Saddle Up

by A. M. Arthur

Miles missed him immediately when Reyes moved away, but he stayed upright somehow while the other men got Dallas draped over Blizzard’s back on his stomach. Robin grabbed the reins for both horses, while Reyes helped Miles stand. Miles swayed once, but stayed upright. After a dozen steps, though, the world went out from beneath him.

  Reyes swung him up into his arms, and Miles clung to him, head pounding, whole body sweating. He felt awful and had no shame in being carried, even over rough terrain, for what felt like an eternity. They finally reached the road, and Reyes eased him down so they were sitting on the grass shoulder. Dallas was still out, and Blizzard somehow seemed annoyed at her burden.

  Smart girl. Miles wouldn’t want Dallas draped across him, either.

  He was so comfortable in Reyes’s arms that he started dozing again, desperate to escape the pain in his head, back, and face. Desperate for a little bit of peace.

  “Miles, stay awake for me,” Reyes said, his voice distant. Muffled. “Stay awake...”

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  Reyes was an absolute bear to everyone in the ER, and he didn’t give a good goddamn. His boyfriend was in a cubicle, separated from him, and all Reyes wanted was to be by Miles’s side. To reassure him that everything was going to be all right.

  Everything had to be all right.

  That first scream was etched into Reyes’s memory—the sound of Dallas breaking Miles’s nose. He and Robin had both heard it, and it had given them a new direction to follow on the heels of that first gunshot. It had taken everything in Reyes not to panic, because without knowing for sure, something told him Miles was in trouble. And seeing Miles on the ground, traumatized, his pants open, blood on his face, had both horrified and incensed Reyes.

  Learning Miles had, in fact, saved himself from Dallas made Reyes so fucking proud he couldn’t stand it. As much as he wanted to murder Dallas with his bare hands, knowing Miles was okay came first.

  Besides, a sheriff’s deputy was standing guard at Dallas’s cubicle, so getting at the guy would be difficult.

  Robin was speaking with the sheriff, recounting their movements while Reyes paced like a caged tiger. The ER doors slid open. Wes, Mack, and Colt stormed the waiting room.

  “I will fucking kill him where he stands,” Wes said, red-faced and fuming. “Where is he? All I need is sixty seconds and a scalpel to remove some delicate bits of anatomy.”

  “Tone it down, Wes,” Mack said. He put a hand on the back of Wes’s neck. “Miles is okay.”

  “He’s alive, but how do you know he’s okay?”

  Fair question. “I haven’t talked to a doctor yet,” Reyes said. “And it’s starting to piss me off. All these tests and no answers.”

  “What exactly happened?” Colt asked. “All Robin said on the phone was that Dallas attacked Miles in the woods, Miles fought back, and they both have head wounds.”

  Reyes summarized the last hour of his life, including what Miles told him about what Dallas wanted. “That creature threatened everyone Miles loves, but Miles held his ground. I wish I’d saved that rock to make into a trophy for my dresser.”

  “But Dallas didn’t actually, you know...?” Wes trailed off the question.

  “No, he didn’t.” Reyes didn’t need clarification. “I am so goddamn proud of Miles for standing up for himself and fighting. But he passed out before the ambulance got there, and I need to know he’s okay.”

  Wes flung his arms around Reyes’s shoulders, and despite him not being the person Reyes wanted in his arms, he hugged his brother back, grateful for the support. Then Mack and Colt joined in the group hug, and it was enough to calm Reyes’s racing heart a fraction.

  “You have to be so sick of hospitals by now,” Colt said to Mack once the hug broke apart. “First me, then Arthur, and now Miles.”

  “Yeah, I call a moratorium on injuries for at least a year,” Wes said. “Please?”

  “I’ll do my best,” Reyes replied.

  Robin joined them, and then Reyes did his best to answer the sheriff’s questions, corroborating the things Robin said, adding what few details of his own he remembered, including everything Miles told him. Yes, Reyes could show the forensic team the location where the fight took place. No, he didn’t speak to Dallas at all, he was unconscious the entire time.

  The good news was, thanks to the protection order, the sheriff’s department had a record of Dallas stalking Miles.

  A doctor finally came over to speak to them. “Miles took a solid wallop to the back of his head, but there are no signs of a concussion. Some bad bruising on his back from the fall that will be tender for a while, but it will clear up on its own. He has a hairline fracture in his nose, so it’ll be swollen for a few days, but he should be good as new in a week or two. Over-the-counter pain meds should do it, but I’ll prescribe a higher-dose ibuprofen to help him through the first few days.”

  Relief slammed into Reyes’s chest. “So he’ll be okay?”

  “He needs to take it easy for a few days, but he’ll make a full recovery. I can also make a few recommendations for counselors, if Miles wishes to speak to someone about the attack. It does help.”

  “Thank you, I’ll talk to him about it. May I see him now?”

  “Yes, but no more than two at a time. He needs to rest. And I won’t be admitting him, so I’ll see about getting his discharge paperwork started.”

  “Thank you, doctor.” All Reyes wanted to do was take his boyfriend home and pamper him for a week.

  Wes looked like he was ready to climb out of his own skin, but he nudged Reyes forward. “Go see him. I can wait a few more minutes.”

  Reyes shot him a grateful smile and strode toward the cubicle. His heart started pounding double-time when he finally saw Miles, so still and pale in that hospital bed. A small bandage crossed the bridge of his nose, and his skin was free of blood. Twin smudges of bruising were starting to darken beneath both closed eyes. Every mark made Reyes’s blood burn with hatred, but he pushed that away for now.

  He stroked Miles’s bare forearm, needing some sort of physical contact, and Miles opened his eyes. An immediate flash of fear disappeared behind a sleepy smile. “Hey,” Miles said. “You’re here.”

  “Been here the whole time. Doctors have these weird rules about people not being in the way during exams.”

  Miles made a soft chuffing sound. “Silly rules. My head hurts.”

  “I know. You hit it pretty hard, but you’re going to be okay. And I get to take you home soon.” He hesitated. “If that’s what you want?”

  “Home sounds great.”

  “Miles, I know this doesn’t fix what’s wrong between us, and we still need to talk about it. I know all that.”

  “I know you do. I just...after this, I need to be near you, Reyes. You’re the only person who’s ever really made me feel safe.”

  “I’m sorry I didn’t protect you, but I’m proud of you for protecting yourself. I can never express that pride with words. You’re amazing.”

  Miles grinned. “Thanks. I’m proud of me, too.” His eyebrows jumped. “Did they find Tango?”

  Reyes had been so focused on Miles, he’d been ignoring his phone, so he checked his notifications. “Text from Judson. They found her wandering the ghost town.”

  “Oh, good.”

  Reyes reached up to ruffle Miles’s flyaway curls. “You called her your horse. Earlier.”

  “She feels like mine. I do love her to bits. You think Arthur would let me buy her and pay stall fees to keep her in the barn?”

  “I think anything is possible right now. Absolutely anything.” Reyes leaned down to press a soft kiss to Miles’s lips. “Maybe I’ll see about buying Hot Coffee. That way we can saddle up and go riding whenever we want.”

  “I like the sound of that.”

  * * *

  Under direct orders from Mac
k, Miles took the entire week off from the ranch. Mack promised the saloon would be taken care of, and that Miles deserved the time off after everything he’d been through.

  Miles didn’t argue; he loved being pampered by Reyes too much.

  Reyes switched his schedule around and divvied up his responsibilities in a way that allowed him to only work a few hours in the morning, giving him all afternoon and evening at home. For the first two days, Miles was too sore to do much more than stay in bed and watch movies on his tablet. By Wednesday, though, the cabin was making him stir crazy, so he and Reyes took walks together.

  Miles knew his face looked awful, but at least he hadn’t actually broken his nose. And while he knew Dallas was under arrest on a whole host of charges, Miles couldn’t wander the ranch with the same ease as before. Something could be lurking in the shadows. And after chatting with Colt about it, Miles agreed that seeing a counselor, even if only once, would probably help with those fears, so Miles set up an appointment. Reyes did, too, with a different therapist, and Miles was glad. They’d both needed to see counselors a long time ago.

  He had a checkup in town with Dr. Weaver on Friday, and the doc cleared him for horse riding again, as long as he kept it to a walk. No galloping for another week, at least. Miles could live with that, and Friday afternoon, he and Reyes saddled up their horses and went out into the wilds, spending hours walking, resting, and exploring.

  And talking. In the week since Reyes’s explosive secret came out, Miles had reset his picture of the man he’d fallen in love with. Reyes had done a horrible thing, but that didn’t make him a horrible person. It made him flawed and human, and he’d spent his entire life since trying to make amends any way he could. Miles understood that. And with Miles’s encouragement, Reyes had written an apology letter to Miguel. They both knew no one would read it except Reyes, but Reyes spent hours drafting it on his laptop. Putting down in pixels words he could never say in person, and it was a start. A step toward atonement. While a shadow of that teenage Reyes might always lurk in a deep, dark corner of the man, it was less a reminder of who he’d been than a testament to the adult he’d become.

  A kind, generous, selfless adult who loved his friends, loved horses, and who loved a damaged cook with his whole heart. And Miles loved him back, implicitly. They’d both changed a lot this past year and a half, and Miles would be forever grateful to Wes for insisting Miles tag along on the bridal party vacation last year.

  One week had changed his entire life for the better. And he wanted this new life to last forever.

  Saturday evening, as soon as the guests left, Miles, Reyes, Mack, and Wes climbed into Miles’s car and drove into San Francisco to meet Colt and Avery for dinner. Avery had chosen a fun, bright restaurant in the Castro, the hub of San Fran’s queer community. All around them were same-sex couples out for a good time in a safe space. Conrad and Sophie also met them there, and they had excited hugs for everyone.

  The large, round table made conversation easier. Avery chatted about the class he was teaching, and Mack told a few stories from Bentley—Miles was eager to return to work next week. He genuinely missed the quiet-frenetic-quiet pace of the saloon and he missed Shawn, who’d called him a few times to check in.

  It often amazed Miles to think he went from having one real friend in Wes, to an entire extended family in the people at this table, and the staff at Clean Slate. Arthur was easing into his rehab and doing well. Judson, Patrice, and Reyes were keeping the ranch going like pros. Everyone was...happy.

  Especially Miles.

  After they all ordered drinks and appetizers to share, Miles reached into his pocket and pulled out a slim band of metal. He angled to face Reyes more fully, then tapped his spoon against his water glass to get everyone’s attention. He blushed, because he preferred not to have all eyes on him, but he’d committed to this last night.

  “I’m not normally one for big displays of affection,” Miles said, his voice shaky with nerves. “But my heart is so full right now. When I chose Wes for a roommate, I never imagined how he would change my life.” He looked across the table at his best friend, who was smiling brightly. “You have always been an amazing friend, and without you, I wouldn’t be here today. Safe, happy, and in love, so thank you.”

  Wes gave him a teary-eyed salute.

  Miles turned back to Reyes, who smiled at him with so much adoration it made the rest of this easier. “I love you with my whole heart, and I know love can be messy and imperfect, and we won’t always agree. But I want a life and a future with you, and I hope this isn’t too soon.”

  He opened his palm to reveal the platinum band. Someone at the table gasped.

  Reyes’s eyes gleamed.

  “Reyes Aaròn Caldero, will you marry me?” Miles asked.

  “Yes.” Not even a second’s hesitation. “Hell yes, I’ll marry you, Miles.”

  Heart squeezing with emotion, Miles slid the ring onto Reyes’s finger. A cheer went up around their table that quickly traversed the entire restaurant, until not only their friends, but perfect strangers were coming over to congratulate them both. It took a full five minutes before Miles could even kiss his fiancé, but it didn’t matter. They had the rest of their lives to love each other.

  Wes hugged him for a long time before kissing both his cheeks. “You deserve all this and more.”

  “Thank you. So do you.”

  Miles pulled out the other ring so Reyes could slip it onto his finger, sealing the deal completely. He’d chosen platinum bands because it was stronger than gold or silver, more likely to endure hardships and stress—just like them. Stronger together and now bound by a promise. Miles didn’t care when they actually got married. Tomorrow, next week, or five years from now. He’d put his heart into Reyes’s hands with this gesture, because he trusted the man to honor and treasure him for the rest of their lives.

  Their table settled as the drink order arrived, and Wes proposed a toast. “First, to the newly engaged Miles and Reyes, the second couple in our group to take that plunge.”

  Colt and Avery exchanged lovestruck smiles.

  “What about us?” Sophie asked.

  “Doesn’t count,” Wes replied. “You were engaged before the rest of us met.”

  She blew a raspberry. “Fine, then when are you and Mack getting engaged?”

  “We agreed the ghost town needed to be running and somewhat successful for at least one full year before we talked about marriage. Besides, we’re doing just fine as is.”

  Mack slung an arm across Wes’s shoulders in a slightly possessive way.

  “We should do a double-wedding up at Bentley,” Colt said with a grin. “How fun would that be?”

  Miles glanced at Avery, who shrugged. Guess neither of them had any big plans about their weddings. Miles had never given much thought to marriage, period, but now he wanted that commitment with Reyes.

  “We can talk about it later,” Reyes said. “We’ve got time.”

  “Well, just don’t make any big plans for seven months from now,” Sophie said.

  “Why not?” Wes asked. “What’s happening in April? Ghost town anniversary?”

  “No, but I like the timing.” She glanced at Conrad, who looked like he wanted to vibrate out of his chair. “I don’t mean to step on Miles’s proposal, but we did want to tell you all tonight.”

  Wes gasped, one hand flying to his chest. “You aren’t!”

  Sophie beamed. “We’re pregnant. You guys are going to be uncles.”

  Their table became another flurry of hugs and congratulations, which didn’t settle until their server brought out the appetizers. Wes wiped his eyes and blew his nose, his excitement over this news palpable.

  And Miles was excited, too. Excited to see their family grow with this new little addition. Excited to get back to work at a job he loved, with friends he adored. Excited for his future
with Reyes and the life they would build together.

  A life he would fight with every fiber of his being to protect against anyone who might cause them harm.

  Always.

  * * * * *

  Acknowledgments

  Is it odd to want to thank the fictional staff of a fictional ranch? Because the staff and visitors to Clean Slate Ranch are so real in my head, and I have adored telling their stories. From his first appearance in Wild Trail, I knew Miles had a story to tell, and what a story it was. And Reyes was the perfect man to draw Miles out of his shell and back into the world. Along the way, they had their friends and family to support and love them.

  Mega thanks to my editor, Alissa Davis. You always know how to help me make a book the best it can be, and I adore working with you. I am truly blessed. To the members of my Facebook reader group, Pot O Gold, you guys keep me going with your humor and support. Thank you.

  Also available from A.M. Arthur

  and Carina Press

  No Such Thing

  Maybe This Time

  Stand By You

  Getting It Right

  Finding Their Way

  Taking a Chance

  Come What May

  Say It Right

  As I Am

  Wild Trail

  Roped In

  Also available from A.M. Arthur

  Cost of Repairs

  Color of Grace

  Weight of Silence

  Acts of Faith

  Foundation of Trust

  The Truth As He Knows It

  The World As He Sees It

  The Heart As He Hears It

  Their Life As They Live It

  His Faith As He Finds It

  Here For Us

  Sound of Us

  Uniquely Us

  Body Rocks

  Steady Stroke

  Hot Licks

  Unearthing Cole

  Understanding Jeremy

  Fractured Hymns

  What You Own

  Prodigal

  Frozen