Page 119 of The Leaving Kind
“Fine. Do you like your gift?”
“I love my gift.” Cam curled an arm around his brother’s shoulders and pulled him into a sideways hug. “Not sure if I said thank you, but yeah. She’s perfect.”
“Good. Victor was worried you might not want another dog.”
“I wouldn’t have thought of it myself.” A lie. He’d thought about it, especially in the weeks following Honey’s return to New York. But he hadn’t got much past imagining all the ways he might lose another companion. No such thoughts intruded now, however. He was simply happy.
“She’s a golden retriever mix. I think Australian shepherd or border collie.” Lifting one hip, Nick dug a card out of his back pocket. “This is a trainer recommended by the shelter. Apparently, dogs are happier when they’re well trained. Less confused about good and bad behavior. What the rules are.”
Taking the card, Cam studied Nick’s expression. He seemed slightly wistful. “Thinking about a puppy for yourself?”
Nick shook his head. “No. I was thinking about the training. It would be useful for humans, don’t you think?”
Cam chuckled. “Definitely.” He held up the card before tucking it away. “Thanks. So, how are the proposal plans coming?” After choosing and rejecting sixteen elaborate dinner menus, Nick had moved on to researching weekend getaways. He’d been investigating scuba diving in Hawaii (because he and Oliver had watched a documentary and Oliver had said it looked pretty out there under the water) when Cam had suggested Nick research activities they already enjoyed sharing rather than a holiday that might end up in catastrophe.
Recently, Nick had returned to the dinner plan, and the menus had started arriving in epic texts once again.
“I’m thinking eggplant scallopini,” Nick said now. “I know Oliver likes eggplant. The hard part is choosing a dish I can cook without his help, though. He’s much more comfortable in the kitchen than I am.”
“Here’s an idea: Why don’t you invite Oliver to cook with you?”
“But he always cooks.”
“It’s an activity you like to do together, though.”
Nick’s forehead wrinkled. Leaning forward, he tucked a lock of hair behind one ear, and then nodded, dislodging it again. “I could invite him to cook a special meal with me and then propose after dinner. If everything goes well.”
“That sounds nice.”
“It’s not boring?”
Cam glanced over at Victor, who was seated between his adult children, one arm around each of their shoulders. All three were laughing. Tez was looking on fondly. He pointed out the scene to Nick. “Remember when we all used to sit out on the back patio? When we were kids?”
“Yes.”
“Those are some of my favorite memories. Us, all together. Not doing anything special. Just enjoying a nice night.”
Nick turned back to him. “It’s a single moment. It’s the rest of it that matters.”
Cam clapped him on the shoulder. “Now you’re getting it.”
Nick smiled and it was brilliant.
Cam watched as the last taillight winked down the driveway about an hour later, leaving him, Victor, and the unnamed puppy standing outside the front door. The day might have been seasonable, but it was still December and the night promised to be chilly. Vic was already shivering.
Cam pulled him close. “C’mon. Let’s go get you warmed up. We can finish clearing the patio in the morning.”
“Why do I have the feeling we won’t get back out there until January?”
“We’ve got a puppy to train. We’ll be out there every day.”
“There is that.” Vic smiled. “Thought of any names, yet?”
“Why don’t you tell me your list?”
Victor would have one. He’d have started adding names to it the moment he set eyes on the pup.
Grinning excitedly, he started reeling them off. “Goldie, of course. Chrissie for reasons I cannot articulate. It just came to me. Then there’s Daffodil.”