by Andrew Grey
“Robert,” a large man half sang as he walked toward the porch where they waited. “Don’t worry about anything. I brought some reinforcements so anyone who does show up will be met by a friendly face.” He hugged Robert and then stepped back. “And you are?” he asked, looking down his nose.
Zeke bristled instantly. “I’m Zeke, and this is my family’s ranch.” He placed his hands on his hips. “The more important question is, who in the hell are you?”
“This is my agent, Barry Stroheim, and this is my manager, Glenn. They’re here to manage the situation we find ourselves in,” Robert said, smoothing his hand down Zeke’s back to soothe him.
“So…,” Barry began.
“Glenn is staying in the guest house over there.” Robert pointed. “I have a room in the main house.”
“What about the rest of us?” Barry asked, and Robert folded his arms over his chest.
“Do I look like your travel agent? I assumed that you made your own arrangements.”
“Can we at least come inside so we can figure things out in advance of tomorrow?” Barry asked, but Robert shook his head.
“Barry, these people get up before six in the morning. They don’t stay up half the night making plans. Things need to be quiet so they can sleep. I suggest you get some of your people on the phone to find you rooms, and you can plan there. I appreciate you coming, but you can’t impose on everyone here.” Robert met Barry’s gaze, and Zeke wondered who was going to blink first. Not that it mattered when Robert bounced down the stairs and took Glenn’s arm, turning back to see if Zeke was following.
“It’s good to see you,” Robert told Glenn, hugging him quickly before leading him to the cabin.
“It’s good to know you’re okay.” Glenn stopped walking and turned to Zeke. Robert growled under his breath, and Glenn laughed. “God, you must have it bad.” He shook his head. “Has he gone all alpha male on you too?”
Zeke shrugged. He wasn’t discussing their relationship with a relative stranger.
“Be nice,” Robert admonished.
“I was.” Glenn turned away. “He’s the strong, silent type.”
“I’m the kick-your-ass type if you don’t develop some manners pretty damn quick,” Zeke growled, then half smiled when Glenn stumbled a little. “I’m Robert’s….” God, what in the hell were they? They hadn’t discussed it.
“He’s my boyfriend, and Zeke and his dad have been my hosts. They deserve the utmost respect from all of us. And Zeke rides two-thousand-pound bulls and he’s damn good at it, so if you think you’re going to intimidate him in any way, you’re crazy.”
Glenn whistled and looked up at Robert. “Does he have any sisters?” Glenn turned back to Zeke. “Sorry for the attitude.”
Zeke nodded and opened the cabin door. “Robert asked us to put you up here for a few days. He wants you close.” The words held a hint of a warning. “Stay inside at night. The fields contain cattle, and they can spook. There can also be wild animals, but even the ranch animals can hurt you if you don’t know what you’re doing.” He pulled open one of the windows to let fresh air inside.
“What about breakfast?”
“Robert’s cooking tomorrow morning.” Now that they were behind closed doors, Zeke took Robert’s hand. “I suspect we’ll eat a little after seven or so. Don’t be late.”
Glenn turned to Robert. “Is he kidding?”
Robert shook his head. “I’m up at six thirty. I put the horses out and make sure they’re good for the day. Then I make sure the barn is clean before making some breakfast. Usually pancakes for Zeke and Samuel. Then I write music or work on other chores.” Robert threw his arm around Glenn’s shoulder. “This is a working ranch and we all work here. Late in the afternoon, once the heat has really built up, we’ll go for a ride out to the creek on horseback.”
“And this you enjoy?” Glenn asked.
Robert handed him some pages off the table. “This is my latest song. I’ve written five that I’m proud of while I’ve been here.”
Glenn looked it over, nodding and tapping his foot. “Damn, this is as good as the others. The record label guys are salivating over this new material. Barry is already negotiating licensing with them. They want to own the rights.”
“Never, and he knows that,” Robert snapped. “I will never hand another song over to anyone else. The rights to the music will always remain mine.” He turned to Zeke. “I already went over it with all of them.”
“I don’t understand,” Zeke said, moving closer to look at the pages.
“I’ll record the songs but retain the rights to them. I made the mistake early on in my career of selling the rights to my songs to the record label. Now they own them and I have no control over what they do. Barry was the one who put a stop to it. I really owe him for that.”
“You need to talk to Barry about that,” Glenn said.
Robert tilted his head in thought. “All right.” He kissed Zeke on the cheek before hurrying out of the cabin to see Barry.
“He seems very different,” Glenn commented as he watched Robert go. “He’s relaxed and happy. The music hasn’t been this good in quite a few years.” Glenn set the papers on the table. “Robert has been wound as tight as a drum for months.”
Zeke worked his fingers through each other as he waited for Glenn to come to the point. “I like to think he and I have a connection.” His kept his words measured, unwilling to trust Glenn with anything important or more telling.
Glenn nodded. “I don’t know about that. But I’m worried. Robert’s… Avery’s life is very different from what you have here. He has obligations and commitments that he just can’t walk away from, and those commitments are going to take him all over the country and even around the world.” Glenn sat down on the chair, crossing his legs and making himself comfortable. For a split second, Zeke wondered if they were going to have to have the furniture cleaned of Glenn’s sliminess after Glenn left.
“And your point?” Zeke pressed. He wasn’t sure he liked this guy at all. Glenn had some sort of ulterior motive that set warning bells off in Zeke’s head.
“He’s going to have to leave, and once he does….” The rest was left hanging in the air, but it was pretty clear that he meant Robert would forget about Zeke and move on.
Zeke narrowed his gaze, stepping closer and leaning forward, getting right in Glenn’s face. “Just so we’re clear. I don’t play games or have some kind of designs on Robert’s money or anything else. He and I like each other. Period. I don’t appreciate whatever it is you think you’re insinuating or driving at.” Zeke smiled. “Unless you have eyes for him yourself.” He stilled as a hint of anger rose in Glenn’s eyes and then faded away. “Whatever game you think you’re playing, knock it the hell off before I pick you up by your fancy-ass pants and toss you clean across the yard into a pile of horseshit. Maybe you’ll feel more at home. Lord knows your manners belong in a barn.” Zeke straightened back up and walked to the door. “I’ll remember you’re a guest, otherwise I’d beat the shit out of you.” He paused as he rested his hand on the doorknob.
“Bullying. Is that your way?” Glenn didn’t move.
Zeke scowled. “I’ll do whatever I have to in order to keep Robert happy. That’s all I care about. I wonder about the rest of you.” He pulled the door open to step outside.
“Wait,” Glenn said in a gentler tone. “Please.”
Zeke turned back to him.
“You and I want the same things, then.” Glenn’s tone had completely changed, less demanding.
“You have a strange way of showing it,” Zeke told him, scowling at Glenn. “Robert is—”
“What am I?” Robert asked as he came up from behind. He stood close enough that Zeke felt the heat rolling off him.
“Glenn and I were just having a talk of sorts,” Zeke explained, giving as little away as he could by his tone.
Robert sighed. “I can imagine.”
Zeke turned as Robert stared dagger
s at his friend.
“What trouble are you stirring up? I know you think you’re like my watchdog, but you need to back off about Zeke. Of anyone I have ever met, he understands the pressures of my life, and he also gets what I want. So don’t give him a hard time.” Robert smirked. “The manure pile is plenty big. I’d hate to see you end up in it.”
Zeke tried to hold back his laugh but failed. “Great minds think alike.”
Robert snorted. “I figured you two would be at each other’s throats in about two seconds. Glenn, Zeke cares for me and he isn’t after my money. Bag the watchdog routine and figure out how to work with him.”
Glenn didn’t seem completely convinced, but he did relax his posture. “All right.”
“Good.” Robert motioned to the table. Zeke sat down next to him. “Did you help my parents arrange their trip to Paris?” When Glenn said that he had, Robert peppered him with question after question, then finally moved to the subject of the house.
“Here are your copies of the listing papers for the house. The Realtor is very excited, and when I talked to him, he was expecting offers soon.”
“You’re actually selling your house?” Zeke asked.
“Yeah. I decided to sell it and find a place that I truly like.” Robert flashed a smile. “Right now, it’s up in the air, but apparently I’m to be featured in a television special, so I’m going to have to find a place to live pretty soon.”
“Do you want me to start looking?” Glenn offered, his voice genuine.
“No. I’ll do the looking when I can. This is going to be my home, not a showplace. Just give me a little time so I can figure things out.” Robert leaned back in the chair. “Go on and find out where Barry and the team are staying and what their plans are. It’s already been a long day for me, and I’m tired.” Robert stood and tossed Glenn a set of keys. “You can use my truck if you need to. We’ll see you in the morning.” Robert waited for Zeke, and they headed across the yard toward the main house.
“I don’t get that guy. What did I ever do to him?” Zeke asked quietly, then noticed the cars were still parked out front. “I’d thought they’d have left.”
Robert chuckled. “Are you kidding? Your dad is telling them story upon story. Either they’re enthralled or too scared to leave.” Robert patted his shoulder as they changed course toward the barn. Robert seemed to be reading his mind, because the last thing Zeke wanted was a house full of strangers. “Glenn has been my protector of sorts for years,” Robert explained, answering Zeke’s earlier question. “I’ve had people try to get close to me, thinking I could get them a record deal or… whatever. He’s protective.”
“He was an ass,” Zeke said.
“Probably.” Robert nodded. “But it’s his job. If being an ass saves me from being hurt or taken advantage of, then he’s willing to do it. Glenn is my oldest friend, and I know he’s in my corner no matter what.”
Zeke threw a horse blanket over a short stack of hay and sat down. “I think he likes you.” Robert scoffed, but Zeke continued. “It’s the way he looks at you, and when I said something while he was giving me a hard time, the way he reacted said I’d hit a nerve.”
Robert shook his head. “Glenn is straight. No doubt about that.”
Zeke nodded slowly. “That doesn’t mean he doesn’t have feelings for you or that he might be threatened as an important person in your life.” Zeke remembered how he felt when Carson started dating Charlene. He’d been afraid of being replaced by her because he didn’t want her taking his best friend away. It hadn’t happened, but that had caused some tension for a while. “Not everything is about sex.” Zeke tugged Robert to him and was about to tighten his hold when the horses stirred and whinnied. It wasn’t one, but all of them.
Robert jumped away, and Zeke raced to the back door. He peered out in time to see a man moving slowly, crouched over, making his way to the barn. He stopped when Zeke appeared. Zeke closed the door again, placing his finger to his lips. “The horses are settled and we’re alone.” He didn’t move and waited. Sure enough, like in some B movie, the barn door opened. Zeke grabbed the man’s camera arm as soon as he breached the doorway. The camera went flying, crashing on the concrete barn floor and splintering to bits.
“What the hell?” the man shouted. “You broke my camera! I’ll—”
“Call the sheriff,” Zeke told Robert, wrestling the man to the ground.
“This is assault! I’ll have you arrested.” The man squirmed, and Zeke pressed his knee to the center of his back.
“You’ll do nothing, except spend the night in jail. You’re trespassing on private property and have no rights here at all. That your camera got broken is your problem.” Zeke leaned close, lowering his voice, speaking directly into the weasel’s ear. “You need to worry more about me breaking your fucking arm. Now lie still, or so help me….” He lifted his gaze as Robert talked on the phone.
“I called your dad too,” Robert supplied and Zeke nodded.
“You can’t do that! I’m with the press and… you’re going to be in trouble,” the man spouted.
Zeke shook his head. “What were you hoping to get pictures of? Avery Rivers feeding carrots to a horse? Maybe brushing a horse? Oh, I know, you wanted a picture of Avery with a wheelbarrow.” He rolled his eyes.
“The sheriff is on his way,” Robert said, approaching as the guy raised his head. “He’ll be out in a few minutes.”
“What’s going on out here?” Samuel demanded as he raced into the barn, carrying his gun, with everyone else behind him.
“We had an uninvited visitor,” Zeke explained.
Barry stepped forward, shaking his head. “Ralph Muncheon. I should have known. What rock did you crawl out from under? I thought you got fired.”
“New job, and I have quite a story to tell,” he gritted.
Zeke held him still. “Yeah. A story you can caption with your mug shot.” He grinned and looked to Barry. “You guys go ahead on to the hotel. There’s no need for all of you to be involved. The sheriff will be happy to cart this trash away and let him sit in jail for the night. Dad and I will press charges.” He looked the guy over. “How’d you get onto the property?” Zeke paled at a pair of wire cutters in his back pocket. He pointed to the clippers. “Dad, he cut the fence.”
“Shit,” his dad swore and hurried out of the barn.
“Can I help?” Glenn asked, and Zeke’s estimation of the man rose a few notches.
“Go with Dad. He’s going to need to find the break and repair it before the herd finds it and gets spread all over the damn valley. Tell Dad to take pictures before he touches anything. I’ll send the sheriff out so he can see it too. Add some more charges that will keep this twit in jail a little longer.” Zeke was really getting tired of folks wanting a piece of Robert. It was damned invasive.
Thirty minutes later they watched the sheriff drive a protesting Ralph away.
Zeke’s phone rang, and he snatched it out of his pocket.
“Part of the herd found the break,” his father said with disgust.
Shit, could this day get any damn worse?
Chapter 9
ROBERT CLOSED his eyes again, willing the room to be dark and the day not ready to start. But the livestock waited for no one, so he schlumped out of bed and to the bathroom, where he took care of business and returned.
“Zeke, honey…,” he whispered.
“Oh God, just let me sleep.” Zeke pulled the covers over his head.
The last two days had been hell on wheels. Two nights ago, they’d spent most of their time locating and getting the herd back inside the pasture. Robert made sure everyone who worked logged their time so the sheriff would have that to add to the charges. They were well into felony territory, so Ralph wasn’t going to be bothering anyone anytime soon. That was good.
Then last night, people had begun showing up for a concert that wasn’t going to happen. Robert told Barry to send the sheriff’s department a donation to their b
enevolence fund for all their help. The entire ranch had been up late, patrolling the road just to make sure no one else tried to sneak onto the property.
“I’ll take care of the horses. You get some rest.” Robert gently kissed Zeke on the forehead and pulled on some clothes, then absently walked outside.
“There he is!” someone yelled, and Robert groaned at the small group of people by the driveway. Robert waved and continued on his way to the barn. He was too tired for anything else, and they had all decided it was best if he stayed out of sight as much as possible. Robert called Barry and the team and told them what was going on. He also got Glenn out of bed and sent him out to deal with them.
“Hey, Samson,” he greeted the horse and stroked his nose, giving him a treat. Normally he’d turn the horses out, but with all the people outside, it was best to keep them in, just so they weren’t a temptation. Robert fed and watered all of them, spending time to say good morning to each.
“They’re going to miss you,” Samuel said as he nearly snuck up on Robert. “Don’t try to pull the wool over my eyes. You need to go back to your life, just the same as Zeke needs to go back to his.” He stood next to him as Robert patted Midnight. “It ain’t neither of you’s fault. Sometimes things are the way they are.”
Robert knew he was telling the truth, but it hurt like hell.
“Did Zeke tell you about his mama?” Samuel didn’t turn to look at him. “She was quite a lady. I courted her in high school, but she wasn’t interested in settling down with a ranch hand. Not that I blame her. I didn’t have anything at all to offer her. She was smart and so full of life.” Samuel seemed as though he was in another place. “Ellen wanted more than this town could offer, so she went to college and was looking at medical school.”
“What happened?” Robert said softly.
“Then her father got ill, so she returned to take care of him. He was the only family she had, and she gave up her education to care for him. I somehow got up the guts to ask her out again. If she had said no, I probably never would have spoken to her again, but she agreed.” Samuel sighed. “Her father got well, the old goat, and I knew Ellen would go back to school. I stayed here and waited for her. I had no idea if she’d actually come back, and we lost touch after a while, but she returned, and when she did, she showed up on my doorstep with a degree in veterinary science and confessed that she’d never forgotten me.” He stroked Samson’s nose as Robert stood with Midnight, everything outside the barn forgotten.
