by Day, Xondra
“I’d like that.” Mark pressed his lips against the back of his neck.
“Me too. Now, let’s get back to the ranch.”
* * * *
“Where in the hell have you two been? And Mark, who gave you permission to go off like that?” questioned Cal, his voice demanding answers.
“We were delayed in town. The order from the sawmill was too big for the buckboard. Cluett offered to deliver it this evening. The Mercantile was blocked with people—we had to wait our turn. You can blame me for Mark. I asked for his help and he was good enough to oblige.”
“Is that so…” Cal’s tone lowered. He was backing down. “I needed them damned posts today,” he snapped. “It was important for me to have them.”
“Cluett said they’d be around with them.” He glanced at his pocket watch. “Should be here within the hour. He guaranteed it.”
“And the supplies from The Mercantile?” asked Cal, one strong brow raised, his eyes mere slits.
“It’s all right here in the back. We got everything on that list you had made out.”
Cal went to say something and hesitated. “Take it on down to the mess hall. Have Tuck deal with it. He‘s waiting.”
* * * *
“Do you like him?” asked Mark, once Cal had left. They pulled the buckboard away.
“I owe a lot to that man. When I had no place to call home, he gave me one, along with a job. In many ways, he’s like my father. Better than my father.”
“How do you think he would react if he knew about us?”
“That’s not a worry since it’s never going to happen.”
“You don’t mind hiding?”
“You’re one for questions. Mark, you’re young. You must be what…nineteen, twenty?”
“Nineteen.”
“You need to realise there are things in life that may seem right and totally natural to you. To others, it isn’t. They don’t understand it, so it scares them.”
“I know that. I’m not a kid.”
“I never said you were. If anyone were to find out, we would be done here. I don’t want that to happen, for either of us.”
“I don’t need a lecture. I’m wise to the ways of the world. Being a…homosexual isn’t tolerated.”
“I detest that word, but you got it right. Now, let’s get this stuff unloaded before Tuck comes out here and tosses a fit.”
“Here I am, ready to toss a fit,” scoffed Tuck, coming out the mess hall door. “I’ve been waiting on those supplies. Bring ‘em around back to the kitchen entrance. No pork and beans for supper tonight.”
Chapter Two
Jay’s secret was no longer his own—that alone weighing on his mind was cause enough to prevent him from resting that night.
In the bunk across from him, Mark slept sound, his light snores breaking the silence around him, along with the deep breathing of some of the other men sharing their quarters.
Mark was perfect, handsome and an all-around good guy. And today, well, it had been beyond anything he could ever have expected. It bothered him to know that even if they wanted more than just sex…it would, no, could never happen. His heart ached just a little with sadness at the thought. It was reality, his brutal reality.
Over the past few years, so many of his friends had married. He witnessed their unions, the love, the respect, only to know that was never to be for him.
Normal. What was that, anyway? He tried to be normal once, courting a woman, but in the end, Emmeline had sensed something wasn’t right and she’d sent him away.
“It’s not to be,” she’d said, during that last evening they’d shared together. “Your heart isn’t in it. You’re a wonderful, caring man. I don’t feel we are right for each other.”
He hadn’t fought, he hadn’t protested. When he’d left, he’d been relieved that he no longer had to put up a false front. Since then, he’d become a confirmed bachelor, with zero interest in marrying. No questions asked.
He turned on his side, closing his eyes, doing his best to protest his thoughts along with everything that was unjust and unfair in the modern world. When sleep finally visited, he welcomed it with open arms. All worries now banished, forsaken and exiled to the back of his mind.
* * * *
William Jon arrived earlier that day on the last stagecoach. He stepped out on the dusty road that wasn’t much of one, and felt like he had arrived at the end of the Earth.
His expectations hadn’t been much, but now as he looked around at what was known as Main Street, they fell even lower.
“Hi there,” said an older grey-haired woman. She stepped forward and gently extended her hand to him. “You must be the new school teacher, Mr Jon. My name is Myrtle Hastings. I’m the head of the school board committee here.”
“Nice to meet you.” He shook her hand. “So, this is it.” He glanced around again, holding back a well-needed sigh. This certainly wasn’t the city.
“We’re so glad to have you here, Mr Jon. In fact, it could be said that you saved the day. We’ve been without a school teacher for some time. Not many want a post this far out.”
“I like a challenge and I hope to meet your every expectation.”
“Good. Then I welcome you, and I hope you will enjoy your time with us. The teacher’s house isn’t far from here. I see you only have one bag, we can walk. The house is just up yonder behind the school, so you won’t have far to go each day.”
He listened attentively to her every word as they walked.
“Not many people actually live in town,” she explained. “Just the few folks who run the businesses here. Most of the population lives in the outlying areas either farming or raising cattle. This, after all, is cattle country. School restarts in the latter part of August. You have lots of time to get settled in before the year commences.”
The school looked rather impressive, much larger than he’d expected. And there was the house, just as described, sitting in the middle of a field behind the school, surrounded by a white-washed picket fence.”
“The house,” she said, presenting it to him.
Together, they walked up the winding path and through the gate. She handed him a set of keys and waited for him to unlock the door.
“The outhouse is out back, but you are hooked up to a well via a pump system. It’s most convenient.”
The facilities were much more primitive then he had been used to in the city.
“What do you think?” she asked.
“It’s…nice.”
“It needs a good scrubbing and airing out. It’s been empty for almost a year. But with some hard work, we can knock it back into shape. I have also taken the liberty of hiring on a man to help. The roof needs patching in some areas and the window pane in the kitchen needs replacing. He’s from Buckshot Ranch. His name is Jay Harnett and from what I hear, he’s rather skilled at that sort of work. He should be around tomorrow to assess everything.”
“Great.”
“Then I shall leave you to it. I’m guessing you’re tired and would like to get settled in after your trip.” In a flurry of skirts, she was gone.
She was right. He was tired, weary and perpetually confused. The latter of which was what had driven him to come here in the first place.
Running away never solved anything, but in this situation, he felt his options were limited. When the teaching opportunity had fallen into his lap through the advice of a friend, he’d grabbed it.
A fresh start, that was best. Forget the past and move on. In theory, it was easier said than done.
It had not been easy to leave. Steven had been adamant about keeping him there. Steven, who had been the love of his life, the one who’d betrayed him and broken his heart.
He sat down on a wobbly chair in what he guessed to be the kitchen, remembering their last night, the night he’d told Steven he was leaving.
“You can’t just up and leave. I need you here, Will.”
“You have a wife. Are you forgetting th
at small fact? You left me for her, you made your choice. You don’t love her. Both you and I know that.”
“I don’t,” Steven had said, admitting his true feelings. He’d clasped both hands in his lap and looked down at the floor from where he had been sitting. “I had no choice. If I did not marry her, my father would have disowned me. You know how he is. If he suspected something between you and I. It would not have been good.”
“When are you ever going to break free from him? Are you going to allow him to control you for the rest of his and your life? Damn you, Steven! I put myself out there for you. I trusted you, allowed myself to love you.”
“I love you too…I will never stop loving you.”
“You have one heck of a funny way of showing it. Even when we met first in the boarding school. It was me who befriended you, when the rest of the boys taunted you for being what you really are. Do you remember that?”
“Yes.”
“I didn’t care what they said. I saw something in you. I thought you were special, and when we confided in each other, we formed a bond. That bond grew into something great. Am I wrong in saying this?”
“No.”
“I’m leaving in the morning. I can’t stay, it’s not in my heart to do so. I can’t even bear to see you with…her. It sickens me.”
Steven had leapt to his feet. He’d grabbed Will, embracing him. “I’ll die if you go!”
“You won’t. You will carry on…as if nothing has ever happened between us, and so will I. It’s too late. What’s done is done.”
He’d felt Steven’s slender fingers slide into his black curls, coming to rest on the back of his neck.
“We can’t do this,” he’d muttered.
“Just one last time,” Steven had begged. “Tomorrow the rest of the world can have you, but give me tonight.”
They’d undressed and got into bed, merging in each other’s arms, knowing that it would be their last time together.
At first he’d resisted.
“Don’t turn away from me,” Steven had said, caressing his cheek.
They’d kissed.
He groaned when Steven went under the blankets, taking him in his mouth. That hot, wet mouth that he had come to know and relish over the years, pleasuring him inch by inch.
Will reached down and braced both hands on Steven’s shoulders, trembling, pleasure washing over him in waves. And when Steven spread his legs, placing one finger between his cheeks, he shuddered, knowing what was to come.
He squirmed back and forth against Steven’s teasing finger. Relaxing made it less painful. He had to relax.
“On your side,” whispered Steven.
He cried out when Steven entered him. He winced in pain and pushed back, opening up, accepting the cock that was now planted firm inside his butt.
He clenched a pillow close to him as they rocked back and forth, both sweating profusely and beyond any realm of caring.
He came, sparks exploding inside his inner core. He always came fast and hard with Steven’s cock inside him. He shook as he ejaculated, hot cum covering his chest.
It ended. It was the end of them. It had been their last time together. Neither said a word as they drifted off to sleep, lost to each other.
When dawn broke through the drapes, Will slipped out of bed, dressed and left. He wasn’t one for dramatic goodbyes. Everything that needed to be said had been the night before.
So, here he was, in the middle of nowhere. It had taken so much out of him to make the move.
Tomorrow he would get up early, go to The Mercantile they had passed in town for some foodstuffs and other supplies. After that, he would dig in, making the place into a home before the man came around to assess things.
* * * *
Good Lord, did the guy have to sleep naked? Mark’s drool-worthy ass hung out from under the side of the blanket, his perfect round ass. Jay groaned. Did he have to do that?
Standing at full mast beneath his blanket, his eyes settled on the pair of creamy white cheeks. He would have done anything to touch them, to…
His mind flashed back to their earlier encounter and the taste of Mark’s cock. He licked his lips.
Mark stirred and turned on his side to face him, his eyes open, a smile and a wink. In the darkness they could see each other through the light of the bright moon. Mark grinned, one hand moving slowly as he watched Jay. It was obvious where that hand had gone, and what he was doing with it.
Jay watched him, the excitement in his own groin increasing. He watched Mark tense and guessed that he had come. He shook his head and let loose with his own grin, mouthing the word ‘crazy’ at him. The young guy was certainly something else with a wild streak that often shocked him.
He sure was a different sort.
Jay closed his eyes. He had a few hours yet before rising. He had promised to work on the teacher’s house at some point that day.
No doubt the new teacher was some demure, pretty young thing. He hope to God she wouldn’t flirt with him. Anytime a woman made eyes at him, he always felt awkward and out of place. He preferred the company of men in every way.
Chapter Three
The lady who owned The Mercantile, as it was called, along with her husband, was more than happy to assist him and fill his order.
She spun around the store with list in hand, all the while telling him the merits of living in the area.
Will smiled and nodded as she went on and on. When she would slow down, he’d slip a word or two in just to keep her entertained and amused.
After his supplies had been bundled up, he made his way back to the house.
The wallpaper in the front parlour had unstuck in many places, and removing it proved to be a daunting task. It was apparent that the previous teacher had a thing for everything floral. However, it wasn’t his taste and it had to go.
Soaking it with luke-warm soapy water proved helpful, and by noon, most of the room had been stripped free of the horrid overly feminine pattern.
The house had potential. The structure appeared to be sound and the layout, while small, was practical.
“Hello?” called a deep baritone voice.
He jumped just a bit, then blushed at his reaction now that the man was standing before him. “I’m sorry. You startled me. You must be the man from the ranch.”
“Jay Harnett,” replied the man, reaching out to grip his hand in a firm handshake. “You’re the new teacher?”
“William Jon, but most usually call me Will.”
“I was expecting a woman.”
“Sorry to disappoint you then.”
The man shifted uncomfortably. “I didn’t mean any disrespect. We just never had a man teacher around here before.”
“Is that so? Well, there is always room for change, and sometimes it’s well-needed. Don’t you think?”
“I reckon in some circumstances. Change can bring about much good.”
“Well, at least we agree on something.”
“I see you’ve started.”
“The wallpaper? Yeah, it had to go. I prefer more neutral tones.”
“Now we have two things in common.” The man grinned, two deep dimples framing his smile.
He was handsome in a rugged way. Will traced his eyes over the man’s strong chest and back to his face. He possessed a nice smile, warm and welcoming.
“I hear the roof is in a hard way, and on the way in, I spotted a couple of pickets missing from the fence.”
“And the glass in the kitchen window, it’s busted,” added Will. “The rest I can manage myself.”
“Well then, I best get up on the roof and take a look. Do you have a ladder?”
“It’s out back, leaning against the house.”
“Great.”
When he turned to walk away, Will couldn’t resist stealing a quick glance at the other man’s perfectly sculpted butt. He flushed again at the less than pure thoughts racing through his mind. The last thing he needed at this time was complication
s. And thinking about any man in that forbidden way could possible bring them about in spades.
Thirty minutes later, Jay returned. He cradled one hand in the other and there was blood, so much blood.
“What happened?” asked Will, rushing to him, concerned.
“Rough edge. It’s not bad, just a tear.”
“Let me see.”
“I just need it wrapped to help stop the bleeding.”
“In the kitchen, now,” ordered Will. “I’ll need to clean it. Run it first under the water.”
He held Jay’s hand under the flow of water while he pumped with his free one. “It isn’t bad as I thought, just a lot of blood. Hold it there while I get something to clean and wrap it with.”
He returned with two long strips of cotton along with a bottle of rubbing alcohol. “This should do it,” he said, after cleansing and dressing the wound. “I’d advise you to get a doctor to take a look.”
“No need. It’ll be fine. Thanks for seeing to it. I ‘spects the doctor would have done the same as you have.”
Their eyes met.
“When will you be back again?” asked Will.
“Tomorrow. Cal, my boss, has given me the okay to be away from the ranch until the work is completed.”
“Well, Mr Harnett, let’s call it a day.” Being in this man’s company, he didn’t entirely trust himself.
“From now on, call me Jay.”
“Then you will have to call me Will.”
They walked to the door and he watched Jay head off down the path. His heart thudded and he felt slightly nauseous. Was Jay different, like him? Was that even possible? There had been a spark. Something had been exchanged between the two of them.
* * * *
Gosh darn it! The new teacher surely isn’t a woman, but a man and a rather attractive-looking one!
Surely the man wasn’t a…homosexual. He winced at even the sheer notion of thinking about that word. Everything about it brought back bad memories, memories of church, and being told that all homosexuals would burn in the flames of hell for all eternity by the preacher.
