Page 40 of Evergreen Desires (Wildheart Chronicles #1)
BEAU
I gazed out of the airplane window, my heart a swirl of emotions as the patchwork quilt of the United States unfolded beneath us.
The vast tapestry of cities, forests, and fields, each with its own unique story, seemed like a world away from where we’d started.
It'd been almost five hours since we’d left Washington State, and the endless expanse of Earth below had left me feeling a bit out of sorts.
Beside me, Jake rested with his eyes closed, his peaceful expression suggesting he was either lost in thought or simply trying to get some rest. I envied his ability to sleep on flights, as my long legs were cramped in the confined space.
I flexed my toes inside my shoes, yearning for solid ground beneath my feet.
Finally, the plane began its descent, and my heart soared as we approached the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport in Georgia. The pilot's announcement of our arrival filled me with a surge of excitement. We were almost there—Dad's maple farm .
As the wheels touched down and the plane taxied toward the terminal, I turned to Jake and gently nudged his shoulder. "Hey, we're here."
He blinked and stretched, a yawn escaping his lips. "Finally, huh?"
I chuckled, feeling the discomfort of the long flight fade away as I looked into his warm brown eyes. "Yeah, but I promise it's worth it."
We retrieved our bags, made our way through the terminal, and stepped out into the Georgia heat. The air was thick with humidity, a stark contrast to the cool Pacific Northwest where we lived. I took a deep breath, reveling in the sensation of being back on solid ground.
The drive took us through the picturesque countryside of Georgia, where moss-draped oaks stood like ancient sentinels, guarding the secrets of this land.
Tall grasses swayed in the warm breeze, creating a gentle, rhythmic rustling sound.
The occasional chirping of crickets added a natural soundtrack to our journey.
As we drove closer to the farm, the sweet, comforting scent of maple syrup wafted through the open car windows, invoking memories of my previous visit when Dad was in the process of moving.
Eventually, the farm came into view, and I couldn’t help but smile.
Dad's house sat atop a gentle hill, surrounded by groves of maple trees that stretched as far as the eye could see. It was a modest home, clearly built atop a repurposed foundation. The farm felt like a haven of tranquility, a place where time slowed down, and nature's beauty took center stage.
As we stepped out of the car, Dad appeared on the porch, his face lighting up with a warm smile. He waved us over, his excitement palpable. My heart swelled with pride, knowing that this moment symbolized the merging of two worlds that meant so much to me.
"Beau!" Dad exclaimed as he engulfed me in a bear hug. "It's been too long, my boy. And you must be Jake!"
Jake extended his hand, but Dad pulled him into a hearty hug. "You bet I am, sir. It's a pleasure to finally meet you." Though he seemed taken aback, doing a double-take as he looked between me and Dad.
Dad chuckled. "Call me Dad. None of that 'sir' stuff around here."
Suddenly, it hit me, and I began to laugh. "Oh my goodness, I am so sorry, my knight!" Dad cast his eyes in my direction, trying to figure out what was so funny. "I might have forgotten to mention that we age a bit differently."
"Okay, I would have guessed that you’re like brothers," Jake said with a smile.
Dad joined our laughter. "Well, clearly, Beau is not so forthcoming."
"Stop, Dad, I just forgot."
"Yes, well, we age normally until we’re adults, like early 30-ish, then we slow down significantly. Hence the reason I moved out here. It's hard to have a son that looks the same age. "
I approached Jake. "Sorry," I said, pulling him into a hug and kissing his forehead. "It just slipped my mind. The best news is that it also imparts upon our ‘mates,’ so you will be young and hot forever with me."
"What?" Jake exclaimed, clearly caught off guard. This would be a discussion for later when lots of new things were not flying at him.
We grabbed our luggage and settled into the cozy farmhouse.
Dad regaled us with stories of his maple syrup business, emphasizing his commitment to producing small batches of the highest quality.
I felt immense pride in his dedication to this craft, evident in the sweet amber nectar that filled the kitchen shelves.
"Speaking of forgetfulness," I said, tearing my eyes away from Jake and turning to Dad. "You know, Will mentioned that you got Bob and his daughter Tala to help me at the hospital. I thought this was a family secret. How did they know?"
Dad nodded, a modest smile playing on his lips. "Yeah, I might've forgotten to share some of my wisdom."
"Oh, that's wonderful," I said, adding just enough playful condescension to give Dad some grief.
"Alright, this involves a bit of a history lesson," Dad began, folding his hands over his knee. “I know it from my father, who got it from his grandmother. And it’s not just a story—it’s truth. Bob and his people are proof of that. So is the tribe nearby here. Based on their own oral history, they were one of the original founders. ”
I leaned forward, not wanting to miss a word. This wasn’t just one of Dad’s usual tales. There was weight to it. Something… ancestral.
“Centuries ago,” he continued, “as European settlers pushed into Native lands, a group of spiritual leaders from different tribes recognized that they had to come together. The balance was shifting. They knew the Sasquatch—who’d always been guardians of the deep forests—were in danger. Not just physically, but spiritually.”
“So they formed the Wiyotan Clan,” he said. “An alliance. Members came from all across the continent, chosen for their connection to nature, for dreams, for signs. They were trained to become protectors—not just of Sasquatch, but of the harmony between man, land, and the unseen.”
He glanced at me then. “Most were born into it. Some weren’t. But the Wiyotan believed that sometimes… the land itself chooses its guardians. And if it called to someone—Native or not—they listened. That’s how your great-grandmother became part of it.”
I blinked. “Wait… what?”
Dad gave me a knowing smile. “She was white. Scots-Irish, I think. Wandered west with her son after losing her husband. Local Wiyotan members found her after she walked into a grove and encountered a Sasquatch—without fear, without running. She said the woods had called her in. That’s not something you ignore. ”
My chest tightened, like some ancient string was pulling at my ribs .
“So that’s where our bloodline comes from,” he said. “That’s why it runs in our family. You, me, the cousins.”
I sat back, the realization hitting like a cold river. My whole life, I’d thought it was just something odd and rare. But there was a legacy. A pattern. A purpose.
“The Sasquatch are the forest’s original guardians,” Dad added, quieter now. “The Wiyotan were never meant to control them—only to walk beside them. Help keep the balance. Protect them from the greed and chaos that’s always pushing in from the outside.”
I looked at Jake beside me and felt a strange kind of peace settle over my shoulders. This wasn’t just a fluke. I wasn’t alone. There was a whole secret history, and now… Jake was part of it too.
We spent the next afternoon exploring the maple groves and the grounds, discovering not only the moss-draped oaks but also the old stone wells and the remains of an ancient Catholic mission that once stood on this land. Now, it was all covered in ivy and history.
As the sun began its descent, casting a warm, golden glow over the farm, I knew the time was right. I took Jake's hand, guiding him to a secluded spot beneath the oldest maple tree on the property.
"Jake," I began, my voice steady but filled with emotion. "This maple tree has been standing here for well over a century. It holds a lot of history and mystique. And now, it will be a witness to something even more significant. "
Jake's eyes widened as I got down on one knee, a small, velvet box in my hand. I opened it, revealing a gleaming engagement ring, a symbol of my commitment and love.
"Jacob Elijah Smith," I said, my voice trembling with love and hope.
"From the moment I met you, you've brought joy, laughter, and an immeasurable sense of completeness to my life.
You've shown me that love knows no bounds and that together, we can face any challenge.
So, will you make me the happiest man in the world and marry me? "
Tears glistened in Jake's eyes as he nodded, his voice choked with emotion. His eyes lit up with love and happiness, his voice quivering with excitement. "Yes, Beau. A thousand times, yes."
I slid the ring onto his finger, and we sealed our commitment with a kiss beneath the ancient maple tree.
The power of our love merged with the rich history of this tree and land, feeling like tiny charges of electricity running through the two of us.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm embrace over us, I knew that our love story was just beginning.
In that moment, I realized that our worlds had truly united, transcending boundaries and cultures, just like the ancient prophecy of the Wiyotan Clan. Together, we would protect each other and cherish every moment, for our love knew no bounds—forever and always.