The Third Thing by Sirkka Smith

Love. Friendship. Weird Birds.

A socially-awkward artist and a shy photographer shadowed by a mysterious virus must face their fears to find what they need…
Xiomara (Xo for short) relaunches her artistic career with a bang—or rather, a crash—when she moves to the small mountain town of Lingen to paint birds. She’s determined to get her life back on course by pursuing what she loves, and she is sure that can be accomplished with a practical approach. But while Xo readily understands her avian acquaintances, humans have always been a bit of a conundrum.
Elliot is an unassuming photographer who is smitten when Xo disrupts his quiet existence. His penchant for attracting disaster has left him scarred by his past and tongue-tied when it comes to revealing his growing feelings for her. Nevertheless, this unlikely hero can’t help trying to protect her from anything that could harm her—including his closest friend, Alec.
The three of them start out searching the slopes of Mount Arin for flammulated grosbeaks and other local rare species. But in spite of the seemingly idyllic setting, there are dangers lurking both within and without.
Can Xo and Elliot find love in spite of themselves? Or will Elliot’s past destroy their chances?