Page 65 of Abdominal Snowman

Sage knew she’d had a bad feeling about that guy.

She listened patiently as Soren’s features closed up once again. Turning her attention to the shelf in front of her, she pretended to be interested in the nameless tools, but she was all ears for Soren’s story.

“He’s the reason my parents left,” he admitted. A heavy sigh came from him, and Sage wanted nothing more but to turn around and offer him some words of comfort, maybe a damned hug? But she knew that’d be as welcome as another reporter knocking on the door, so she kept her mouth shut.

“The land they own, this cabin, it all spans about two hundred acres, and this is the only part that’s ever been settled. Once the town was set up and popularity over the outlook increased, Tobin saw it as an untapped market. Before we knew it, he had plans for a ski lodge, cabins, all the works, but he wanted my parents’ land for it.”

Her heart sank.

“He was so aggressive with his approach and would not accept no for an answer. Eventually, my mom had a heart attack, and since we aren’t human, the only place she could go for help was the clan.”

Sage was the one that gasped this time, and she dropped whatever she’d been holding and turned to Soren. The tool clattered to the tabletop as she stared at Soren.

“Is she okay? Are they alive?”

Sage had assumed… well, because she’d found the pictures the way they were, she thought his parents had passed.

“She’s fine now. Once they went back to the clan, they weren’t able to leave.”

Sage lifted a hand to her lips as her throat tightened. “Why is the clan so secretive? I mean, what harm did you guys do out here? Why can’t you all do that?”

Soren was shaking his head before she finished speaking. “There are enough yeti and bigfoot sightings in the world already. Being able to shift helps, obviously, but max caution is their way of life. I’m sure if my parents could leave, they would have.” Soren cleared his throat. “But until then, it’s just me out here.”

“I assume you’ve heard from them, since your mom is okay, but do you keep in contact with them?” As far as she could tell, Soren didn’t talk to anyone else. But she guessed with technology these days, an instant message or an email might be their norm. Just because she hadn’t ever heard him on the phone with anyone didn’t mean—

“They’ve sent letters,” he said shortly.

Her frown deepened, and she took a step forward before she could stop herself. Soren’s head lifted as he stared at her, and at first, she wasn’t certain if she should keep pretending to look at stuff. There was only so much stuff to look at.

In the end, she shrugged and walked around to Soren’s side of the table before hopping up and sitting on the top. It might’ve been a worktable, but it was sturdy and shiny and the only thing that marred its surface were a few dings and scratches.

“And?” she prompted, tucking her hands under her thighs and swinging her legs.

Was that it? Her parents had died when she was in college, but before their passing she’d talked to them every week. She couldn’t imagine Soren’s parents wouldn’t reach out to their only son, especially if he was halfway across the world.

A shrug. “That’s it. The clan is very primitive. They don’t have cell phones or that clock app you keep showing me.” He snorted, aiming a glance at Sage. She’d spent a lot of the snowstorm scrolling through it, running off to show Soren various videos, much to his dismay.

“Hey now, don’t disrespect all the cute cat videos I’ve been showing you.” Sage giggled, nudging him, but she wasn’t letting him distract her from getting answers to her questions. Not now that he was finally answering them. “So they write you, you write back. It sounds to me like they want to keep in touch.”

He was silent then, the only sounds were the dull thrum of the heaters and the scraping of his metal tool.

“I, um... I don’t read their letters,” he said softly, almost like he was admitting it out loud to himself for the first time.

“Soren unknown-middle-name Kanine!” Sage’s heart broke, not only for his parents’ unanswered letters, but for Soren.

Sequestering himself on this mountain, alone. Why would the man not want any and all contact with the only family he has?

“I know, Sunshine. I know. I just... can’t.”

Scrape. Scrape. Scrape.

His head was bowed over his work as he diligently avoided eye contact with her.

“You should at least read the letters, Soren. They might not be able to be here physically, but at least they are trying in what way they can.” She sighed. “I lost my parents almost ten years ago, and if I found a letter from her today, the first thing I’d do is rip it open.” Her throat grew tight, and she tried to swallow against it. Soren’s chair squeaked, and she lifted her head to find him standing before her. Instinctively, she parted her legs to make room for him, and then his arms were around her.

His warmth was perfect, and even though she was bundled up, she could feel his grip tight around her.

Giving into the comfort, Sage laid her head against his chest, sinking into his embrace.