Page 35 of Silver Fox in Cedarwood

“I’d rather decompress with you at the house,” Isaac said. “It’d help me relax.”

He wanted to answer, but people were in the aisle. “I’m sure.” He’d rather take Isaac home right now, too. “I have room in the back seat for this.” He pushed the cart toward the registers. Once he stopped, he pulled out his wallet.

“I’ve got this.” Isaac nodded to the self-checkout. “Use the scanner.”

Len whipped out the scan gun. He admired Isaac’s fluid grace when he moved. Paying for the dog food was a small gesture, but other men might not have offered to foot the bill. Some wouldn’t have met him at the store and would’ve been angry not to have the lunch date. But Isaac had a big heart.

“You’re staring at me.” Isaac swiped his credit card. “Do I have something on my shirt?”

“No.” Embarrassment washed over him. He’d been caught.

Isaac nodded. “Let’s go. I can put some in my car, too. The trunk is tiny, but it’s there.”

He walked out of the store with Isaac, proud to be with his man. “Do you need to get back?” He pressed the button on his key fob and the trunk opened. “When’s your next appointment?”

“Two.” Isaac hefted the dog food into Len’s car. “It’s been a rough day, so I scheduled a little more time for lunch. Why? Do you have a good suggestion for how to pass the time?”

“Yeah, with lunch.” He pulled his phone out of his pocket. He spotted the food trucks and surveyed the choices. “Tacos, gyros or salads?”

Isaac’s eyes flashed. “Salads.”

“Chicken, turkey, tuna, steak, chef salad or surprise me?” He opened the app for the salad truck.

“Surprise me.” Isaac finished putting the dog food bags into the trunk and closed the lid. “Why? Do you have salads in your car?”

“Nope.” He tapped the order and paid. “But if you’ll stop by the Chilly Chops truck, our order will be ready in about ten minutes. It’s paid for and I ordered for Stone, too. Three salads and drinks.”

“You’re treating me?” Isaac grinned. “Thank you.”

“You bought the dog food and I interrupted your lunch. It’s the least I could do.” He kissed Isaac. “I’m going to the shelter. Meet me there?”

“Yes.” Isaac lingered beside him. “I’ll be done at seven tonight. Think you’ve got some time for Stan and me tonight?”

“Always.” He kissed Isaac again. “I’d say get going before it gets cold, but they don’t come warm, I suppose.”

“I’ll hurry.” Isaac let go and climbed behind the wheel of his car. He waved, then drove across the lot to the square.

Len sat behind the wheel of his own car. He had a great thing going with Isaac. As long as Aiden was still okay with the relationship, he’d have everything he needed—the son and son-in-law, the dogs, his health, his home and his man.

* * * *

Isaac rolled his shoulders. He still couldn’t contain his excitement. Meeting Len for lunch hadn’t gone quite the way he’d wanted, but he didn’t mind. Their lunch date had been unorthodox, but it didn’t matter. He’d been able to see another side of Len and loved it. Tender, caring and patient, Len—with Stone’s help—ensured each dog got their food and a little attention. He talked to each pup.

Len would be tender with Isaac’s heart, too. Isaac could tell by the way he treated the animals that Len wouldn’t hurt him. Ever.

Len was a keeper. The kind of man he could be with forever.

“Are you leaving soon?” Elise asked as she walked into his office.

“I am.” He needed time away from the practice.

“Are you going to see Len?” She winked. “I had the feeling you’d hit it off.”

“Did you?”

“He lives in my housing development and I met him at one of the development-wide mixers. He seemed so sweet, but lost,” she said. “He needed a good man, a stable one, to be his partner. You fit the bill.” She elbowed him. “Plus, you’re handsome. He is, too.”

“Thanks.” What an odd conversation, but he’d grown used to them with Elise. She seemed to know what to say and when to get him to think. At least he didn’t have to discuss pus or lancing boils or the strain of chicken pox he’d seen in four teen patients.

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