Page 22 of Let Leaves Lay Where They Fall

The commotion pauses while Nathan hides behind his coat. Giggling until Mabel “berfs” and a flurry of flying sand hits his shoulder. She bolts down the beach in full force before he can reach for her harness.

Her bark is loud and booms over the water, pacing full sprint.

“Mabel!” He calls after her.

At the far end of the beach, the figure of a person and their dog emerges from a path that climbs up massive boulders into a forested side of the park.

“Mabel!” His voice is louder and quaking with fear. “Get back here. Right now!” She’s never attacked anyone, but her aggression toward strangers has always made him nervous. His feet push forward into a full sprint after her. Trudging through the dense sand, holding him back from ever catching up. She’s headed straight for the pair. The dog at the far end meets Mabel’s barks with one of their own. Nathan can only watch in terror. His heart pounding in his chest, legs already wavering and lungs gasping for air. He pushes on with the hope she’ll turn back.

No such luck.

She stops about 10 feet from them. A man and a golden retriever. He’s grasping the leash and steps between his dog and Mabel.

She roots her big paws in the sand and takes a rigid stance. Puffing out her chest and looking across her flat nose at the strangers.

The golden retriever ignores the owner’s plea to stay behind him and darts out around. Hopping and tugging at the leash. The goofy golden is smiling and ready to play with grumpy old Mabel.

Mabel’s stance loosens. She hops twice on her front legs and barrels at the golden. She turns from aggressor to bouncing pup and runs out around the pair. The two dogs greet each other with butt sniffs and immediately break into frolick. Tangling the poor man into the twisting leash. Wrapping his knees and tipping him over.

Nathan finally reaches the chaotic scene. Absolutely ruined from the run. He folds and holds himself steady with hands on bent knees, desperately trying to fill his gasping lungs and slow his racing pulse.

The man is roaring with laughter. Trying to stand up with his knees knotted together by the taught leash. He releases his dog and the two goofy pups both run for the water.

Nathan’s blurred vision clears. “I’m so sorry!” He’s still staring at the ground. Too embarrassed to look up. “I didn’t see you. I thought she’d be fine off leash for a minute.” His words are rushed and breathy. He’d rather get Mabel and retreat. Relieved it hadn’t been the nightmare confrontation he was imagining all the while chasing along the sand.

“It’s totally fine.” The man laughed. “They’re dogs. It happens.”

Nathan felt a hand on his shoulder. Fingers wrap his bicep and help lift him to an upright position.

“Are you okay?” He asks.

Nathan looks to Mabel. The dogs are playing and wrestling in the sand at the water's edge. Darting back and forth, chasing each other. Instant buddies. “I’m good. Are you okay?” Nathan finally looks at the man. Handsome, all-American features. Brown hair and kind brown eyes. He’s familiar. Nathan squints, trying to figure why?

A sopping rainbow print bandana hung around the golden retriever’s neck inspires instant recollection. It’s Mark. ArtofLife000 from Gaydr. Nathan’s eyes drink in the feast of a man before him.

“I’m fine. Scared me at first. But it’s all good.” He chuckles with a broad toothy smile. Better than his profile photos.

Words stick in Nathan’s throat. “Oh. Good.” He swallows.

“They're having a blast.” He nods toward the silly dogs, splashing about.

Nathan turns away from being caught staring when Mark looks back in his direction. “They are.” He agrees.

“I’m Mark. That’s Harriet.” He points.

Realizing there was no way for the man to recognize him, even though they had exchanged messages. He had no face photos on his own profile. “That’s Mabel and I’m Nathan.” The first time he’s given his government name to a stranger he’d love to pull behind a tree and devour. The pups were busy enough.

A flash of the other night's rough encounter reels him back toward his decision to refrain from the hookup game.

Mark reaches forward to shake hands, tucking a rainbow leash under arm. “That looks like a painful shiner.” Mark notes the bruised eye.

“It was a clumsy accident.” Nathan meets the greeting and hangs on long enough to send sparks through their touch.

Mark grins and holds the gaze, seeming to catch the vibe being sent his way. “Nice to meet you Nathan.”

“Definitely.” Nathan draws his hand back. Tucking both in his pockets and rocking on his heels. Almost losing balance on the sand.

Mark reaches for his bicep, ready to catch the wobbling flirt. Hand floating and fingers kissing the fabric of Nathan’s sleeve.

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