It’s raining today, but I can’t bear to spend another minute inside. The walls feel more like a cage lately since my sleep has become restless from the reoccurring nightmare. Almost two weeks of nightmares has taken its toll on me. I feel like I am barely here even though I can see and hear everything going on around me. Being outside helps my nerves, so once I finish the work assigned to me by the nature preserve, I walk around the grounds. I find myself watching and hoping to see my spirit wolf on one of the trail cameras or from the lookout points. She hasn’t been in my dreams nor have I found her while hiking through the trails between the nature preserve and Canis Falls.

  The nature preserve has been enlightening for me. Some of the things Mom taught me on the hikes as a kid did come back to me. I could pick out most of the dangerous plants in the area, and a few of the edible ones. Mr. O’Connor, my supervisor, has his daughter, Clara, teaching Felicity and me about the wildlife in the area. This morning, Clara had introduced us to an injured peregrine falcon named Wynn. He was beautiful. Fe and I watched him climb about his little enclosure trying to recover. He had strength and a spark for life that was inspiring. Tomorrow, Clara promised to introduce us to Winter, the oldest wolf on the preserve who has become dependent on humans to stay alive since he has diabetes. I had chills of excitement when she pointed him out through the giant glass window of the lobby. I couldn’t wait to see him.

  The green grass was similar to the lush green meadow that I had seen in my dreams. I felt the urge to roll around on the ground in the soft bed of grass. It had to be one of my new instincts putting thoughts in my head. I let myself lay in the wet grass amid the soft summer rain. Its warm smell envelops my nose. Being stuck in this in-between state has been strange. I can hear the wings of the wasp in the tree over twenty feet away, and I can smell the wildflowers in the field beyond the hill. My sight is stronger. I can see details in each blade of grass over three feet away. Footsteps are crunching the soggy ground on the trail ahead. Everything feels sharper and crisp. All the tension in my body fell away. Out here where there’s no noise pollution scratching at my brain, I feel free.

  “Well, I wasn’t expecting to find the city girl sittin’ out here in the rain,” an odd melodic voice called to me. It was a voice I had heard before, but I couldn’t place it.

  Glancing behind me, I find the cowboy with no hat strolling up the trail with a crate of yummy-smelling food. Most of it was produce that made my mouth water with each tantalizing second. The closer he got the easier it was to identify the smells. He was carrying strawberries, tomatoes, carrots, sweet peas, fresh lettuce, and an array of peppers. I wanted to steal the whole crate from him and gobble down each crumb. My stomach began to rumble once he stopped about two feet away from me.

  He gently placed the crate on the ground next to me and crouched down next to me. “Hungry, city girl?”

  I wanted to scoff at him, but my stomach only rumbled harder. He reached into the crate and handed me a carrot. I took it because I couldn’t deny my watering mouth. “Thanks, cowpoke.” I took a big bite out of the carrot, and I could taste the gentle sweetness in each crunch. “What are you doing at the nature preserve?”

  “My family’s ranch donates food to the preserve every week for the animals,” he said, proudly.

  I nodded. “Overstocked on your harvests?” I tried to be polite since he gave me food.

  “Yep. The animals here benefit from our overproduction, and we keep from wasting produce all year. Most of the ranchers in the area do the same thing for the preserve,” He explained.

  “Very symbiotic of you,” I replied as he handed me another carrot to eat. I thanked him and started on the second carrot.

  “Did ya miss lunch?” He chuckled watching me down the carrot in a few bites.

  “Maybe,” I answered, cautiously. This guy seemed nice and all, but I wasn’t here to make friends with him. I had walked this far out to avoid people for a bit, and let my guard down for a bit.

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  “Isn’t that a bit careless? If I didn’t give you something to eat, you could have passed out on this trail all alone.”

  Was this guy lecturing me now? I wonder if he does to all the strangers he meets. Maybe, he just doesn’t want me causing trouble like he said before. “Anything could have happened although I didn’t skip lunch, uh…what was your name?”

  “Ah, just a healthy appetite.” The guy shook his head, chuckling. “Linkin Park. We met the other day at the library when you were in the middle of your research.”

  A vague image of him came to mind and how Felicity had been teasing me about him. I felt my cheeks get hot for a moment as I looked at him dressed in dirty blue jeans and a wet, black t-shirt. His worn brown boots supported him as he remained crouched at eye level with me. His hair was long enough to reach his narrow jaw. It was a bit messy, but it gave his look a certain warmth. I guessed that Linkin wasn’t going to leave until we had an actual conversation.

  “Yeah, I like to learn everything I can about something new before I start doing it,” I answered honestly, hoping it might be enough to fulfill whatever he was hoping to get out of our conversation.

  “So, you don’t like surprises?” He sounded surprised by my small truth. “I thought city girls loved the thrill of new, unknown things. Is that what makes a novel experience worth having?”

  Oh, this guy is like a dog with a bone. “First off, I am not some stereotype, city girl.” I scoffed, standing up from my cozy damp spot in the grass. “Second, novelty is well and good for those just looking for something niche to make them look cool.” I kept my tone soft and level like Felicity had been coaching me to do. She has noticed my moodiness and ‘childish’ tantrums since my break up with Asher, and she says I need to work on being kind and patient if I want to stay on good terms with the people of Canis Falls. Linkin didn’t seem to mind my little snappy tone as he stood up and continued to grin at me. Was this his annoyingly friendly grin part of his overall kindness?

  “And third?” He picked at me to continue.

  “Third, I like to be prepared. Situations change all the time, but I like to stick to the plan as much as possible.” I answered, and his grin soured a little. Did I upset him somehow? I don’t think I have been rude yet.

  “Sounds like you’re scared of change.” His words held a more serious tone that I didn’t like.

  I was only talking to this guy, so he would leave me alone. Now, I get the feeling that Linkin wants to lecture me about being scared of change. He said the same line a few of my childhood therapists had. I felt frustration spike within me, but I couldn’t lash out at this guy I barely knew. “Who knows,” I shrugged, picking the most neutral response I could think of. “But, thanks for the snack, Linkin.”

  The rain sprinkled around us like a soft drum. There was a quiet and awkward moment between us as Felicity’s taunting words echoed in my head. My cheeks might be burning again. Ugh. Thoughts of Asher invaded my mind just then, and my stomach felt sick. I had been thinking of my cheating ex less and less, but when it happened, I felt like vomiting. Staying here next to Linkin was causing my anxiety to rise again from all the unwanted thoughts, and I didn’t want that. My anxiety had just melted away for the first time since I woke up from my recurring nightmare. Maybe, I could catch another quiet moment down a different trail… Waving bye, I turned and walked away.

  A split second later he called my name. “Hey, Korinne. Wait,” I heard him grab his crate of food and hurry to catch up to me. His face was confused and apologetic when he caught up to me. “Can you hang on for a second?”

  I stopped and turned back to him. “Do you need help with something?”

  “Actually, I was hoping to invite you and your sister out for a drink at the Mini Soda Bar tonight to welcome you to Canis Falls.” Linkin’s face was back to supporting his warm grin that almost made me smile.

  “Um,” I wasn’t sure what to say, so I started walking again. Linkin stayed in step next to me as we went back up the trail toward the visitor’s center. Lately, I tried to spend my free time on the hiking trails around town. I needed to find my spirit wolf as soon as possible, but I felt like Linkin was important for some reason. “That’s nice of you.”

  “Is that a no?” He wanted clarification on something I wasn’t even clear on.

  A nagging feeling was in my gut that this guy wasn’t just someone I could ignore. My instincts insisted that I agree to this little meetup of his. I can’t imagine Felicity saying no although she’s been busy with her new online software proofreading gig. She was earning money to support our Minnesota adventure while I spent my time searching for my spirit wolf. Maybe, I could pick a job up in town to earn some cash too. She can’t be responsible for both of us.

  Linkin tapped my shoulder, pulling me back from my tangent. “I think we could meet you for a drink.”

  His bright smile beamed at me. “Lookin’ forward to it.”

  Would Linkin know of a place where I could get a job? “Uh, Linkin,” I started. “Would you know of anyone looking for some part-time help?”

  “I might know someone.” He gave a sly grin.

  Suddenly, I regretted asking the hatless cowboy for help.