Epilogue

Austin sighed as he pulled his coat closer around him, leaving the theater using the back door. He hurried to his car through the fall chill and drizzle. On nice days during the summer, he walked to work, but those days were ending. He loved his job and had found a whole new skill set that involved talking people out of their money for a great cause that benefited the entire town. Randy really loved teaching and was becoming a favorite with his students as well as the faculty, especially now that the dreaded curriculum discussions and updates were over. Weaver seemed to like his new job, though he said he missed practicing and was helping a group of students from the law school. Leave it to him to make his quest to practice in Pennsylvania a teaching experience for others.

He cranked the heat once he started the engine and drove the short distance home, pulling around back, up the alley, and into his spot in back of the house.

He walked through the yard that Weaver had worked on for much of the summer, now cleaned up and bedded down in preparation for winter. He climbed the steps and strode to the back door, using his key to let himself inside. Before he could close the door, a small dog raced up to him.

"Monty," Weaver called, but the small terrier completely ignored him.

"I take it you went to the shelter," Austin said, kneeling down to pet the newest addition to the family. "I know we talked about getting a small dog." The little thing sure was cute, but he was so tiny. Still, he propped his front legs on Austin's knee until he lifted him up. Monty snuggled right into his arms and settled immediately.

"I saw them when I was there and couldn't—"

Austin paused. "Them?" Randy came in carrying another dog in his arms, with a third racing along the floor for her share of the attention. "I thought we were getting one dog."

"This is Bruiser, and this little girl is Posey," Randy said. "Weaver and I had picked out Monty, but when he went back to pick him up…." Randy stared pointedly at Weaver.

"All three of them were curled together, and as soon as I picked up Monty, the others began to whimper. They knew their friend was going to be taken away. The shelter attendant tried distracting to the others, but as soon as they saw that one of them was missing, the other two began to bark and yip." Austin had never seen Weaver appear helpless before. "They're almost a year old. They aren't litter mates, but they were raised together and were brought in a few weeks ago when their owner died." Weaver swallowed hard. "What was I supposed to do?"

Austin smiled, holding Monty to his chest. Weaver held Posey with her pink collar, and Randy had Bruiser, all three perfectly happy. "Exactly what you did." He leaned forward, kissing both his men and getting a lick on the chin from Monty. "After all, who are we to break up a throuple?"