Chapter Four – Zak

Zak drove back to Louise’s car, parked his bike by the side of it, and got off, placing his helmet on the handlebars. He was going to give the car a quick check-over, see if he could pinpoint the issue, and then head into town. He needed tools if he wanted to get her car back on the road.

“Let’s take a look at you,” Zak said to the car, running his hand over the old paintwork, which had been meticulously polished. He grinned. “Someone sure poured some love into you.”

As he started the engine and went around to lift the hood, he was caught up in the conundrum of the car. As he guessed, the engine had received equally as much love, the new parts that had been fitted were worth more than the whole car put together.

Checking the engine systematically, he had to admit it was running well, until he pulled the throttle and the rattle sounded. With the flat of his hand, he moved it over the engine, searching for an air leak, until he found the culprit. A hose had come loose; all he needed was the correct-size wrench, and he would have the engine fixed.

And what happens then? his bear asked.

Louise gets to drive her car home, Zak replied.

That’s it?

I told her she didn’t owe me anything, Zak reminded his bear. I meant it. We’re going to have to try some other way of getting her to like us.

Maybe you could sing to her, his bear suggested.

Funny, real funny, Zak replied, and slammed the hood shut. Then he switched off the engine, pocketed the keys, and mounted his bike. His beloved bike.

Zak ran his hand over the chrome tank, and then glanced back to Louise’s car. Polished and cherished. They had something in common. But how would she feel about all the stuff they did not have in common? She looked like the kind of girl who was straight and true. Would she even consider going out with a bad boy?

Zak got on his bike and turned it toward Bear Creek. Yes, Bear Bluff was closer, but if he rode to Bear Creek, he knew exactly where he could find the tools he needed.

With the engine vibrating between his thighs, he took the back roads he knew so well. It was good to be back in the place he had spent the latter part of his teen years. He owed a lot to the man who had taken him in, and taught him that he didn’t have to follow in his father’s footsteps.

As he meandered through Bear Creek, he was reminded of the fun he’d had, of the trouble he’d caused, but most of all, of the man he’d grown to love.

“Sunnyside, you have not changed a bit.” Zak rode his bike up the driveway to the house he’d come to know as home.

As he came to a stop, the door was pulled open, and Dean stood in the doorway, mouth open and a baby in his arms.

“You never said you were coming,” Dean accused. “I would have made your favorite brownies.”

“I thought I’d surprise you.” Zak got off his bike, hooked his helmet over the handlebars and strode up to the house. He hesitated, standing a few feet away from Dean, and looking at the small child in his arms. “You take in babies now?”

“Sort of. This one belongs to a young lady who needed a home. They came as a package.” Dean jiggled the baby, who gave him a toothless giggle. “Best thing I ever did.”

“Thanks,” Zak said, but he wasn’t offended.

“I always knew you would turn out OK. You knew how to look after yourself. Which was more of the problem. But this young lady, well, they have had it rough. And I wanted to make it smooth for them.”

“You always were a sucker for a sob story,” Zak said, and closed the space between them and hugged Dean awkwardly, trying not to crush the baby.

“Yeah, and you certainly knew how to spin those sob stories,” Dean said. “You were an education in itself, Zak. Boy, am I glad to see you.”

“I’m glad to see you too, Dean. Really glad.”

“The wanderlust got a little boring?” Dean asked, stepping back and leading Zak into the house.

“I wouldn’t say boring. But sometimes I just need to remember who I am. And I am what you made me.” Zak followed Dean into the house.

“Coffee?” Dean asked, setting the baby down in a high chair, where she proceeded to kick her legs and squeal excitedly.

“Yes, please. Although I have to go back out, I came to borrow a wrench.”

Dean turned and looked at him, a quizzical expression on his face. “What do you need a wrench for? That bike of yours sounded as if was running perfectly.”

“It is. I met a damsel in distress on the road, and I said I’d fix her car,” Zak told Dean, deciding to keep the fact that they were mates to himself for now.

“A damsel in distress?” Dean made a fresh pot of coffee. “I hope you remember what I taught you about being respectful.”

“Always,” Zak said. “I am a knight in shining armor. And that will never change.”

“Good man,” Dean nodded.

“And what about you? No damsels in distress?” Zak asked.

“Nope, except for Storm’s mom.” Dean shrugged. “I still have not found her, and am beginning to doubt I ever will.”

“Never say never,” Zak said. If there was one wish he wanted to be fulfilled, it was for Dean to find his own true mate. “Thanks.” He took the steaming mug of coffee from Dean, and smelled it. “You still make the best coffee. I’ve been all over the world, and I’ve never found anything finer.”

“You do have a silver tongue,” Dean said.

“It’s good to be home,” Zak said.

“How long are you staying?” Dean asked.

“As long as you’ll have me,” Zak replied.

Dean set his coffee down on the countertop. “Are you running from something?”

Zak smiled sadly. “Sometimes I think I’ve been running my whole life. And I want to stop.”

“Are you OK?” Dean asked. Zak hated the pain in his voice.

“I’m not in trouble if that is what you mean. I wouldn’t do that to you.” Dean was the reason Zak had kept out of trouble. His love and respect for the guy who had taken him in knew no end.

“I know, son. But if there is anything… You are never too big to need a shoulder to cry on.” Dean’s face was as honest as it had ever been.

“I just need some time away from my life.” Zak finished his coffee. “I’ve done what I set out to do. I shook off who I was. But now I need to find out who I really am.”

“So the wanderlust has gotten boring?” Dean asked, not pressing for more information than Zak was willing to give freely.

“Yeah. I would not mind settling down.” His thoughts turned to his mate. He would not mind one bit.

“You sound like an old man,” Dean said with a chuckle.

“I might be young, but I feel old. You know I didn’t have it easy.” Zak shook his head, feeling like a sap. “When I came to live with you here, it was the first time I felt as if I had a home.”

“So that’s what this is?” Dean asked. “You’re coming home.”

“Yeah. And I plan to stay. If you’ll have me.” Zak went to the sink and washed up his cup. “Now, if I can borrow that wrench, I have a car to fix.”

“Come on, let’s got to my workshop and get what you need. Don’t ever let it be said that Dean Capel got in the way of a man like Zak Pellow.”

“You made me what I am,” Zak said, as Dean picked up the baby and carried her outside.

“Spring is coming. A sign of new beginnings. You picked the right time to come back,” Dean told Zak as he opened up his workshop and went inside.

“Just as I remember it.” Zak nodded, and walked along the orderly rows of tools, selecting the correct-size wrench. “I promise to bring it back.”

“I know you will.” Dean smiled. “It is good to see you, Zak.”

“Good to see you too, old man,” Zak said cheekily.

“Now, get going. I’ll make up your old room and get it aired out.” Dean shooed Zak out of the door.

“And if you have time to make those brownies, I will not complain. One thing I have missed is home cooking. Life on the road is all hotel rooms and take-out food.” Zak got on his bike and, with a final wave, left Dean on the drive, watching him until the motorbike turned left and disappeared from view.

It sure was good to be home. And as the sun shone down, and the mountains rose high above him, he knew this had been the right decision. And not just because he had found his mate.