by Carol Lynne
Bram pulled up in front of the terminal. “You never told me where you’re staying?”
“The Prickly Pear Lodge. We’ll be on the river during the day but I should have no problem calling every night. I’ll call tonight for sure.” Declan leaned in to get a goodbye kiss. “I wish I could stay but I’ve already promised.”
“I’ll be here when you get back.” Bram gave him one more quick kiss before Declan was running toward the entrance with his big backpack and a duffel bag. Bram watched until he could no longer see him through the glass. He pulled away from the curb and headed back to the ranch. Suddenly he was glad he had a week to himself. Bram knew it would take at least that long to get over his anger at a dead man.
Chapter Three
Bram pulled back into the ranch yard and was immediately waved down by Thor. Turning off the engine, Bram climbed out of the truck with a smile on his face. “Hey, little brother.”
“Where the hell did you disappear to?” Thor came wheeling up as fast as he could, a dark scowl on his bronzed angular face.
Bram blushed, realizing he’d forgotten to tell Thor he was leaving. “I’m sorry. I took Declan to the airport.”
Thor opened his mouth to yell at Bram but it turned into a smile instead. “Good for you. Things are going to work out after all.” Thor wheeled beside Bram as they made their way to the facility.
“Better than okay. I’m in love for the first time in my life.” Bram grinned at his brother.
Thor stopped and turned toward Bram. “That’s fantastic. You deserve some happiness for a change. Now come and meet my Kelly.” Thor wheeled into the facility and pointed toward a petite short-haired blonde at the reception desk. “That’s my girl.”
Bram followed Thor to the desk. The woman looked up and smiled at Thor. Bram smiled to himself. She hadn’t even looked Bram’s way. She only had eyes for his brother. Bram noticed her dimples and shining blue eyes. She was a pretty little thing. Bram looked down at his brother as he wheeled closer to Kelly. Stifling a chuckle, Bram noticed the tent present in the front of Thor’s sweats. He leaned down to whisper in Thor’s ear. “Sorry I ever questioned your abilities to perform.” He looked again at Thor’s cock. Thor turned red and punched him in the arm.
“Gross. Stop lookin’, you perv. I can’t help it if Kelly gets me all hot and bothered just from that gorgeous smile of hers.”
Thor wheeled around behind the reception counter and leaned in for a kiss. When the little kiss became a much-bigger one, Bram cleared his throat. Thor broke away and winked at Kelly. “Darlin’, I’d like you to meet Bram. Bram, this is my girl, Kelly.”
Bram shook her hand. “I’m very happy to finally meet you, Kelly. From what my brother tells me, he’s been looking for you a long time.” Bram chuckled as Thor punched him in the arm again. “Okay. Okay. Let’s not beat on the senior citizen.”
Kelly giggled and flashed that dimpled smile again. “I’m happy to meet you. Thor talks about you all the time.”
Glancing at his brother, Bram couldn’t help but see the love in Thor’s eyes. “Would you care to stay and have dinner with us up at the main house? I think Rex is grilling again.”
Kelly blushed, and Thor took her hand. “I’d love to if it’s okay with Rex, Boone and Gabe.”
“I promise you it’s okay. I’ll let you two get back to work.” Bram looked at Thor, seeing him as a man for probably the first time. “I’ll be moving my stuff into Declan’s house while he’s gone, so that’s where I’ll be if you need me.” Chuckling at the bewildered expression on Thor’s face, Bram left and headed to the main house. He felt so good inside it was a wonder he wasn’t skipping like a six-year-old girl.
This time when he reached the main house, he knocked. When he didn’t get an answer, he figured the men were out doing chores. Opening the door, he stuck his head in. “Is anyone home? It’s Bram and I don’t feel like another show today, so if you’re in here, holler.” When no one yelled back, he went in and climbed the steps. Retrieving his bag off the bed, Bram walked down the stairs and out of the house. Crossing the ranch yard, he spotted Boone next to the barn playing catch with Billy. Bram walked over to greet his friend and Boone’s soon-to-be-adopted son. Bram noticed Billy caught the ball despite his young age and the fact he was in a wheelchair, having been paralyzed in the car accident that killed his parents.
“Hey, guys. Looking good, Billy.”
“Hi, Bram.” Billy threw the ball to Boone and wheeled over to Bram. “Thor told me you were coming for a visit. Are you going to have dinner with us tonight? Grandma Maggie and I are making homemade potato salad.”
Bram knelt down to talk to Billy at eye level. “Sure am, kiddo.” He looked at Boone. “I hope you don’t mind but I invited Thor and Kelly to have dinner with us.”
Boone was quick to brush away Bram’s concern. “Think nothing of it. Mom and Rex always make enough to feed an army.”
Looking at Billy, Bram smiled. “Why don’t you go find Maggie for me and tell her there will be two more for dinner? Would you do that?”
“Sure.”
Boone handed Billy his ball and glove. “Put those away for me too, please.”
When Billy smiled and wheeled off, Bram looked at Boone and lifted his bag. “Um. Thanks for the invitation to stay with you guys in the main house but Declan said I could stay at his place while I’m here.”
With eyebrows raised, Boone looked at Bram. “So I take it you two have patched things up?”
“You take it right. I just finished dropping him at the airport. I’m planning to stay at least a week when he gets back. See how things go before I make any location changes.” Bram couldn’t help smiling. He felt so incredibly happy he wanted to shout his feelings to the world. He just hoped like hell his brain wasn’t working faster than Declan’s.
Clapping Bram on the back, Boone nodded. “Good for you. Declan’s not been the same since you left. We all hoped it was only a matter of time before you guys worked things out.”
“I wanted to ask if you knew how whoever hired him to do this raft ride got his name? Are they an ex-guest of the center or just someone who’d heard about Declan’s skills?” Bram scratched his jaw as he waited for Boone’s answer.
“Don’t know the guy. Doc just said he received an email asking him to help with the trip. Doc was feeling pretty low to the ground at the time and decided a few days on the river would be good for him. I don’t think he ever even told me the guy’s name.” Boone walked with Bram toward the four-room cabin Declan had purchased from Mac. When they got to the porch steps, Boone clapped him on the shoulder again and tipped his ever-present baseball hat. “I’ll see you at dinner.”
Walking into Declan’s house felt, to Bram, like an invasion of privacy. There were pieces of Declan’s life on every surface. Bram sat on the light brown suede sofa. He rubbed his hand over the soft material. “No way someone could fuck on this couch.” Just thinking of the stains it would leave behind was enough to make Bram shiver. He guessed Declan didn’t have fucking in mind when he bought his furniture. Good.
Yawning, Bram stretched and toed off his shoes. He swung his legs up and was gratefully surprised when his long six-foot-three frame fit nicely on the couch. Bram shut his eyes, deciding to take a little nap before dinner.
A fly buzzing his face woke him. He glanced at the clock and was surprised to see he’d been asleep for nearly two hours. Jumping up, Bram ran a quick brush through his hair and braided it down the center of his back, the tail resting against his ass. Eating outside in the west Oklahoma wind was not fun with long hair flying in your face.
Thankfully, he arrived only ten minutes late. Bram headed straight to the patio instead of going through the house. Everyone was already present and having before dinner drinks. “Hey, guys, sorry I’m late. I fell asleep on the couch.”
Bram stopped to give Rex’s mom, Maggie, a quick hug before heading over to shake hands with Gabe and Rex.
Gabe shook his ha
nd, smiling. “Heard a rumor that you’ve moved into Doc’s house.”
Rex handed Bram a beer. “You heard right. Declan told me to make myself at home.” Bram winked and nudged Rex’s arm. “I think he wanted me away from you three.”
“You saying Doc doesn’t trust us with his man? Why, I’m shocked to the core.” Gabe batted his lashes at Bram. “More than likely he just wanted to picture you sleeping in his bed while he was away.”
Bram almost spat out his beer as he started laughing. “Actually, I think those were almost his exact words. Do you have spies around or something?” Bram chanced it and took another drink of beer.
“Don’t need spies, we’ve got eyes. You’re hotter than a quarter lying on a sidewalk in August.” Bram and Rex both looked at Gabe like he was crazy. Gabe chuckled and shrugged. “It’s something I heard one of my foster parents say growing up. I’ve always thought that saying was a hoot.”
Rex wrapped his arm around Gabe. “Forgive him, Bram. He knows not what he says.”
Bram left Rex and Gabe teasing each other about stupid sayings and went over and sat beside Thor and Kelly.
“Hey. Thought you might’ve changed your mind about meeting us for dinner.” Thor took a drink of his beer.
Watching his brother hold hands with a woman was a new experience for Bram. He still felt ashamed that he’d never considered Thor to be sexually active. “Yeah, it’s been awhile since I’ve slept that good.” Bram looked at Kelly. “So tell me something about yourself, Kelly. Are you from around here?”
Kelly smiled, flashing her dimples. “Yes and no. I grew up in California, but my grandma lives here in town. I read about this facility in the newspaper back home in San Diego. I couldn’t believe the little town I’d been coming to every summer would be mentioned in the San Diego paper but it was.” She waved her hands in the air. “Anyway, I read about the facility and called Mr. Fowler to inquire about a job for the summer. I’m a schoolteacher like Thor, so I’m off for the summer. I decided I’d spend the summer with Grandma and volunteer at the center. Little did I know I’d meet someone as special as your brother.”
Thor leaned over and kissed her. “Isn’t she great?”
“Yeah, and you were right. You’re perfect for each other.” He looked at Kelly. “I don’t suppose you’ve applied to the school in Styler, have you?”
Kelly blushed and put her head down slightly. “Actually, I have. I’ve got an interview next week.” She looked at Thor. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you but I wanted it to be a surprise.”
Thor grinned at Kelly and kissed her again. He turned back to Bram and punched him in the arm. “You ruined my surprise.”
Chuckling, Bram stood and looked around. “I’m gonna go visit Maggie and Billy. I bet neither of them will abuse me.”
* * * * *
Later that night, Bram flipped through a magazine as he waited for Declan’s call. He was naked as instructed and still waiting. He glanced at the clock for the fifth time in fifteen minutes. Declan should have called by now. Bram scooted down farther in the bed and closed his eyes. Maybe if I take a little snooze the time will go by faster.
The next thing he knew, light was shining in through the open curtains right into his eyes. He started to roll over and go back to sleep but suddenly remembered what he’d been waiting on the previous night. It wasn’t like Declan to not keep his word. Bram reached for his cell phone and called Declan’s number. When he got a message saying to leave a number at the tone, he shook his head. “Hey, it’s Bram. I waited for your call last night. I’m still waiting, as a matter of fact. Call me as soon as you get this message. I’m starting to worry. I miss you.” Bram disconnected and held the phone to his forehead. Something just didn’t feel right.
Opening the phone again, he called Arizona information. “Yes, I need the number for the Prickly Pear Lodge just outside Flagstaff.” Bram waited and chose to spend the extra money just to have the operator dial it for him.
“Hi I’m trying to get in touch with Dr. Declan O’Malley. He’s with the wheelchair-bound rafting trip.” Bram heard the front desk clerk typing into his computer.
“I’m sorry, sir, but Dr. O’Malley never checked in last night, and I have no reservations for a group fitting that description.”
“Can I leave a message with you in case he checks in today? Please have him call Bram Blackstone as soon as possible.”
The clerk agreed, and after giving his number, Bram hung up. The hair on the back of his neck was standing on end. Something’s definitely wrong here. He dressed and walked out of the cabin. Bram strode toward the facility, and found Thor already hard at work. They only had one or two guests just then because of Declan’s vacation but Thor was working with Billy.
Bram needed to talk to Thor too much to be subtle. “Hey, Thor, I need to speak with you.” Bram looked at the perspiring Billy. “Sorry, Billy, but it’s important.”
Thor said something to Billy and wheeled over to Bram. “What’s got you so fired up this morning?”
“Declan was supposed to call me last night and didn’t. I called the lodge this morning, and not only did Declan not check in last night but they have no record of his rafting trip. Something’s definitely wrong and I need your superior computer skills to help me find out what it is.” Bram turned and headed toward Declan’s office.
Sitting in front of Declan’s computer, Bram was sorry to see the computer itself was password-protected. “Boone told me Declan received the invitation via email, so I need to find that email.” Bram stood and backed away from the computer, giving Thor room. He was damn lucky his brother was not only a computer teacher but a damn good hacker.
Bram sat on the edge of the desk as Thor’s fingers flew over the keyboard. Thor shook his head and grunted as he kept trying to get into Declan’s computer. He finally looked over at Bram. “It would be a hell of a lot easier if you knew his password.”
“Tell me something I don’t already know. I’ve no idea what his password is.” Bram rubbed his chin as he thought. “Try Scott.”
Thor keyed in Scott’s name. “Nope.”
“What was Scott’s last name?” Bram felt his jaw tighten at the thought of Scott, and what he’d done to Declan.
Thor shook his head. “It was something like Harm, Harder.” Thor snapped his fingers. “Harmon.” He keyed in Harmon. Nothing. Thor sat back in the chair and closed his eyes. After a few minutes, he sprang forward and keyed in H A R M O N Y. The computer came to life and a list of emails appeared.
Bram looked at his brother and shook his head. “How did you do that?”
Thor’s eyes never left the screen as he shrugged. “I remembered Doc talking about Scott one day. Only he didn’t call him Scott. He called him Harmony. I guess it must have been a nickname or something.”
Bram felt like he’d been punched in the gut. Not only did Declan have Scott’s name as his password but he’d been talking about him too. Bram rubbed the moisture from his eyes. He would not cry in front of his brother.
“Got it.” Thor moved away from the computer to let Bram in.
Bram pulled up the office chair and read the email. At least he knew Declan wasn’t the one lying. The email outlined the entire trip along with the accommodations. Strangely enough, it listed a room already reserved for Declan. Bram wondered how the guy knew Declan would say yes. Bram looked back even further in the archives, hoping to find something else. He finally spotted an email from the same guy one month prior. He swallowed the bile rising in his throat as he read it. “Thor, I think you need to take a look at this.” Bram moved back slightly so Thor could read the computer screen.
Reading the email over again as Thor read it, Bram couldn’t figure out how Declan could fall for such a scam. It said the guy was a relative of Thor and Bram’s and wanted desperately to bridge the gap between the estranged families. It went on to say that “Lon”, as the guy called himself, was organizing a rafting trip for wheelchair-bound adults from the sur
rounding area. Lon said he’d be eternally grateful if Declan would come to Arizona and help him with the trip, as well as talk about the Blackstone brothers.
Thor’s back stiffened visibly as he finished the email. “What the hell is going on? Who’s this Lon? We don’t have a relative by that name.”
“I think the bigger question is how did he get Declan’s name and what’s he doing to him right now?” Bram unbraided his hair and began to run his fingers through it. It was a ritual with him whenever he needed to think. He stood and turned to Thor. “I’m going to Arizona.”
“What? I don’t know what’s going on either but you told me you’d never step foot in that state again.” Thor followed Bram out of the office. Bram stopped and turned toward his brother.
“That was before the man I love was tricked into going there. He’s not checked in at the lodge and he’s not answering his phone. Declan’s in some sort of trouble and it’s because of me. I’m going, Thor.” Bram walked out of the facility before Thor could stop him.
Packing his duffel, Bram tried to think of someone in his estranged family who would want to hurt him by kidnapping Declan. It just didn’t make sense. How could someone find out about Declan when they’d really only just gotten together? Shaking his head, Bram loaded the duffel in the back of the pickup. He saw Thor coming toward him as he climbed into the driver’s seat and rolled down the window. “I’ll call as soon as I find something out.”
Thor reached up and put his hand on Bram’s arm. “I’m still not sure what took place when you took me away from Arizona but it was enough to keep you away for all these years. Are you sure you want to do this alone? Because I could come with you.”
