Page 4 of Evergreen Desires
“Uh… thank you. I promise I’ll pay you back once I figure things out.”
“Don’t worry about it. It’s karma. It'll come back around—for me and your ex.”
“Thanks again. Hope to see you around.” I turned quickly, trying to collect myself. I wasn’t flustered because ofhim, not like that. I was just thrown off. The wink had caught me off guard—friendly or not, it was a strange moment to crack a smile. My heart was still racing from the reality of what Declan had done. I felt exposed, helpless, like the rug had been pulled out from under me in public, and now everyone could see just how far I’d fallen.
I took a slow breath, steadying myself as I headed toward the door. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught his smile again—easy, unbothered.
Not gonna lie… a little kindness in the middle of a trainwreck night and morning was jarring. But maybe, just maybe, I needed it.
CHAPTER 4
BEAU
I stood in the main nursery greenhouse, my gaze fixed on the plants before me. The earthy scent of soil and the fresh aroma of growing plants filled the air, providing a sense of calm amid my turmoil. Will, my best friend and right-hand man, worked down the aisle, tending to the newer plants that would eventually be moved to other greenhouses.
"It went that bad?" Will called out, his voice carrying concern.
I sighed. "Yeah, well, no, not really. I just stubbed my foot on this damn threshold is all." I couldn't help but feel a pang of embarrassment. It was a first for me.
Curiosity mingled with contempt in Will's tone as he asked, "So, what did our friend Dick—oops, I mean Rich—want?"
A smirk tugged at my lips. "Fitting. Turns out, there's another farm looking to move in out here. They've filed for rezoning through the council for a spot on the south side of town. And, of course, our dear friend 'Dick' is willing to lend a hand—for mutual benefits."
Will raised an eyebrow. "And what does that mean, exactly?"
"It was a soft shake-down, but I didn't take the bait. I made it clear that I wasn't worried. It's not easy for someone to grow in this part of the state, and they're likely just trying to replicate our success. If they try, they'll see it's unprofitable—between the greenhouses, lighting, heating, and everything else. Plus, I told Rich—or Dick—that finding a good strain for this area is difficult,"
Will chuckled. "Ha, unless they have their own in-house Bigfoot, good luck to them."
My mind raced. Did they? I’d never encountered another Sasquatch shifter outside my own extended family. As far as I knew, we were rare—maybe even the last of our kind. It was our secret edge, the quiet force behind our family’s success in farming—whether it was maple, cannabis, or any other plant-based work. We carried something ancient in us, something primal. A bond with the land that wasn’t taught or trained—it justwas. Plants responded to us like they knew us, trusted us. It was less magic and more instinct, like we were built to protect and nurture the earth itself.
We weren’t guardians of a single forest or tied to one region. Our roots ran deep, but they weren’t tied to bloodlines or borders. We were stewards, caretakers. "Is this strange feeling I've been having related to that?" The realization hit me like a speeding firetruck.
"What?" Will looked up from trimming plants on the nursery table, concern etched across his face. Sensingsomething was truly wrong, he dropped everything and hurried over to where I stood absentmindedly stroking a leaf, looking off in the distance. Will had been my confidant for a long time; he knew when something was amiss. "Dude, what's wrong?"
"I've been having this feeling, like a subtle roar from within. It started last night. I've never experienced anything like it before. Could there be another Squatch here?" I questioned, uncertainty creeping into my voice. The possible discovery of another Squatch family excited me, but the thought of it potentially disrupting everything my family had built—both the Christmas tree farm and the cannabis operation—weighed heavily on me.
"Stop worrying. You just need to get laid," Will said half-seriously, half to break me free from my descending spiral.
I chuckled, appreciating my friend's ability to lighten the mood. "I'm not like you. I can't just take a weekend trip to Seattle or Everett and hit up the clubs for a quick release."
"Don't knock it. There aren't many options around here for gay guys like us. Besides, everyone's always in your business in a small town,"Will remarked, his square jaw and easy smile still giving off that all-American charm—his handsome features and fit physique a testament to years of working the land and maybe a few too many touchdowns back in high school. Broad shoulders, strong arms, and that golden farm-boy tan didn’t hurt either. No wonder he could walk into any club and leave with someone draped over his arm within the hour.
"Have you met the new police chief? Mateo something?” he asked, leaning in a little. “He’s quite the looker. Tall, sharp jawline, skin like warm honey, and these intense dark eyes that kind of pin you in place. I only saw him once at the diner, but oh-ee—I was definitely getting a vibe.”
I shook my head. "Not interested."
"You haven't even seen him yet."
"Still not interested," I replied firmly, making it clear that the topic was closed. But this feeling, it's almost territorial. It's as if I need to protect something, and it's been consuming my thoughts since last night. And now, we get this call. My family's success hinges on our abilities as Squatch shifters. We can grow and harvest in half the time, operate year-round, with 100% graft success rate. We don't need excessive lights, heating, or overhead costs. We consistently win competitions based on flavor, smoothness, potency—you name it. But if there's another Squatch family, everything could be turned upside down.
Will nodded, understanding my concerns. "Okay, your family has never mentioned any others, right? So we don’t know what this means. But you're wound pretty tight, more than usual. You're never this self-doubtful. Maybe a run through the Christmas tree groves will help. It might calm you down and give you some perspective. Besides, the trees will love it."
I smiled appreciatively. "Yeah, thanks. You're a true friend. I love you like a brother." I turned and headed backthrough the office door, making my way to the front of the farm to access the barn and the tree groves beyond.
"Wash your feet!" Will called after me, a hint of laughter in his voice.
"Yes, sir, boss man!" I playfully retorted, laughter mingling with my own words.
