Desire and defiance combined to keep Diego constantly on Alan’s mind. He didn’t prepare for such powerful emotions bubbling away in his gut. Most of his life he placed a comfortable distance between himself and anything that could cause emotional upset or pain. It also kept away any ecstatic moments of joy.

Somehow, Diego’s return to Alan’s life was breaking through all of those boundaries, and the forces attempting to keep them apart only succeeded in making the attraction stronger. To prove to himself that he wouldn’t give in to bullying, Alan called Diego at his office.

“Alan? How’s the sexy gringo? I hope you received my message.”

Diego’s voice acted like a comforting blanket. Alan didn’t know whether it was buried memories about surviving the gun battle with Diego at his side or the pleasing sound of his accent. Something about the conversation calmed the turmoil inside.

“I’m doing well. Thank you for the flowers and the kind greeting card. You mentioned that you’re planning on being down in Zephyr this evening. Would you have dinner with me in Coldbrook Bend?”

“Can I confess to subterfuge?” asked Diego.

“You’re trying to secretly seduce me? It’s not as secret as you might think, and if you are, it’s working.”

“Aha!” exclaimed Diego. “Yes, I didn’t have previous plans to be in your area, but I hoped my claims would win me company for dinner. Is there a good restaurant in your town?”

“Yes, and I believe it comes with a resident hound dog.”

Alan counted to ten as silence reigned over the phone connection. Diego finally asked, “Are you inviting me to your place?”

“Yes, and please bring a bottle of wine. This time make it your choice.”

“Pinot noir, the wine of romance,” purred Diego.

Alan left work early and returned home by 3:00 p.m. Boomer didn’t greet him at the door. Alan was early. Boomer was a creature of habit. Alan called for the dog and heard the distinctive jingling sounds of collar tags from upstairs. When Boomer finally made it to the kitchen, he looked up at Alan with confusion in his eyes.

On the thirty-minute walk with Boomer, Alan considered the options for dinner with Diego. At the worst, they could order out pizza and forego any cleanup in the kitchen. However. Alan wanted something more impressive. He tried to remember exactly what he had available to determine whether a quick grocery run was necessary.

Although Alan served his dinner two hours early, Boomer didn’t hesitate to gobble it down. After he licked his bowl, he walked over to Alan to look up and request a treat with his bloodshot eyes.

Alan pointed his finger and said, “Now, make sure you behave this evening. Give Diego his space. Tonight is an important evening for me. I want him to feel comfortable. No slobbering on his shoes or begging for his dinner.”

Boomer whined in response. He wasn’t concerned about later in the evening. He was concerned about a treat.

“Okay, yes you get a treat, but remember what I said, or you’ll have to spend the evening in the backyard.” Alan opened the cabinet door below the sink and pulled out a bone-shaped treat. Boomer dutifully took it from between Alan’s fingers and wandered off into the living room to enjoy his dessert.

Alan confirmed that he had shrimp in the freezer, and he kept grits in the cupboard to make the dish he learned to cook at age thirteen when the military stationed his father in the south. He had lettuce for a fresh green salad and frozen green beans for another vegetable on the side.

Alan exhaled knowing that he didn’t need a trip to the grocery store. Since the encounter with Lewis, he was doing his grocery shopping in Zephyr before returning home from work, but he didn’t think about stopping amid his rush to be home early. Before closing the refrigerator door, Alan checked to make sure he had eggs and bacon available for breakfast just in case.

* * *

Diego arrived with perfect timing. Alan wasn’t yet cooking anything, but he had everything prepared and laid out in a perfect mise en place. The salad was tossed and ready with a quick custard for dessert setting up in the refrigerator.

As Alan opened the front door, Diego thrust a bouquet of a dozen red roses into his arms. He carried a bottle of pinot noir in his opposite hand. Alan gasped, smiled, and took the roses saying, “You spoil me, Diego! Follow me to the kitchen so I can welcome you properly after I put these in some water.”

Boomer stepped into Diego’s path angling for his own greeting. As Alan continued into the kitchen, Diego squatted down and rubbed Boomer’s head. He whispered, “I’m betting that the path to this man’s heart makes a stop at his handsome dog.”

Boomer blinked his eyes in response and sighed with a moan of satisfaction. As Diego stood, Boomer ambled off to one of his beds placed near the living room sofa and curled up to take a nap.

Alan busied himself putting a pot of water on the stovetop to boil. Diego walked up behind him, slipped his arms around Alan’s torso and planted a kiss on the side of his neck. He whispered, “Thank you for the invitation. I think we’ll both make this evening one to remember.”

Alan placed the lid on the pot and turned around. “That’s why I invited you. I thought we needed to make some positive memories.”

Diego sighed. “I’m worried about you. I almost decided to stay away, and I considered asking you to come to Red Wing. I don’t want to cause you any trouble here in your new hometown.”

Alan shook his head as Diego spoke. “I won’t let them drag me down. In fact, it may only be one person. I moved here to live my own life and be part of a charming little town. I’m nowhere close to giving up.”

Diego started to respond saying, “But…”

Alan’s heated kiss drowned any additional words. Soon, Diego’s sports coat tumbled to the kitchen floor, and Alan’s fingers unbuttoned the top two buttons of his shirt.

As Alan kissed the side of Diego’s neck, Diego whispered, “The change. What happened?”

“I can’t deny it anymore,” moaned Alan.

“You’re coming to your senses?” asked Diego.

Alan shook his head. “I already knew how I felt about you, but I wanted to deny it. I wanted to protect my job. I didn’t want to cause problems for you.” Alan leaned down to kiss Diego’s collarbone and pulled him close with an arm wrapped around his back.

“I’ll keep you safe,” whispered Diego. Alan had never heard those words from anyone before. They tore an emotional gash into his heart that felt like it bore deep into his soul. A single tear rolled from his eye before he could stop it. “Is something wrong?” asked Diego as he stopped the flow of the tear with his fingertip.

“Kiss me,” whispered Alan.