by Lynn Lorenz
“This is some beautiful land, Rush. You’re so lucky.” Phillip pointed toward the rolling hills covered in tan grass. They hadn’t had their first frost yet—that would come in late February. For now, it was just a lack of rainfall turning the grass brown.
“How’s your ass?” Manuel asked as he reined his horse to a halt. He pulled out his water bottle and took a drink.
Despite the cold, they still needed to stay hydrated, so Rush did the same.
Phillip stood in his stirrups to stretch. “Not bad, but I can sure see how you’d have to get used to this.” He ran his hand over his butt. “I can tell I’ll need a soak this evening.”
Manuel laughed. “At my age, I need one every night. Cowboying’s a young man’s game. Like you and Rush and the other hands.”
“I’m not so young,” Rush reminded him. Manuel had been running the ranch since Rush’s father’s time. “But I still have a little bounce back left in me.”
Phillip joined in the teasing. “Well, since I’m the baby of the three of us, guess I got the most bounce of all.”
Manuel leaned over and spit on the ground. “Hell, boy, your bounce might bounce you right off that horse if you’re not careful.” He shot a hard glare at Phillip.
“Yessir.” Phillip sobered and nodded. “I’ll try hard to keep my seat.”
“See to it.” Manuel gave a sharp nod, then looked to Rush.
Rush shook his head and kicked his horse into motion. “Let’s check the south pasture, do a head count and head back for lunch.”
“Sounds like a plan, boss.” Manuel clicked his teeth and his horse trotted off.
Phillip followed and caught up to them. Rush tried to keep his gaze from going to Phillip, but he couldn’t avoid the man’s infectious grin. He noticed even Manuel was smiling, in his own, half-mouth way.
Maybe Phillip could work out as a hand. Rush didn’t want to speak too soon, and he needed to hear what Manuel had to say on it. Phillip might just have found a new job and a new home.
Rush wished Brian would agree to share in some of the decisions about the ranch. Maybe he should discuss it with Manuel? He had a good head on his shoulders, especially about people. Rush worried Brian was right about moving too fast, but damn it, he wanted to share everything with him—the ranch, their lives, their future.
Manuel squinted at him. “Boy, you look like you got a world of worry on your mind. Care to talk about it or is it one of those things I wouldn’t understand?”
Rush knew he meant his and Brian’s relationship. Manuel had figured out Rush was gay a long time ago, but had just let him be and waited until Rush found someone to come out for. He never felt judgment from Manuel, and for that he thanked God. Manuel even made sure none of the hands had a problem with them being gay—if they did he’d run them off damn fast.
In many ways, the old man had been more of a father than his own. Manuel damned sure never beat him like his old man had when he’d come out to him.
Rush looked over at Phillip and wondered how many times he’d been beaten for being gay. He had no idea where the kid was from, where he’d been, or what might or might not be chasing him.
But before he hired him, he’d make damned sure to find out.
Phillip rode along with the two men, one on each side of him, as they checked the fences. His ass was sore as shit, but it was the good kind of sore, the one you got when things were going right, when you knew you were where you were meant to be and the hard work you did was righteous. He’d only had a few days of that, mostly on his grandfather’s farm as a teenager, picking crops, feeding the chickens, and the few times he’d helped his grandfather build or repair something around the farm.
But riding the horse? Looking out for the cattle? That was pure heaven.
They reached what had to be the south pasture. They’d been riding with the morning sun coming up over their left shoulders. Black cattle dotted the landscape. Had to be a hundred at least, huddled in groups spread out over the field.
Manuel signaled for them to halt with his hand in the air. “Gotta count ’em, son.”
Rush nodded. “Right. Phillip, see that group over there by the water tank? Ease on over there, don’t spook them, check the water level, and count them up. Just take your time and don’t get off your horse. Without a rider, she’ll head straight for the barn. If you lose your mount, it’s gonna be hell walking back.” Rush slapped his hat on his thigh and laughed. “I’ll take the bunch under the tree and, Manuel, you get the stragglers.”
Manuel nodded and headed off.
“Sure thing. Nice and easy. Got it.” Phillip gave his horse a soft kick and a flick of the reins and she started off in a slow walk.
He was on his own and so excited he wanted to whoop and holler, but he tamped it all down inside. He had a job to do, and no way would he make a mistake. It took a few minutes to get close enough to the tank to see it was halfway down, then he moved away to get a broad angle view of the cattle. He started counting. Keeping track in his head was easy—he’d done well in math and his work at the garage had had him totaling up sums all the time.
After thirty minutes, he finished. Sixty-four cows. Cows? Steers?
He turned the horse around and headed back toward Manuel, who sat on his horse away from the others. He reached him, halted and waited until Manuel gave him a sign.
Phillip inhaled. The scent of dry grass, cows, open land, horse and leather filled his nostrils. Man, nothing better. He took another deep breath, thinking some might not like it, but to him it was the best perfume.
Except maybe the way Estaban smelled first thing in the morning. He was remembering it when his phone chimed. Manuel grimaced as Phillip fought with the phone to get it out of his pocket. He almost dropped it, but caught it and hit the on button. Estaban texted him again. His heart fluttered and he snorted at his reaction.
Hey. What are you doing?
Believe it or not, I’m out riding the range.
No. Really? On a real horse?
No. On a dead one. I keep whipping it but…
Smartass. Having fun?
Yes. I counted cows.
Is that a thing?
Yep. It’s a cowboy thing.
So now you’re a cowboy?
For today.
Just checking in.
Thanks. I’m going to be here for a few days.
Then what? Still leaving?
Maybe.
There was a long pause and for a moment, Phillip thought Estaban had quit texting.
I know you’ll do what’s best for you.
How’s things going at the shop?
Jimmy is a dick. Flynn is going nuts running the counter. Everything is fucked-up.
Sorry. Not sorry.
LOL!
Manuel made a noise and Phillip looked up. The foreman had his arms crossed and was giving him the stink-eye.
Got to go. Back to work. See you soon.
See you, cowboy.
Phillip shoved his phone back into his pocket. “Sorry. A friend.” His cheeks burned under Manuel’s knowing stare.
“A friend, huh? Got you all… Boy, you’re blushing like a Baptist in a whorehouse.” Manuel chuckled.
Phillip rolled his eyes. “It’s not like that. He’s the guy I used to work with from the garage.”
“That’s right. Rush said you worked at Smith’s.” He scratched his chin. “Not that asshole Jimmy, was it?” Seemed everyone knew Jimmy and nobody liked him.
“Hell no.” Phillip made a sour face. “It was Estaban. He’s the real mechanic there. He’s a good guy, checking up on me, that’s all.”
“That’s all? You sure it ain’t something more?” Manuel cocked an eyebrow up.
Phillip swallowed. “You know I’m gay, right?”
Manuel nodded.
“So Estaban, he’s not gay.” Phillip picked at a loose thread on his jacket.
Manuel squinted at him. “Not gay, huh? He that Hispanic feller? Works on the engines
? He’s a good mechanic. Worked on my wife’s car a time or two. Figured it out in no time.”
“Yeah, that’s him.” Phillip couldn’t hide his smile of pride.
Manuel hooted. “Man, I thought y’all had that ‘gaydar’ thing that tells you who is and isn’t gay. Yours broken?”
“Broken?” He shook his head. “Hell, no. Estaban’s not gay.”
“He’s not your kind of gay, but he’s sure as hell Rush and Brian’s sort of gay.” He leaned over and winked. “The kind that don’t look like it, who hide it real well.”
Phillip laughed it off. “What do you know about it? Are you gay too?”
“Hell no. But I seen enough in my time. Watched Rush hide it for ’nigh over ten years.” He sat back. “He got a wife?”
“No.”
“Divorced?”
“No.”
“Kids?”
“No.”
“How old is he?”
“Over thirty, I guess. All that don’t mean nothing.”
“He ever touch you, get in all up close and personal when he’s talking to you?”
“Well…I suppose once or twice.” He remembered the time Estaban had held his face to survey the extent of the damage. The time he’d stepped in and stood up to Jimmy and Crowder. The time he’d leaned against the wall of the garage, so close to Phillip he could smell him.
Realization dawned on him like the sun on a summer morning.
Phillip sucked in a deep breath because all the air had left his lungs. What if what Manuel said was true and he’d been missing all the signs?
Manuel hooted and shook his head. “Boy, you should see your face.”
Rush rode up. “What’s so funny?” He glanced back and forth between them.
“Well, I think someone here has seen the light.” His voice sounded like a preacher as he shook his hands over his head. “Boy! What was your count?”
“Uh, sixty-four and the tank is half-empty,” Phillip barked out.
“Thirty-one.” Rush pushed his hat back on his head.
“And I got twenty-nine. That makes…” He scratched his chin.
“One hundred and twenty-four,” Phillip answered.
“Good. Cattle all accounted for, boss.” Manuel jerked his reins and started off toward the fence. Phillip and Rush kicked their horses into a fast trot to keep up.
Rush called out to Phillip, “You okay? Manuel giving you a hard time?”
“No. He helped me, I think.” Phillip smiled and leaned forward, letting the horse have his head as all three broke into a canter. The sun in the sky had risen almost straight over them.
“Time for lunch!” Manuel called as they caught him.
A surge of happiness passed through Phillip. Whether it was thinking he had a chance with Estaban or the wind in his face as he rode toward the ranch house, he wasn’t sure what caused it.
But damn, he could get used to this feeling.
Chapter Thirteen
Edward came out of the massage room with his last customer. “If you’re not feeling better after Christmas, come back and see me.” He handed her a bottle of cold water.
“I can’t thank you enough. That kink in my neck is gone! It’s like a miracle.” She took the water, opened it and slugged down a mouthful, then rolled her shoulders and grinned at him.
“Well, I’m glad. All you needed was a little relaxation. Massage works wonders. Beth’ll see you at the front desk.” He motioned for her to move to the front then went back to the room to ready it for the next customer.
Winston sat in his doggie bed, head on his paws. He’d been sleeping while Edward had worked on the woman. He turned up the lights in the dim room, stripped the sheet from the massage table and put on a fresh one. He checked his oils and the temperature on the heated table.
Then he sat on his rolling stool. Only ten minutes between his appointments. He rubbed his temples as the last of the neck pain he’d taken away from her dissipated. On occasion, he used his power to treat a few of his customers, but most were just normal massages.
“Winston, I swear, I can’t wait for this day to end. I feel zapped. I hate doing pinched nerves, it always leaves me with a hangover.” He reached down, opened the small refrigerator under his oil table and got out his own bottle of water. After opening it, he guzzled half of it down. Then he closed his eyes and let go of the pain. The last remnants of it floated through and out of him, passing like a gentle breeze.
He sighed and opened his eyes. Winston looked up at him and whined.
“Sorry, buddy, but as of today you’re on a diet. Jack wasn’t happy about how heavy you are these days. I think you mashed his balls last time you stepped on him.” He put his hands on his hips and cocked his head at the dog. “Can’t have you damaging the merchandise, now, can I?”
Woof.
“I know. It’s my fault, I encouraged the ladies to give you those treats. But I want you to know, I threw them out, so don’t bother begging for them.” He wagged his finger at Winston.
Woof. Woof.
“It’s for your own good.”
Woof. Woof. Woof.
“Don’t get sassy with me or you can hang out with Jack all day. And you know how boring it is at the station.”
Winston whined, got up and waddled over to Edward. He stuck his cold nose under Edward’s hand, asking for treats or a pet. Edward petted him, refusing to give in to the dog’s deep brown eyes filled with fake doggie sorrow. “Oh, no. Don’t try that look on me.”
Edward laughed. He felt better than before. Pain-free. He rolled over to his desk and checked the computer schedule to see who was next. The system showed she’d already checked in, so he finished the last few things, chose a calming ocean wave recording and dimmed the lights before he left to get the woman and bring her back. She wasn’t a regular, but any new customer would be fine. Business was good and for a small town that was amazing.
Of course, it didn’t hurt that he used his power to give most people a little burst of well-being during the massage. After all, there was no harm in that. Ever since he’d helped his grandmother pass on, he refused to use his power to heal to do anything more than ease a few aches and pains.
He never forgot her words about playing God. Where do you draw the line and when do you cross it? Sadness welled up in him when he thought of her, how much pain she’d been in with the cancer and how much he’d grieved after losing her. It had been the hardest thing he’d ever done in his entire life, and for a moment there in the hospital room at her bedside, he hadn’t thought he had the strength to let her go. For months afterward, he’d wallowed in his own pain of loss, making everyone, including Jack, miserable too.
Jack had been a trouper and kept right on loving him. He’d never stop being amazed at the depth of Jack’s love, when all of his previous lovers would have turned tail and run like a pair of cheap pantyhose.
Edward finished off the bottle of water, tossed it in the trash and left the room with Winston following, his bright pink painted nails clicking on the gleaming hardwood floors. Edward sashayed up to the front desk, letting his hips sway. His snakeskin print yoga pants clung to his legs and the tight black V-neck T-shirt fit like a second skin.
“Who’s next?” he sang out as he stepped into the front room of what had once been his grandmother’s house in the heart of Spring Lake. He’d converted it to his day spa six months ago when he and Jack moved out to her former, now Edward’s, small ranch. Jack’s old house sat empty because he couldn’t decide to sell or rent. Along with his grandmother’s houses, Edward had inherited a small fortune, some of which he’d invested in the spa. If he added his father’s inheritance which he’d get at forty, Edward was a very wealthy man.
If he hadn’t met Jack, a grounding influence in his life, Edward would have blown his money on bad boys, champagne and wild living. And he’d still have been as miserable as he’d been before falling for his Chief Sheriff.
His receptionist, Beth, smiled at him and
rose from her chair at the antique desk that dominated one corner of the room. Across from it, sitting on one of the four white and brown spotted cowhide chairs, was a woman he thought he’d seen before but couldn’t place.
“This is Mrs. Eggers, Edward. She’s new and she has a gift certificate for a hot stone massage.” Beth handed him a clipboard with the woman’s details. He scanned it and glanced up at Mrs. Eggers.
“Do I know you from church?” Edward never forgot a face.
“Why yes. I’ve seen you…uh, there.” She nodded.
“Well, happy holidays! So glad you could come in. Someone must really like you to give you one of these. It’s one of our specialties.” He waved her on. “Follow me.”
Mrs. Eggers was a little hesitant. “I’ve never had a massage before.” She seemed like most of the middle-aged women around Spring Lake, trim, blonde hair done in a semi-modern style, nice sweater set and slacks, and a designer purse.
“Well, don’t worry, you’re in good hands.” He got to the room and stood aside as she crossed the threshold. “Don’t be nervous. You don’t have to get…naked.” He peered down the hall as Beth stood there, hand over her mouth. He winked at her and waited until Winston came in and went to his bed to curl up. Then he shut the door.
“There’s a dog in here!” Mrs. Eggers clutched her purse to her chest as she stared at Winston.
“That’s Winston. He’s my…emotional support dog. He goes everywhere with me.” He smiled down as Winston got comfortable in his doggie bed. “Now, you need to disrobe to whatever point you’re comfortable. Most of the ladies leave their undies on, but take off their bras. A few of the braver souls go all the way.” He raised his eyebrows in feigned shock. “Don’t worry, I’ll be sure to keep all your special lady bits covered by the sheet.” He pulled down the covers on the table and patted it. “Once you’re ready, just get on the table, face down, and in a few I’ll knock to see if you’re ready.”
