by Jan Irving
“Howd Hall and Sally make out?” Kyle asked in a low voice, tramping through the tall, dried grass and yellow flowers to pat the big horses neck. The day was as clear as a bell, the sky that hard blue perfection that set off the yellow warmth of the sun.
“Smooth as silk,” Jesse said, smiling. “You made a good call, boss.” “Uh-huh.” Kyle watched David take charge of the picnic blanket and supplies for his carriage. Most of the hands were out for the afternoon, driving carriages and enjoying the party. Kyle figured it would be the talk of the town, which was what he wanted for David.
As he watched folks setting up, Kyle gave Hall a carrot hed brought specially, hoping his favorite horse would be in better spirits. “Looks like everything will work out,” he whispered. He was even beginning to believe he and Jesse might have…something. His fears over being too old for Jesse, about being too vanilla, had so far been disproved by how Jesse took him, how together they caught fire. And after being with him when theyd played around with Kyles yoga positions, he felt as if Jesse had marked him, as if it were Kyle wearing the tattoo.
* * *
Marjorie laughed as she dug into more of the sushi. “Mmmm! Very cosmopolitan, Mr. Jacobs,” she praised Kyle. “And the fresh strawberries covered in white and dark chocolate are divine.”
“Youve eaten your fair share.” He smiled as he watched her take a sip of the champagne hed provided for the adults who wouldnt be driving the carriages back. “You bet. I havent enjoyed myself so much since you and Mac…you know, when he was alive you used to do stuff like this,” she said.
Kyles gaze went to Jesse sitting in jeans, a T-shirt, and his battered leather jacket and cowboy boots. His blue eyes gleamed with a lazy light as they caught on Kyles, and he flashed an impudent grin. “Yeah.”
“Careful, or itll be really obvious to David,” she warned him after taking another calm sip.
Kyle flushed, dropping his hungry gaze.
“You havent told the kid yet?” Concern wrinkled her forehead, and Kyle understood, since shed taken such an interest in David. They were simpatico when it came to caring for animals on the ranch.
Kyle shook his head. “He remembers me with Mac. Itll be hard to tell him Ive moved on with my life. And… I wasnt sure there was going to be anything to tell him for a while.”
“Uh-huh.” Amusement sparkled in her eyes. “I knew there was something between you and Jesse the first time I saw you standing together—just a tad too close.”
Kyle cleared his throat, a little embarrassed. “Hes very young, but I cant seem to… Damn it, it feels right.”
“He seems to know his own mind,” she pointed out. “Like all the Coulter men, very determined to get what he wants.”
Now some real color heated Kyles cheeks, and Marjorie snickered.
“We will tell David about us. Though well get this party out of the way first.”
Marjorie nodded in approval, looking around at the laughing parents, teachers, cowhands, and teens enjoying the lavish spread. “This is a hell of a thing youve done for love of that kid.”
* * *
David wasnt even irritated when some of the kids he wasnt too fond of sat near him and Sam and Thomas, distracting his new friends. He couldnt believe all the trouble Kyle and Jesse had gone to. He felt like his life had been a big pumpkin, and then it had been turned into that ornate carriage theyd used to get out to the meadow.
But as much as he was enjoying himself, he felt that familiar worry eat at him. Whenever things were going really well, something always went wrong, crushed his happiness. He knew he had to get over this feeling, but it continued to haunt him.
Listening to Sams enthusiasm helped. She was certainly enjoying herself. David liked how she was almost as shy as he was. Thomas said if it werent for him, David and Sam would probably never talk at all. Thomas was older than both of them, and he liked to tease. Just looking at him leaning back on his arms in the sunshine twisted up Davids insides and made sweat coat his upper lip. He wanted to touch that long body, to kiss those lips.
He pulled his knees closer, trying to curb his feeling. He didnt even know if Thomas felt that way. But he was a good friend, and David didnt want to lose him, so hed keep this pain to himself.
His restless gaze moved over to Jesse and Kyle locking eyes. Huh. He made a note to talk to Jess soon. Hed been picking up this weird red-orange vibe running hot between him and Kyle, especially lately. If they were still fighting, he wanted them to settle things. Hed never been happier, and Kyle was a good guy. Hed made Mac happy, and living with him again on the ranch had given David back a ghost of the brother hed lost.
* * *
Jed watched the picnickers enjoying the spread that Jacobs had put on. He ate the food, but his gut burned. The fucker was still finding a way to shine. Didnt they care he was a fudge packer? Jed had seen him himself with Jesse, kissing him, practically doing him against one of the ranch vehicles.
His gaze fell on David, who was talking to his new friends, looking something other than sullen for a change.
The kid had actually threatened him if he didnt leave the horses alone. Jed had sworn he had nothing to do with it, and had offered proof hed been repairing fencing with Miles for the days leading up to the incident. David had finally bought it, obviously unsure how Jed could manage to be in two places at the same time. He smirked, remembering. But lately only his threat that Jacobs or his precious brother Jesse might suffer an accident seemed to be keeping David in line.
* * *
Kyle and Jesse sat next to Principal James Compton and some of the parents on the largest blanket. They were all enjoying iced coffee now the meal was over. “I wanted to speak to you,” Compton said. “Im very impressed with what youve done for the kids today. You might know I run the youth programs in town. Do you think you would be able to educate kids on these big horses at some point, Mr. Jacobs?”
Kyle couldnt help blinking. It would be great PR, exactly what his ailing business needed right now. “Of course,” he said, thinking hed put in the extra time himself since they were still perilously shorthanded.
“Are you going to take part in the Fall Festival again this year?” Compton continued.
He wasnt sure where hed get the drivers, but one way or another… “Yeah,” Kyle said. “Jesse here will be driving.”
He saw amusement and contentment in Jesses eyes and had to resist bending close for a kiss. What was he thinking?
“You’re thinking…”
Kyle shook his head minutely, not ready. “I intend to enter Hall again,” he said, hoping his luck was changing and his horse was up to it.
The principal nodded. “Hes brought honors to our town in the past, best in the state.” He looked at Jesse. “I remember when you took classes at our school. Mac was very involved in coaching the kids. Hes still missed.” His green eyes took in both men, so Kyle gave a slight nod of acknowledgment as Macs former partner.
Mac had always liked kids. He would have been a hell of a father, and Kyle was only sorry Mac had never had the chance. Hed done well by David and Jesse, though.
“Its good of you to take in his kid brothers.”
Jesse bristled. “Im twenty, sir.”
Compton blinked. “Of course, Im sorry. Its just Kyle is so much older. I imagine hes like a father figure for you boys.”
Jesse growled something under his breath.
* * *
“Wait till I get you alone. You’ll forget all about that asshole calling you a father figure.”
“I don’t doubt it.” In Jesses arms, Kyle found it hard to remember all the reasons hed put up to stay away from him.
“Kyle, there isn’t a lick of truth to it. People are just people; we love who we love.”
Yet Kyle couldnt help feeling slightly morose as he took the reins and encouraged Hall and Sally to head back to the ranch. There was nothing behind them but flattened fall grass and waving flowers, and the day seemed a little darker, but he knew i
t was just because this big event hed worked so hard to bring off was over.
He glanced over his shoulder at David, relieved to hear him laughing as he talked to his friends. He hoped this made it a little easier for him to fit in at his new school.
Ahead he saw the hay wagon Jesse was driving rattling down the unpaved road, leaving spindly grooves in the dried mud. He was entertaining his passengers, full of that big-city charisma that had bowled Kyle over when Jesse got off his Harley and strode confidently back into Kyles life.
Almost as if he had always meant to return.
Remembering the tattoo, Kyle wondered.
“I came back to claim my man, Kyle. Make no mistake.”
Kyle inhaled sharply, feeling more of his fears drop aside. “Jess.” His Jess didnt try to hide what he was feeling, and it made Kyle relive that moment the younger man had wrapped his arms around Kyle after their first time. Maybe Jesse was right, and he was worrying too much about what folks would say about them— even if the remark about his being old enough to be Jesses father stung his pride.
Maybe that part of his life—where he loved someone and became a partner again—wasnt over the way hed figured.
* * *
As they neared the barn a little while later, Kyle caught raised voices. He was suddenly alert, wondering if there was some problem with his horses or one of the guests.
Jesse was standing with his hands on his hips, shouting something at Miles. Trouble. Something was wrong.
And then he saw it, and it was like a fist slamming into his chest. Spray paint the color of blood scrawled words over the side of the barn. KYLE JACOBS FUCKED MAC COULTER, AND NOW HES FUCKING
JESSE COULTER. Kyle stared at the words, unable to process how they could be there. He saw papers littering the ground, saw Miles and Jesse frantically gathering them, but some of their guests had them, and they were looking at Kyle.
Miles snatched one from Sams parents, growling, “The boss is a good man!” Kyle jumped down from the carriage, only years of discipline making him secure the horses before he investigated. A leaflet crunched under his boots, and he reached down to pick it up. It was a grainy photocopy of a picture of him and Jess, caught kissing against the side of the truck while out on the range.
Oh God, no. David said, crushing paper in his fist as he glared at Kyle, “Youre Macs. You loved Mac!”
Feeling like everything hed tried so hard to do that day was burning away like a match lighting kindling, curling up, smoking ash, Kyle watched David run away from him and Jess toward the open field.
Chapter Seventeen
“Any sign of him?” Kyle asked hours later, rubbing his eyes wearily after pulling up the truck to talk to Miles McKinnon, who was on horseback. Miles shook his head, looking as gloomy as Kyle felt.
“I checked the north pastures up into the foothills. Hope to hell he hasnt gone that far. You know theres cougars up there. Taken some of our calves this year,” Miles said.
“Damn, Miles, thats rough country.” One of his cowhands had broken a leg there once and hadnt been found in time.
“Hes just a kid, boss. And hes a Coulter, Macs kin.” Kyle saw the determination in Miless gaze that matched his own. They couldnt lose another Coulter. “Check the east fields. Im driving to the west line cabin,” Kyle said. “Now the Durrants have moved out, its empty. He might have holed up there.”
“I still cant believe the Durrants moved out last week,” McKinnon said. “I know Chet was making noise, but I figured it was just talk. Theyd been here a long time…”
“Yeah, I know. Plus, three more hands quit, including Jed and that young guy whos into bull riding.”
“Hell, they were no-accounts, boss. And that man Jed is no loss. I think hes been behind all the rumors that made people up and quit,” Miles said. “We need some good men with staying power. At least Jesse is no slouch. He does the job of two men.”
“Good men wont work for me.” Kyles jaw ticked. “Not after…” He flushed hot, unwilling to bring up the goddamned spray paint that was still slathered on the side of his beloved horse barn. It would be there awhile; he couldnt spare the men to paint over it.
“What do you mean, boss? What am I, sliced apple turnover?” Miles widened his eyes, and Kyle gave a rusty laugh.
“Okay, maybe you and me and Jesse can keep the place going along with Albert and Michael and our field hands.”
“Damn straight, if we have to.”
“Okay, lets find David. Then we can all go back to work.”
* * *
Jesse watched through the open door, his hand tapping a nervous tattoo against the open jamb. Kyle pulled into the drive. Jessed been tending Kyles plants, despite his brown thumb. He needed to do something, nurture something since it sucked being the one who stayed at home base in case David called or returned. Now he tensed, watching Kyle step out of his truck, even knowing through their special connection that David wasnt with him.
Kyle slammed the door shut and looked at Jesse.
“Hes all right. Id feel it if he werent,” Jesse said.
Kyle strode over and crushed Jesse close, murmuring into his hair, “Of course
he is.”
“Have you eaten?”
Kyle swallowed. “Not a thing. Couldnt.”
“Me either, but…”
“Yeah, I suppose we have to. Come on.”
When they entered the kitchen, Jesse opened a cupboard and stared at the
pots. “Its Davys turn to cook,” he said. “I know. Im going to order takeout.” Kyle snagged the phone, reaching out to stroke Jesses forearm as he called in what they usually ordered.
“You were right.” Jesse rubbed his eyes. “I was wrong. I thought because of how I felt, how right it is with you, David would just—”
“He just needs time, Jess. Well talk to him.”
Jesse cleared his throat. “Does that mean you arent…giving up on us? I thought, all those people, David—”
“Fuck it. So they saw a picture of us kissing. So they know I… They know how I feel. Big deal.”
“It might be a big deal for the Fall Festival. I know you were hoping doing well there would pull the carriage business out of the red,” Jesse pointed out wearily. “A few of our guests were saying some pretty ugly things.”
“Let them squawk. You think Mac and I didnt go through that crap? A lot of people were more comfortable calling us friends than seeing who we really were. I was lucky the owner didnt care as long as the ranch ran smoothly.”
“But its not doing that now. How many people have we got left to work it?”
“Just enough until we can find some new hands. Jess”—Kyle squeezed his hand—“let me worry about that. Ive been doing this for a long time. What matters now is we find David, we get him back, and we talk to him.”
“We really fucked up his big day.”
“We didnt do anything, and when I find the asshole behind all this shit—”
“Youll have to wait in line,” Jesse growled. “You worked so hard to make it special for him with sushi and flowers and even the frickin Cinderella carriage.”
Kyle shrugged. “I might have to make a few sacrifices, but well manage.”
Jesse frowned. “What do you mean?”
But Kyle only climbed to his feet. “I think I heard the doorbell. Thatll be dinner.”
“Yeah.” Jesses head fell. It was hard to ask; why was it so hard to ask? But he felt exposed, his usual never-say-die confidence battered into dust.
“Youll stay with me tonight. Might as well, since our secret is out,” Kyle said, looking over his shoulder at Jesse.
“David…”
“If he comes home on his own, I have the alarms on the doors set to ping a warning in my bedroom. Not just these kids that can take advantage of new technology, turns out.”
“You do hate texting.”
“I wouldnt mind it so much from him right now.”
“Me too.” Jesse could clearly see t
hat caring that had drawn him like a warm bonfire to return to this man. “Thanks, Kyle.”
* * *
David didnt feel lost, which was kind of a joke, because hed been walking forever. Couple times hed seen Miles and even Kyle in ranch vehicles out looking for him, but hed hidden in tall grass or behind some brush, so theyd passed him by.
His throat burned with anger and tears, which was stupid. He just needed to think, and then hed be fine. He walked over a little rise and looked down to see lights strung around a small shed. Lights were good. It was really fucking late, and he didnt want to stay out in the woods anymore. Hed already caught the sound of deadfall crackling behind him once when he was fording a stream. He hadnt heard or seen anything else, but whatever it was had trailed him the space of three creeks until hed reached this sign of civilization.
It had probably been a cougar. Jesse would totally freak if he knew, which was rich, considering his brother was a natural daredevil. But he didnt like David taking chances.
As he grew closer, something about the little building and the fence-post construction caught his attention. Mac. It was Macs work. He recognized the way the corral was set up, the pattern of the logs in the shed, almost like a fingerprint. Hed helped Mac out often enough when hed been building or repairing something. Hed been a good cowhand, but a better carpenter, always in demand for projects on the ranch.
David hated that he needed a photograph to remember Mac now—excepting his gray eyes, which David met in the mirror every day.
