“We need to set up times to see the other sites you wanted to check, as well as the mine,” Justin reminded him. “And dinner, if you’re up for it.”
“I’m always up for good food and good company,” Scott replied with a warmth that Justin read as interest. “I’ve got my Fox Institute appointment tomorrow morning, so how about after lunch for a flight up to the mine?”
“I’ve heard bits and pieces about that mine, but never really checked into it,” Justin replied. “I’m looking forward to seeing what’s left.”
“I appreciate that,” Scott replied. “I talked to Liam, and he’s set me up with local folks who want to reminisce about the old places that aren’t here anymore, so I should have fresh recollections for the articles.”
“Liam’s a good guy, and he knows everyone. He’ll take care of you.” Justin hesitated and then took the plunge. “If you don’t have plans, we could also do dinner again on the other nights, whether we have a flight or not. You’ve got to eat, and I know all the best places.”
Justin held his breath, and Scott gave him a broad smile. “I’d like that.”
“Great,” Justin replied. “But you might want to be careful who you tell about the mine project. I mentioned it to one of the guys in the airport, and he told me the place was bad luck.”
“Huh. Even after all this time? Interesting,” Scott mused. “I was checking some of the exploration sites for abandoned places, and there was chatter about people disappearing near that mine over the years. Those folks seemed to think it was due to Mafia connections instead of creatures. No idea whether it’strue, and a place like that would be dangerous enough that going inside would be crazy, but it caught my attention.”
“We’ll be high overhead, out of reach of ghosts, monsters, and mobsters,” Justin assured him.
“I couldn’t use the Mob connection or monsters in my article, but the chat room conversation made me look into the company buying the old mine,” Scott said. “It’s got a shady history with mining code violations and tax problems. There’s speculation that the company might also have Mafia connections, and gossip that the current CEO has a ‘fixation’ on the supernatural.”
Justin’s Spidey-sense tingled. “If that’s true, please don’t poke the bear. Those people play for keeps.”
“Don’t worry,” Scott said. “I’m not getting paid enough to risk it. But curiosity is the plague of journalists. Even without the article, it’s hard not to keep chasing a good story.”
They were both quiet as he landed, and Justin broke the silence. “Do you like barbecue? ’Cause there’s a great little out-of-the-way place that does it up right.”
“That sounds amazing,” Scott replied.
Justin checked the time. “They’re open now, let’s go.”
“The food smells fantastic.”Scott swooned as they pulled up at the BBQ Shack.
“Good food is what gives us hope through the long winter,” Justin joked. “It’s a reason to survive the cold from one meal to another.”
They paused to read the menu and give their order. “You said Liam booked you for interviews with a bunch of people,” Justin said as they waited. “Tell me, and I might know them too.”
“I lucked out,” Scott said. “Some of the people used to work at the amusement parks or ski areas back in the day. Others vacationed there. Some of them also had connections to the mine. That kind of first-hand information is absolute gold. I think I can sell my editor on a series of articles and podcasts, which would be great.”
He pulled out his phone and read off the names from his notes.
“I don’t know any of those folks well, but I think they’ll give you good information,” Justin said.
“I’m looking forward to hearing their stories,” Scott replied, clearly excited about the interviews.
Justin appreciated Scott’s enthusiasm. “It’s great to see someone who loves what they do. I’m glad you’ve found that and made it work for you.”
Scott sighed and nodded. “Thanks. It took some doing, but things have finally come together. And I’m not stuck in one place or expected to spout the corporate line.”
After they ate, Scott and Justin found seats around one of several fire pits with no one else around. “Thank you for another nice evening,” Scott said, looking at the dancing flames.
Justin admired how the firelight played on Scott’s blond hair and gave his face a golden glow. “Thank you for the good company. Look, I’m really enjoying spending time with you.” He reached over to take Scott’s hand and felt the zing once more. Justin could see in Scott’s face that the other man had registered the reaction.
Scott turned to meet his eyes. “And I feel very comfortable with you. We connect. But I’m not good at vacation flings. If we start something, it needs to have a chance of continuing even with the distance.”
“That works for me.” Justin was relieved they were getting the topic out in the open. “I’m not a fling person, either. Albany’snot that far away. If it’s meant to be, we’ll find a way to make it work.”
Justin took a deep breath and took the plunge. “When our hands touch, I feel a ‘zing.’ Either we’ve got crazy static electricity, or?—”
“I think we’re fated mates.” Scott jumped in to ease Justin’s nervousness. “I wondered who was going to bring it up first.”
