Dragon's Heart

Chapter Two- Figuring things out

Adrian’s POV

I could see our food was arriving, so I took my beer back to the table to dig in. It smells so good in here now. I cut into my steak and took a big bite. It was so delicious I audibly moaned a little bit. Amy smiled. “Amy, you have to tell the cook that this is the best steak I have ever tasted.” I said. “I can go get her if you would like?” She said. “Yes, please.” I responded. I continued to dig into my food, enjoying every bite. A girl with auburn hair came walking out of the kitchen with Amy. “Can I help you?” She asked as she got to the table. She looked at me and looked down quickly, so she wasn’t looking directly in my eyes. “I just wanted to tell you that your food is the best tasting food I have ever had is all.” I said. “Thank you.” She said nonchalantly and quickly made her way back into the kitchen.

I had my food devoured in minutes. “Did you really taste that?” Collin jabbed at me and chuckled. When I’m stressed, I tend to eat fast and a lot. I got Amy’s attention by waving my hand in the air when she turned toward our direction. “Can I get you something?” She asked. “I’d like another steak, same as what I just had.” I said. “Are you sure? Those sized steaks are expensive.” She informed me. “Yes, and I will be looking at your desserts to order soon. Do you have desserts?” I asked. “Yes.” She replied. “Our specialty today is our caramel drizzled apple crisp with vanilla bean scratch made ice cream on top.” She offered as a suggestion. “Yes, I will have that after my second steak.” I said.

Everyone at our table raised their hands at the mention of the apple crisp. “Make that one for all of us if you have enough, but if not, just remember I get a serving regardless.” I said and laughed with a wink. She smiled and went to place my order. I made my way back to Big John for another beer. He had one ready for me before I reached the bar. I smiled. “I was wondering, Big John, is there any places available to rent temporarily? I don’t mind staying in a motel, but we don’t want to take up space someone visiting could use.” I said.

“There is an apartment building over on Main Street that has available apartments. They aren’t fancy, but they’ll do.” He said. “Who do I need to contact in the morning?” I asked. “My wife Julie manages them.” He replied. “May I have her number?” I asked. “I could have her come now if you would like?” He said. “Excellent!” I replied. Big John moved to where the phone was on the back counter area of the bar. He dialed a number and spoke to his wife, asking her to come to the bar. I admired that as he did all of this, he was still vigil at what was happening in his establishment.

A woman roughly the same age as Big John came into the bar and headed straight toward us. “What’s up babe?” She said to Big John. “This is Adrian Chase. He is looking to rent some places temporarily while he develops the land.” Big John told her. She eyed me up and down. “I thought Mr. James didn’t have any children?” She said. “Sorry, I’m Julie.” She said. I looked at her at the mention of the man who raised me and called me his own. “I’m his stepson, well his son. He adopted me when I was thirteen, but he has raised me roughly since I was a baby.” I said.

“He must have really loved you to leave you all of this.” She said. “It hasn’t been easy, but he was a fair and loving man to my mother and I.” I said. “I wonder who he left his real estate empire and construction company to?” She commented. I just looked at her. “You!” I thought she was going to faint, so I reached out to catch her. I caught her arm and held it until she steadied herself again. “Why on Earth would you come here? You could own islands, a small country perhaps.” She said. “Please keep that quiet. Not many know how well off I really am.” I said low. She nodded and Big John did as well.

“I would love to help Black Moon out, and I plan to develop some of the land for myself and some of my closest friends and maybe their families. I think it would bring some money and work to Black Moon,” I said. Amy came out of the kitchen with my second steak. I set it on the bar and took a seat on the bar stool so I could eat and talk it out with Julie about the apartments for rent. Collin and the guys came for more rounds of beer and Collin hung out with me while I ate slower this time and he chatted with her as well.

Apparently, Big John was the mayor as well of Black Moon, so we discussed a little about fixing up some of the buildings in town. Julie was going to draw up the contracts for the apartments to have ready tomorrow. She said she would be happy to help get them furnished for us so we may be able to move in by the next day if possible. Her brother owned the furniture store. I’m loving this town.

There was a little dance area that I just noticed and some of the locals were dancing, and the guys had gone over to watch or join in. The auburn-haired cook brought out my apple crisp. It looked fabulous and I took a huge bite. Aside from a little instant brain freeze, I wanted to melt into my stool. It was sublime. I looked at Julie. “You want one? My treat.” I said. “Twist my arm. Robyn makes some of the best food I have ever tasted, and she is famous for her apple crisp.” She said. Big John popped his head in and spoke to this Robyn, I assumed.

Robyn brought one for Julie and set it down for her. She was all smiles. She has a nice smile, I thought. “Where’s Amy?” I asked. “Her shift ended twenty minutes ago. She offered to stay, but she works early tomorrow.” Big John told me. “But I haven’t finished paying and given her a tip.” I said. “Its payday tomorrow I will add it to her check.” Big John said. I nodded. I ate the rest of my caramel drizzled apple crisp slowly so I could enjoy every bite. It was a big portion. I watched as my warriors enjoyed themselves mingling with the locals.

“Can you go make sure they don’t drink much more? We have a busy day tomorrow.” I mind linked Collin. He got up and made his way through standing next to each of them, telling them what I said. I will have to establish myself as a clan leader before I can connect with them in mind link again. I should’ve known Collin would follow me. We created our own bond of friendship and it allowed us to mind link each other before we found Jax. I am glad I no longer hear Red Rock’s mind links.

We stayed a little longer. I settled our bill with Big John and left a generous tip for Amy, Big John, and the cook Robyn. Collin and I went to our room. I took a quick shower before lying down on my bed. The furniture was simple but the mattress felt like a cloud when I climbed in. Collin showered next and turned on the TV while I rolled over to get some sleep. Collin can’t sleep without a TV or radio playing. It was the only thing that comforted him for the months after he turned eighteen and changed for his first time. He ran away from his family.

We met at that time and then eventually Jax. Jax recognized Collin’s name. After a few days, as we only gave him our first names. He explained that his family was looking for him. They were a part of another clan and Collin went home briefly to reconnect and learn about himself. He returned though because he felt close to me and didn’t want to leave me for long. We looked at dragon families with my name and none came up. It was determined my family didn’t know what I was. They assumed I was traveling before starting college, but I was searching for other dragons, or anyone who could tell me what was happening to me.

Jax thinks my father was a dragon. It made sense as my mom told me my father was killed soon after she told him she was pregnant with me. She has never said more than that and won’t even tell me his name. She only said there was a hunting accident and that is what killed him. There could be any number of dragons killed. Clans fight all the time and dragons die constantly. I assume I get my jet-black hair from him. My eyes are like my mother’s, a blue like the ocean. They are red when I am in dragon form.

“Night.” Collin said in my mind before he climbed into his bed and got comfortable. “Night.” I replied. I lay there listening to the TV and thinking about our situation for a little longer. I am glad I took time off for the summer so I could help Red Rock by developing the land to help move them. I guess I didn’t realize my plans would alter. I still have to go in for board meetings, but we have them once a month.

I was up before Collin, so I looked for a place to grab some breakfast. There was a small donut shop a couple blocks away. I left Collin a quick note and hopped in my truck. I would’ve walked but I don’t think I can carry all that coffee and donuts without spilling it in some way. I went in and there was a young guy behind the counter. He was probably sixteen or seventeen. “Welcome, what can I get you?” He asked. “I have a pretty big order.” I told him as I looked over the selection. I ordered four dozen donuts and enough black coffees for all of us. I had them add cream and sugar to a bag so they could make their coffee how they liked it. I paid and left the worker, Jason, a twenty-dollar tip. He has said he was doing this to save money for a car. I may see if he wants to work part time for me when we decide where we are going to develop the land.

Ironically, everyone with me is on my personal construction crew. We do a lot of odd jobs. I love building and designing buildings. I know when I say we are on the clock they will know it is time to work. I may have to rethink the fact about seeing them as just my workers and fellow dragon warriors. I may need to start to suss out where some of their other talents may be to find their places in this new clan of ours. I loaded my truck and Jason helped me. “Thanks.” I said and crawled behind the wheel.

Collin was up and some of the guys were outside when I got back. I pulled into the spot I had parked yesterday. I opened my door. “Donuts and coffee,” I said. They went over and opened the passenger door and Sean started handing coffees and donut boxes to the others. “Let’s take them into our room so we can prepare for the day.” I said. Collin opened the door for them as they brought breakfast in. There was only a small table, so the coffees were set there, and we just laid the donut boxes out on the beds and opened them. Once we all had our coffee and donut, we found a place to sit. Most sat on the ground, and I sat at the top of my bed. I set my coffee on the tiny stand between the beds so I could eat the couple donuts I had taken first.

I let everyone eat and get a little coffee in their system before I began. “Okay, so I guess this is the first meeting of our clan. Uh, what do we want to call ourselves?” I asked. There were many suggestions. Many agreed on Black Moon. They really liked the sound of it. “Then it is official we will be the Black Moon Clan. I will take the role as leader since this is my land. Collin will be my beta. If you want to take positions of leadership, Collin and I will come up with tests to prove yourself capable of handling the role of a leader in this clan. I know many of you have potential.”

“I will act as gamma if you want while we get things set up. You can give it to someone else if they prove better than me when you do test us.” Sean offered. “Why do you want to be acting gamma?” Collin asked. “I realize there is so much we all need to do, and Adrian will have far more than all of us to get all the legal technicalities situated. You may need some assistance, Collin, while he is busy.” Sean reasoned. “Good enough for me,” Collin said.

I had forgotten that there were legalities that needed to be handled. I can’t do anything today. It is Friday so I will have to set up an appointment for Monday with the dragon council. I’ll need to fly down literally as it will be quicker than driving. “Collin, can you set up an appointment for me for the dragon council on Monday?” I asked. Collin took his phone and stepped into the bathroom so he could make the call. “I’m about to go meet with Julie to sign the paperwork for the apartments. I suggest you familiarize yourselves with the area so we can set up the apartments faster. We will continue to have to share,” I explained. I may not be available for lunch, so you are on your own. I can leave money for Collin for you all. We can meet for dinner at the bar.” I said.

“We can handle ourselves for lunch and dinner. You don’t need to keep paying for everything,” Sean said. Several nodded in agreement. “You are my clan now and my workers, though we may need a little rethink on that situation. I am going to take care of my clan. Save your money, trust me, I can handle the bills.” I said. “Matter of fact, when I meet with the dragon council, I will establish an account at my bank for our clan and for a certain few of you to have the cards attached to them.” I told them.

They had looks that said, though they are independent-minded, they saw my reasoning. Collin came from the bathroom then. “Ten o’clock”, he said. I nodded. “I’ll leave them to your care. I need to go meet Julie,” I said. I got in my truck and followed the directions to the apartments. They were only a few blocks away. They were quaint but will do the job. Julie and Big John came out to greet me at the office. “Morning,” I said. “Good morning.” They replied. There was a gentleman older than Julie and looking similar to her behind them. “This is my brother Ed,” Julie said. I reached past them to shake his hand in greeting.

“We were thinking we would sign the paperwork and Ed said he’ll make a special case for you and deliver the furniture today if you are willing to tip his workers a little extra.” Julie said. “I think I can handle that.” I said. Julie ushered me into her office and had the paperwork ready to go. I signed up for a month for each apartment with the option to stay longer if needed. I paid extra in rent because this was at the last minute, and Julie was willing to compromise and do a month to month instead of a yearly lease. She had the keys ready, and we went to look at the apartments to see what I might be looking for to furnish them.

Bless Julie, she brought a clipboard and had printouts of the layouts of each apartment so she could note what I said. This will help immensely and make things faster and easier for Ed’s workers. I followed Ed to his store. Amy was behind the main counter when we walked in. “Good morning,” I said. “Its nice to see you again.” She replied. “Amy grab order slips. You will be bringing them to the workers to pull the inventory immediately to be delivered today.” Ed told her. Ed walked me towards the back of the store to look at the couches and chairs available.

I have to say I was impressed with his knowledge of what would work the best in the spaces. His store furnished the mattresses in the motel. I ordered the same ones. There’s going to be four of us per apartment and there are only two bedrooms, luckily, two bathrooms. I know Collin will share a room with me. I’ll let the others decide how they want to pair off. Amy ran the order slips as they were completed. Ed attached the layout drawings Julie did to each order.

I know I will be utilizing Ed’s store when we furnish the buildings once they are built. Once the first three apartments had the furniture on the truck, Ed’s workers left to deliver the furniture and set them up. I texted Collin about where to go and to have some of the guys there to help. Julie was expecting him. “On it.” He replied in text. Amy let me know where I could go to get other items for the apartments, like dishes, cookware, appliances and such. I know that will be my next stop. I settled up the bill and left another generous tip for the workers and for Ed and Amy.

I called Collin and asked him to have a couple of the guys meet me at the store Amy suggested. Sean showed up. “The rest are busy helping the furniture workers set things up before dinner hopefully. Collin and Julie are guiding them. I offered to come.” Sean said. “Well, okay then. We need to get several things, so its good we have my truck and yours,” I said. I told him what to be grabbing and we split the store in half. We filled several carts and had them set to the side for when we were finished and could check out. A couple of store workers helped us load the trucks with the items.

I noticed the second truck was there with the rest of the furniture once we arrived. Collin came over to help unload our trucks since everyone was busy and Julie had a handle on things. We finished at dinner time getting everything brought in and at least the furniture set up. I offered to buy the workers dinner for their hard work. Many began to refuse because they had families to get home to. I told them to bring them along. Julie let Big John know what I had said. I decided to walk over because I knew I wanted to drink and relax after how busy I’ve been today.

Big John had a beer ready for me when I walked in. Amy was busy seating everyone. “Everyone’s dinner is on me tonight.” I told Big John. There weren’t many more locals than the workers and us. I had no problem treating the other diners. I handed Big John my card again. This time he slipped it into the register. “Its going to be busy and I may not be able to keep my eye on it all night.” He said. I nodded.

I decided to stay at the bar and Collin joined me. I looked over the menu tonight. I ordered two plates of lasagna for myself. I never stopped to eat lunch and I was really hungry. I had a reserve of a strawberry angel food cake for dessert. The food continued to be just as fantastic as last night. I made sure Amy ordered herself dinner as well. She politely declined as she was going to have dinner at her place during her dinner break. “Why?” I pressed. “I have my dinner breaks on the weekends with my son. It’s a promise I made to him.” She replied.

“Who is with him now?” I asked. “My mom.” She replied. “Tell them to come have dinner here with you.” I said. She looked at Big John, and he nodded to her. She went to the phone and made her call. Not much longer, a lively little man came in all excited and was the spitting image of Amy. He hollered, “Mommy!” He broke free of his grandmother’s grasp and ran to Amy. She scooped him into a big hug. I remember when I would run into my mom’s arms. I miss my mom, but I sent her on a world trip this summer. She needed to get away. She hasn’t been away since my stepdad passed away. I paid for her and a couple of her close friends to join her.

Amy approached with her son in her arms. “This is my son Charlie and my mom Maria.” She introduced him to me. I reached my hand out to Charlie and he shyly took it. “Its very nice to meet you, Charlie. I’m Adrian.” I said. I gently shook his tiny hand in mine. He smiled before burying his head in his mother’s neck. I shook Maria’s hand as well. They moved to a table Amy set aside for them. Soon Robyn came out with plates of food and brought them to Amy’s table. She received a big hug from Charlie after she set the plates down. She set him back on his seat and ruffled his light brown hair before returning to the kitchen.

She glanced at me as she came close. She again looked away quickly. “Did I do something to offend her?” I asked Big John. “No, it takes a little bit to get under her protective barrier she has around herself. Once you’re in tho, you’re in.” He said. “What happened to her?” “She didn’t have an easy upbringing. She was sent from one foster home to another until she ran away her senior year. She made her way here and we took her in and allowed her to finish her senior year. I won’t say much more as it is her story, and she hasn’t even told us everything. We think of her as our daughter though, since we couldn’t have kids. I protect what is mine.” Big John made clear. “That is why I think we are going to be good friends, Big John.” I replied and he smiled.

“I may steal her away and have her come cook for me, because she is talented,” I said and chuckled. “That will be her decision. She is more than just a great cook and may not want to become a cook for you. She works here during the summer to help me with the tourists.” He said. “Do you get many?” Collin asked. “Not so much, since Mr. James passed. He did all the advertising for camping, rafting, hiking, and the other things that can be seen and done on the land.” Big John responded. “That is probably my fault. I didn’t know until yesterday there was a town here. I have been so busy I haven’t had the time to come and look or even look at the maps given to me. I can’t promise anything this summer because there is so much to do, but I will get things set up definitely for next summer if time isn’t found this summer for it.” I told him.

“Robyn knows the land pretty well. Maybe she will help you when you look over it? I’ll go get her.” He said and went into the kitchen. It seemed to take a little longer than I expected for him to return. Robyn finally came out with Big John behind her. “Hi, I’m Adrian Chase. Excellent food again. Big John said you know the land pretty well?” I asked. “Yes.” She replied while looking at my chest. “Would you be willing to help show me around it?” She turned to her left to look at Big John and he shrugged his shoulders. “Okay.” She finally said. “I have Tuesday off.” She said. “Tuesday it is. Here.” I said as I took a napkin and wrote my cell number on it. “Text me what time is good for you when you decide.” I said. She gave a curt nod and returned to the kitchen.

“Maybe she’ll warm up to you on Tuesday.” Collin teased me. I shoved my shoulder into his left shoulder hard enough but not too hard. He began rubbing his shoulder and arm and I started laughing. Even Big John laughed too. Collin grinned after a couple more seconds of milking his pity for himself. Big John kept my beer filled all night and I even got up and danced with some of the people dancing. I ended up taking Amy’s hand and whirled her around the floor really quickly. She isn’t a bad dancer. She laughed and smiled the whole time.

Julie joined us and Amy had her dinner ready for her before she took her seat. Everyone was smiling and jolly and it was a real feeling of family and community feeling to me. I hope I can build our clan to include humans living among us. I don’t think it should be too hard. I wouldn’t mind some of these fine people joining us once the land is developed to live and work possibly, or vice versa. I am amazed at how my life has changed in just a few short hours.

I was grateful Collin grabbed our things from the motel before coming to help set the apartments up. I was able to take a shower and I think Collin, or someone made my bed with the bedding we got probably while I was taking the things to each apartment. Sean and Justin took the other room in our apartment. The apartments were full of amenities included in the rent. I am so glad we didn’t have to set up power and water. They also provided a satellite cable service and internet. It makes things so much easier when you have a flat rate to pay.

I noticed Sean setting up a gaming system. It looked like it has been used before, so I think it was already his. I sat in the chair and watched as Sean and Justin took up the controllers and began playing a first-person shooter game. Collin was going through the things I bought and opening them and setting them in the cupboards or in a place on the counter for the appliances. I got up and helped him.