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“Nothing?”

“It didn’t even...” He gestured back the way he’d come, then laughed. “I just walked.”

“Yeah.”

Leo took another step, apparently for the pleasure of it. Nate followed him.

“I could keep going.” He sounded giddy.

“You could.”

“All the way into town.”

“If you take me with you.”

Leo looked down the road. Then he turned and put his arms around Nate.

Nate caught him, one hand settling at the back of his head. Leo held on tightly, his face pressed into Nate’s shoulder, and Nate was abruptly very glad they hadn’t driven straight past the property line.

He kissed Leo’s hair.

“Thank you,” Leo said against his shirt.

Nate swallowed. “You’re welcome.”

He wanted to tell him they could go wherever he liked. That he’d take him to every store, every ugly roadside attraction, every place Leo had ever wanted to see. He could hardly afford to take a week off work, let alone make promises like that, but standing there with Leo holding him, he was sorely tempted.

One day, they’d do all that.

For now, he could take Leo to see Walt.

Once they were on the road, Leo’s curiosity was endless. He wanted to know everything about the town.

Nate couldn’t begrudge him that. He gladly pointed things out as they drove along. Where he bought groceries, where he usually stopped for gas, the hardware store where Diane worked.

“Can we go in there sometime?” Leo asked.

“The hardware store?”

“Yes.”

“Sure. I’ll probably need something by tomorrow.”

Leo settled back in his seat, looking pleased. “Good.”

Nate smiled. Normally when he came into town he tried to finish his errands as quickly as possible, trying to get back before Leo got bored without him. It would be nice to have him there, even if buying a box of screws took twice as long because Leo wanted to inspect everything—and probably offer advice.

“What?” Leo asked.

“Nothing. I’m glad you’re here.”

“So am I.” Leo glanced out of the window again. “Why is that building purple?”

“No idea.”

“Somebody should have stopped them.”

“I’ll put you in touch.”