Grayson poured a pot of coffee into a thermos and headed to his boat dock. The water was warming as the winter faded into spring. During his time living on the lake, he'd learned a few tricks to catch fish even in the coldest weather.

He climbed aboard and pulled anchor before steering out onto the water. A big blue sky spread out overhead and the warmth of the sunshine glowed as he navigated his boat over the shining water of the Lake of the Fates. He passed several other fishermen and waved, smiling as he continued toward his favorite winter fishing spot.

Like most of the guys who lived in Fate Valley, he loved fishing, hunting, and other outdoor sports. Grayson was partial to fishing himself. He even had a special fish pie that he loved to bake when he had a good catch. He often brought it to Shifter Community Association meetings. All the shifters loved it.

He’d found the little cove where logs had fallen into the water during a landslide last fall. He knew the spot was a perfect hiding place for winter bass and crappie. He poured himself a cup of coffee and sat with his fresh bagel on the side of his boat as he baited his hook. He threw his line into the water, right beside the logs, and waited patiently for a bite.

He slowly reeled his line of fragrant fish bait back to the boat and tried again. He dreamed of someday having a lady to share his favorite things with. In the summer, the sun was bright and hot. Thousands of visitors descended on the valley for swimming, hiking, fishing, and waterskiing. It turned into a whole different place.

In the winter, the lake was quiet, and the people were few. That would change in a few days when the Great American Bake-off started. Fate Valley had won a competition to host the TV show last year. Grayson was thrilled to be the hometown baker accepted into the competition.

He wanted more than anything to win the prize. It would do wonders for his business. He might even be able to expand, turning his recipes into something that could be packaged and sold worldwide. It was a big dream, but he believed that wholesome food, made with love, was a universal language that he wanted to share with as many people as he could.

He loved his little café and wanted to work there for the rest of his life, but he did have big dreams and big plans. Winning a competition like the Great American Bake-off would propel him to a whole new level. It wasn't that he wanted the money or fame. He just wanted to share his love of baking and the sweet calling in his soul. He loved to watch people's eyes light up when they tasted his pastries or one of his savory pies. It was the best feeling he'd ever experienced in his life.

Like Harrison, he wanted to serve his community and the people he loved. But Grayson's form of service was different. While Harrison heroically put out fires and saved cats, Grayson liked to bake scones, cinnamon rolls, and pies.

He loved making wedding cakes. He loved seeing the bride and groom cutting one of his cakes at their wedding. Feeding it to each other as they gazed into each other's eyes. Tasting the sweet flavor of his cake for the first time. It really was the most accurate symbol of how he felt about his sweet treats. They should bring love and connection. Like the cookies mom made afterschool in childhood.

He threw his line back out into the water and slowly reeled it in. This time, he felt a tug on his hook. He whistled and continued reeling. It was a big one. He could feel it on the end of his line. Grayson was a strong man, but he had to struggle to reel in the fish.

Soon he had it close to the end of his boat. He grabbed his net and scooped the twelve-inch wriggling bass out of the water and brought it into his boat. He unhooked it and dropped it into a bucket. His mouth watered just thinking about making his famous fish pie with savory potatoes and scallions for dinner.

His stomach rumbled at the thought. But then he grew a little sad. He didn't have anyone to cook it for. Just himself. Grayson loved cooking, but he didn't like eating alone. And that was his only option unless he made some excuse to meet up with one of his friends.

Everybody had been mating up lately. Harrison, Liam, Benjamin, Thorian. They had all found their mates, and Grayson was still alone. As he navigated his boat back to the dock outside his little house, he decided that he would make the pie for Kitty and her family. He’d bring it over for dinner that night. She really was a hard worker and deserved a break. He knew having a little one at home and working full-time was hard for her.

Bringing her some food would make her day just a little bit brighter. That made him feel so much better as he took his bucket up to the house. He butchered his fish and brought the meat inside. He then started making the crust for the fish pie. After he finished the crust, he tossed it in the fridge to chill and grabbed his phone. He checked Mate.com one more time, just to see if he had been matched with his mate while he was out fishing. Still no one hundred percent match.

His heart sank. Grayson sat down in his living room and turned on a football game. Sighing, he put his boot on the coffee table and watched the St. Louis Rams annihilate the Seahawks. He laughed as his favorite quarterback ran over the goal line. At half time, he went back to the kitchen and finished rolling out the pie crust. He prepared the filling with the fresh fish, boiled potatoes, cut up carrots and scallions, and put everything into the crust. He then covered it with the top crust and popped it in the oven.

In forty-five minutes, it would be a deliciously delectable dish. He went and finished watching the rest of the game. The Rams won forty-eight to twelve. After the game, he pulled the pie out of the oven and let it cool.

He covered the finished pie with aluminum foil and climbed into his truck. On the way across town, he listened to music on the radio and whistled along with the tune. When he arrived at Kitty's house, he hopped out of the truck and carried his pie up to the front door. When he knocked, her husband Charley answered.

“Hi Grayson,” Charley said.

Charley worked in construction. During the winter, there was less work, and he spent a lot of time at home with the baby.

“What's that? It smells delicious.”

“It's my famous fish pie. I caught a bass today, and I didn't want to eat alone. So, I brought it over for you and Kitty.”

Kitty came to the door holding their son Tyler and her eyes grew wide at Grayson's fish pie.

“Grayson, aren't you just the sweetest,” she said as Charley accepted the pie.

“Just consider it an employee bonus.”

“You’ve got to stay for dinner now,” Charley said, slapping Grayson on the back.

They invited him inside and Kitty cut into the pie, serving Grayson a piece as they sat around the table.

“Still no luck finding a mate?” Kitty asked.

“No,” Grayson said mournfully, taking a bite of his fish pie. It turned out deliciously. “It's been five years.”

“Did you catch the game today?” Charley asked.

“Forty-eight to twelve.”

The two men high-fived and Kitty smiled and chuckled as she dished up another piece of fish pie. The baby sat in his high chair beside the table with a bottle and made adorable baby noises. Grayson looked over at the child and imagined what it would be like to have a cub of his own. If he couldn't have a family, at least he could help families that he knew.

After they were finished with dinner, Kitty put the leftovers in the fridge and thanked Grayson again for his generosity and for sharing dinner with them.

“It was really just an excuse not to be alone,” he said with a shrug. Kitty patted his shoulder affectionately.

“You'll find your lady, Grayson. And whoever she is will be awfully lucky to have you.”

“You're a good man, Grayson. Thanks for the pie. You can bring us dinner anytime,” Charley said with a chuckle. “Next time, come over for the game too.”

“Thanks, man,” Grayson said. “I’ll do that.”

He waved goodbye to the family and headed out to his car, his heart warm and his belly full. It was good to have friends and family. He was glad that he’d decided to bring his pie to Kitty and Charley instead of staying at home to eat alone.