The Song Of The Wolf (Edited & Rewritten)

Chapter Two

Lowell's supermarket and hardware store was situated in the centre of Haines Junction. Maebh had been going back and forth almost daily, and in the aisles, she had found something other than essential household items. Maggie Lowell.

In a town where most of the permanent residents were retired or twice her age, finding a kindred spirit was a welcome surprise; to discuss small town gossip with and other frivolous matters instead of keeping conversations to superficial things like the weather. Maebh had even hired Maggie's husband, Coinín, to help clear out her overgrown garden in time for the winter frost.

On the first Monday of May, Maebh was gutted to discover a bored-looking man in Maggie's spot. Amidst the endless cleaning, painting and sorting, their chats had become a highlight.

'I'm here to pick up a package.' she told him.

'We haven't received anything,' the man said indifferently, voice smooth as silk, gaze glued to his phone. Maebh frowned at his demeanour. Then his words sank in.

'For feck's sake,' she groaned. Nearly three weeks had passed since her solicitor's assistant had promised to send copies of all the inheritance documents and she had yet to receive them. Her frustration began to subside, and she found a startling pair of amber eyes fixated on her.

'Are you Maebh?' the man questioned.

'I-err yeah?'

'I've heard so much about you,' he stuck out his hand and smiled, two dimples piercing his cheeks. 'I'm Bear, Coinín's brother.'

'Pleasure meeting you,' she shook his hand. 'Are you his other brother? He only ever mentioned Hrólfr.'

'That's me. I shot and killed a black bear when I was 14 after it had tried attacking one of my neighbour's cows. Sold the meat and turned the hide into coats. Most of the folks here have known me as Bear since.'

Maebh guessed him to be a decade older than her. Crow's feet creased the corners of his eyes. A bit older? She felt appalled to realise she was, in fact, attracted to the man.

'I will get that delivery for you, it was handed off this morning,' he said, and disappeared into the backroom.

Upon his return, he extended a padded envelope to her. 'Sorry for the delay, hopefully this wasn't too important. There was a mix-up and the courier had to re-route to this address.'

'Just my inheritance documents,' she replied with a dry tone, accepting the envelope. Her fingertips brushed against his and a surge of electricity jolted through.

'Couldn't they have sent those digitally?'

'My thoughts exactly,' she said and turned to leave, ignoring the part of her that wanted to linger. 'Thank you for your help.'

'Anytime. And I'm sorry about your grandmother.'

'Yeah– thanks.'

'I heard that you're renovating her house now,' he said more than asked. 'I'd be glad to lend a hand if you ever need any.'

Maebh smiled, an easy one. 'Thanks, I appreciate that.'

He paused, scratching the stubble that lined his jawline. 'This is very forward, but would you be interested in–' a sound buzzed from his pocket, he quickly reached for it and mouthed sorry.

'Bear Lowell speaking,' he dropped his head, heaving a sigh. 'Again? ....No– no it's fine........ I'm sure you've done all you can......yes, of course......I'll be there in fifteen.... Thank you, Miss Nighy.'

He ended the call and shot her a half-smile. 'We'll have to cut our conversation short. My son is tormenting his teacher and I'm closing the store to go pick him up.'