Page 10 of Glow

There’s something about him, a type of energy I don’t recognize, Wally replied. Maybe a shifter or a medium?

The possibilities intrigued Dan but didn’t make Quinn any less attractive as a prospect.

He took a deep breath and tried to figure out how much of the truth to tell. If he and Quinn were going to end up being friends, he certainly didn’t want to begin with a lie.

“I get insights that come out of nowhere but are almost always right.” Dan carefully worded his answer to avoid talking about his daemon half.

“You’re in good company here,” Quinn said. “We have lots of folks who are sensitives, mediums, psychics, and have other supernatural abilities. In fact, Fox Hollow was founded by the Fox Sisters, three very famous ladies, who were spiritualists. Their legacy, besides the name, is the Fox Institute, which helps people develop their talents.”

“Really? Wow. That’s pretty great.” Dan felt utterly gobsmacked to find the town to be so much more than he had dared hope. The matter-of-fact way Quinn shared the information also told Dan that the other man wasn’t put off by the paranormal.

“It really is.” Quinn took the last bite of his eggs. A nod reminded Dan to finish his sandwich before it got cold. “What’s also special is that, unlike some places, Fox Hollow doesn’t make talents into a gimmick. It’s a sanctuary, not a tourist attraction. Some people visit for years for the outdoor aspect and never know about the supernatural side. Other folks move here to be safe and fit in even though they’re different.”

Dan felt a blush creep to his cheeks as he felt the impact of Quinn’s words. “That sounds…perfect.”

He didn’t ask about Quinn’s abilities and wasn’t quite ready to share details about his daemon, but they seemed to be off to a good start. “What do other people do here for a living year-round?”

“Same as anywhere else.” Quinn took another sip of his coffee. “We have a good hospital nearby and a fantastic library. People run shops, provide local services, or work remotely. Justin flies that seaplane you passed. We’ve got all the basics people need day-to-day. For anything else, there are larger towns not too far from here, or we can order online.”

They finished eating, cleared the table, and headed back outside. The more Dan heard, the more he felt sure that moving to Fox Hollow could be exactly what he needed, no matter what happened with Quinn.

They spent the rest of the morning walking through town with Quinn excelling at being an impromptu guide. Dan felt heartened that the shops and homes looked well-kept, and general town maintenance suggested a strong sense of civic pride. He got the distinct feeling that people who lived in Fox Hollow loved their town.

“I’m impressed,” Dan admitted. “And I love everything you’re saying.”

“Good,” Quinn replied. “I need to work this afternoon, but I want to introduce you to Liam, our head librarian. He can answer a lot of questions and steer you toward people who know whatever he doesn’t.”

The day was crisp and sunny, perfect for exploring. Dan vowed to pick up some maps from the library and get a referral to a rental agency so he could start getting ready to move. Relocating was a big step, but thinking about it felt comfortable, and Dan took that as a sign he was moving in the right direction.

“Can you still join me for dinner?” Dan asked when they neared the library. “I’d love to talk more, and not just about the town.”

Quinn smiled. “Absolutely. I’d like that too. I’ll go check on the wildlife and be back in time to eat.”

Dan and Quinn walked into the library, which looked extremely well-provisioned for a small town.

“The Fox Hollow library is really a gem,” Quinn said, as if he had read Dan’s thoughts. “We’re all very proud of it. Lots of community events and all the modern resources.”

A slender red-haired man approached them with a big smile. “You must be Quinn’s friend, Dan. He told me you would be stopping by. I’m Liam Reynard, the head librarian.”

“Dan Connor.” Dan confirmed with a firm handshake. “I’ve got to say, I’m pretty impressed by everything Quinn’s shown me. The library is awesome.”

Liam preened a little at the praise. “We like to think so. It’s a community-wide effort to keep it that way.”

He’s also not fully human, Wally said. Is everyone here different like us?

It would be nice, for a change, Dan replied silently.

“I need to go back to the woods,” Quinn told Liam, “but I told Dan you’d be able to help him find answers to anything he wants to know about the area. Maybe if we play our cards right, he’ll decide to join us.”

Liam grinned. “That, I can definitely do. People who move here say it’s like truly coming home for the first time.” He made a shooing motion toward Quinn. “Go on, get back to work. I’ll take it from here.”

“See you for dinner,” Quinn told Dan before he headed out. “Call if you need me before then.”

“Will do,” Dan promised, and watched Quinn’s back as he left.

“Now then, how can I help you?” Liam asked. Maybe it was the red hair and amber eyes, but something in his manner reminded Dan of a fox, wise and assessing.

“That’s a big question,” Dan admitted. “I’m thinking of moving from where I am in Massachusetts to somewhere that’s a better fit. I’m open to anything you think might help me figure out if Fox Hollow is right for me.”