"So, how long do you think it's gonna take to drive back?" Buck dropped his voice to a lewd whisper. "I've got a little private celebration planned. All we need is the guest of honor."

Vin did a little mental calculation. "Couple thousand miles. I figure I could do it in four days, easy. Less if there's a reason to push."

Buck's chuckle was filthy. "Oh, I could give you a couple of dozen reasons." Vin thought he heard Ezra making gagging noises in the background, but he couldn't be sure. Of course, if Vin protested, that would only let Buck know he'd hit his target. Instead he stepped outside into the noon sunshine and let a passing bus drown out whatever Buck said next.

When he could hear again, he said, "I'll see you Friday. Say hey to Chris for me, okay?"

"We'll be waiting."

Vin snapped his phone shut then, cutting the call short. He couldn't quite figure out why that disturbed him. It ought to be nice to have someone waiting for him. Wasn't that what he'd wanted all this time. But Chris and Buck, who'd had each other, had everything, the farm, the business, a future together. They hadn't needed a damn thing before Vin's file came off their fax. But now they were waiting for him to come home, to their home. And he had no doubt that the welcome would be enthusiastic.

Vin would be lucky if he was walking straight by the time Monday morning rolled around.