“Are you seeing anyone?”
“Isaac?” The question knocked him for a loop. He hadn’t expected to hear it from Isaac. Was he interested?Nah.Isaac probably had a boyfriend. A handsome doctor like him shouldn’t want for a date. Still, the question sounded genuine. Would it be bad if Isaac was serious?
“I remember you were seeing a man I thought wasn’t good for your health.” Isaac leaned on the doorway to the kennel area. “He seemed to stress you out.”
“Ross, and yes, he was a pain in my ass. He’s also history.” He laughed. Less stress meant less of a chance of having another stroke. Perfect for him. He swept his gaze over Isaac. Len had always thought the good doctor was handsome, and his son, Aiden, should’ve snapped him up. He’d never asked why they hadn’t gotten together. It wasn’t his business to know.
“Why are you laughing?” Isaac asked.
He gathered his breath. “For a second, I thought you were asking me out. Like you were interested in me.” He laughed again. “Wow. I laughed too hard. My ribs hurt.” And he was hiding his true feelings. Part of him wanted to be asked out by a handsome younger man.
“Oh.” Isaac’s cheeks reddened and he pushed off the doorframe. “Yeah, I’m just checking on your health.” He chuckled.
If Len wasn’t mistaken, he’d just offended Isaac.Shit.He had to fix the situation but wasn’t sure how. “I’m glad someone cares about me.” Did that sound silly? God. At fifty-nine, he still wasn’t good with dating.
“Aiden doesn’t check?” Isaac’s eyes widened.
“No, he does.”Fucking hell.Now he’d really stepped in it. “He and his husband, Matt, make sure we get together every weekend. We have dinner and take the dogs out for playtime. I hooked them up with the perfect dog from the shelter here.” He toyed with the door of the closest empty kennel. “If you’re looking for a dog, then follow my pup, Cissy. She knows how to pair people with dogs. Plus, she’s good at finding the one dog who needs someone most. She’s a sweet girl and loves everyone.”
“That’s cool. She’s pretty.” Isaac petted Cissy. “You’re a pretty girl. I’m surprised no one has tried to adopt you.”
“Oh, they do. Every other day, I have to explain she’s not available.”
Isaac waggled his head. “I’ve got a cat, but Ollie needs a friend.”
“Is he a dog kind of cat?”
“He thinks he’s a dog.” Isaac’s blush faded a bit. “I think he’d like a medium-sized dog to play with. I adopted him from one of the receptionists. He didn’t get along with her other cats and he’s not a bad guy. He’s just misunderstood. Personally, I think he’s lonely. I’ve had him about three weeks and he’s a clingy cat. I’m not home much, so I thought a smaller dog—something that won’t intimidate him size-wise—might be good.”
“It might.” He toyed with Cissy’s leash. He hadn’t hooked it onto her but he should. Instead, he thought about the dogs in the shelter. Who would be good for Isaac? “I’ve got an older boy back here… We’ve named him Stan, but I’m guessing you’ll come up with something better. He’s probably who you’re looking for. Let’s see who Cissy picks.”
She led Isaac over to Stan’s kennel. The dog whimpered. Len opened the door and petted Stan. “This guy is a sweet older man who needs a caring owner to love him. Stan is Cissy’s buddy. She knows how to comfort him.” He turned his attention to Stan. “Hey, guy. Did you miss Cissy?”
She scooted around Len and cuddled up to Stan. The hound dog stayed beside her, but sniffed Isaac’s hand.
“Want to go for a walk?” Len asked. He’d already walked Stan for the day, but hey, freedom was freedom. Cissy perked up and Stan wiggled. Len offered the leash to Isaac. “Might as well get used to him. I think he likes you.”
Isaac held out his hand. Stan sniffed him again and didn’t back away.
“That’s a good start. He’s not cowering.” Len smiled. “Let’s walk.” He patted his hip for Cissy, then navigated through the shelter to the fenced-in run. “Let Stan get used to being with you on the leash. Since there aren’t any other dogs out here, you’ll be allowed to let him run with Cissy after a bit.”
“He doesn’t strike me as a Stan, but I kind of like the name.” Isaac petted Stan. “It seems right, but I’m not sure.”
“I don’t know. It would be cute with your cat, Ollie. Stan and Ollie?” He laughed. “It’s kismet.”
Isaac brightened. “Yeah. I guess so. I thought he was more of an Elvis, but I like Stan and Ollie.”
“Then try walking him and see how he reacts.” Len stood back while Cissy romped around Stan.
Isaac allowed Stan to take the lead. They walked well together, and the more the dog moved, the happier he seemed to be. The spring had returned to his step, and his tongue lolled. Isaac chuckled. He met Len’s gaze. He seemed at ease with Stan too.
“What breed is he?” Isaac asked.
“We think he’s beagle, but we don’t have any idea what he’s mixed with. His longer fur makes me think his parents weren’t both beagles.” Len folded his arms and beamed. He loved putting animals and people together.
Isaac walked Stan over to Len. “I can’t leave him here. He seems so much happier since I sprung him.”
“I agree.”