Autumn Feast - Charlie Richards Page 0,37
guess.” Hamish waited. Liam had put up no resistance when Hamish told him about Killington, a town in the Green Mountains with a population of no more than nine hundred. On the other hand, he hadn’t exactly jumped up and down when they’d arrived at the rustic cottage surrounded by the Green Mountains and the Gifford Woods State Park.
“I love the house,” Liam said, looking around. It was like a cabin, everything wood, with open spaces and a fireplace. Out their window they could see beautiful sugar maples, whose leaves were now changing to vivid shades of red and orange. There were no neighbors for a mile or two, just trees and grass, and breathtaking mountains.
Hamish waited. “And the town?”
“It’s a tourist place.” He looked at Hamish. “A place to ski, which I don’t.”
“We could learn how.” Hamish met his gaze.
“Yes, you’re right, and Rutland is close by,” Liam said absently. “The clinic is okay, I guess. I met the nurse, Monica Prue, yesterday. She’s had twenty years of experience, which is good so she can show me the ropes. She told me that it was quiet, which is what I need. Family medicine and an occasional skiing accident should keep the ghosts at bay.”
Hamish put a hand on his shoulder. “It’s not forever. I know you’re used to working in a big hospital or with the Borders’ program. Maybe you’ll learn to appreciate the quiet life for a while.”
Liam smiled. “My eternal optimist. I’m going to do my best to make this work, Hamish. I promise. If you are by my side, I’ll do okay.”
Hamish took Liam into his arms and held him close. “I want you to be well, baby.”
“I will be,” he said, kissing Hamish quickly on the mouth. “Now let’s get this place in order.”
With half the boxes unpacked, they took a break. Hamish made pasta for dinner, and they shared a little wine. With the medication Liam had been prescribed for anxiety, he only drank half a glass.
They sat in front of the fireplace, watching the embers dancing. Liam fell asleep with his head in Hamish’s lap. After a while, Hamish lifted Liam’s head and stood up. Retrieving a spare blanket from the bedroom, he covered him and put a pillow under his head. Anytime Liam was peacefully asleep was good. Even with the medication, he still wasn’t sleeping well.
Hamish walked outside, quietly closing the door behind him. It was cold tonight, but Hamish didn’t mind the temperature change. He didn’t feel the elements like mortals did. He sat down on the stoop and looked up at the night sky. It was so clear—the stars bright and the moon three-quarters full. It was ironic how powerful time was. As it moved, changes happened faster than anyone could anticipate.
It seemed only moments ago he’d been given the sword of Gideon that he’d used to send the demons back to hell. Frank, an angel, had helped him, perishing in the fight. But four years had gone by since Hamish’s hybrid status of angel-demon was needed to save the world. Unfortunately, evil could never be kept at bay. You pushed it down, and it found a way to rise again.
When Hamish’s wings had changed completely to white, shedding all specks of black, he took it in stride—a message that all was good. Then his wings had turned inward, staying there, resting maybe. His entire universe became Liam, his best friend, his lover. In this place, he wasn’t sure what he would do when Liam was working at the clinic. Maybe farming, growing things, maple syrup. There were endless possibilities when he wasn’t saving the world.
The wind kicked up now, battering the beauty of new autumn foliage on the trees. Soon the leaves would fall to the ground, providing a majestic carpet awaiting the coming snow. Far away, above the whooshing of the wind, he could hear the wolves, moose, and black bears. They roamed the mountains and the woods, all in search of their prey.
As Hamish prepared to go inside, he paused. Something began to gnaw at him. It was almost an itch he felt compelled to scratch but couldn’t locate. It started deep in his gut and rose to his throat, then radiated around to his back. As soon as it came, it was gone. Hamish breathed a sigh of relief. It was nothing but a distant echo.
He went back inside and locked the door. He checked on Liam, still sleeping, and bent to kiss him. He