Chapter 22
Chapter Twenty-Two
Leo
Iawoke to a tongue bath.
What?
Right.
Lucky.
I cracked an eye open. “You need to go out?”
He woofed.
I’d have sworn the black lab grinned.
The clock radio read a handful of minutes before seven. “Did you wake the kids up?”
He cocked his head.
“Okay, good dog. Give me a moment.” I rolled out of bed. Then remembered last night. Thank God I had a shower before I crawled back into bed. I’d almost texted Quinton to gloat over my win, but I’d figured he might be already asleep. That said, he’d had a bigger mess to clean up than I did.
Assuming Lucky’s bladder could wait another half minute, I emptied my own, washed my hands, then headed toward the front door.
I’m going to freeze my balls off. True—but I wasn’t willing to risk an accident by stopping to dress.
My thermal pajamas would be sufficient. Without Gideon as a furnace in my bed, I tended to run a little cold.
Plus, I preferred a cooler ambient temperature when I slept.
So I wore warm pajamas and had a thick comforter.
Quinton keeps me warm.
True. But do I have a right to count on him for the long term?
I called him baby again last night. I hadn’t done that since our night in the hotel.
After shoving my feet into my boots and hefting on a parka, I grabbed Lucky’s leash. Swear to God, the dog grinned. “Yep, you win.”
In the end, the weather was milder than I expected. Still bloody fresh—but we’d been without snow for a while now.
We hustled over to a copse of trees.
He sniffed, lifted his leg, and peed like a champ.
“Good boy.” I glanced back toward the house. The kids were old enough to handle waking up with me outside. Melodie would know to look for the leash. I eyed the dog. “Do you have more business to do, or are you ready for food?”
He barreled back toward the house.
Oh good. I forgot poop bags. Now I have to remember where you took a dump and come back later. On that, I made a note to add a pile of bags to my coat pocket. I had no idea how many times a dog could poop during a weekend—and I didn’t intend to find out the hard way that I wasn’t prepared.
We hustled inside and voices reached us.
“See, I told you he’d be back.” Melodie poked her head out from the kitchen. “He was just walking Lucky.”
Trevor tore around the corner and launched himself at me.
I dropped the leash and caught him up in a big hug. “Papa.”
“Sorry, buddy. Lucky had to pee. I promise I won’t go away again, okay?”
“Good luck.” Melodie rolled her eyes. “Lucky pees a lot.”
“Oh, he does, does he?” I held Trevor tightly. “When we go out today, we’ll have to count how many times.”
“We’re going out?” Melodie jumped up and down. “Yay!”
“You going to be okay?” I pressed a kiss to Trevor’s temple.
Melodie unhooked Lucky’s leash, and he bolted for the kitchen.
I smiled. “Can you feed him?”
“Of course.” She gave me that look.
“Please don’t go.” Trevor clung to my neck.
“I won’t ever go. If you’re not with Daddy, then you’re with me.
Okay?” I didn’t mean forever forever, but a nearly five-year-old child shouldn’t have to contemplate death.
Even though my patient’s child had to do just that this week.
I couldn’t imagine how Melodie and Trevor would cope if either Gideon or I passed.
Or even Archer, now. Lucky would be the first to go, and given how much they adored him, that was going to be a blow.
“Okay.” He pressed a kiss to my cheek. “Cereal?”
“Or pancakes.”
“Yes!”
I let him down, and he scrambled toward the kitchen.
Crunching noises greeted me as I made my way over there. I clapped my hands. “Okay, you two get dressed, and by the time you’re back, I’ll have started cooking the pancakes.”
“Papa?”
“Yes, Melodie?”
“You need to get dressed, too. Unless you’re wearing pajamas when we go out.” She giggled.
I smiled. “Okay, that’s a good point. I’ll give Lucky some water, we’ll all get dressed, and then I’ll make pancakes.” If we didn’t have the dog, I would’ve suggested we go to Fifties. Ah well, my pancakes were almost as good as the diner’s.
Almost.
Half an hour later, we sat at the kitchen table. Completely sated. “I thought we could go to the dog run at Centennial Park. Do you think Lucky would like that?”
“Oh yes.” Melodie grinned. “Lucky loves other dogs. But Daddy doesn’t let us go in because the other dogs might knock us over.”
Shit. That hadn’t occurred to me. “So you wait outside? By yourselves?”
She rolled her eyes. “No. Duh. Archer stays with us. We get to say hi to the calmer dogs when they come out. I love that part. Well, and watching Lucky run.”
“I can’t be in with Lucky and out with you. I’ll have to think of something else.” I scrambled. “What about a walk in Heritage Park?”
“What about Quin—” She scrunched her nose. “Quinnie? Your friend.”
“Quinton?”
“Yeah. I like him. His mom makes good cookies.”
I couldn’t help but smile. “He might be busy.”
She pointed to my phone.
I eyed Trevor.
He grinned as well. “Yummy cookies.”
So I shot off a text requesting his presence—minus the cookies.
I got an enthusiastic flurry of emojis back with a hell yes!
My heart lifted. “Okay, everyone has to brush their teeth.”
“And clean the dishes?” Melodie eyed the mess.
“Ah, yes. Maybe you can read a book while—”
“We help.” Trevor scooted off his chair and made a grab for his plate.
Plastic, of course, because accidents happened.
One didn’t, though, and he carried it to the dishwasher.
“Okay, we can do this together. But you’re still brushing your teeth.”
Melodie laughed. “We won’t forget.”
Thirty minutes later, with the kids secure in their car seats, and Lucky in his crate in my hatch, we headed down the mountain.
Quinton stood in the parking lot with two travel mugs in his hand.
After I released the kids from their seats, they scrambled down and headed toward my friend. I secured Lucky’s leash and let him down as well. I locked the SUV and headed toward the assembled group.
“Did you bring cookies?” Trevor gazed up at Quinton.
Quinton tried to suppress a smile—but he was terrible at it. “Mama might’ve sent some cookies for good children. After playtime, though.”
“Yay!” Melodie vibrated with pleasure, and Trevor took off toward the dog run.
“Hold up there, buddy.” I tried to slow him down, but Lucky was already tearing after him.
“Melodie and I will be right there.” Quinton’s voice was laced with amusement.
I couldn’t even turn to acknowledge him because Trevor was headed straight for a cute-looking beagle.
A tall, Black man clearly saw the collision coming. He knelt beside the dog and held out his hand for Trevor. “Slow down, there. Buddy will be happy to meet you.”
“Sorry!” I ran to catch up, uncertain how Lucky would deal with all this. I held him back as the stranger stroked the beagle’s ears.
The stranger blinked. “Trevor!”
“Hi. Pet Buddy.”
“You know each other?” Even as I said the words, Trevor was reaching for the beagle.
“Oh yeah.” The stranger smiled. “We’ve all met. I was just expecting to see Archer and Gideon with—” He strained to look past me. “Hello Melodie.”
“Hi, Isaac.” Melodie joined us. “Can I pet Buddy?”
“Of course.” Isaac gazed up at me. “If it’s okay.”
All the memories of dog bites flooded in for a moment. Except clearly the kids knew Buddy. Buddy’s owner was right there. I had a good grasp on Lucky. “Uh, sure.”
“Remember to be gentle.” Isaac petted the dog.
Melodie giggled as she replicated his actions and scritched the dog’s ears.
Trevor awkwardly stroked the dog’s back.
Buddy closed his eyes in what I’d term bliss.
“Hey.” Quinton came up beside me. “Coffee.” He handed me a travel mug.
“You’re a god.”
“I lost the bet.” He winked.
Heat flooded my cheeks and, I suspected, a blush to match.
He pivoted. “Hey, Isaac. Where’s Ben?”
“Here!” A young man with blond hair and vivid-blue eyes approached with a wave. He also carried two mugs. “I got caught up talking to a parent and figured Isaac would be bored.”
Isaac smiled. “I never get bored. But some parents prefer privacy.” He gestured to the newcomer with his chin. “I’m Isaac and this is my husband Ben. He teaches French Immersion at Cedar Street Elementary School.”
“Oh.” I nodded. “Melodie’s enrolled in the program.”
Ben grinned. “We know. I can’t wait until she’s in my class.” He held my gaze.
“Right. I’m Leo—their other dad.” I hated labeling myself as such…but I didn’t have a better term for it. “Gideon is with Archer now.” Please understand. Please don’t ask questions.
“Yes. We’ve met them quite a few times. They love to bring Lucky here.”
Lucky strained at hearing his name and offered a woof.
Isaac chuckled. “You want to run around? Buddy’s up for that as well.” He turned his attention to Quinton. “Sheesh, almost missed you there. Why are you so quiet?”
Quinton laughed. “I can’t always be the center of attention.”
“I don’t see why not.” Ben saluted my friend with his coffee.
Another laugh from Quinton. “Well, good point.” He turned to me. “Do you want me to take Lucky into the run or stay with the kids?”
Tough call. I trusted him with both. But— “I better go in with Lucky. He sort of knows me better.”
“Lucky’s a good dog.” Isaac rose and accepted the mug from Ben. “He and Buddy have a great time chasing each other.
Ben grabbed the leash. “My turn. C’mon, Leo. Let’s go.” He headed toward the gate.
I cast Quinton a last look as he moved toward the kids.
Isaac nodded. As if he saw my trepidation. As if telling me everything would be okay. As if understanding this wasn’t a comfortable place for me. Still, I let Ben lead me to the enclosure. The first gate let us into an fenced space. Once we had that closed, we moved to the second gate.
A cacophony of barks greeted us as about fifteen dogs barreled over.
I tightened my grip on Lucky’s leash, even as he surged forward.
Ben clapped me on the back. “I know every dog in there—Lucky’s going to be fine.”
“He’s not my dog.”
“Isaac used to feel the same way about Buddy. He conquered his fear. You will as well.” He unclipped Buddy, opened the gate, and his dog bolted into the mêlée.
After a moment, I did the same with Lucky who jumped into the fray as well.
Ben and I stepped into the enclosure and closed the gate.
“So you had Buddy before you met Isaac?”
“Yep. Quite a story to go with that. I rescued Buddy while I was attending teacher’s college.
Then I got stranded with Isaac during a storm over in Tofino.
One hotel room. Two gay men. Could’ve ended up several different ways.
In the end, he followed me back to Mission City, secured the job as Harbormaster, and we moved in together.
Eventually, we married. Now we’re house hunting. ”
“Rough time to be getting into the market. Prices seem to be fluctuating a lot.” I gazed back at the kids who were watching the dogs avidly while Isaac and Quinton spoke.
I pivoted my attention back to Lucky who was frolicking with an entire pack of hounds.
Dogs whose breed I might recognize and those I didn’t have a clue about.
“I bought mine at the perfect time—right between Christmas and New Year’s. ”
“Ah. Were you living somewhere else before?”
“In a townhouse in Surrey. I’ve taken a job in Abbotsford, and moving to Mission City made sense. I don’t live far from Gideon and Archer. Easier on the kids.”
“I wasn’t going to ask. Although I’m curious enough to ask what you do. Not that it’s any of my business.”
“Well, you’ve told me what you do as well as your husband’s profession.” I snuck another peek at the group outside the fence as they watched us. “I’m a surgeon.”
“Oh, cool.” Ben nodded. “Is that how you met Quinton? He’s a nurse at the Abbotsford hospital, right?”
I was one hundred percent certain Ben knew the answer to that question. “Yes…we work together.” Because no way am I going to tell you that he and I met in a gay bar in Langley, hooked up, and spent one glorious night in a hotel before I blew it and said something stupid.
“His mom too, eh? Lovely woman.”
“Yes, I’ve met her as well. Everyone around here is very friendly.”
“And they weren’t in Surrey?”
Lucky barked and lunged at a Lhasa Apso.
I tensed.
“It’s okay.” Ben spoke confidently. Then he waved at a blond-haired, slightly shorter man who made his way over to us. “Hey, Jameson.”
The guy grinned. “Hey, Ben. Bibi’s feeling frisky today.”
“Hard to believe she’s a senior dog.”
“I know, right? So full of energy.” He turned his attention to me. “Jameson Gorman. Bibi’s owner. Well, companion.”
“The guy at her beck and call, you mean.” Ben laughed.
I extended my hand. “Leo Rodgers. Responsible for Lucky.”
“Oh yeah. We know Lucky. He and Bibi get on well. He used to be a little shy, but since Gideon and Archer bring him here regularly, he’s really come out of his shell.” Jameson gazed toward the fence and waved at the kids.
They waved back enthusiastically. Isaac and Quinton did as well.
My phone buzzed. Figuring it might be Gideon, I grabbed it.
Nope.
Emergency text from the hospital.
“Oh shit.” Panic seized me. This wasn’t my weekend on call.
Right?
Because I never would’ve agreed to take the kids—
Calm down. It’s not your weekend on call. Just breathe.
“Problem?” Ben cocked his head.
I scanned the text as panic seized me. “I have to go. I…Lucky…”
Ben whistled.
Eight dogs, including Lucky, tore toward us.
Without asking, Ben snagged Lucky’s leash and, somehow, managed to get the dog leashed. “Nice meeting you. Get going.”
“Bye.” I barely acknowledged Ben and Jameson as I headed for the entrance. I managed to get through both gates.
Quinton was there to greet me. “What is it?” He’d obviously seen my face.
“Emergency at the hospital. They didn’t say why the patient can’t go to New West, but—”
He grabbed Lucky’s leash. “Give me your keys.”
“What?”
“You’ve got the car seats.” He yanked his keys out of his pocket. “I’ll take care of the kids. If they called you, Leo, then it’s life or death.”
He was absolutely right. This was so highly irregular that I couldn’t put it into words.
“Papa go!” Melodie shooed me. “You go save someone.”
I met Quinton’s gaze. “Are you sure?”
“Yes. I’ll take them to Mama. We’ll make a day of it. I’ll text you the address. Come home when you can.”
Come home. “You can take them to my house—”
“Go, Leo. I can handle a couple of well-behaved children.”
I flashed to Trevor’s meltdown last week when I didn’t have the right kind of cheese. Still— “My keys.” I held Quinton’s gaze. “They’re my everything.”
“I know. Go.”
I stood for a moment, holding the mug of coffee.
Isaac was there to grab it. “All good.”
After one last moment of staring at Quinton, I ran.