Page 8 of A Snowstorm & A Stronghorn

I grin, my competitive spirit fully awakened. “Absolutely.”

As we start our second game, I decide to probe a bit deeper into Bram’s life. “So, have you always lived in Evershift Haven?”

He pauses, a pawn held between his fingers. “Most of my life, yes. I left for a few years when I was younger, to see more of the world, but I came back. This place is home.”

“What made you come back?” I ask, curious about what could draw someone back to such an isolated place.

“My dad was ill, but also...” His gaze grows distant for a moment. “I missed the quiet and simplicity. Out there, in thewider magical world, everything’s so chaotic. Here, I can focus on my woodworking and take care of my mother since Dad died. It’s enough.”

I nod, understanding the appeal of a simpler life. “Your mother lives in town?”

“Yes. Thalinda Stonehorn. She’s quite a character. You’ll probably meet her once we can get into town.”

The game continues, our conversation flowing more easily now. I find myself opening up about my own life, the words spilling out almost without my permission.

“I’ve been feeling a bit lost lately,” I say, staring at the chessboard without really seeing it. “My mom passed away two months ago. She’d been sick for a long time, and I’d put everything on hold to take care of her. Now that she’s gone, I’m not sure what to do with myself.”

Bram’s hand pauses over a knight. “I’m sorry for your loss. It’s not easy, losing a parent.”

I nod, blinking back tears. “Thanks. It’s just... I spent so long being her caretaker, I’m not sure who I am without that role. I have a business degree, but I’ve never really used it other than in retail for a couple of years when she was just getting sick but before she needed full-time care. I thought this road trip might help me figure things out, but so far, I just feel more adrift than ever.”

He considers this for a moment, his expression thoughtful. “Sometimes, it takes time to find your footing again after a loss like that.”

“Yeah.” I sigh, moving my rook. “I just wish I had some direction, you know? Some sense of purpose.”

“Purpose can come from unexpected places,” he says softly. “Who knows? Maybe this detour into our little magical town is the universe’s way of showing you something new.”

I laugh, but there’s no real humor in it. “A hidden town full of magical creatures? It’s certainly unexpected.”

He smiles, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “Stranger things have happened. Checkmate, by the way.”

I look down at the board, startled to find my king cornered once again. “You’re annoyingly good at this game.”

His laugh is a deep, rumbling sound that fills the cabin. “Years of practice, like I said. Want to go again?”

I nod, already reaching to reset the pieces. As we start our third game, the conversation shifts to lighter topics. Bram tells me about some of the more colorful residents of Evershift Haven, painting a picture of a vibrant, if eccentric, community.

“There’s Bella Brewster at ‘The Enchanted Espresso,’” he says, describing a coffee shop where the cups float to customers and the wallpaper changes to match people’s moods. “And Throk Ironheart runs ‘Mystical Motors.’ I think I briefly mentioned him. He can talk to cars, which comes in handy for diagnostics.”

I listen, fascinated by these glimpses into a world so different from my own. “It sounds like something out of a fairy tale.”

He nods, a wry smile on his face. “It can feel like that sometimes, but we have our share of everyday problems too. Magic can’t solve everything.”

As the day wears on, we play game after game of chess, our conversations growing deeper and more personal. Bram tells me about his woodworking and the joy he finds in creating beautiful, functional pieces with his hands. I share stories about my mom and the good times we had before she got sick, plus the dreams she had for me.

“She always wanted me to find my passion,” I say, staring into the fire. “I just wish I knew what that was.”

Bram reaches out, gently patting my arm. The gesture is surprisingly comforting. “You will.”

As night falls, the storm shows no signs of letting up. Bram prepares another simple but hearty meal, and we eat in comfortable silence, the chess board temporarily forgotten.

“Thank you,” I say suddenly, breaking the quiet. “For the rescue, the food, and the company. I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t found me out there.”

His expression softens. “You’re welcome, Fiona. I’m glad I was able to help.”

As I settle in for another night on Bram’s couch, I feel more at peace than I have in months. The grief is still there, like a constant ache, but it’s tempered now by something else. A sense of possibility, perhaps. Or maybe just the comfort of a new friendship, forged over chess and conversation in this cozy cabin while the storm rages outside.

Whatever it is, for the first time since my mom died, I fall asleep with a smile on my face, curious about what the next day might bring.

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