Isaiah

By Bailey Bradford

Snow leopard shifter Isaiah Trujillo isn't a doctor like his brother Tim, but he's a good guy and when he meets Bae Allen Warren, he knows he's found the one man to make his life complete.Snow leopard shifter Isaiah Trujillo wasn't the brightest guy. His brother was a doctor with more letters after his name than in it, and Isaiah was just a mechanic. But, he strived to be a good person, and that included accepting the offer to volunteer at a GLBTQ youth centre.

He's nervous as hell, but Isaiah's determined to do what he can to help.

Bae Allen Warren is a veterinarian with a mobile practice. It allows him more freedom than having an actual building he had to work out of. He had more baggage than any man should, thanks to his messed up shifter family. His lepe, or clan, was a source of constant stress and guilt. But the leader, his grandfather, makes demands on Bae he can't ever fulfil for moral and other reasons.

When Bae and Isaiah meet, it's instant attraction. They know they're mates, but there's so many obstacles in their way, not the least of which are the stalkers who seem determined to kidnap Bae.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pride Publishing
• Release date: Jul 2, 2012
• ISBN: 9781781840320

Bailey Bradford

A native Texan, Bailey spends her days spinning stories around in her head, which has contributed to more than one incident of tripping over her own feet. Evenings are reserved for pounding away at the keyboard, as are early morning hours. Sleep? Doesn't happen much. Writing is too much fun, and there are too many characters bouncing about, tapping on Bailey's brain demanding to be let out. Caffeine and chocolate are permanent fixtures in Bailey's office and are never far from hand at any given time. Removing either of those necessities from Bailey's presence can result in what is known as A Very, Very Scary Bailey and is not advised under any circumstances.

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Isaiah

ISBN # 978-1-78184-032-0

©Copyright Bailey Bradford 2017

Cover Art by Posh Gosh ©Copyright September 2017

Edited by Claire Siemaszkiewicz and Nicki Richards

Pride Publishing

This is a work of fiction. All characters, places and events are from the author’s imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or places is purely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form, whether by printing, photocopying, scanning or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher, Pride Publishing.

Applications should be addressed in the first instance, in writing, to Pride Publishing. Unauthorised or restricted acts in relation to this publication may result in civil proceedings and/or criminal prosecution.

The author and illustrator have asserted their respective rights under the Copyright Designs and Patents Acts 1988 (as amended) to be identified as the author of this book and illustrator of the artwork.

Published in 2017 by Pride Publishing, Think Tank, Ruston Way, Lincoln, LN6 7FL, UK

Pride Publishing is a subsidiary of Totally Entwined Group Limited.

Leopard’s Spots

ISAIAH

Bailey Bradford

Book four in the Leopard’s Spots series

Snow leopard shifter Isaiah Trujillo isn’t a doctor like his brother Tim, but he’s a good guy and when he meets Bae Allen Warren, he knows he’s found the one man to make his life complete.

Snow leopard shifter Isaiah Trujillo wasn’t the brightest guy. His brother was a doctor with more letters after his name than in it, and Isaiah was just a mechanic. But, he strived to be a good person, and that included accepting the offer to volunteer at a GLBTQ youth center.

He’s nervous as hell, but Isaiah’s determined to do what he can to help.

Bae Allen Warren is a veterinarian with a mobile practice. It allows him more freedom than having an actual building he had to work out of. He had more baggage than any man should, thanks to his messed up shifter family. His lepe, or clan, was a source of constant stress and guilt. But the leader, his grandfather, makes demands on Bae he can’t ever fulfil for moral and other reasons.

When Bae and Isaiah meet, it’s instant attraction. They know they’re mates, but there are so many obstacles in their way, not the least of which are the stalkers who seem determined to kidnap Bae.

Dedication

For everyone who has ever doubted their worth—don’t. You are amazing.

Trademarks Acknowledgement

The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of the following wordmarks mentioned in this work of fiction:

Camaro: General Motors

Grindr: Grindr LLC

Ducati: Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A.

Nissan Leaf: Nissan Motor Co. Ltd.

Expedition: Ford Motor Co.

Taco Bell: Taco Bell Corporation

iPhone: Apple Inc.

Chevy: General Motors

Google: Google Inc.

Taser: Taser International Inc.

Chapter One

There ya go, Mr. Brinkman, she’s all fixed and ready for the road. Isaiah Trujillo winked at the old man and handed him his keys. Mr. Brinkman was one of Isaiah’s favorite customers. He was a lonely widower who’s partner of thirty-seven years had passed away almost eight months ago.

Mr. Brinkman took the keys and caught Isaiah’s hand in both of his, patting it affectionately. I think you can call me Dane, Isaiah. Especially after all the work you put into restoring this beauty.

Thank you, Dane. Isaiah fought against manners drilled into him by his mother and grandma to call Dane by his first name. He knew it was good manners to do as he was asked by the man, too, but it just felt a little weird. He withdrew his hand after Dane patted him one last time then Isaiah turned and gestured at the bright red ’69 Camaro he’d spent all his spare time working on over the past few months. So, are you planning on racing her?

Dane tittered and walked over to run a couple of fingertips over the hood of the Camaro. The thick white racing stripes down the car really made the red pop. The paint job had been an utter pain in the ass, and Isaiah had lived in fear of fucking it up, but he’d been driven to do his best on the opportunity he’d been handed. Isaiah’s auto shop usually handled day-to-day repairs, and he seldom took paint jobs, but his true love lay in restoring old cars—he just wasn’t sure he could make a living doing it yet. Maybe, once he built a rep for himself.

I might just. Relive some of my youth. Dane didn’t sound like he was joking, and Isaiah became aware of the melancholy look in the older man’s eyes. What’s it like to have loved someone for so long, to have found your soul mate? Isaiah had seen his brother, Timothy with his mate Otto—who, like Isaiah and his family members, was also a snow leopard shifter. Otto and Timothy were very much in love. Will I ever find someone like that? It sure didn’t seem possible. All the clubs he went to were just meat markets, places to fuck or find someone to take home for a night. Maybe I should try somewhere else, but where?

You know, I was driving this car the night I met Quincy, Dane said, then he sighed and grimaced. But I’m sure you don’t want to hear about that. Probably bore you, what with all the hustling men do now days.

Isaiah frowned in return, trying to grasp what Dane was talking about. He wasn’t confused over how Dane knew he was gay, or gay-friendly. The rainbow flag in the shop window wasn’t small or possible to miss. Hustling? he asked.

Screwing around, Dane clarified. Seems like that’s the thing to do, see how many men you can have sex with. Maybe I’m just cynical, but I even hear it in my own age group, you know. Like no one actually cares about anyone, just… Dane huffed and flapped a hand in the air. Just bodies slapping together. It saddens me to think so many people are missing out on a love like Quincy and I had. Still have, because I won’t stop loving him. Dane’s eyes sparkled with tears that soon leaked down his cheeks. He didn’t seem ashamed at all, not even swiping at them. I don’t think it’s just gay men, but sometimes I wonder if love will be a thing of the past in another couple of generations.

That’s awful, Isaiah said without thinking, but the very idea made him feel kind of queasy. Then it dawned on him what he’d just done and he blushed so hard even his feet felt hot. Isaiah tipped his cap back and rubbed his forehead as he looked at Dane through his lashes. Sorry, I don’t mean— he stopped himself. He wasn’t a liar, but how did he say what he meant without being insulting?

Dane just nodded and caressed the hood of his car, waiting patiently. I’m not going to get mad, Isaiah. We’re talking, and I’d like to think of us as friends, if you can tolerate the ramblings of an old queen sometimes.

It made Isaiah feel a little less insecure. He wasn’t the brightest guy—there was a reason his brother was a doctor and he was a mechanic—and talking wasn’t his best talent, either. In fact, he was so shy outside of work that sometimes he couldn’t bring himself to deal with people. Other times, he could manage a trip to a club, when he was desperately lonely, but he didn’t really have to talk much then, either. Which kind of proved Dane’s point.

Yes, sir, Isaiah blurted out, then quickly corrected himself when Dane started to speak. I mean, Dane. I’d be happy to count you as a friend. One of Isaiah’s very few friends, actually. Dane nodded and waited. Isaiah hoped he got his words out in the manner he intended them to be heard. All I meant was, it’s awful to think that’s the way we’re going to end up. I see what you mean. I’ve been to Cinders—Dane muttered his understanding of that being a gay club—a few times. And yeah, all it is, is a place to hook up. Blowjobs in the bathroom, sometimes even in the club itself, and the alley… Well. Isaiah wasn’t going to tell Dane what went on there. The thing is, I don’t know that there’s lots of places to meet a nice man, you know? Like, how did you meet Quincy?

Dane beamed and his eyes twinkled with joy instead of sadness, and it warmed Isaiah’s heart. Stroking the hood gently, Dane watched his fingers. I was driving this beauty down A1A in Florida, believe it or not. He cackled and shook his head. Got the retirement living backwards, don’t I? But I was born in Merritt Island, Florida. Anyway, here I was driving along the highway, and you have to understand, times were different. Certain things weren’t talked about. I knew I was different, but there was no one I could turn to.

Dane stopped rubbing the hood and clenched his hand into a fist. He faced Isaiah and anger etched deeper lines around the old man’s mouth. His expression shifted, and he appeared to go off somewhere years back in his mind. At the stop light in Cocoa Beach, I noticed this beautiful young man being hassled by two brutes. No one else gave a damn that he was being shoved or about to be seriously hurt. I saw him go down, pushed to his knees. But he didn’t quail in fear or anything. Instead I could see his anger, see him struggle to stand despite the hands holding him down. He was magnificent in his refusal to give up.

The light changed, but I couldn’t leave him. All of the sudden, just like that, Dane snapped his fingers, everything clicked into place. I knew with a certainty who I was, what I was, and that the man shaking his fist at his attackers was the key to my happiness. Dane turned a sharp look on him. People make fun of love at first sight, but it happens. In seconds, I knew Quincy and I would be together, no matter what I had to do to make it happen. If he wasn’t gay, then so be it. I’d be the best friend he ever had and pray he’d love me back. Cars behind me honked when the light changed but I didn’t care. I leaned over and pushed the passenger side door open just as Quincy stood. I’d have gotten out if I’d needed to, but Quincy was a fighter, yes he was. Little guy, and fierce…

Isaiah understood that. His cousin Oscar wasn’t exactly tall or muscular, and he scared the shit out of Isaiah. Fierce, as a description for Oscar, was an understatement.

Quincy glanced up and our eyes met. He never looked away from me as he ran for the door. The second he dove in, I felt a peace like you wouldn’t believe, a rush of joy so all-encompassing I thought I’d burst from it.

Isaiah believed it. Dane was glowing just from talking about it. He wondered if Dane always spoke so poetically of his love, if he was so well-spoken on other subjects, or if it was Quincy and what they’d had together that gilded his tongue.

Quincy and I never wanted anyone else, Dane continued. We were it for each other, and there was no need to go messing around. We held each other’s heart, and that is a treasure, and an honor. No real man, or woman, would abuse such a gift. Once again, tears streamed down Dane’s cheeks. His lower lip trembled, and Isaiah shuffled his feet, wishing he had enough balls to hug him. Then he started having trouble eating, and the doctor found the tumor, and it didn’t matter how much Quincy fought, cancer still took him from me.

Fuck it. He could just about risk being embarrassed. Isaiah took a couple of steps forward and opened his arms. Dane sobbed and Isaiah’s heart broke for the man. Maybe he didn’t want to find someone after all, not if this was what happened to the one left behind.

Except Dane had been so happy, and Isaiah didn’t doubt that Quincy had been, too. It was worth it, Dane sniffled, as if reading Isaiah’s mind. Every second we had together, every second I could touch Quincy, see him, hear him. I wouldn’t change anything, except to love him even more, if possible.

Isaiah’s eyes burned and so did the tip of his nose. His sense of scent was skewed from the motor oil and other chemicals in the shop, but he thought he could still possibly smell the sincerity, even, of Dane’s words, and catch the sweet promise of his love.

Maybe I can have a flowery thought, too.

Oh dear, look at the mess I’ve made, Dane mumbled, swiping at Isaiah’s chest. Your coveralls are all wet and I’m not sure that’s just tears on them.

Dane looked mortified but Isaiah laughed, not that he was going to check and see what was left on the material. It’s okay, Dane. These things have dirt and oil and God knows what else all over ‘em. I have a washer and dryer on site and a shower in the back I use most nights before I go home.

Are you sure it’s okay? Dane looked up at him with bloodshot eyes. I could pay to have it…dry-cleaned? He seemed to realize the ridiculousness of that as soon as he said it and he chuckled. Silly me, right?

Isaiah huffed a laugh himself and touched Dane’s bony back. This ol’ thing ain’t worth the cost of dry-cleaning, but I do appreciate the thought.

Dane’s smile was tremulous at first but it soon blossomed into one that Isaiah would bet had charmed Quincy from the start. You are a sweet young man, putting up with a melodramatic old geezer like me. Thank you.

It was— Isaiah began, only to shut up when Dane pointed at him. What?

You need to stop going to that club, and start going places where nice young men are, Dane chided. Isaiah, there are gay churches here in Denver, and ways to meet online, I’ve heard—

Oh no, nuh-uh, Isaiah interrupted. He’d seen some of those phone apps like Grindr. They just weren’t for him. It seemed like they were at least as bad as Cinders, with men just wanting to get off.

Dane caught his wrist and it was only then Isaiah realized he’d been retreating like some big coward. He stopped and Dane gave his wrist a squeeze before speaking again. There’s still church, and if nothing else, you could spend the time you waste at clubs volunteering for one of the GLBTQ centers. There’s a youth center not far from here that just re-opened after receiving some much needed donations. I know for a fact they could use all the help they can get.

What’s it called? Isaiah asked. He’d thought of volunteering somewhere before but didn’t know what he could contribute. Well, even if all I do is sweep floors or something, it’d help, right?

It’s just called The Heart, and if you are truly interested, I can give you the name of who to talk to. Dane was digging in his pocket, then pulling out his wallet. There’s a new staff director there. She’s young but very intelligent and dedicated to helping kids in our community.

Isaiah took the card Dane handed him and studied it. There was nothing fancy about it, it was just a cream-colored business card with Bae Allen Warren, DVM, and a couple of phone and fax numbers printed on it. I think you gave me the wrong card. This one’s for a veterinarian. But he wasn’t eager to give it back. It felt good in his hand, the paper soft and smooth on his rough skin. Isaiah thumbed over the name and smeared oily residue on the card and immediately felt guilty, as if he’d done something wrong or ruined something pure. I’m just