AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I don’t know,” Ethan said. “She was a lot of fun. She has a great personality and is very beautiful.”
“You weren’t starting to get sweet on her, were you?”
“No, you know me. I’m an avowed bachelor, at least for a very long time. I have a lot of wild oats to sow before I grow roots,” Ethan said.
“I think that she was starting to have some feelings for you,” Dillon said.
“She might have, and I’m sorry if she did. I told her right off the bat that I wasn’t ready for a serious relationship, because I didn’t want her getting any crazy notions,” Ethan said.
“I guess that’s fair,” Dillon said.
A couple minutes later, the doorbell rang. At first, Dillon couldn’t see who came in. Then, he saw the brown-haired top of a little boy’s head and the tiny black puppy following close behind him.
“I brought you some coffee,” Zeke said, setting the cups on the counter. “One for you and one for Mr. Ethan.”
“That was very nice of you,” Dillon said.
“Reno and I thought that you might be thirsty.”
“Always, for coffee,” Dillon said.
“I need to go back. You know how Mom worries if I’m gone for too long.”
“I’ll walk back over there with you. Ethan, can you hold down the fort?”
“Of course.”
Zeke scooped up his puppy and carried him back next door.
“Thank you for the coffee,” Dillon told Clara.
“It was all Zeke’s idea,” Clara said. “He asked if he could take you guys some.”
“Are you guys busy tomorrow? I promised Zeke another hike and tomorrow is going to be the perfect day for it. It will be warm but not overly hot.”
Clara looked over at Jamie, who said, “I would be glad to open and run the store for you. Have fun on your hike.”
“Can Reno go?” Zeke asked.
“I think that it would be too much for the little guy,” Dillon said. “He wouldn’t have much fun.”
Zeke looked disappointed but nodded.
“I’ll pick you up at nine at your place,” Dillon said.
He kissed Clara on the cheek, gave Zeke a hug, and headed back to his store.
Dillon arrived right on time at nine the next morning.
“Is everyone ready to go?” he asked.
“We are,” Clara said.
Zeke picked up Reno and said, “I’m sorry, boy, but you have to stay here. We’re going on a long walk and it’s too long for you. You would get tired.”
Reno kissed Zeke and the little boy put his best friend down in the doggie bed and they headed out.
“Can we go see the waterfall again? That was awesome,” Zeke asked.
