When the Bluebird Calls
Heart of the Mountain

Excerpt

Sitting at his desk, Devon Reid looked over his shoulder and watched the rain pelt against his office window. The gloomy weather matched his current mood and mental state for the last few months.

Six years ago, Devon’s mother was diagnosed with cancer. Although she spent most of that time in remission, the cancer returned 6 months ago. With his father’s passing several years before, Devon was her sole surviving relative and the only family left who could help her during her sickness. He had no regrets being there for her when she needed him. He loved her very much.

He spent most of his time caring for his mother during these last few months. He painfully watched as she suffered through extensive chemotherapy. With her limited mobility, Devon had to bath her, feed her and constantly watch over her throughout the night. As an aftereffect of the chemo, the food his mother ate did not stay down for long either, so throwing up was an everyday occurrence. Devon would wake up in the recliner next to her bed and be there to support her whenever she woke. It tore him apart to see the pain etched in his mother's face and to see her wither away as she lost more and more weight each day. Many nights he stayed with her instead of going home to Kevin, his partner of 2 years.

Unfortunately, Kevin just could not cope with Devon’s absence. Constant arguments ensued which eventually lead to their break up. It was difficult. After being together for two years, he thought Kevin loved him for better or worse.

A few nights after the breakup, Devon sat next to his mom’s bed as he held her frail hand and watched her take each labored breath. She turned to him and told him something he would never forget.

“He wasn’t the one for you,” she began as she took another breath to continue. “When a man comes along and looks at you as if you are his world…then you know you’ve found the one.”

He looked at her as tears streamed down his cheeks.

She peacefully closed her eyes and slipped away with a smile on her face, as if she was privy to an answer of a riddle no one else could solve.

Devon closed his eyes and fought to contain his emotions as he vividly remembered that night four weeks ago. The sudden knocking on the door abruptly brought him out of his maudlin thoughts.

“Come in,” he said then let out a deep breath to steady himself.

“I’m going to be leaving, Devon. Everyone’s gone home already and we don’t have any more appointments today.” Tara, his assistant, smiled at him unaware of his turmoil.

“Thanks, Tara. I’ll see you in the morning,” he said with a forced smile hoping it looked convincing. “Just make sure you lock up behind you, please.”

“Sure,” Tara said as she softly closed the door behind her.

Looking around his office, he somehow found himself feeling out of place. His dark wood desk was bare except for his computer, some neatly stacked patient files on one side, and his gold nameplate with black letters on the edge.

Turning to his computer, Devon opened his email program to check his messages before leaving for the day. Scanning down the list, he came across an email from his realtor, Vanessa, in Bridger, Montana. He had been waiting to hear back from her, so he quickly opened it.

Dear Dr. Devon Reid,

As per our last telephone discussion, the current owner of the Bridger Veterinary Clinic, in Bridger, Montana has agreed to your latest offer. Please contact me as soon as possible so that we can make the necessary arrangements to conclude the purchase.

Kind Regards,

Vanessa May – MAY REALTORS

Devon pushed up his left sleeve and checked the time. It was just after 4 o’clock so he picked up the phone in hopes of reaching Vanessa at her office. He wanted to secure the purchase of the clinic and needed to buy a house nearby. Then, he needed to find a local realtor to sell his current apartment and veterinary practice.

He needed to move. Running into Kevin on the streets and still hearing condolences for the loss of his mother was just too much for him. He felt horrible leaving Tara and his patients, but he needed a fresh start or he would drive himself crazy. He hoped Bridger, Montana would be his sanctuary.

Trees surrounded Devon as he walked across the land at the edge of the woods. The place was magnificent. Tall trees lined the edge of the property, horses galloped around in circles in a pen off into the distance. A log ranch house sat not too far off in another direction with mountaintops peaking up behind it. The stables and the bellowing of the bulls always left him in awe of the place.

Devon stood there taking in the beauty of his surroundings when he distinctly heard the beautiful sound of a bird’s call. Strong arms surrounded him from behind and Devon felt lips touch his cheek as beard stubble grazed his skin. He felt hard rippled muscles pressed against his back. The man’s hands moved down slowly, undoing the button of his jeans and pulling down his zipper. He felt safe and protectively encased in the strong arms that surrounded him, holding him close.

Devon felt a big, calloused hand wrap around his hard shaft while the other played with his balls. The stranger started stroking him, nibbling on his neck and shoulder. Devon leaned back against him. Somehow, this all seemed very familiar to him. His one arm snaked around the man’s neck while he held onto the stranger’s arm with his other hand. His cock glistened in the early morning sunshine from the cum running down his shaft. The hard ridge of the stranger’s cock pressing against his butt cheeks through his jeans had his balls drawing up against his body. His breath came in rapid pants as beads of perspiration ran down the back of his neck. Moaning loudly, Devon’s pearly white seed spilled from him. He turned his head to kiss the stranger on the lips and again he heard the distinct call of a bird.

Devon woke with a start, sitting straight up in bed. He touched his stomach and found his chest covered with his release. The comforter and sheets lay crumpled at the end of the bed.

“What the fuck?” Dazed, Devon got out of his bed in a sleep-induced haze and walked into the bathroom. He grabbed the washcloth, wet it and began to clean himself. Damn, this definitely isn’t going to work. Devon turned on the shower and set the temperature of the water. He slowly undressed and got in the shower. He stood under the spray of the water and let it run down his back as he thought about the dream.

For the past two weeks, he’d been haunted by the same dream. He always woke before he could see the stranger’s face so he didn’t know who he was, yet, he felt safe in his arms. And he couldn’t understand why or how, but he felt the stranger was someone very special to him. He knew the dream had to mean something, but he couldn’t figure out exactly what it was.

Devon headed into the kitchen, slowly made a sandwich, and poured himself a cup of coffee. Thank God for the auto-timer! Leaning against the kitchen counter, he ate his sandwich and drank his coffee as he looked around at the empty apartment. He’d managed to purchase a furnished home, so he was able to sell his existing furniture. Most of his things were already boxed and ready for delivery to his new place in a couple of days. Other than toiletries, the only remaining items to pack were the coffee machine and the mug in his hand. There were boxes on the floor with his clothes by the front door that needed to be loaded into his in new black Dodge Dakota TRX4. Devon smiled as he remembered going to the car lot in the city and buying his new truck. It was the first thing he bought for himself as a way to mark the start of his new life.

He set his mug on the kitchen counter, then cleaned and boxed the coffee machine. Once he finished packing everything else, he washed his mug and packed that into the box too. Devon easily carried it all to his truck and headed out, ready for a fresh start.

Devon was glad to rid himself of this part of his life. It all reminded him too much of the pain he saw his mother experience and his breakup. He turned the key in the ignition of his truck, turned on the radio still tuned to the same station from the drive yesterday, and drove away attempting to leave the painful memories behind.

* * * *

After hours of driving, Devon finally pulled into the small dirt road in front of his new home. He sat in his truck as he looked at the log cabin with a wraparound porch on the small piece of land. The area around him was peaceful. Devon could see a forest of trees in the distance. An odd feeling of recognition came over him.

Getting out of his truck, Devon arrived at the cabin’s front door in just three steps. After feeling the smooth wood under his hand, he unlocked the door and stepped into the living room. The cabin had a homey look to it. The living room and dining room shared a large open space with a fully equipped kitchen on the wall opposite the front door. Devon walked into the kitchen and stood there looking out the window taking in the breathtaking view of the mountains. He felt at peace.

The bathroom was next to the kitchen, with two bedroom doors to the right. The cabin was beautifully furnished with a dark brown leather couch set and an oak dinner table with four chairs. Entering the bedrooms, he noticed they were sparse but knew it would look beautiful once he had everything unpacked. In the master bedroom, a stunning, handcrafted headboard and footboard encased a queen size bed in the middle of one wall with matching tables on each side. A coordinated dresser with four drawers decorated the wall directly opposite the bed.

Devon took a quick look at his bathroom. It had white tiles with a beautiful grey and blue pattern. The counter was a solid grey marble top that coordinated beautifully with the cabinets underneath. He touched it, feeling very pleased that he bought this cabin and thankful that Vanessa had recommended this property to him.

Since most of his personal belonging had not arrived yet, all he had with him was what he packed this morning. At least he had his clothes. Turning around he headed out to his truck, started unloading the boxes and carried them to his new bedroom. After he brought in the boxes, he first removed the framed picture of his mom and placed it on the side table next to the bed. Then, he began unpacking his clothes and other personal belongings.

Devon realized the task of unpacking took much longer than expected when he finished in the late night hour. He double-checked the coffee machine to make sure everything was set for his morning coffee the next day. Exhausted, Devon grabbed some pajama bottoms, an old t-shirt and his bag of toiletries then took a quick shower before heading off to bed.

Lying in bed, Devon began to think of all the things he needed to do the next day. He had to get up early in the morning to start his first day at the clinic. He knew it would be a long day, but he welcomed it as the start of a new life. With that last thought, Devon drifted off to sleep.