Chapter 21

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The dogs were stirring. Wet tongues lapped at the men’s faces, and Bear stumbled to the door naked to let them out. Patches of blue sky showed. The snow had stopped.

He shoved more wood on the red embers from the fire, and as he reached for his boxers, he burst out laughing.

Emerging from the sleeping bags, Dane asked, “What’s so funny?”

“I’m still wearing my socks.”

Dane wrapped his arms around him from behind and laid his head on his shoulder as they rocked together laughing. Then he nuzzled his neck and said, “Good morning.”

“Good morning.” Bear’s fingers caressed Dane’s cheek before he leaned over to pick up his boxers.

As they ate breakfast, Dane said, “Does anyone down below know?”

Bear knew he was asking if anyone in the valley knew he was gay. He shook his head.

“It’s tough to hide it, isn’t it? That wasn’t as important in Seattle, but I still didn’t advertise. Or give anyone the look. How do you manage that here?”