Beautiful Beings by Kailin Gow Read Free Book Online Page A

grinned as he took his pad and shoved it and his pencil into a canvas backpack.  He turned his glance to the statue he’d just sketched.  “How is a dainty thing like that supposed to accomplish such a huge task?”
    I tried to read him, tried to see what he knew. Did he see what I see?  Had he had encounters with angels as I had?
    He had dreamt of me, though he had never even met me before. Could his subconscious travel through time and space, and meet with mine?
    A chill crawled up my back and spread across my shoulder blades as I thought of the numerous dreams I’d had of a young man, the man I loved beyond reason, the man who always aroused such pain and heartache as I awoke to find myself alone.  Agitated and disturbed, I stood and paced a few steps.
    Asher looked at me, his eyes softened with concern.  When he reached out to take my hand, the chill at my back diminished, replaced by the warmth of his touch. “You know, since I’ve met you, that urgent need to find the light isn’t so urgent anymore.”
    I swallowed the gasp that bolted up my throat.
    He stood, rising to an impressive height, well over a head higher than my own tall frame. His smile spread slowly across his lips while his eyes held me with the promise of a true friendship I could rely on.
    “I’m happy you're here,” he said softly.  “Something’s changed since your arrival at St. James. I can’t identify what it is exactly, but something’s different… better.”
    “A thousand apologies,” Mom said as she rounded the corner.  “Let me take you out to lunch to…” She stopped when she saw Asher.  “Oh…”
    “Mom.” I turned to face her surprised expression.  “This is Asher, a guy I met in school.”
    “Nice to meet you, Asher.  I was just about to invite my daughter to a fabulous lunch to make up for making her wait so long.  Would you like to join us?”
    He shot me a shy glance before turning back to my mother with a nod.  “I’d love to.”
    Lunch was indeed fabulous at the very posh and no doubt very expensive restaurant Mom chose nearby. Though the décor and atmosphere were divine, Mom’s limited free time had us opting for a stroll in the park rather than lingering over coffee.  Well-nourished, we headed in the direction of the museum via Golden Gate Park.
    “Few people know this, but this park is actually larger than Central Park in New York,” Asher said. “Golf courses, botanical gardens, lakes… it’s really a fabulous place. The conservatory of flowers is at the other end of the park, but well worth a visit.”
    “You certainly know a lot about the city.”  Mom was impressed.
    “I’m curious and love digging up information revolving just about everything around me.”
    After a quick run through of the history of the Japanese Tea Garden and the old windmill, Mom glanced at her watch.  “Well, kids, it certainly has been a pleasure, but work beckons.” She extended her hand to Asher.  “You're a delightful tour guide.  I hope to see you again.”
    “Have a nice afternoon, Mrs. Collins.”
    “See you at dinner, dear.” She gave me a quick kiss on the cheek and was off.
    Watching her walk away, a wistful smile came to Asher. “You have a great mother. Do you guys always get along so well?”
    “Pretty much, yeah.”  Taking up the footpath around Stow Lake, I felt a tinge of guilt for the great parents I had.  “Thanks for being so great with her.  It’s not every guy who’ll tolerate hanging out with a parent, much less talk so much with them.”
    “It was really a pleasure.  I have all this knowledge inside my head… might as well share it.”
    “Funny,” I said as I glanced at him.  “Brax said you were the school bad boy.”
    “Did he now?”  He straightened his shoulders and tilted his chin up with pride.  “I guess I deserve that title in a way.  I do enjoy pushing the teachers’ buttons, I’m relentless in a debate and I’ve been known to have rather loud