Austin Murray is fifty years old, owns a bookstore, and loves to walk on the beach at sun-up. He's a beachcomber, too, always in search of something unique to add to his collection. One such winter morning, an unkempt, sad-looking stranger roars into his life on a motorbike and his heart turns over for the first time, ever.<br><br>Murphy Vickers is world-weary, hurting, and unable to connect with anyone. He travels from place to place looking for work, but never stays anywhere very long. He's trying to outrun a painful event in his past that haunts him to this day. When he stops in a seaside town, he meets Austin, who offers him a job and a bed for however long he needs them.<br><br>Murphy is surly and reticent, But Austin won’t let that stop him from breaking through his barriers, and maybe getting a biker of his very own.

Happiness Is a Warm Bum

It was almost ten by the time we finished our meal and cleaned up. “I have to be at the store by eight-thirty in the morning, so I’ll show you what needs to be done around the house before I leave.” I took a spare key off my key ring and handed it over. “Use this to lock up if you need to go into town for whatever reason. I may be crazy to trust you, but if you steal anything from me, I figure it’s on your head. But I don’t get that vibe from you.”


He searched my face in disbelief. “You sure about this? I could just take off and never come back.”


“You could. It would be my loss. But I think there’s more to you than the gruff drifter you portray to the world. If ever you want to share your story, I’ll listen. Your room’s on the left side at the end of the hall. Mine’s on the right.”


Chapter 5