Page 14 of Dead Air (Moon Murder Mysteries)
They would release most of them but Niall was hoping he could lure Chance up to his cabin for dinner if they kept two.
Niall rarely ate meat but cleaned and kept any fish or dead deer he came across in the course of his duties if they were safe for eating.
Having fish and meat in his freezer made the winter months a lot easier and more comfortable because Niall had to forage less and the extra calories kept him warmer.
Niall whistled at the net. “The park is going to have to remove or relocate a ton of these rainbow trout because they’ll overtake our brook trout,” he predicted. “I’ll get permission to keep a bunch and I’ll be eating well this winter.”
“What will you do with all of it?”
“Well…” Niall’s nose wrinkled as they stood.
He was mentally cataloguing the supplies he had on hand and how much time he’d want to invest when he got his next trout haul.
“I could build a little smoker or just clean them all and freeze them. Storing is tricky without using a lot of plastic but I freeze whole trays of cleaned fish on paper and then stick them all in one big zipper bag. It used to be for bird feed,” he explained and rolled his eyes.
“I was wondering why you haven’t put the moves on me but it might have something to do with my old bag of frozen fish. ”
Chance laughed, draping his arm around Niall’s shoulders. “I did ask and that sounds pretty smart. I was going to suggest dinner. I’ll clean and you cook?” he suggested.
“Perfect!” Niall brightened. “I’ll make berry tea and rice pilaf and set up my camp grill while you get the fish ready. I think I saw some ramps while we were weeding the basketgrass.”
“Wow. I might put the moves on you,” Chance said but Niall snorted wryly.
“Don’t get my hopes up,” he huffed and Chance turned him.
“Hey!” Chance caught Niall’s chin and pinned his gaze with a loaded look. “I’m sorry if it seems like I’m playing games or leading you on. I have never been this…captivated by anyone before.”
“Captivated?” Niall’s eyes began to burn, he’d gone so long without blinking. He was captivating?
“Yes.” For a moment, Niall was so sure Chance was going to finally do it.
He cradled Niall’s face in his hands and stared down at him like he was the most precious thing on the planet.
Niall felt like he was the most precious thing on the planet.
“You have the most beautiful wildness. Not a destructive wild like a tornado or a mountain lion, but a graceful wildness like a deer. Instead of trying to dominate nature, you honor and coexist with everything around you peacefully. You belong out here.”
Niall grabbed hold of Chance’s wrist and rested a hand on his chest as the forest swayed around them. “Right,” he croaked, leaning in because surely, Chance was going to kiss him now. He had to after saying something like that.
“But…”
“But?” Niall frowned, his pout returning. “Don’t say but!”
“Shhh!” Chance’s thumb tapped his lip. “I’ll explain later, alright? This isn’t really the place either. What if Mama Bear comes back for a rematch?”
“I have a feeling we’ve scared her away for a while.”
“Maybe.” Chance gestured at the net they had left in the stream and their catch. “Let’s turn the rest loose and head back. It sounds like we have some work to do before we can eat.”
Niall’s excitement returned. He had made this meal so many times, it was one of his favorites and used ingredients that flourished around his cabin in the spring.
“I’m going to grill the ramps and use them in a salad!” he said and cheered as he went to select the fish for their dinner. “I’ve got good news and bad news, friends,” he warned them, making Chance laugh as he gathered their fishing gear.
Five hours later, dinner had been a smashing success and Niall had finally enticed Chance to join him for a meal inside his cabin. Chance had explained that he had sensed that Niall didn’t like having people inside his cabin and was wary when anyone entered his personal space outside.
“You noticed?”
“When we first met those hikers and later at the creek with the deputies and Shelby, after things had cooled down from the shooting,” Chance said gently but Niall shrugged it off.
“It’s not a big deal. I’ve always been touchy about my personal space and a little claustrophobic.” That was true. He didn’t like being in crowds or in crowded spaces as a child and Niall didn’t want to ruin the mood or think about certain people.
Chance’s eyes clouded with worry. “Niall…I—” he started, then looked toward the door.
“What is it?” Niall leaned and listened carefully but he didn’t hear anything. He gave Chance a questioning look but his eyes had shut and he was so completely still, Niall wasn’t sure if he was breathing. “Chance?” he said loudly and gave him a shake.
“Yes!” Chance jumped and blinked at Niall. “Sorry. You said something that reminded me of a line from a song but I just couldn’t place it.”
“Are you sure? You looked sad or worried and then you…tuned out.”
“Sad? Why would I be sad? I’ve had a lovely day and tonight has been a dream,” Chance said softly, his voice lowering to a hypnotic rumble.
He swept the hair away from Niall’s eyes and traced his cheek.
“Listen to me, Niall.” He tipped Niall’s chin back and swept a hand over his eyes, making him drowsy.
“I’m listening,” Niall murmured, smiling at the heady rush of joy.
“Good. I want you to turn on your radio and take a relaxing bath. Will you do that for me?”
Niall nodded faintly. “I’ll turn on my radio and take a relaxing bath.”
“That’s a good boy. But don’t do anything naughty without me.” Chance stroked Niall’s cheek lovingly, lulling him deeper into giddy warmth.
“I won’t.”
“Take a relaxing bath and go to bed, sweet Niall. You’ll see me later.”
“I’ll see you later,” Niall repeated with a tipsy giggle.
“Don’t forget your music. Play your sassy tape.”
“Okay, I’ll go get it now.”
“Good boy,” Chance said, his voice fading as he disappeared into the shadow behind the door.
“It’s under my bed,” Niall recalled and went to get the tape player and start his bath water. He’d dance while he waited for it to heat up. “I wonder what Chance is up to tonight…”