“I’ll keep my eye out,” I say, offering her a charming smile I stepped aside allowing her to pass. “But for now, just smile and I can almost guarantee each person in that room will be mesmerized by your beauty.”
Taryn pauses, closes her eyes and I watch as she inhales deeply.
“It was great seeing you again Taryn,” I say, whispering her name. I fight the urge to touch her. “I have a feeling that we’ll see one another again real soon.”
“I hope so.” It is a whisper I’m not sure I was meant to hear.
Allowing her to walk away, I wait, staring after her until she reaches the door and glances back. “Until next time.”
With a smile and a shy tuck of her chin, Taryn pushes open the door to the cafe and steps outside, disappearing into the crowded streets. Though she is out of sight, she is never out of mind.
Soon my sweet angel, I will have you in my arms where you belong forever.
Taryn
“Honey, what do you mean you’ve quit your job?” I immediately see the panic in my mother’s eyes. A shakiness in her voice that I recognize as uncertainty it triggers. Her mind racing, I'm sure with scenarios to fix whatever it is she assumes has brought on this news. “I don’t understand. I thought you loved your work.” My poor mother, always trying to make things right and unsettled when she can’t.
I grab my wine glass, twisting it around slightly by the stem before taking a healthy swallow. I’ll admit it had been a rash decision, one so out of character for me. But once I walked out of there with my box of belongings, I felt freer than I have in a long time. Out of fear their employees would spill secrets to other companies after they’ve quit, they usually let the employees go immediately but usually with a nice, no hard feelings, hush money severance package, which is what I got. It’s more than enough to sit on for a couple months before worrying about what comes next.
It’s been a week since I saw Merick in the coffee shop and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about him. Add to that I’ve been dreaming about my wolf every night and it makes me question everything I’ve done with my life thus far. I didn’t walk out because of that, but the dreams have become fleeting moments reminding me that I wasn't getting what I truly wanted. I was settling, ignoring my dreams and ambitions. I was growing comfortable in a, this will do for now, phase and I want so much more for myself. I want a life that leaves me breathless, one where I wake up everyday delirious with joy over how far I’ve come. I want it all, I won’t get to get stuck in the rut I was living.
I shake my head to clear all the rushing thoughts. “I wasn’t happy. I want to find something I’m passionate about and office manager, receptionist, gopher is not what I want to be doing for the rest of my life.” I take another sip of my wine. The sounds of my mother's even breathing confirms she is hearing me and not still in panic mode over my future. “I feel like there is a greater calling or something out there for me.”
Our waitress brings our food, setting my chicken wrap in front of me and my mom’s salad in front of her. Conversation is thankfully stalled while we eat.
I shred my napkin as I work up the nerve to ask her what I want.
“Honey what is it? You seem nervous all of a sudden.” She grabs my hand in hers. “Tell me...are you okay? You’re not sick, are you?”
Sweet, sweet woman, I am truly sending her through a whirlwind of emotions in such a short span of time. Panic, now fear. "Nothing is wrong Mom, but there is something I need.”
“Okay, what?”
I take a deep breath, prepared for the many questions I know will follow. “I wanted to ask you about the cabin in Montana.”
“What about it?”
“I want to stay there for a while." Her eyes widen, a small fraction in surprise. I can't say that I blame her, this is all a little out of nowhere. "I remember how much I loved that place when I was younger. There is something telling me to go. Like maybe I'll find the answers there, what's next, my purpose, whatever you wanna call it.” I’m sure she probably thinks I’m losing my mind. Hell, part of me has to agree. I haven’t been there in years, but I’m being pulled there.
I don’t know what I’m expecting to find, but I know I need to be there.
“Of course, it should still be in good shape. Your dad pays someone who lives nearby to keep an eye on the place and do basic upkeep. Although, I don’t know how I feel about you being out in the middle of nowhere by yourself.”
“I’m twenty-four Mom, I know how to take care of myself. Plus, I will probably only be there for a week, maybe two.” I squeeze her hand. “I need to go and get some clarity. What better place than one of solitude?" There has to be a reason I’ve been thinking and dreaming about it. Almost like it’s calling out to me.
I don’t dare tell her about the wolf. After the day when I was twelve, I thought about telling Dad so maybe he could help me find him if he was real. But I knew telling him would have the opposite effect and he’d grab that shotgun that he kept just inside the front door and tried to kill him instead.
“I’ll talk to your father. We’ll make sure it’s livable and if it is then we’ll pay to have it prepared for you. Give me a couple
