Page 37 of Carver’s Craving

Chia and Poppin immediately began the greeting ritual I’d witnessed often, but didn’t entirely understand. Especially when they each tried to sniff the other’s butt.

“Hey, I’m Ryan.” The cute redhead waved. “This is my husband, Simeon.”

Simon waved as well. “Nice to m-meet you.” When he smiled, his hazel eyes lit. “Our d-dog, Chia.”

Who was now sniffing Walter.

The old dog’s tail was moving frantically.

“I’m Styx.” I grinned. “An old friend of Carver’s.”

If looks could kill…

“Really?” Ryan cocked his head, then scratched his beard. Not a fleck of gray. In fact, I didn’t peg him as much older than I was. A bit younger than his husband.

“Oh yeah. From back home.” I waved in the direction I assumed was east.

Carver pointed the opposite way.

Simeon chuckled. “D-directions are hard in the m-mountains.”

I grinned. “Somehow I made it across Canada in one piece. GPS is a wonderful thing.”

“You’re newly arrived?” Ryan assessed me with those stunning pale-blue eyes. Then he cast his gaze at Carver.

Who shrugged. “Long story.”

“Well, if you come to dinner tonight, we’d love to hear it. Chia would adore playing hostess to your two little ones.” A huge grin.

“We…uh…” Carver’s face took on a weird look I struggled to interpret.

That’s not a no. I said, “Are you sure? We wouldn’t want you to go to any trouble.” Because I had no problem stepping right into the middle of this. I liked people, and a quiet evening alone with Carver might make me do or say things I’d regret.

Simeon waved me off. “No trouble. We cooked a d-dinner to share with Nanny and B-Bops. But they forgot it’s canasta night at the retirement home. They d-don’t want to miss that.”

Ryan laughed. “Yes, don’t get between them and their canasta.” He grinned. “Simeon’s right—we have a huge ham and just the two of us. My husband will be taking ham sandwiches to work for a week.”

“Well, when you put it like that—” Again—me just stepping right into it.

Simeon nodded enthusiastically. “Yes. We d-do. Please c-come.”

Carver’s face continued in a contortion I couldn’t figure out. He didn’t look truly upset though.

“We’d love to.” I saluted the guys with my empty milkshake cup.

Ryan’s eyes lit. “Fifties? Which flavor?”

“I had unicorn and Carver had black cherry. I wanted licorice, but everyone said you can’t drink it and then kiss someone.” In fact, precisely no one had said that. Well, not exactly. But riling Carver up was proving to be quite enjoyable.

“Good grief.” Uttered quietly. With a quick upward glance. Toward a deity?

My grin just increased. “What time should we come? What can we bring?” I had no idea what Carver might have at his place. Would we have to run back to town?

“Bring nothing and why don’t you come now? Unless you’re still full from the milkshakes. We can just hang until we’re all ready to eat. Chia, be gentle.” Ryan petted the dog who was getting a little up close and personal with Walter. “She’s a trained therapy dog. When she’s wearing her vest, she’s an angel. The rest of the time she’s…a bit of a free spirit.”

“I love that. I just met these two, but I’m already in love.” I gestured between Poppin and Walter. “Chia really wants them along?”

“We insist. P-please.” Simeon ran his hand through his blond hair. He was the same height as Carver and me. With his physique resembling Carver’s—serious muscles not concealed by his winter jacket. Ryan, on the other hand, was slenderer. A bit more like me in that respect. The two were a study in contrasts—and made a striking couple.