Gabriel's Pretty [Rescue for Hire 6](Siren Publishing Classic ManLove)

by Bellann Summer

  “Here, here,” Haley said.

  “How much of that stuff have you four actually drank so far?” Gabriel asked.

  Pete reached into an ice cooler at his side and pulled out a large plastic liquid container, half-full of the pink mystery liquid. “Some,” he answered. “But not enough.”

  “I take it there’s alcohol in there?” Gabriel asked.

  “You betcha.” Haley raised his glass, saluting Gabriel. The other three raised their glasses too.

  Gabriel could only laugh at the antics of the men. Then he turned as he heard the sound of another vehicle pulling up. The sheriff stepped down from his tan SUV with the department’s official logo painted on the side and started walking toward them.

  “Holy chocolate chip pancakes,” Haley whispered.

  “It’s okay, Haley, we really don’t have to worry about the police anymore,” Pete said.

  “Steve’s cool, Haley,” Bret added.

  Gabriel looked at Haley and saw he wasn’t afraid. He was riveted by the sight of the sheriff. Gray-blue eyes were wide as saucers as they watched the tall man of authority walk toward them.

  “I heard you were having the old place torn down, Pete. I thought I would come out and check how it was going.” Steve said. His brown eyes were dancing with amusement at the four clearly inebriated men.

  “Haley and I wanted to blow the place up but with all the chemicals that were used to make the meth, the idea was vetoed. So, were burying it, never to be seen again.” Pete said the last five words in a deep low voice, like a narrator of a horror movie. All four men started laughing so hard tears ran down their faces and they were practically rolling out of their chairs.

  “I hope none of you plan on getting behind the wheel of a vehicle any time soon.” Somehow that sentence wasn’t a question, but a firm statement. Gabriel snickered as all four men straightened up in their seats.

  “Of course not,” all four said at the same time.

  Just then there was a huge crash of wood splintering when the backhoe shoved part of the house into the deep hole it would be buried in. Everyone watched in fascination as more of the house was pushed into its final resting spot. Everyone, except Gabriel and the sheriff. Gabriel was watching the sheriff’s eyes devouring Haley, stark lust and something like possession shown on the older man’s face.

  Gabriel turned as the sound of more engines broke through the trees. One by one a multitude of different color trucks parked next to Gabriel’s truck. He couldn’t help but smile as the whole Rescue for Hire family arrived. That’s one thing Gabriel had learned since becoming part of the team. The team members were a family that came together in hard times and now to help celebrate together the good times.

  Truck doors were opened, coolers and lawn chairs were unloaded and soon a big bonfire was started. By the time the party wound down, Gabriel had his pretty Pete snuggled his arms just about asleep.

  Gabriel put his lips next to his lover’s ear. “I’m going to build you a log home right over next to the pond so you can watch the sun rise,” he whispered.

  Pete snuggled deeper into his neck. “You are my home,” he whispered back.

  Epilogue

  Steve gave up trying to half carry, half lead the little beauty through the hangar and finally hoisted him over his shoulder. He wasn’t too worried about the intoxicated Haley puking on him, yet. He was sure if that was going to happen, it would come much later.

  After he had visited the farmhouse teardown site and found everything in order, he had gone back to finish his shift. Clocking out he was just getting into his truck to go home when his phone rang and Cade invited him to the impromptu bonfire and hamburger cookout.

  Steve had spent the evening watching Haley get drunk, flashing his beautiful smile as he laughed and talked to everyone, but him. Steve had argued with himself the whole time, trying to convince himself that he was too old at thirty-eight for the twenty-one, almost twenty-two-year-old. Yes, he had carded him shortly after he had arrived. Not because he was worried about the underage issue, he just wanted to memorize his address.

  Finally when it looked like Haley wasn’t going to be able to walk a straight line anymore, Steve had gathered him up in his arms and sat with him cuddled in his lap before the fire.

  Now he had to get the beauty up the stairs into bed, so hopefully he could sleep the alcohol off and maybe avoid the paying homage to the porcelain god.

  Just as Steve put his foot on the first step, there was a noise in the corner of the darken building.

  “You know it would sure be a crime if you are just playing with the man after the shit life he’s had up till now,” a voice said.

  “I don’t play games,” Steve said.

  “He’s got problems and looks like a handful to me,” the voice observed.

  “Then it’s a good thing I’ve got big hands,” Steve countered.

  “But are you in it for the long haul?”

  Steve paused a moment, taking in the smell of sunshine and delicious man. “Yeah, I am,” he answered.

  “All right, I can live with that,” the voice said.

  Steve started up the stairs trying not to jostle the little man too much.

  “Good night, Treb,” he called.

  “Good night,” Treb answered.

  THE END

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  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Bellann Summer lives in the middle of nowhere with her husband and children surrounded by lakes and woods. In the summer Bellann enjoys fishing, camping, gardening and growing flowers. Autumn is spent out in the woods exploring the beautiful colors and nature at its finest. In the winter there is ice fishing, snowmobiling and sitting in front of the wood fireplace. She has always loved to read and any free time is spent with a book in her hand. When major life changes occurred, she decided to try writing what she liked to read. And it worked.

  For all titles by Bellann Summer, please visit

  www.bookstrand.com/bellann-summer

  Siren Publishing, Inc.

  www.SirenPublishing.com