Chapter 44
Bill listened politely and made supportive comments.
When Dan was through, Bill began to tell his side of the divorce experience without Dan asking for the information.
Bill’s tale seemed similar to Dan’s. Bill and his wife had had a baby boy. But for reasons on which Bill was a bit hazy, they had trouble making a second. That had brought on a tension which led to the break-up of their marriage.
A knock on the door brought their conversation to a close.
“Anyone in there?” a male voice asked.
Bill got up and walked to the door, opened it, and said, “Come on in, Marty.”
He stepped aside and a young man Dan recognized, but didn’t know personally came in. All Dan knew was that he worked as a vet tech in the small animal clinic.
The young man smiled. “Oh. Hi, Bi…” he started enthusiastically. Then, seeing Dan, continued with, “Uh…Dr. Henley.” He looked from Dan to Bill quizzically, his smile fading, and then said, “Oh…Hi, Dr. Parker.”
Dan nodded.
Bill said, “It’s all yours, Marty. We were just leaving.” Bill beckoned to Dan. “After you.” He stepped aside to let Dan pass.
“Cute kid,” Bill said as the two men walked down the hall.
“I…I guess.”
The strange expression on Marty’s face made Dan wonder what the young man was thinking and if he was reading anything into the situation he’d walked in on.
As they approached the sliding door to the pool, Bill laid a hand on Dan’s shoulder, gave it a squeeze, and said, “It was nice talking to you. We should get together and have a drink sometime soon and get to know one another. Always good to have someone to talk to who understands and feels the same way about things.”
Dan wasn’t sure what to make of this, but agreed getting together for a drink would be nice.
They stepped out onto the patio surrounding the pool and separated, Bill going to join a group of staff from his clinic.
Dan looked around. Most of the staff were there with their spouses and kids. The sounds of splashing and laughter filled the air. He felt a little awkward. This was the first staff function he’d been to without Christine. Also, it was the first since embarking on his new life. He felt out of place.
In addition, if he’d been on a beach where he didn’t know any of the people, seeing them in bathing suits wouldn’t have been a problem. But somehow seeing men and women he knew and worked with, scantily clothed was a bit disconcerting. Clothing hid a multitude of sins. It would be hard for him to get some of these images out of his mind when he saw them again at work.
Others, he knew, would be difficult for other reasons. Many of the men were very easy on the eyes, dressed as they were in swim gear. Such was the case with Bill, whose body and good looks had definitely caught Dan’s attention. It also proved to be the case with his host, Dr. Ezra Devlin.
Ezra was standing behind a huge gas grill. He wore a chef’s hat and an apron tied around his waist. He was busy flipping burgers. When he saw Dan, he gestured for Dan to join him.
As Dan walked toward Ezra, he couldn’t help but appreciate the man’s well-toned chest and arms. Ezra had an even covering of red hair on his chest. Dan had previously imagined Ezra looked good under his clothes; that idea was now confirmed.
Damn! Dan thought as he got closer. Get yourself under control. You’re reacting like a horny teenager. None of these guys are fair game. These are your coworkers.
But despite his admonishing himself for reacting, his newly freed libido firmly refused to stop registering the traits and attributes it found pleasing and responded as it would at will.
Dan’s discomfort was further compounded when he got to Ezra and was given a bear hug—Dan’s hairy chest was pressed against that of the handsome ginger haired vet.
“Glad you could make it, “Ezra said when he broke their clinch. “Food will be served continually.” He gestured to a long table laden with burgers, brats, salads, and desserts. “So just help yourself whenever.”
Dan nodded.
“Bar’s over there on the patio. It’s self-serve. If you can’t find anything you want, just ask. The pool’s a balmy eighty-four degrees. So relax and enjoy yourself—hope you don’t get called away for an emergency. By the way, I forgot to find out. How’d it go with the grey gelding at the Hatcherson place?” Ezra asked, turning back to the grill.
“It went well. Popped the abscess and it drained fine. He should be okay.”
The mention of Shadow had the effect of bringing the image of a shirtless Scott to mind. It mingled with all those of the men whose bare chests currently surrounded Dan. Dan concluded there would be no contest. Scott would be the instant winner.