Unknown:Where should I be looking? Mountain caves? Wolf dens?
Me: Accidentally texting strangers seems to be working pretty well for you so far.
Unknown:Is it though? For all I know, you could be a serial killer who collects wildlife as trophies.
Me: Would a serial killer rescue a bear dog and let a wolf hybrid claim his deck?
Unknown:Good point. Serial killers probably have better organizational skills.
I'm laughing again,actually laughing out loud in my empty cabin.
Unknown:I should probably let you get some sleep. It's late, and you probably have to get up early to track bears or whatever mountain men do at dawn.
Me: Actually, tomorrow I'm reviewing survey data and updating territory maps. Very boring compared to wrestling mountain lions.
Unknown:Survey data can be its own adventure. Especially if the wolves decide to change their patterns just to mess with your research.
Me: You have no idea how often that actually happens.
Unknown:Sweet dreams, mystery mountain man. Try not to let Ghost steal your entire bed.
Me: Sweet dreams, beautiful stranger.
As I head upstairs,Ghost raises his head from the back deck, yellow eyes tracking my movement. Ranger follows me up the stairs.
I lie in bed staring at the ceiling, listening to the silence that usually brings peace. Tonight, it just makes me aware that I'm alone up here. That for the first time in three years, alone doesn't feel like safety.
It feels like loneliness.
And maybe that's not the same thing.
3
CHANTAY
"You're glowing," Maya announces the moment I walk into our favorite brunch spot three days later. "And don't try to deny it. You've got that secret smile thing happening."
I slide into the booth across from her. "I don't know what you're talking about."
"Bullshit. You've been texting someone for three days straight." She leans forward. "Please tell me it's not Derek."
"God, no. Derek and I are definitely done."
"Then who is he?"
My phone buzzes,and I can't help smiling when I see his name.
Mountain Man:Ghost decided my office chair belongs to him now. I'm currently working standing up while a wolf hybrid judges my posture.
"Oh my God,you're doing it right now!" Maya reaches for my phone. "Let me see!"
I clutch it to my chest. "It's nothing. Just a friend."
"A friend who makes you smile like that is not just a friend. Come on, spill."
"I don't know any of those things."
Maya's eyebrows shoot up. "You don't know what he looks like? Are you being catfished?"
