While Alan’s basset hound Boomer busily sniffed at a bare patch of grass along the sidewalk, Ross held the leash firmly to deter the dog from wandering any further. He said, “You know, I think you’re one of the luckiest dogs in the world.”

Boomer ignored the comment and continued to sniff. Alan tried to convince Ross that Boomer needed a sweater to walk out in the Minnesota winter weather, but Ross disagreed. Boomer lived his life wearing the furry sweater nature gave him, and he didn’t seem deterred by concerns about the weather.

“You live with two amazing men as your owners, and then you have me, and I spoil you rotten. What more could a dog want or need?”

Acting on his own instincts, Boomer suddenly turned back to the sidewalk and took off as quickly as a dog with stumpy legs could. That lasted for three steps before the leash grew taut. Boomer abruptly sat down and waited for Alan to follow. By the time Alan stepped forward, Boomer was reluctant to stand again. The result was a start and stop process all the way home.

As Ross stepped inside the kitchen door of Alan’s house and kicked off his shoes, Alan met them and began to wipe at Boomer’s snowy feet with a dishcloth. He said, “You do know that you don’t need to do this, don’t you? My neighbor takes Boomer out in the yard over lunch hour, and I can walk him when I get home.”

“It keeps me from making the mistake of getting my own dog.”

“Why would that be a mistake?”

“Because I’m not home enough, and I keep telling myself that I want to travel. I can give Boomer back after I have my fun.”

Alan sighed. “I can’t wait to do more traveling. I’m restless. I’ve never lived in one place as long as I’ve lived in Coldbrook Bend, so now I have wanderlust, and I want to travel. I need to wrench Diego away from his work for at least two or three weeks and go on a grand trip. Would you like some hot chocolate? It is still cold out there.”

“I should head home, but that is tempting. I guess I can spend a few more minutes here. When does Diego get home? He told us that he would be in the office tomorrow, but I didn’t know when he gets back from his business trip.”

“I’m expecting him any time.” Alan filled an electric kettle with water and set it on to boil. “I hope you don’t mind a mix. I’m too lazy at the moment to do the real thing.”

“I think I can handle the mix. It’s the way I would make it at home.”

Alan busied himself with mugs and hot chocolate mix. He said, “I’m going to be nosy, because, well, it’s the only way I know how to be. I heard that you hooked up that new friend of yours with Dak as his babysitter.”

“Where did you hear that? Word gets around fast, I guess, and most people in a little town don’t know the concept of privacy.”

“I live with your boss, and I think Rhea knows everything.”

“Damn, yeah, I guess I did tell her about it. It seems like it’s going well. I wouldn’t expect anything different. Dak is such a great guy. He’s a great dad.”

While he poured the hot water and stirred the mugs of hot chocolate, Alan asked, “And is there anything between you and the guy?”

“I hope so.”

“You hope so? Don’t you know?”

Ross shook his head. “I feel a little bit like I’m one of those cowboys out on the range trying to tame a wild horse. We get close, and then he bolts. Then we get close again, and he runs again. I love spending the time together, but I want to take the next step.”

“He’s got a lot going on. Don’t expect to go to bed too soon if that’s what you have in mind.” Alan handed Ross a mug and sat beside him at the kitchen table. “Is he the right guy?”

Ross considered the question as he blew across the mug to cool the hot liquid. “How do I know? I don’t even know him that well.”

“Sometimes you just know.”

As if on cue, the kitchen door opened, and the first thing Ross saw was a bunch of red roses. Alan grinned and yelped, “Oh my God!” He rose from the table and rushed to the door.

Ross leaned back and watched, sipping his hot chocolate, and thinking about his own dreams while Alan threw his arms around Diego crushing the roses between them. Diego said, “I didn’t mean to interrupt. I didn’t know you had company. I didn’t notice Ross’s car out on the street.”

“It’s not a problem. Pretend I’m not here.”

Boomer ambled over toward the door to join in the greeting. After sharing a kiss, Alan took the roses and said, “The ones from Easter haven’t faded yet. They’re still looking good in the living room.”

Diego said, “My man should have flowers in every room even though they aren’t half as handsome as he is.”

Alan blushed. “And you think Boomer is spoiled. Diego’s like this all the time.”

Diego stepped up to the kitchen table and bent over to hug Ross. “It’s always good to see you, too. Rhea left me a note about all the work that you got done while I was gone.”

“I did my best.” Ross stood up, pulled his coat from the back of his chair and said, “I need to head home.”

Alan said, “You don’t need to rush off.”

“I’m hardly rushing off. You gave me hot chocolate.”

Alan added, “And I hope he’s the right one.”

“That’s my dream. Trust me, that’s my dream.”