"Hey, umm..if ya don't mind I think I'm going to lay down for awhile" Tim told Chance as they walked in from the truck.

"You ok, need anything" he asked opening the door for Tim.

"Naw, just a little tired. First time I've been out since coming home, guess it took more out of me than I thought" he answered leaning down to take the harness off Satch.

"Ok, well I'll head out to my place, get a few things done then I'll come over later and make dinner" Chance told him.

"You don't have to but that would be nice if you want" Tim replied.

"Steaks sound good?" he asked.

"On the grill, with a beer?" Tim asked raising his brow.

"Is there any other way" he chuckled.

"Sounds like a plan, though I'm afraid there aren't any in the fridge" Tim told him.

"No worries, food shopping is one of my errands. How's six sound for dinner" Chance replied.

"Can't see the damn clock anyway, so whenever you or Satch come get me is fine" Tim solemnly stated as he walked down the hall.

Chance let Satch out to take care of business and tossed the ball around the back yard to give him a little exercise. When he figured he'd had enough he brought him back in, gave him a large bowl of cool water and a few treats. Squatting down he fluffed the dogs fur  "You're a good boy, Satch. You knew right from the start he needed you. Thank you" he told him before Satch slobbered his dripping wet tongue all over his face.

Tim lay in bed playing over in his mind how Chance had come to him in the middle of the night, laying next to him, holding him close. Yes, he'd done the same for him but why did he find this comforting. Then today at the diner speaking up for him. He was always the one to take care of everyone else, the tables had turned and he was unsure how to handle it. Knowing Chance was infatuated with him was flattering but was there more to this, were his feelings deeper. Or was the uncertainty he had experienced in middle school beginning to surface. Utterly confused he laid his arms across his eyes and tried to sleep.

****
Checking the steaks in the display case at the local butcher while waiting for his custom order to be prepared he caught a glimpse of someone out of the corner of his eye.

Each time he tried to make eye contact or get a good look at the person they would turn away. He didn't recognize anything about the person, their stature, clothes, nothing. There was something about them that caused a sense of distrust in his gut.

"The last thing we need, Tim needs, is a crazed fan" he thought just as the butcher told him his order was ready. Turning to leave he found the person gone just as mysteriously as he had appeared. Not paying attention as he excited the shop looking for the stranger he found himself practically running over a petite woman entering.

"Hey...watch it...look down once in a while" she exclaimed poking him in the gut.

Turning quickly to immediately apologize he began to chuckle, "Olena...I'm sorry...I guess my mind was elsewhere. You okay " he asked her.

"Yeah, I know right where your mind is, on the other side of town" she commented with a grin. "You're back early, is Tim ok".

"He's good...I...I umm..I guess you could say I took some friendly advise" he smiled with his answer.

"Good for you. Have you told him, you know, how you really feel" she said quietly.

"No, not yet, baby steps. I'm here to help just like he did for me" he told her.

"I won't push, but both y'all are stubborn as mules sometimes. Don't let that stubbornness keep you from being happy, Ok?" she told him.

"Yes, ma'am, I won't. I've got to be heading back to make dinner" he told her turning to leave.

"Awww, how sweet. You're gonna make a great wife some day" she teased.

"You hush, missy. I'll talk to you later" he chuckled.

"Great running into you, LITTERALLY" she yelled as he walked swiftly away, smiling knowing he was finally following his heart.