on shorts and a white, button-up shirt. Casual.

  “Cool. Let’s go. I’m starving.”

  “Me, too.” He needed to remember to feed Ash. His lover was too skinny by half. “Did you drive?”

  “Yep. Brought the truck. Didn’t know where I’d find Ash.”

  “Do you mind if I ride along with you, then?” He just felt a bit worn out.

  “Lord, no. Please. I love company.”

  “Thanks.” He liked Nathan’s sunny personality and fuzzy face. Ash was right. This was a good place.

  He could see this becoming his place, too.

  Chapter Eight

  Ash worked the river, did his guide thing then headed to the coffee shop, desperate for food and caffeine. Angela would hook him up. He had cash. The tips would hold him for almost a week thanks to him entertaining two twelve-year-olds. Their folks had been generous.

  “Ashkii!” Angela was all smiles. “Can you help me clean up the backup espresso machine? There’s a giant turkey and Swiss in it for you.”

  “Yes. Yes, of course. Good afternoon. Hello. I love you.”

  She chuckled then hugged his neck. “Hi.”

  “Hi.” He rubbed their noses together then headed to clean. “Had a busy day?”

  “God, yes. You want coffee?”

  “Please. I haven’t had coffee for a whole day.”

  “Oh, no!” She got his cup and filled it then handed it off when he’d got the machine broken down. “I’ll start on your sandwich. Nathan and the new guy are on the patio.”

  “The new guy? Mai?” His heart started going pitty-pat.

  “Mmm. The hawk nose and long hair? Yeah. Yumm-o.”

  “That’s him.” He found himself headed out to the patio, eyes searching for his mate. He sipped his coffee then paused to search. There, out in the sun, right at the edge, sat Nathan and Mai, laughing like loons.

  He stopped and just watched, not sure whether he should interrupt or not.

  Mai saw him first, standing to wave him over.

  “Hey.” He smiled and went to Mai, smiling wide.

  “Hi. How was the raft trip?” Mai touched him, right at the small of his back.

  “Good. I did good. Made enough to eat until the weekend, and Angela let me clean the espresso machine for a sandwich today!”

  “Hey, I have to pay, and she’s my sister.” Nathan smiled to belie the grumble.

  “You didn’t clean the espresso machine.”

  “No,” Nathan agreed. “All those sticky grounds. Ew.”

  “Finicky,” he teased and settled. “You guys have a good day?”

  “We’ve been lazy,” Mai said. “Chatting.”

  “Cool.” He drank his coffee, eyes crossing at the bitter elixir. Maybe, he needed a bit of sugar, but he did love dark roast.

  “Coffee whore,” Nathan teased.

  “Uh-huh.” He wouldn’t deny it. The smell of melted Swiss cheese hit him moments before Angie put a plate in front of him.

  Oh, homemade chips.

  “Thank you!” He held onto his man-self with both hands, his hunger almost overwhelming him.

  “Eat, honey. I’ve got another one in the toaster oven for you.”

  “Another? Yeah?” He dug in, the hollow in his belly screaming at him. It had been a few days since he’d stopped to eat.

  Mai was watching him when he stopped to breathe, a bemused expression on his face. The little half-smile turned full blown, though, and that was lovely.

  “Hey. Sorry. Hungry.” He’d expended some energy on the river.

  “Nothing to be sorry for.” Mai winked. “I like to watch you eat.”

  “Watc
hing Ash eat is like watching a whirling dervish.”

  Oh. Oh, that was… “Mother Sophia!”

  The ancient lady was here, in the flesh, her silver hair loose, her cloak wrapped around her. “Ashkii. I had a dream about you.”

  “Yes? A good dream? I want you to meet, Maicoh. He’s new.”

  She peered through her glasses, eyes blue as ice. “Not so new.”

  Mai smiled at her, polite as always with the elders. “Pleasure to meet you.”

  Ash helped her into a chair. “What can I get you, Mother?”

  “Tea with honey and lemon, please, and a bit of tuna salad with toast.”

  “You got it.” He trotted off to put in her order. “Angela! Mother’s here!”

  “Oh? Excellent. She’s been gone forever. Tea and…?”

  “Tuna salad with toast.”

  “I’m on it. Get your extra sandwich out of the toaster oven and eat it.”

  “Mmm.” He grabbed his food and Mother’s teacup and tray. “I’ll take her tea.”

  “Cool. Tell her a sandwich in five.”

  “I will.”

  Nathan was laughing when Ash went out, the sound joyous. Yes, Mai was a great joy to him, too.

  “Here’s your tea, Mother. The tuna is coming.”

  “Thank you, son.”

  “You’re welcome.” Ash was able to work through the second sandwich more like a human.

  Mai’s hand was on his thigh, solid, heavy, warm. The pressure and heat made Ash’s belly cramp, and it had nothing to do with the sandwich.

  He finished his food then licked his fingers clean. When he glanced up, he flushed. Mai was staring. Hard.

  Mother Sophia chuckled, then shook her head. “Oh, to be young again.”

  Mai flushed and dipped his head but didn’t let go.

  “You’re not that old, Sophia.” Angela kissed the top of her head and put a plate down before her. “I’m so glad to see you.”

  “Thank you, dear one.” Momma blinked, looking like her other self for a moment. She was a stunning owl, a fierce hunter.

  “So, what did you dream, ne’esjaa?” Mai asked Momma.

  “I dreamed of wolves. Wolves coming down river.”

  Ashkii tried not to wince. More wolves meant hell on earth for him.

  Mai frowned. “What kinds of wolves?”

  “Lost ones? Searching ones?”

  Mai exchanged a worried glance with Ash. Yes. They were both thinking of the pack.

  “I think I’m going to head to the mountains for a couple of days, Mother.” It was time. Time to go. Disappear for a bit. Ash wrapped a napkin around a muffin for later then bent to kiss her soft, soft cheek. He smiled at Mai. “My bag on the porch?”

  “No. I put it in the bedroom.” Mai’s frown deepened even more.

  “Oh. Well, I’ll come for it soon, yeah?” Maybe, he could spend the night.

  “Very soon. Right?” Mai touched Ash’s hand, gently, warm and firm, not holding him back.

  “Please.” He waved and left before another second passed because it would be harder if he lingered. Every time he had to hide, it would be a little harder.

  Necessary, but harder.

  He finished his muffin as he walked through town then eased himself into the valley, so he could hide his clothes and shift.

  Find one of his holes and hide for a few days.

  * * * *

  Mai watched Ash leave, his world tilting a little. Ash was scared of something, more scared than Mai thought a dream warranted.

  “Ah, Soph. You scared him off.” Nathan was all rumbly and worried.

  “Twitchy puppy.” She didn’t look too terribly concerned.

  “Why is he so worried?” Mai asked. “There are no wolves here anymore, right?”

  That was why he’d come, wasn’t it?

  Nathan looked at him, head tilted. “What do you mean, Mai? You came.”

  “Because I read there were no wolves here now, like I said.”

  “In Glenwood Springs, you mean?” the old owl asked.

  “Yeah. The whole national forest.”

  When Nathan chuckled, Mai scowled. What was he missing?

  “Some of us—perhaps all of us, I don’t know—but we live here. In our ‘Glen Wood’.”

  He heard her separate the name into two words and put the air quotes around the name.

  “What does that mean?” Mai asked. He hated feeling so damn confused.

  “Mai, haven’t you seen all the shifters around here? We’re…sort of common.” Nathan looked worried.

  “I have. I just thought this was a gathering place.” He looked back and forth between Nathan and the old lady.

  Nathan nodded. “It’s our place. When you came to the river, you moved through the… What do you call it, Mother?”

  “A nexus. You slid here. There are a lot of us and some humans who’ve found their way through, genetic anomalies and just flat-out nuts, mostly.”

  Mai blinked. Well, he’d heard all the spirit tales of sliding into other dimensions, but damn.

  “It’s painless, and honestly, we’re safer here. The river, though, that’s where both worlds are the same. Ash moves between the realms easier than anyone I’ve ever seen. I’m not even sure he knows it.”

  “Better tips that way, I guess.” Mai smiled faintly. “So my old pack. They could come here?”

  “They haven’t before now, but then, they haven’t had someone to look for, either. Are they bad?” Mother asked.

  “They’re not happy.” That was the best way he could think to put it.

  “Well, should they come to cause trouble, we will express our disapproval. We manage well together.” Sophia sounded very sure.

  “Yeah?” Mai grinned. She was fierce.

  “Indeed, and your mate is very much loved here.”

  “Good. I… He needed a place to heal.”

  “Yes. He is not a fighter, more a healer of the earth.”

  “He’s my heart.” Mai had no doubt about that.

  “Good, we all need one.” She hooted softly, shivered, and he swore he could see her shake her feathers.

  Mai smiled. “Who’s yours, Mother?”

  “His name was Leopold. He waits for me on the other side.” She smiled, the look fond, patient. “We flew together before the wagon trains came.”

  “Oh. Well, bright blessings to him.” He never felt like he should say he was sorry. Moving to the spirit world was a wonderful thing.

  “Yes.” She smiled, and suddenly, she was young, laughing, alive and so present. Mai reached out to touch her hand, wanting to share in that energy. Sophia grabbed him, wrapping their fingers together. Oh, such a deep aura she had. Soothing.

  No wonder Ash loved her.

  “He’ll be all right?” Mai asked, meaning Ashkii.

  “He has you now.”

  “He does.” Mai nodded once, sharply. No way was he losing Ash again.

  Nathan beamed at him, a huge goofy grin on his face. So bearlike.

  Mai squeezed Mother’s hand. “Thank you all for accepting me.”

  “You’re one of us. This pack is unique, I think, in all the world.”

  “It is.” Mai knew he would have to really ponder the split world, explore what that meant.

  Find out if his Ashkii knew.

  Mai finished his coffee. “I think I’m gonna go nap in the sun,” he said, feeling very brave.

  “Sounds perfect. I’m heading for supplies. Anyone need anything?” Nathan asked.

  “Can you get me some groceries Ashkii will like?” He handed Nathan two twenties. “Some treats?”

  “Absolutely. He’s a peanut butter whore.”

  Mother Sophia hooted. “And pepperoni. I’ve seen him do tricks for pepperoni.”

  “Whatever he likes. I like cashews.”

  “I’m on it. I’ll drop it by.”

  “Thank you, Nathan.” He t
ook the hard hug Nathan gave him.

  It was odd as hell, to feel as if he were home. He’d never felt that way back with his pack.

  Maybe this place was as magical as Mother Sophia said.

  Chapter Nine

  He ran for hours, slept then ran again, splashing in and out of the river.

  Ashkii knew it didn’t matter that the pack might be coming here, that more wolves may come. There was no denying Mai’s call. Mother’s dreams weren’t always true, right?

  Hours later, he sank into a hot spot in the river outside Maicoh’s cabin. It was close to dusk, and he could sense his lover nearby. He would go, but first his muscles needed rest. He leaned his head back, wetting his dreads. His mind had to slow, too. His dearest Mai. His mate.

  As if he’d pulled Mai to him, the dark form of his mate appeared, the dying sun behind him. Mai waded into the water, coming to sit next to him.

  “Mai.” He had to smile. Had to.

  “Hey, baby. I was sunning.”

  “Were you basking?” He loved that idea.

  “I was. In the yard.” Mai sounded so amused.

  “Good for you!”

  “Sophia explained to me. About the river.”

  “It’s a magical place.” The one place he felt at home.

  “It is.” Drawing him close, Mai kissed his cheek. He made a soft sound—one that was pure wolf, absolute happiness. Mai hummed, low and sweet, cradling him. Ash’s muscles began to let go, let the heat melt them. Oh, Mai hadn’t known how much Mother Sophia’s words worried Ash. And he had been worried. Scared. He didn’t want to lose Mai yet.

  “Not ever, love.”

  “Ever is a long time.”

  “Nope. We gave up enough time.” Mai sounded so sure.

  “We did. It lasted forever.”

  “There, so see? Now, we get ever.”

  Ash chuckled and moved over, settling in Mai’s lap, against Mai’s chest. Mai held him as if he were precious. Fragile. Ash wasn’t, but it felt so right, to be touched, wanted. He leaned, soaking in the happy thoughts he heard coming from Mai.

  Mai’s hands moved over Ash’s skin, petting, caressing, soothing him rather than arousing. Almost grooming him. Ash groaned softly, nuzzled in and vocalized.

  “Yes. Just float with me, love.”

  For as long as Mai would allow it.