Page 25

Gavin

One Month Later

I watched Wyatt teach a group of sixth graders how to use a compass. He was so good at it and had such an easy way of explaining it, I knew he was perfect to teach this skill to them.

“You’ll want to keep an eye on this needle, that’s the most important one,” he explained and showed each one of them what he meant.

“What if I forget to look at that one?” one kid asked.

“I’ll remind you,” Wyatt said without missing a beat.

“He’s a natural,” Dad said as he walked over to where I stood.

“Aren’t you supposed to be retired?” I asked.

“Oh, I am retired,” he said and continued to watch Wyatt. “Good thing you have the new guy to take over for me.” I couldn’t help but smile at that.

“Yeah, good thing.” Wyatt had helped with cleaning up and maintenance for the whole two weeks, and never once complained. If anything, he did more work than was necessary, surprising me with how ambitious he was.

“How was your hike?” Dad asked.

Since Wyatt had helped, we’d finished a few days early, so he and I hiked into a small lake near Tahoe that had no access other than on foot.

We made love under the stars, which was quickly becoming my favorite thing, and skinny-dipped in the lake.

Not for long because that lake was filled with snow runoff and was cold, like tighten your balls cold.

“It was great. I’ve never been to that lake before. Wyatt charted it out and led us there.”

“He really is very skilled at all things outdoor,” Dad said as he continued to watch Wyatt.

“Yeah, he is.” And a few other things too but I forced myself not to think of that.

“I’m proud of you, son. Your first Pride Camp was a success.” He clapped me on the back before walking toward the kitchen where I knew he and Jimmy would be trading stories as lunch was cooked.

“How did I do?” Wyatt asked. The kids were all huddled in small groups trying to figure out what he’d taught them but none of them looked like they wanted or needed help. They were doing what kids did, they’d learned something new, and they wanted to try it out.

“You were perfect,” I said, and kissed his cheek. “Now let’s let them go try those skills.” We did the same as we’d done the first day he was here and gave them a coordinate to find which put them into motion immediately. “I can’t wait to see you later.”

“Me too,” he said and grinned while watching the kids.

“Are you ready to run away screaming back to the city?” I asked, because I’d wanted to ask many times, but I was too scared of what his answer might be.

“Nope, you’re stuck with me.”

“Really?”

“I can’t imagine going back to the city and leaving all of this. Actually, I wanted to talk to you about that,” he said and led me away from the group.

“We can talk later if you want.”

“No, I’ll lose my nerve.”

Now it was me who was nervous. Wyatt might have been unsure of himself at first, but he was never shy or too worried to tell me exactly what was on his mind. “What is it?”

“What would you think about me staying here for the summer? I could still keep my place in Sacramento then at the end of the season—”

“Yes!” I cut him off. “I’ve been trying to find a way to ask you, but I didn’t want you to think I was being too pushy or that I wasn’t willing to go to the city to be with you.

Because I am willing. I just want us to be together and whether that means we stay here or we move to the city it doesn’t matter.

Wyatt, I love you,” I rambled, and word vomited all over him while he stood there grinning from ear to ear.

“Good thing I love you too,” he said before I pulled him into my arms and spun him around making him laugh. Then I noticed he wasn’t the only one laughing.

“Sorry, kids,” I said and waved to them. Then I looked at Wyatt. “Tonight, you are all mine.”

“I think I’ve always been yours,” he whispered making my heart warm just a little more. He’d come here to learn about camping, but he’d taught me more; about how much I was missing and how much I really wanted someone to share this wonderful life with. And lucky for me he felt the same way.

THE END!