Beneath the Palisade (41 page)

“Sorry.” Emmett blushed. “I mean,
yes, Sir
!”

“That’s my boy.”

“Ian?”

“Yeah… sorry, but damn that was funny.” Ian laughed so hard tears rolled down his cheeks.

“Well, come on, say it. What do you think?” Andy beamed as he looked down on Emmett.

“I….” Ian thought for moment. “I think you guys look totally awesome. You want to walk or ride the parade?”

“If you don’t mind, Em and I would like to march with the Leather Knights. We’ve been spending a lot of time with them lately.”

Andy and Emmett looked so happy. “Come here, you loveable numbskulls.” Ian hugged them as hard as he could. “You guys do your thing. We’ll catch up with you after the parade.”

“Okay.” Andy gave the leash a jerk. “Come on, boy.”

“Yes, Sir!”

“Have a great Pride!” Andy and Emmett waved, disappearing into the crowd.

“We’re up! Everyone ready?” Spencer hollered from the cab of his truck with Allison at his side.

Ian and Harper jumped up on the float. “Ready,” they shouted.

“Palisadettes? You boys ready?” Allison shouted out her window.

“Ready,” Alex, Colin, and Brent hollered back.

“Ride ’em wet and ride ’em hard!” Spencer gave the horn a few quick blasts, and they were off.

“Feelin’ proud, Mr. Callahan?” Ian threw his arm around his handsome partner, pecking him on the cheek.

“Proud and blessed, Mr. Burke!”

About the Author

J
OEL
S
KELTON
lives with his partner in the thriving Minnesota arts community commonly referred to as the Twin Cities. Writing is the latest destination in the author’s tour of the arts. When he’s not writing, scamming on a character, creating a chapter outline, or editing a portion of his manuscript on the bus in and out of the city, he’s playing law firm—a whacky, highly entertaining way to put food on the table.

Visit his web site at
http://www.joelskelton.com
.

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J
OEL
S
KELTON

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