Brandon met Levi at the falls that were the namesake of the town of Arrowhead Falls. It was best-known as a location for wilderness travelers to load their canoes up on a trailer to take them to a variety of lakes in the region. It wasn’t really a waterfall. It was more like a ripple in a creek. During the spring snowmelt, it sometimes grew into rapids, but most of the year the creek trickled over stones on its way to forming Stillwater Lake.

Arrowhead Adventurers maintained a small boathouse off the road to the falls. It was an outstanding location for the short one hundred yard portage to Stillwater Lake. From there, it was possible to paddle into a network of surrounding bodies of water or take the nearly unknown route toward Lone Cedar Lake.

Brandon waited by the side of the falls for Levi. At approximately 12:30, Levi arrived. It was perfect timing to stop by the Lost Loon for lunch.

“So this is the friend you’ve talked about.” Gabe welcomed Brandon and Levi to his table with a brisk handshake for Levi and a warm hug for Brandon. “He looks like he has strong enough arms to keep up with you on a lake.”

Levi turned toward Brandon raising an eyebrow after he shook hands with Gabe. Brandon whispered in his ear, “Don’t worry. He thinks you’re from Ely.”

Gabe pulled a chair out from the table for Levi. “Brandon says you are a whiz with a paddle. That’s the way to my buddy’s heart. I think he was born with a canoe paddle in the crib.”

Brandon rolled his eyes. “Levi, can I get you some coffee?”

Levi didn’t hear the question at first. He was too busy looking all around the Lost Loon. Canoes hung from the ceiling and camping gear decorated the walls. Brandon wondered what it was like to be in a coffee shop after three years seeing only the rugged camp-style stores in Iron Crossing.

Gabe nudged Levi’s elbow. “I think the blonde God asked you a question.”

“Oh, I’m sorry. What?”

“Coffee?” asked Brandon.

“Yeah, with a little cream and sugar. I don’t like it too sweet.”

“One half-sweet latte coming up.”

As Brandon headed for the counter, Gabe leaned across the table and asked, “You really like him, don’t you?”

Levi blushed. He held his tongue for a moment before saying, “Yeah, I guess so. Is he a good guy? I’ve enjoyed the time together, but I am curious what other people think.”

Gabe gestured with a thumb up. “He’s the best if you can handle the canoe and wilderness stuff. It’s an addiction for Brandon. He worries me sick sometimes when he heads off to new places on his own.”

“I do that all the time.”

Gabe sighed. “Then you’re as crazy as he is. It sounds like a perfect match. You should get along well. What’s wrong with traveling in twos or even threes? You would have a little extra muscle for the paddles, right?”

As Brandon returned to the table with two mugs in hand, he said, “And here comes somebody else you need to meet.”

Gabe grinned. “It’s Miss Elle! She’s the queen of Arrowhead Falls, but bowing won’t be necessary.”

Elle stepped up to the table and wrapped her arms around Gabe’s shoulders from behind. “How are my favorite gentlemen today?” She glanced in Levi’s direction. “Oh, and now you’ve added a third. You have to tell me everything.”

Gabe said, “I’m doing well. Surely, I’m your favorite gentleman.”

“I don’t play favorites. Who’s your friend, Brandon?”

Gabe asked, “How do you know he’s not with me?”

“Sixth sense.”

Brandon said, “I think I mentioned Levi.”

“Oh, yes. I told you that I think you should convince him to move to Arrowhead Falls so he can work with us. If business booms like you’re always promising, we’ll need some assistance.”

Levi shook his head. “I don’t think I need a job.”

“How about a girlfriend?”

Gabe burst out laughing. “You get straight to the point, but I’ll take a stab in the dark and suggest that you’re barking up the wrong tree.”

Elle sighed. “Not another one…”

“He has the hots for Brandon.”

Levi blushed beet red. Brandon grumbled, “Sheesh, Gabe. Now you’ve embarrassed him. I should keep my new friends away from the two of you.”

Elle smiled. “You know he didn’t mean anything by it, and we love you to death.” She sat at the table and scooted close to Levi. “Maybe you can share some dirt on my boss. It never hurts to have some blackmail material in reserve.”

Brandon exhaled with relief when he saw Levi smile. Both Elle and Gabe were anything but shy, and sometimes they rubbed strangers the wrong way. Brandon asked, “Would you like a sandwich, Levi? And since I’m feeling particularly generous, I’ll buy for you, too, Elle.”

Gabe looked up. “And…?”

“You have three bites of your sandwich still sitting in front of you.”

Oh…well, I could get one for later.”

Brandon began to respond, and Gabe laughed again. “I’m pulling your chain. Go get your lunch.”

Levi said, “I already looked at the menu. Turkey for me.”

“And that vegetarian avocado one for me,” said Elle. “I’m maintaining my lady-like figure.”

Brandon walked away from the table with some trepidation. Both Elle and Gabe swore that they would not bring up any of Levi’s forbidden topics. They were to act as if he was indeed from Ely, about thirty miles away. Unfortunately, Brandon didn’t give them any guidelines for what they could say about their relationships as friends.

When Brandon returned to the table, he heard Gabe saying, “And when Brandon saw those TV cameras, he started elbowing everybody out of the way. He wanted to be a star. I have to admit that he looks the part, and the cameras do swoon around him.”

Brandon balanced three plates with sandwiches and glared at Gabe as he set them down. He turned toward Levi and said, “One thing you’ve probably figured out by now is that Gabe exaggerates a tiny bit from time to time.”

Elle said, “Let’s go for more than a tiny bit.”

“Hey! I don’t make things up. I embellish. There’s nothing wrong with juicing the story. It pleases the audience.”

As he stepped up onto the front porch of Brandon’s cabin, Levi asked, “Do you really own this? You already have your own house? That’s amazing.”

“I couldn’t have done it without this business taking off. I thought I should strike while we’re doing well. Having some equity in a place can be a safety net down the road.” Brandon opened the front door and ushered Levi inside.

The cabin was immaculate if a little sparsely furnished. Levi slowly turned in a circle in the open space of the living room and dining area. “It’s not huge, but it’s plenty of space for one.”

Brandon walked up to Levi and spread his arms wide. “Or two.”

Levi grinned as they hugged. “I’m still blown away that we met each other. I’m so happy to be yours, but I have to be honest that I don’t know how this works. Our lives are so different from each other.”

“Let time figure that out.” Brandon pressed his lips to Levi’s and savored the taste of his tongue. Levi’s fingertips walked up the middle of Brandon’s back causing him to shiver.

Levi laughed and asked, “Have you bought our needed supplies yet?”

“Needed…oh! Yeah, I’m prepared now.”

Brandon held tight, and Levi said, “But not today. Maybe we’ll sleep outside again the next time you come to the lake. Can you do another overnight visit?”

“I don’t see why not. Gabe complains every time I do. He thinks something is going to snatch me in the woods, but he’ll have to get used to it.”

Levi shook his head.

Brandon asked, “Are you sure of that? Are you sure I’m safe out there?”

“I’ll protect you. No bear is going to carry my boyfriend off into the woods.”

Brandon pushed against Levi’s body and slowly walked him back to the sofa. The back of Levi’s knees collided with the edge of the furniture and he tumbled backward onto the cushions. Brandon climbed up beside him. “That’s much better. How long have you got before you need to go back?”

“A couple of hours. I’m sorry that I have to leave so soon.”

“I’m happy you came to Arrowhead Falls at all. What do you think about it?”

Levi kissed Brandon’s lips again and gazed into his eyes. “So far, it’s about the same size as the town where I grew up except we had oak and maple trees instead of pines.”

“Yeah, I love how when you walk down the street in my neighborhood, it smells like a forest.”

Levi said, “I hope the people here are better to each other than they were back home. It was all friendly smiles on the surface, and then when they got together at school, church, or even in the hardware store, the whispering started.”

“Oh, damn, that sucks. Well, you met Gabe and Elle. They are the most transparent people I’ve ever met. Gabe’s snarky, but you can see how honest he is, and everybody loves Elle. If anything ever happens to me, look them up. They’ll work everything out.”

Levi wrapped his hands on either side of Brandon’s face. “I honestly hope that nothing ever ever happens to you. Please stay safe everywhere you paddle in the canoe.”

“And you do the same.”