"Let's have a drink, then."
"Just one," Spark agreed. "I don't-- Well, none of us hit the booze during work hours. Jason doesn't allow any serious drinking on the job."
Lou went to the small bar and took out two glasses. He dropped a couple of ice cubes into each one and then selected a bottle. "Nothing fancy," he said as he poured some amber liquid over the ice. "Just a sip or two of Cutty Sark to toast the start of my vacation. I do like a good Scotch once in a while."
"Your vacation--I'll drink to that," Spark replied with a hint of his typical insouciant cheer. "To you and a good time." They clinked the glasses and raised them. The liquor went down easy, a smooth heat from tongue to belly.
"Can I come along and watch you feed? The last time I was here, I learned how to saddle a horse. Before that, I'd only ridden a little bit at camp when I was about ten and otherwise was never near a horse. What do they eat? I've heard about hay, but I'd hardly know it if I saw some."
"Sure, if you want to. Most of the guests aren't interested in the day-to-day work details and that's fine, but if you want to check out the routine, you're welcome."
Lou thought of making a pass, even demanding Spark get on his knees for a quick BJ, but decided waiting would be a better move. "Let's go," he said. "Since I'm going to be here this time for two full weeks, I want to see the whole operation. Hell, I might even buy a ranch."
"Not this one," Spark said quickly. "Jason--Mr. Longford--wouldn't sell for love or money. This place is his whole life and I think he loves it like the family he don't have."
Lou grinned. "No," he agreed, "not this one. I had in mind something on a smaller scale, probably a regular cattle operation instead of a guest ranch. I'd need a foreman, of course, and a crew, but it could be a good investment. I'd build a house like the Ponderosa and spend as much time there as I could... "
He let the thought trail away for a moment and then went on. "When I was a kid, I loved everything about the west. My dad laughed at me. 'Hey, son, they don't grow rigatoni on no ranch. And no money trees there either. You crazy?' But that didn't change my mind."
Relieved to see he had Spark smiling and laughing again, he went on. "If you happen to know of anything for sale, say for half a million or so, maybe we can go take a look while I'm here."
Spark paused, midstride. "I 'spect Jason would have more of a handle on that than I do, but I can check around some. Regular ranchin' is not a real good business right now. Fees going up for grazing on federal land and beau coup new rules and restrictions. A lot of the old timers can't or won't adapt, so they're selling off. The younger generation mostly wants to move to town and get desk jobs. Real ranch work is hard, dirty, rough. You're out in all kinds of weather--nothin' like the glamour of the movies and TV shows."
They stepped into the barn side by side. Lou paused to let his eyes adjust to the dim light inside after the bright afternoon sun. He never could get over how much brighter the sun was out here without layers of haze and smog to dim it. Chicago really wasn't the greatest place on earth, despite what most of his kin believed. Spark flipped on a light and turned toward the loft.
He climbed the ladder in about three fast steps. "Stand clear," he yelled and then shoved two bales of hay off to the floor below. While the cowboy climbed back down, Lou bent to study one of the bales. The stuff was green, some kind of plant as far as he could tell, cut, dried and packed very densely into a big bundle.
"What is this stuff? It isn't grass. I thought they made hay out of grass."
Spark chuckled. "Back east they mostly do. Like in Kentucky it's kinda traditional for the racehorses, but out here we feed mostly alfalfa. It's related to clover, high in nutrition and actually replenishes the soil where they grow it. My brother learned all that at Texas A&M studying animal husbandry. If I hadn't been so dumb, I could've gone, too, but I was having too much fun riding rough stock and partying."
He stooped to slash the cord binding the bale and then pulled apart several flakes. "Each horse gets a flake about this size. Some folks are feeding pellets now. They take this same stuff and dehydrate it until you can almost get this much feed into about a gallon bucket of cylindrical pieces, but Jase prefers the old-fashioned stuff." He walked down the left side of the barn and tossed a flake of hay into the hay rack in each stall. After that, he measured out the oats and added a scoop to each horse's ration.
Before the job was done, Stace and Casa came in leading the four horses they and two guests had been riding. Stace gave Lou a wide grin. "Welcome back, Mr. Vetrano. Good to see you again. Reckon you musta had fun to give it a second try, huh?"
Lou returned the African American cowboy's smile. "I sure did, Stace. Couldn't wait to get back and enjoy some more adventures. You fellows run a fine place here."
Casa slid a sly glance at Spark, now down at the far end of the lane through the middle of the barn. "Maybe our Texan will quit being as grouchy as an ol' mule with a burr under his saddle now. He's sure been antsy the last few weeks."
Lou filed that tidbit away. In some respects it went along with his observation of the cowboy's mood or tension since his arrival. Something was going on here, something he intended to explore to the fullest before he left again. The Latino cowboy's remark hinted that Lou himself had something to do with Spark's behavior. An interesting notion, to be sure! For a few seconds, Lou recalled Mike Comparo's comment just before Lou left Chicago. The observations had a disturbingly similar tone.
* * * *
That evening after supper and the final round of chores, Spark delayed meeting Lou at the hot tub as long as he dared. He wanted to go so badly his whole body ached with it, but doubt also rode him hard. This situation seemed to have moved completely out of his control, much farther and faster than he had expected or intended. He didn't know what to do about it, so the longer he waited, the longer dealing with it was postponed. Finally he ran out of excuses. The bottom line was, he could not afford to piss off a guest for his own personal reasons. Jason insisted on impeccable service and courtesy with no exceptions. Spark had never before come close to violating that rule.
He put a pair of brief trunks on under his jeans, slipped his feet into a pair of moccasins and grabbed a towel before he left the bunkhouse. He could find his way around the grounds blindfolded, so he didn't bother with a light although darkness had fallen, a darkness barely softened by the millions of stars overhead.
The hot tub sat in a gazebo, sheltered by latticed walls on three sides and covered with a thatched roof. A few recessed lights around the edge of the floor cast just enough glow so you could see not to trip. Lou already sat in the steaming water, his arms stretched along the sides of the tub. He looked up as Spark approached.
"I was beginning to wonder what had come up to keep you away," he said.
"I--er-- Just finishing up a few things to get ready for tomorrow." Spark mumbled his explanation, knowing it sounded lame. "I'm here now. Sorry for the delay."
He stepped out of his jeans and tossed them on the bench by one wall. The evening air still held a distinct chill hinting it wasn't really spring yet. A prickle of goose bumps erupted on his legs and then on his chest as the towel followed the jeans. He stepped into the roiling water and settled onto the ledge across from Lou.
Lou gazed at him with a steady stare for several seconds. "We aren't strangers. Why the hesitation?" The heat in his eyes almost burned Spark's exposed skin. "If you're feeling the chill, I think we can fix that right now."
Not waiting for Spark to move, he slid around the tub until they sat thigh to thigh. Then he stretched one arm out behind Spark's back and slowly curled his fingers to feather across Spark's ribs. "Better?"
Okay, so he's going to play the seducer this time. That's usually my job, but maybe this time it's different. Oh yeah. I know this time it's different.
Lifting his right hand, Lou caught Spark's chin and turned his head until their faces were just short of touching. His hot breath fanned across Spark's skin, st
ill slightly damp and tender from his recent shave. Lou inhaled once, a long, deep breath. "Something about your aftershave--sagebrush and chaparral and a restless wind. I could drown in it."
Then he moved the last centimeter or two until their lips came into contact. In the fusing heat, all of Spark's uncertainty evaporated at once. He twisted to lock his arms around the other man's body and returned Lou's avid kiss with matching fury. He wasn't sure whose tongue went first on the exploring tour of each other's mouths. He wasn't even sure who reached first to fondle whose cock. He only knew his went from half stiff to totally rigid in a few seconds while he felt Lou's prick expand in his grip.
They both slid off the ledge then and settled on their knees in the center of the tub, facing each other, surging together until they touched from knees to foreheads.
Lou made a deep growling sound as he sucked on Spark's tongue. He drew free of the cowboy's hold just long enough to shove his cock between the other man's thighs. "Yes. Finally. I've remembered how this felt a million times."
They swayed in unison, almost as if they were dancing. The motion created a gentle friction as their two cocks stroked back and forth, cradled between two pairs of muscular thighs. Lou dropped his left hand to Spark's right ass cheek. He gripped, digging his fingers into the solid rider's butt.
"I love your ass," he said, the words almost a growl. "I love to watch it, but I love to feel it even more and I think fucking it would be total paradise. We never got to that last time."
Spark eased back from their embrace. "Okay. If that's what you want... " He spun around on his knees, peeled off his trunks and then leaned forward to rest his torso against the side of the tub. He looked back over his shoulder at Lou. "It's all yours. Fuck me."
He heard Lou suck in a fast, hard breath. "I got a couple of condoms but forgot the lube. Wasn't thinking too clearly when I came out... too anxious."
Spark shrugged one shoulder. "This mineralized water has some slippery to it. I can take you. Come on, grab that condom and just do it."
Lou was big, both long and thick. Spark braced himself and waited, not sure if the other man would be fast and rough or not. It didn't matter. He had to admit he wanted Lou as much as the other man clearly wanted him. Slow, fast, hard or gentle--it really didn't matter.
He reached back with one hand and pulled his cheek out, opening himself as much as he could. He heard the rustle as Lou rolled on the rubber, and then he felt the first tentative push of Lou's cock. The other man drew it up and down the crack of Spark's ass, threw a handful of water over him to trickle down to the point of contact and then pressed into him. It stretched, it almost hurt, but it also felt right and absolutely perfect. Spark's clenched his hands over the rounded edge of the tub to brace his body. He sank his upper teeth into his lower lip to silence his moans of pleasure.
Then Lou was all the way in. He began bucking and thrusting, drawing almost free, only to ram deep again. On the deepest thrust, he hit that special spot. A convulsive twist of sensation surged through Spark's body. This time he could not totally stifle his moan. When Lou reached around Spark and grabbed his cock in a firm grip, one strong stroke was all it took. Shooting stars exploded, the sky spun in dizzy twists above and they both came at almost the same instant.
"I know you haven't been celibate since I was here before, but has anybody else made you feel like that?"
Spark shook his head, unable for a few breaths to find his voice.
"Good, because if anyone did, I'd have to call a hit on him." Lou laughed. "No, I'm not really in the mob, but I like to make folks think I might be. Bet you've wondered, haven't you?"
Spark grunted his assent. "Yeah, I wondered, but then I figured you were too suave for that, too smart. From what I see on the tube, things aren't real good for the mob these days."
Lou pulled free and moved back enough to give Spark space to turn around. "I wouldn't know for sure, but it sounds that way. I'd rather be in my shoes right now, regardless." He laughed. "Only I'm barefoot."
He settled back on the bench ledge and watched as Spark stood, stretched and then sat down beside him. Moments later, a slight sound alerted them to someone's approach. Miguel, one of the junior hands, entered the gazebo. He carried a tray with two glasses and four brown bottles. He set his burden down carefully on the empty bench, the one closest to where the two men sat.
Lou smiled at him. "I guarantee you've got a tip coming. See me tomorrow and don't be shy."
The young man shot a quick look at Lou and grinned. "Si, I will remember." After the boy left, Lou turned back to Spark. "Good thing you weren't much later. When I arranged to have our drinks delivered, I thought I gave us plenty of time. Guess we'll have to establish a schedule and try to stay with it in the future."
Spark hung his head. "I'll watch it. I can juggle tasks when I need to, do a good job of it, even. I was just kinda distracted tonight."
Lou grinned. "I'll forgive you this time." He reached for two beers and handed Spark one. "Wanna glass?"
"Hell, no. Do you think I'm some kinda wuss?" It was good beer, imported, and none of the watered down quick stop stuff. Spark took a long deep swallow and let it slide slowly down his dry throat.
Chapter 3
Spark, Stace and Casa gathered in the boss's office the next morning as soon as the urgent chores were done. Jason had been away on business, and Spark knew he wanted to catch up on everything that had happened in his absence, but some intuition hinted he might have more on his mind. They found him seated at his desk when they marched in.
"'Morning, boys. Everything under control? I'm sure there were no big issues while I was gone or one of you would've called. How about small things?"
"Nothing we couldn't fix, boss," Casa said, grinning. "We take care of things when you're away, make sure nothing serious goes wrong and the little stuff gets handled."
"New guests?"
"Let's see," Stace said. "Just one special one--Mr. Vetrano is back. He got here yesterday, right, Spark? Caleb Dunham is due day after tomorrow, and we have a few ordinary customers, a pair of guys from Phoenix and an older man from Cincinnati. Mr. Spencer, the Cincinnati guy, said he just wanted to take it easy for a few days, maybe go on one or two small trail rides. The other two act like they're on their honeymoon or something so we won't have to do too much for them. That's it. I was wondering if I could maybe take a couple of days off later this week? I'd really like to run up to Albuquerque."
Jason looked at the African American cowboy for a few silent seconds. "Your friend is moving over this way, isn't he? Did somebody say he's setting up shop in Las Cruces?"
Stace nodded, looking a bit abashed. "Yes, sir, he is, but he has some meetings in Albuquerque first with some of the media and film industry folks there and he asked me to come up if I could... "
Jason shrugged. "You have some time off coming. If that's how you want to use it, it's your call. Can we get along without Stace's services for a few days?" He glanced from Casa to Spark as he spoke. They both nodded.
Then he zeroed in on Spark, a keen and questioning expression in his eyes. "So what's with you and Vetrano? Is he going to be moving to New Mexico, too, and wanting more of your time soon?"
Spark shifted in his chair. "I... I don't think so, sir. He hasn't said anything and it hasn't come to that."
Jason smiled, but there was a trace of concern in it. "Yet," he finished, "but something in your posture and what you aren't saying speaks louder than your words. You and he have a connection, don't you? It started when he was here last fall.
"And what's this 'sir' business, both of you? I may be the boss, but I thought we'd all been friends for a long time. You boys don't need to get formal with me at this stage."
Spark nodded, and Stace echoed the motion. Spark responded first. "I know. It's just, well, some changes are in the air and I'm not sure how they're going to go, how things are going to end up."
Stace broke in. "We know we owe you a lot and we're loyal, J
ase. We aren't going to bail on you and leave the best job we could ever have. Somehow if it comes to that, I'll make it work and make sure Jared knows I'm wearing the Rainbow Ranch brand and always will. I told him flat out I wouldn't go to California, no matter what he offered me."
Silence fell then for so long it began to get uncomfortable. "What's this Jared guy like? I wasn't here when he came; left you guys to deal with him. He seemed to be happy with his vacation, but then next thing I hear he's moving out from Burbank and it sure feels like you're one big reason for it, Stace."
Stace gazed down at his boots for a few breaths. "I reckon I might have something to do with it, but I think he's tired of the Hollywood scene and the whole southern California environment. I mean lots of folks have moved to Arizona and New Mexico the last few years. Hell, they may know something about that San Andreas Fault we haven't heard yet."
His effort to joke fell flat. Spark sensed the subtle tension they all felt. A need to reassure Jason, at least on his own account, moved him. "I'm here for the long haul, boss, and I think that goes for us all. If-- Well, if Mr. Vetrano decided to move west, I might spend my spare time with him, but the ranch still comes first. Before things go too far, I'll make sure he knows that."
If only I can. He's used to getting his way and he can be pretty persuasive.
He felt the hint of heat wash over his face as he thought about last night in the hot tub. He'd been worried Lou might ask him to spend the night with him in his cabin, but that had not happened. They'd just drunk their beers, fooled around a little more and then said goodnight. While it was not against any rule, even an unspoken one, he knew Jason really didn't favor that much togetherness.
After some more casual discussion and planning, the three cowboys rose and made their way out of the office. There was always plenty to do and Jason was not one to waste a lot of time on directions and instructions. He trusted them, but when Spark glanced back on his way out, he caught a very melancholy and worried expression on his boss's face. He had to admit he felt some parallel concerns.
The Wild Bunch 2 Spark Page 2
